All of you have been involved at various times in talks about how to get the message out to the legislature and the larger community about charter schools’ image and successes. Attached is analysis of this year’s charter schools’ test scores v. traditional schools’ scores – it is wonderful news that has once again escaped the media’s attention, as well as, apparently, DPI’s. Please take a look and see what you think. If you agree, we need to get the word out immediately to the media, and then develop strategy to get the word out to the legislature at the right time. The Durham Herald-Sun just finished a series about the poor results in Durham, so I would like to write a letter soon. But it seems to me that letters or articles using this data from the Alliance are more effective than just from an individual, so that’s why I’m writing.
Also, we need to get some analysis about how we’re doing in the AYP subgroups – but that data is harder to get to.
My thought about our unified statewide sound-bite message is that it should be something like “Successful, innovative education for all of North Carolina’s children.” Why?
1) Success – this data gives us documentation of success. 2) Innovation – our enabling legislation is based on this and we need to start documenting it – legislators are stuck on whether we are meeting our initial purpose; 3) ALL NC children – there’s a strong continuing stereotype that we are “creaming” the students and we need data and stories to show how every school is serving children and communities in special ways, that we have waiting lists and use fair lotteries and are welcome children of all races, do not charge tuition (!) etc.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Bonnie Wright
Board member
Maureen Joy Charter School
KIPP NC
Could you please post or link to the analysis of this year’s charter schools’ test scores vs. traditional schools’ scores?