Comments about ‘Ogden prep academy is honored as best in '09’

If only the good people had not been lied to about the value of vouchers....we could be moving in this direction even more. More charter schools, more private schools....less taxes. Our kids deserve it.

Congratulations Ogden Prep.....
Now... Why would you not allow cell phones? Why wouldn't you use them? Studies show that when kids communicate and learn in the methods that they choose achievement actually goes up. I would learn to use the cell phones as a learning tool, texting essential questions to students before they ever come to class so that when in class there can be deep discussions rather than rote memorization. I think that Ogden prep is missing a true opportunity here.

Haven't there been some very recent news stories about teachers getting in hot water by texting students? I think texting between students and teachers is completely inappropriate!

Congratulations to the school. To Anonymous, please share how you think that putting more kids in private schools saves money. Utah is already at, or near the bottom of the nation in spending per pupil.

Finally, recognition for the great work charters do. They think outside the box and are not mired by bureaucracies and teacher's unions. It is a shame those same groups work legislatively to keep charter growth at a minimum. Most charters have extremely long lottery waiting lists. The two closest to where I live (and they not very close, but I'm willing to drive) have very long waiting lists. I have been trying to get my children in for three years. One of them has 3200 on the list. One of the top four high schools in the state is a charter, and charters have only been around for 10 years. Why do we let Educrats keep parents and students from having choice! Charters are public schools. They should be allowed to grow and flourish with demand. Once again the monopoly successfully holds our children hostage with their scare tactics about funding and regulations. Surely, an educrat is going to respond to this with lame comments about creaming the crop and stealing funds from local schools. Please don't fall for any of their unfounded nonsense. Let charters grow to fit the demand!

Congratulations! It's nice to see a school that is doing what they're supposed to be doing - educating children. Not catering to teachers unions.

To I want more choice:

Actually Charter Schools have existed in Utah since the 1970's. Before the current explosion of Charter growth, it was solely up to Districts to fulfill Chartering duties. To my limited knowledge, Salt Lake School District was the only one chartering schools while most sat on the sidelines for decades. That led to the law change allowing the State school board to charter schools.

Even with the law change, Districts can still charter. Jordan has one under its jurisdiction. It had another, Summit Academy that originally was Chartered through them, but like many of the original charters from teh seventies, has shifted to being accountable to the state.

Canyons would be wise to become a District of Charter schools. It already has several of the best Charter schools inside its boundaries and has the best dynamics for making its schools better by making them all independent and accountable to the parents.

Oh, and this educrat is totally pro-Charter.