Charter Schools - a right-wing social experiment

The government is closing schools down in Christchurch. I am sure that the Green Party is right – these new schools, the brainchild of far-Right party ACT, will be opened up on those sites. Christchurch has become a right-wing social laboratory – in true shock doctrine style.

Charter school operators to be decided within weeks

The operators of the first charter schools are expected to be confirmed within eight weeks.

This photo is misleading when it comes to charter schools. I don't think we will be seeing algebra or even long-division taught.  The teachers are not even required to be qualified.

Radio NZ,

5 June, 2013

Legislation allowing the publicly funded private schools passed its final reading in Parliament on Tuesday night.

Thirty-five applications have been received from organisations wanting to run charter schools, including the Destiny Church.

ACT leader and Associate Education Minister John Banks says by August the field will be whittled down to between three and five, which can begin operating at the start of next year.

Mr Banks says the schools have start-up funding of $19 million over four years, which is for operations, not capital expenditure.

Charter schools will not have to employ registered teachers or follow the national curriculum, nor will they be subject to the Official Information Act or the scrutiny of the Ombudsman.

The schools are a key part of ACT's support agreement with the National-led government.

Charter schools on the ruins of Christchurch education

Press Release: Green Party

Scoop

4 June 2013

Official documents show the Government is planning to set up charter schools on the site of closed state schools, possibly those in Christchurch, the Green Party said today.

The Education Amendment Bill, which makes charter schools law, is likely to be passed later today.

In Parliament today Education Minister Hekia Parata refused to rule out establishing charter or partnership schools on the site of Christchurch schools which she has closed under her so called renewal plan.

“A cabinet paper shows that Hekia Parata told Ministers in February that the first charter schools were likely to be private schools converted to charters, or established on the site of closed state schools,” Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said.

“Hekia Parata told the House today that she could not remember making those recommendations in her cabinet paper on funding “partnership schools”, but that stretches belief.

“Closing a state school with 100 per cent qualified, dedicated teachers and replacing it - on that site or another - with one based on a whacky philosophy and staffed by untrained people, is an insult to the children and teachers who have fought so hard to keep their schools open.

“Plans we revealed today that allow charters to occupy closed state schools and for private schools to become fully state-funded charter schools, shows this Bill up for what it really is – an attack on public education, and a backdoor plan to get private schools state funding.

“I put forward two reasonable amendments to the Bill which would have ensured that charter schools cannot be run by organisations running a profit, and that the Minster would need to consider the impact of local schools when deciding whether to establish a charter school in their area.

“The Government rejected those changes.

“The passing of this Bill will be a sad day for New Zealand’s world renowned public education system and a sad day for the hundreds of children who will be the victims of a corporate experiment on their education,” Mrs Turei said.

Link to cabinet paper: https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/proactivereleaseresourcingpartnershipschoolswithoiabackingapril2013_0.pdf

Charter school operators in waiting game

TV3,

5 June, 2013

Providers to operate the country's first charter schools will be chosen within weeks, but opponents are warning of a step backwards for public education.

Legislation to establish the controversial publicly-funded, privately-run schools passed its final reading in parliament last night by 62 votes to 57, with the support of National, ACT and Maori Party MPs.

The schools - an ACT Party initiative - will be operated by community, church or business organisations, be able to set their own curriculum and term times, and will be able to hire some unqualified or unregistered teachers.

Their rationale is that the schools will be able to tailor their teaching to help disadvantaged kids and students who are failing in the state system.

ACT leader John Banks says the schools, which the government calls "partnership schools", will have to meet strict targets for improving educational outcomes.

There have been 35 applications to run the schools, and successful applicants will be announced in the coming weeks.

The first two schools, to be established in Christchurch and Auckland, are expected to be ready to open in term one next year.

However, Mr Banks has indicated up to five schools could be opened initially, and hopes to have up to 60 operating within a decade.

Teachers' union NZEI says there are a lot of risks involved in charter schools, with president Judith Nowotarski calling them "an extremely reckless and irresponsible experiment" by the government.

"The government has chosen to put private profit and a failed overseas model ahead of investing in state schools that desperately need more resources to ensure our most vulnerable children get the education they deserve," she said.

Meanwhile, a cabinet paper released to the Green Party shows charter schools could be opened on the sites of closed state schools or private schools converting to partnership schools.

Education Minister Hekia Parata on Tuesday told parliament she did not remember making that recommendation.

She would not rule out charter schools being opened on the sites of Christchurch schools earmarked for closure.