Mandarin charter proposal scrutinized by community, district

I encourage parents, teachers, and MP taxpayers to sign the petition against the charter at: Web Link
This charter petition is a disturbing tax grab with potential to negatively impact MP neighborhood schools. Both the Cupertino and PA Mandarin immersion programs serve approximately 2% of their respective student populations. This charter seeks to serve a ridiculously high 17% of the MPCSD student population. Analysis of PA Mandarin immersion application data indicates that enrollment will reach 80% from in-district at best, more likely less than that. It will, without a doubt, draw a large number of overflow students from outlying districts at the expense of MP taxpayers. The associated loss in funding will come at the cost of MPCSD students and have a negative impact on overall quality of education in Menlo Park. Please attend the public hearing on October 14th referenced in this article and let your voice be heard.

The legal code states: "In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that establishment of charter schools should be encouraged."

However, the "Intent of the Legislature" also states:

Education Code - EDC
TITLE 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION [33000 - 64100]
( Title 2 enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010. )
DIVISION 4. INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES [46000 - 64100]
( Division 4 enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010. )
PART 26.8. CHARTER SCHOOLS [47600 - 47664]
( Part 26.8 added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 781, Sec. 1. )

CHAPTER 1. General Provisions [47600 - 47604.5]
( Chapter 1 added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 781, Sec. 1. )

47600.


This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the “Charter Schools Act of 1992.”

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 781, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)

47601.


It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this part, to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure, as a method to accomplish all of the following:

(a) Improve pupil learning.

(b) Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving.

(c) Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods.

(d) Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the schoolsite.

(e) Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.

(f) Hold the schools established under this part accountable for meeting measurable pupil outcomes, and provide the schools with a method to change from rule-based to performance-based accountability systems.

(g) Provide vigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate continual improvements in all public schools.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 34, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

This proposal for a charter school fails aims (b), (f), and (g), listed above. The school board surely must be allowed to take this into account in their evaluation of this charter school proposal.

There is strong opposition to this charter school, however for it to succeed it will require legal counsel to craft arguments that will win the day under the guidelines the mpcsd needs to follow. That and/or a challenge to the charter law as it applies to basic aid districts.

I am generally a fan of Charter Schools, as they offer, in many cases but not all, a superior level of teaching and learning as compared to average and low performing schools. Creating a charter school in one of the highest performing school districts in the State appears to be pretty foolish, in my opinion. It is both a waste of time and money. Having the school district offer Mandarin should be more than sufficient, while maintaing the extraordinarily high quality of education within the whole district.

Aaron's post above states very clearly:

>> 'Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving.'

Note the reference to 'low achieving'. Charter schools were created specifically to provide higher quality education to low or average performing schools and districts. Menlo Park Schools are definitely NOT underperforming. Move on and let the district continue doing the good work they are famous for.

The school district has posted a extensive document with Freqently Asked Questions about the charter school proposal and process at: Web Link