There’s some good discussion happening at the National Charter School Watch (NCSW) discussion group. Long-time homeschooling mom and activist Emilie Fogle responded to a group member’s question about charter programs with this report on the ongoing situation in her state:
“Washington State fought back charters three times. They came in the back door. Public schools may contract with companies such as K12 or operate ‘Alternative Learning Experience Programs.’ Charters would be redundant now. We’ve had our battles but I do see some positives from our heavy involvement with state and school officials over misinformation from these programs. We actually got a law passed last year forbidding advertising to us through our local school districts. Plenty of loses, lots to still fight, some wins. Such is life.”
Veteran homeschool mom and advocate Natalie Criss also replied:
“This same transition happened quickly in Mississippi and was headed up by Connections Academy and their lobbyists here. I still have emails in my inbox from their representative stating that Connections does/did not target home educators. In that same inbox are emails sent from Connections’ representatives to several homeschool email loops inviting those families to join the Mississippi Virtual Public School Support email loop.
“Be aware that money is a huge incentive to these companies, that homeschool freedom is not their priority, and their reps will say almost anything to derail your efforts.”
Tags: Alternative Learning Experience Programs, charter programs, Charter Schools, Emilie Fogle, homeschooling, homeschooling and public school, homeschooling freedoms, homeschooling in Mississippi, homeschooling in Washington, Mississippi Virtual Public Schools, Natalie Criss, National Charter School Watch
