1.) Transportation
According to this charter bill, the charter does not have to provide transportation to students, per se. First, let's read this section.
I want to draw attention to the statement "ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter [deleted for a reason] as determined in its charter." At first glance, the statement sounds that students should all get transportation; but, the words written do not actually mean that. First, what is the definition of reasonable distance? Is this 5 inches or 5 miles? There is not a clear definition. I would hope they would be willing to travel the same distance all of our students must travel. But wait, there is more! Second, the charter gets to decide this. I am a rather uneasy with this. Allow me to theorize for a moment. A typical person of business is concerned with the bottomline or money. Transportation costs can be high. (i.e. bus, gasoline, insurance, drivers, management and the list continues) This seems like a great place to save some money. Second, what does "not a barrier to equal access" mean? Equal access to what? Equal access to McDonalds? Regardless, this once again shows how our low income and minority families will be left out of charters.
2.) Odd Wording
In several instances, the SB 1362 references old language. Specifically, SB 1362 referenced FCAT and NGSSS. Never once was Mathematics Florida Standards, MAFS or Language Arts Florida Standards, LAFS (which all professional educators know as the law of the land). Why? I have three theories. First, maybe the authors do not realize there is a difference in terminology? Maybe they are so out of touch with Florida schools that they don't even realize the standards have changed. Second, Senator Broxson and Senator Stargel did not read the entire bill. Somebody else wrote SB 1362 and then Senator Broxson and Stargel only added a few key changes (as highlighted by the underlined words). Third, maybe SB 1362 was meant to fail. There was never any intention for this bill to pass. What do you think about these ideas?
3.) Teacher Value (This one really shows Senator Stargel's and Senator Broxson's commitment to teachers)
Subsection 7 describes some of the various decisions that are left up to the charter. Number 14 references the qualifications of a teacher. The charter and the sponsor must come to agreement on this. This says to me that the state of Florida does not value a professional teacher. They do not value the formal education that every teacher must do. They do not value professionals that have dedicated their lives to serving our children. Yikes!
4.) Student Rights
Subsection 7 number 7 speaks to the rights of students, which are there is only one (kind of like the Jews in Nazi Germany?) Charters are not allowed admit or dismiss students solely on their academic performance. Wow! That is the only rule! In other words, the charter may dismiss students for any other reason. So say, a student is a minority, then the charter can say they are dismissed. Say a student is low income, then the charter can say they are dismissed. Say a student is struggling emotionally and as a result acts out a little, then the charter can say they are dismissed. Say a student is muslim, then the charter can say they are dismissed. Say a student wears a hijab, then the charter can say they are dismissed. I think I have made my point.
I have been a member of the district Senator Stargel represents for, essentially, my entire life. I know that if laws are not in place to protect our marginalized community members then those members will continue to be marginalized especially in charters. Case-in-point, many people have labeled the 10th street area of Lakeland "Brown-Town." So, Senators, how will all students be protected?
The first four areas that I have mentioned are non-negotiable for me. If a charter is to be labeled part of a public school system, then all students must have access according to the four points I have outlined.
5.) School Subjects at a charter
I find it very odd that subsection 7 number 2a says that the focus of a charter must be reading education. What about all of the other fantastic subjects that schools should teach? What about these subjects: math, science, social studies, computer science, technology, physical education, art, tv production, agriculture, need I continue? It certainly shows what Senator Stargel and Senator Bronson value and what they don't value.
I will not stop speaking out until charters are held to the same standard as public schools. Please join me as we continue to work with these Senators to improve the education for our community.
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