You’ve Got to be Kidding

Charter advocates blast the ridiculous Civil Rights Project report claiming that charters segregate students on the National Journal blog this morning.  My response follows:

This report is almost too ridiculous to comment on. None of us want segregated schools, but to criticize charters for serving low income minority communities is unproductive and unfair. The best thing that has happened in education in the last ten years is the development of high performing urban CMOs serving high need communities with uncompromising quality. The breakthrough performance of the No-Excuses schools outlines the path forward not just for education but as the most powerful antidote for chronic poverty in historically under-served neighborhoods.

The concentration on high need communities is a function of the charter school founder’s mission but also steering from funders and authorizers. Given growing penetration in many urban areas, these groups along with community organizations can and should begin to plan for a wider ring of influence–a new round of schools that are more integrated in every way. This conversation is beginning in metro Newark, Washington DC, Houston, New Orleans and LA. With a reputation for quality, top school operators are positioned to open schools that will attract suburban as well as urban kids.

This perceived problem will work itself out, but it’s a shame that CRP is shooting at folks doing the best work in the sector for the kids most in need.