The issue of whether a charter school outperforms a public
school is still under intensive debate in the country. New Orleans is a very
specific case where due to the high percentage of charter schools dominating
the educational system its results may be affected compared to the national
average. Nationally, charter schools appear to marginally do better in certain
areas (math and reading) than traditional public schools. In many other areas
charter schools underperform when compared to the traditional public school
system. In the case of New Orleans. One
recent report mentioned that out 46 charter schools in New Orleans, 23
outperformed traditional public schools’ performance.
This debate has two faces. On one hand advocates of the
charting school system who claim its success based on performance indicators
and apparent a more “motivated” student system. Innovation also seems to be a
factor claimed by these groups. Freedom of educational techniques, an increased
teacher satisfaction, apparent less cost to the public funding school system
represents some of the advantages of this educational system.
On the other hand critics of the charting system mention
difficulties such as accountability, student profiling, fragmentation of the
public education system, seclusion of low performers, and maybe use of
inappropriate markers of student success
In my opinion, a thorough re-organization of the education
system is needed. Charter schools were chosen as an alternative and appear to
perform better but long- term success indicators have not been examined, Short-term
performance scores may not be the answer in the specific case of New Orleans. I
strongly believe that a clear demarcation of a line between public and private
systems will be beneficial; a clear definition of what we men by public
educational system may be the start of a new alternative. Re-organization of resources such as money,
grants, based on a well-defined long-term educational plan may be also a way to
start. Finally, better performance measures that are adapted to the reality of
New Orleans and its needs have to be explored.
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