I do not contend that students switch back occasionally. I had two who left because of siblings. It was the parents choice to switch.

Is it plausible that these kids have a negative attitude towards school? We at Charters hear the same sort of stuff about past schools and teachers. Kids like to 'bag' on what they don't like.

Mid-year moving of students is a problem and needs to be limited, especially after the October 1st deadline.

I have always felt that parents who move kids from one school to another are causing serious gaps in a child's instruction and unwittingly shortchange their child. But the law allows parents to do this. Some do this so often I wonder how the child can even function. It also fosters the child's disrespect for education.

So what needs to happen? The state needs to clearly define the rules for enrollment. I'd like to see no child moved from one Public school to another (without change of address) after the child has attended for two weeks. If they go beyond two weeks of enrollment, no other public school should be required to accept them until the first day of the next quarter.

Mr. Jarvis,
I appreciate your perspective on charter schools and always find your comments well-informed and respectful. It's interesting how quickly things move to public schools vs. charter schools (or vice versa) with emotions causing contention.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.

Steven,
I am just wondering where you are currently working. I know the charter school you worked at last year, however, I know that you are no longer working there. Are you at another charter school? Did you make a move to another school or did you go to a public school? I will validate the wait list issue, as the charter school that Seven and I both worked at last year did in deed have a wait list for most grades. The wait list for the kindergarten classes for the 08-09 school year was over 100 in June. The students were chosen from a lottery and there was an order of priority that had to be followed. There was a sibling priority, draper resident priority, and employee priority. Now this may be different for other charter schools, this was just how the school I worked for ran the lottery system.

The Charter I am with this year has a wait list over a thousand, a great reputation, only two classes per grade and SPECIALISTS (let's hear it for prep time)! We don't have a computer lab and the library has practically no books. But we have an incredible program and kids that want to learn--even in the sixth grade!

It is quite a drive. I am up at just after 5 and this week haven't been home till after 6:30. I have a very incredible Director again this year.

I really want to come out and say the name, but since my first job I haven't used the school name I was currently working for because frankly, some people may think my views are the schools views (and we all know I am opinionated and like to talk). We got more Challenger teachers (perhaps half the faculty now). They all know Mrs. P. from fourth grade. As soon as I knew that, I was thrilled because that meant the highest level of professionalism and no child would fall through the cracks. Mrs. B in 1st could name the school.

Oh, and I aced the NCLB test. L2 is done.