Op-Ed: Charter School Debate Sheds Light on Crisis of Identity Politics
Are charter schools the latest instrument intended to transfer wealth from public to private hands?
[Chigozie U. Onyema is a policy analyst at a national nonprofit. He is interested in the impact of race and class on public policy. He earned his J.D. from NYU School of Law and his B.A. from Howard University.]
There was an interesting, and telling, article recently in NJ Spotlight. It looks at a charter school debate in Florence Township, a small suburb in Burlington County. The article sheds light on the tension between the public and private sector, and the crisis of the original identity politics -- white identity politics.
It is interesting, because the local school district, and many in the community, oppose the expansion of a K-3 charter school. If the charter school expands, the district is required to foot the bill for students who elect to matriculate past third grade in the charter.
The school district is against the expansion, because it would further strain its already limited budget, while the charter school argues that it offers more options to parents.
It is telling, because New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s administration, and members of both parties in the New Jersey Legislature take what appears to be a convenient position.
The administration claims that it is more inclined to support charter schools where the traditional public schools are failing, and the school district is big enough to withstand the fiscal blow of losing students.
It seems that the administration wants to keep their rationale for supporting charter schools in predominantly black school districts like Newark and Camden, while pleasing predominantly white suburban school districts that oppose charter schools in their communities. Otherwise, the administration’s stated rationale for supporting charters in the former, and not the latter instance, is indefensible.
First, there is no credible evidence that charter schools, on the whole, outperform their public school counterparts. In fact, the Center Research and Education Outcomes (CREDO), which is a part of the conservative Hoover Institute at Stanford University, wrote a report in 2009 that found that about 46 percent of charter schools performed as well as public schools, while 37 percent performed worse, and only 17 percent performed better. The study based its findings on 16 states across the nation, and no glaring methodological concerns were raised about it.
More recently, the same CREDO allegedly found that charter schools outperformed public schools in New Jersey.
But a closer examination suggests otherwise. Julia Sass, Ph.D., associate professor of public policy at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, wrote an op-ed for NJ Spotlight that raised a number of questions about the latter CREDO report, most notably the dramatic demographic differences between the public and charter school students examined in the study.
The demographic differences cited suggest that the study did not compare similar students across public and charter schools, which undermines the integrity of the study, and could have distorted the findings. Dr. Sass also speculates that the study’s outcome could have been politically motivated.
Second, it is increasingly apparent that bigger school districts are fiscally impaired by the presence of charter schools, as evidenced by the number of traditional public school closings in cities like Newark and Philadelphia, both of which had an influx of charter schools in recent years.
The school closings have reached such proportions that they are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education at the urging of community groups around the country.
I think the Christie administration’s conflicting positions on charter schools in urban and suburban communities are a microcosm of the crisis that the original identity politics -- white identity politics -- confronts. As a general matter, the (overwhelming white) capitalist class, colloquially referred to as “the one-percent,” wants to extract money from the public sector.
Elected officials (overwhelmingly white, but increasingly black) accept huge sums of money through political action committees (PACs), political donations, and lucrative positions on the boards of directors of private companies after public life, in exchange for doing the capitalist class's bidding. Thus, the elected officials facilitate a transfer of wealth from the public sector to the private sector through privatizing public utilities, roads, parking meters, and even military personnel.
More recently, charter schools have come to the fore of the wealth transfer from public to private hands. They have served as the leading edge of the sword that transfers money from public school budgets to private actors, and investors, that operate ostensibly public charter schools.
Continue reading on NJSpotlight.com.
NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.
Lisa Shields
7:11 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Well written, and on the mark.
Charter schools and vouchers are simply a way to undermine public education by diverting the community resources. The charters have done abysmally overall, representing a huge drain in public monies, for a paltry , usually inadequate return. The vouchers are simply a coupon to be used by the well-to-do, who already send their children to other schools, but in most cases would not be even minimally adequate to pay for schooling the average student coming from a working class family. In both cases, it's bait and switch, tarted up to look like "education choice" or reform.
The siren song of the last decade has been "privatization"---where a company takes on some public function for a state, county, or municipality, with the idea of "reducing costs". It ignores the fact that businesses are for profit, and any advantage or savings are usually over by the first year...if they ever existed. And education is WAY too profitable to ignore. The public is always looking for a quick fix to a complicated issue, and this is one of the worst.
Tugwalla
10:06 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
How is it going Sal...posting under another name are we now!
Tugwalla
8:00 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Lisa....how about some disclosure? You are a special interest group lobbyist with a vested interest in continuing the current failing NJ public school system. You and your clients are partly responsible for the failures in Newark, Camden and Trenton. Rather than be on the side of the unions why not do something for the children who need it?
Lisa Shields
9:50 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Nice try...but wrong...on all counts.
I am a native of NJ, who has watched in acute frustration as the system grows worse and worse...and people like you try to turn it to THEIR benefit, while appearing saintly. You'll note, I write under my REAL NAME, and people in East Windsor have known me for year. Whereas you hide behind an obscure screen nick, and hurl lies. I guess that makes YOU the paid shill. No accountability for the anonymous.
Terr DC
5:24 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tugwalla, you are either thinking of a different Lisa Shields or making things up.
Joe R
8:34 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Well stated by Lisa Shields. Charter schools are imposed on school districts whether they are wanted or not; the residents get no say whether a charter school is dumped into their district. Residents don't get to vote directly on the charter school budget and the charter school board of directors. The charter school is a private school that gets public money and is totally unaccountable to the duly elected school board. Charter schools are like separate school distrcits unto themselves and they do drain money and resources from the real public schools. They do not contain the same percentage of the more expensive pupils with special needs and learning disabilities.
Lisa Shields
9:55 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Thanks Joe. They also tend to skirt access for Special Needs children, on the grounds that they don't have the staff to meet their needs. They don't hire speech therapists...then argue that they can't take kids with speech issues because they can't accommodate them. They also can wiggle on the whole "private school" status to avoid following the structures and regs of IDEA. Thank you for bringing up that point.
Tugwalla
11:49 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Lisa...rather than address the issue...that you are a lobbyist for special interests..you attack the messenger. In addition, the public school system is failing...the performance curve has flattened, and in many communities is spiraling downward. So you are more intent on protecting the status quo than making real changes. Why do you insist on supporting the NJEA, Unions and giving educational options for only the rich, instead of making every parent have more control over their children's education.
Here's an idea...spend less time hanging out with your political and union buddies in Trenton and spend more time seeing whats going on in the classroom!
Lisa Shields
11:59 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
I'm sorry...is English not your first language?
I stated clearly that I am NOT a paid lobbyist for special interests...you seem to have issues with that very simple notion. Which might explain the paranoid mash you have made of the rest of this. Where did I say a SINGLE word about NJEA? That was you..twice. But tell you what sparky...why don't you tell us who you REALLY are...real name, and pic...and then maybe we'll chat further.
I can prove who I am. Can you make the same claim?
Terr DC
5:25 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tugwalla, you are either thinking of a different Lisa Shields or making things up.
Tugwalla
12:11 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Answer the question and stop the attacks! Why must only the rich have choice while the NJ school system continues to waste money and squash educational competition?
Why are you against inner-city minorities having options for their children when the current system is a failure?
Lisa Shields
12:23 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
When you stop lying about who I am, and what my motives might be, maybe we'll chat. But you seem to me to be more interested in giving a rebate to the 1 percent, than giving a good goddamn about inner city children...much less "minorities". I'm betting that you live in one of those areas where people of color are not welcome...unless they are trimming the lawns.
Desiree Angelique
12:45 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Dear Tugwalla. As someone who's witnessed Lisa in action (not with union buddies or politicians, but against school officials), I'd like to say she is not paid enough to be what you are accusing. People who lie and scheme are wealthy.
As for the question of Charter Schools and the Coupon Options: They're very nice on paper but from my own intellect (I'm very close to completing an Education degree), they are fundamentally flawed. Even if you offer vouchers, they don't make up for the lack of funding. They are a coupon, nothing more. If the family cannot afford the other school options in the first place, the voucher does not help.
Vouchers are again for the wealthy. They are a discount for those who can already afford the luxuries in life, so they can continue to avoid putting their money into the economy. I know this because I have not yet had an education course that has not discussed them. I'm on my sixth semester.
Terr DC
5:25 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tugwalla, you are either thinking of a different Lisa Shields or making things up.
Terr DC
2:33 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The whole point is that vouchers do NOT make more choices available to poor people - vouchers don't provide enough money to cover tuition, they just provide a partial re-payment to the rich folks who can afford to pay the difference.
If you know of a successful charter school in Newark, Trenton, or Camden, that is actually affordable to inner-city minorities and helping them do better in school, please share - I know some people who could really benefit from it.
josephine b.
12:23 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Lisa, labeling you a "union hack" is supposed to disqualify your well constructed, legitimate response. Scary...
Lisa Shields
12:26 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Oh that doesn't bother me. I've done a blog for the East Windsor patch for two years...I'm used to trolls. I guess online porn must get boring to them after awhile. Thanks for the comment!
Joe R
1:00 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tugwalla attacks, attacks, attacks and engagaes in ad hominem assaults and then turns around and accuses his victims of attacking. By the way, NJ schools are not failing, quite the opposite. NJ public schools always score in the top tier of schools by almost any measure, are regularly in the top 3 performing states in the nation and is number one in many areas. Tugwalla is not interested in sane debate, he's only interested in swift boating and demonizing, i.e. McCarthyism gone wild.
Lisa Shields
1:03 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Thanks again Joe.
You have to wonder what the trolls did before the internet. I guess we should be grateful that it fills some sort of hole in their otherwise pointless lives.
And thank you for reminding me where I had seen his name before...on many a flaming and non-factual post designed to annoy or provoke.
Terr DC
6:59 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Lisa's question "You have to wonder what the trolls did before the internet" made me think "Before the internet, these guys wrote letters to the editor of the local paper" and that rang a bell. I now suspect I know who Tugwalla is, and you're right, he's not interested in sane debate.
marilyn bruce
9:31 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Sometimes it is best to ignore a toddler having a temper tantrum.
Tugwalla
2:29 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Wow...you Blogged on the Patch for two whole years???? Ohhhh...you must be credible. Why wont you answer the question...Why do you support the NJEA over a better education for inner city minority children?
Lisa Shields
3:43 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
And again...no one who knows who you are, where you live...and why should listen to a word you say.
I suspect you might be the NJEA shill, posting nonsense to win them public support. Who in their right minds would align their opinions with a babbler? That sounds more credible than your endless, paranoid drivel. Off with you now...leave the important talk to the adults.
Tugwalla
4:37 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Hmmm...Rich suburban white woman claims to know whats better for inner city minority children than their own parents?
In my opinion...it smacks of elitism and borderline racism...go on keep attacking the messenger rather than answer the question!
Terr DC
5:27 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tugwalla, you've really outdone yourself - I wish Lisa WAS rich, but she most certainly is not.
Karen
6:44 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Wow! I am astounded at the ignorance displayed by Tugwalla (whoever he or she actually may be, it is so much easier to write anonymously). Obviously the person (or group) involved has never met Lisa. I have known her well for about 8 years. Rich? not even close. Elitist? racist? I guess ignorance is bliss. You can continue to throw insults, accusations, and lies without any regard for reality. As far as attacking the messenger, I think it is totally legitimate to attack a coward, especially one who never bothers to verify facts, nor deal with reality.. The basis of all journalism is verifying FACTS - who, why, where, when, and how. Responding to blogs anonymously gives you the freedom to ignore these long established rules and randomly throw insults. The majority of your opinions have given me a good laugh, they are so far off the mark. You are a joke.
Tugwalla
9:52 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Ignorance? Lisa makes xenophobic comments...questioning if English is my second language...then she goes on to make personal attacks on me...all while refusing to answer a simple question to why her opinion is the only right one.
Anyone who has the finances to llive in East Windsor and pay a publisher to print their novel....has NO right to tell inner city minorities what is best for their children.
Karen
11:25 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Where do you live? It seems you are confusing East Windsor with West Windsor. East Windsor is not high value real estate, check the sale listings for properties in East Windsor and you will discover the reality.
Lisa is a published author who was actually paid for her work. Of course, once again, you have no interest in verifying your facts.
The answer to the simple question about her opinion is called freedom of speech. Anyone, even you, has the right to express their opinion, however uninformed and unverified. What makes you think that your opinion is the only right one? The problem is simple, you have not verified your stated "facts", thus, they are only opinions, based on erroneous assumptions.
I am RIGHT
10:09 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
When "Tugwalla" first appeared on The Patch he was STEVE FROM KINGSTON. He's been known to appear at South Brunswick council meetings.
Lisa Shields
11:23 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
That explains much...including his inability to tell the difference between vanity press (where you pay someone to publish your work) and when a publisher foots the costs, and pays YOU. While I am not in the employ of ANY lobby, I have been published by Iriswhite Press, who then paid me for the books that sold. The Infinite Charm of FIrefly Glow, my first collection of work was published in 2005, and is dedicated to my daughter. I'm sure it amuses him to make me seem like a hack, but he really screwed up his "undeniable facts".
I'm sure the special needs families and kids I have represented before the State Senate, in would be amused by his NJEA assertions. Most of them can tell the difference between the teacher's union, and their issues. Since special needs cross all race, gender and economic lines, they'd also find his assertions about "xenophobia a special hoot." He can rave on, but I will not let that sort of slander go unchallenged...and neither should the Patch. He is not presenting information about me as "an opinion". He is calling it fact. That's both slander and libel.
And THAT is a fact.
Terr DC
2:24 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Oh, well, he's not who I thought he was - just someone with the same M.O.
Tugwalla
10:42 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Why do anti charter school zealots insist the know what's best for the urban poor while they live in their safe upper middle class neighborhoods believing their attending a PTA meeting is really making a difference?
The current school system which is controlled by the NJEA and special interest groups (ie Lisa's buddies in Trenton) is partly to blame for the destruction of the inner city education system. Put the children who need it the most first and not the mediocre suburban schools pretending to be "world class". The US education system, grade school to college, is manufacturing unemployable and non competitive graduates.
Undeniable facts!
Tugwalla
7:16 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lisa....me thinks thou protesteth too much! Wow....and you still cannot justify why you believe that a white suburban upper class mom has more rights than poor minority moms?
Terr DC
2:26 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
She doesn't have to justify that because she didn't say that. I'd suggest you re-read what she DID say, this time with your mind open to what she wrote, instead of seeing what you expect to see.
Joe R
11:31 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I sincerely hope that Tugwalla (Winston, Steve from Kingston) does not own any guns because he obviously is delusional and not in touch with reality.
Tugwalla
12:08 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
So there it is........ baseless claims (JoeR is really Barry Soweto), name calling, and threats of violence!
Rather than stick to the topic and defend ones position I guess it easier to throw rocks!