Delaware Academy of Public Safety is a good thing

“Scheduled to open in August 2010.  Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security was established to provide an optimal setting for at-risk and typical students in a college preparatory academic program with a career academy model focusing on public safety and security industry.  The school’s approved enrollment for the first year is 200 students in grade 9 and expand to 800 students in grades 9-12 by the fourth year of operation.  The school’s charter has been approved by the Delaware Department of Education and the State Board of Education.”

When rumors of a new Delaware charter school focused on public safety / homeland security a few local folks labeled it ” Hitler youth school.”  Also, there were concerns that it would be another charter school for the elitist. Well, all has proved wrong and I feel this school is a good thing.

It’s no big secret that former state senator Charlie Copeland is one of the schools founders. Charlie has often been labeled the poster child for the Delaware elitist because of his DuPont family connection.  Many of the local bloggers pegged Charlie as one whose sole interest was serving the elitist in the community. However, it’s the opposite as you can see with the target at-risk student population for Delaware Academy of Public Safety.  

Yes, I’ve had my differences with Charlie Copeland and Kilroy’s obviously made it clear. But unlike many who throw darts at him my riff was based on upfront relationship with Charlie.  He and I had many conversations on the issues and debated them from our personal perspective. Because Charlie and I share common ground on accountability I held him more accountable and transparency than other legislators. I think we can agree, despite ones views and opinions on Delaware so-called elitists that status doesn’t give you the keys to legislative hall. Social status and political status are two separate beasts. I see Charlie as a person no different than anyone else.   

I don’t oppose the concept of charter schools just the fairness and equitable means they impact all children. The choice to attend any charter schools is made by the student and parents however; the criteria for acceptance can’t be skewed by the Delaware Charter School Law that is riddle with loopholes. With Delaware Academy of Public Safety I sense the biggest and most important criteria will be the applicants desire to participate in the program.

I do disagree with those who feel the teacher’s union is responsible for the so-called failures in traditional public schools are wrong.  Don’t get me wrong, the union does have its faults but much of the failures in Delaware public education stems from failed state legislation and those legislators catering to lobbyist for personal gains putting the needs of school children secondary. The first charter school in Delaware was created more of a means to circumvent the court order busing associated with desegregation. Red Clay was a hot bed for discontentment with desegregation and its school board delivered the alternatives which they were elected to do so. The old guard didn’t fail and were very successful in delivering what was asked. However, they delivered to the call of the more affluent in the district who were engaged.  So for other parents and their children, the rule you snooze you lose applied. The board’s political focus leaned towards those calling for alternatives and pretty much created an imbalance in serving the educational needs of “all” Red Clay students. Some district schools flourished as other imploded but more attention was given to the charter school movement within Red Clay. There are four charter schools charted by Red Clay but Charter School of Wilmington is the only charter school organized by Red Clay.    

The call for educational reform across the United States was based on the failures in addressing the achievement gap between white and black students but in Delaware the initial charter school movement was not focused on the achievement gap by definition and more on separating students by academic needs. The data does support the divide in academics reveals high poverty students which are predominately African-American represent a greater number of students below the achievement gap. I love this word, unintended! Some however I don’t think anything in Delaware’s education is unintended but more intended by design. However, the fact remains Delaware has an imbalance in racial composition within its charter schools. Parents do make this choice but our legislators fail to see a train wreck coming down the track.  If we close failing charter schools whom after given opportunities to restructure one must ask where those students will attend school. The obvious is that the likelihood those schools closing would be high poverty and minority.   

Because of the failure of the Delaware State Legislators and former Governor Tom Carper who insisted on delivering DSTP as a means to cater to special interest and the business round table, the means to determine school and teacher failure hinges on one test call DSTP Delaware’s  public school  system is a first class mess.  I am starting to think it was all part of a master plan to undermine Delaware public schools to ensure they and their teacher fail in order to set the stage for more charter schools. Some say the United States President Roosevelt knew the Japanese were going to attack Pearl Harbor but turned a blind eye so that he could engage the United State in the war in Europe. Carper knew DSTP was flawed as did many of the legislators but moved forward. It didn’t take long for a few overanxious legislators joining charter school board of directors. The law was crafted so that legislators could sit on these charter school boards even though it presented moral conflict of interest. When exposed many jumped off those board and worked in stealth to support them and indeed allow their attachment to their pet charter schools to influence their responsibilities to serve all in Delaware without bias.  

DESA’s  opposition to the conduit loan for DMA was perhaps their biggest mistake and caused a major political riff that now have legislators looking for ways to fund the capital needs of charter schools. Charter schools cannot hold tax referendums because charter schools are corporation which are not public entities. Traditional public schools must hold operational referendums that benefit charter schools as the division of local operation funds among charter schools within the given districts are divided in accordance of the charter school laws. However, capital referendums do not benefit charter schools. Public school buildings are owned by the public whereas charter school buildings are not. If a charter school closes the corporate investors will divide the assets or convert assets into another corporation.

Sorry for the rant but charter schools go beyond “it’s for the kids.” Also, there is more to educational reform than meets the eye.

As for Charter School of Wilmington, I’ve reviewed all aspects pros and cons and feel CSW should not pay rent. Most people and surely 99% of our legislators don’t have a clue of the negative financial impact on Red Clay taxpayers which is minimal is the scope of education. I can tell you the real dollar impact after analyzing all financial data, local and state share and in district and out of district students and associated revenues but let’s see what you come up with. 

I am 100% confident Delaware Academy of Public Safety charter school will be a major success and Charlie Copeland involvement will be a major factor in that success. Putting the needs of at-risk students will give Charlie greater insight to the needs of students and provide a window to social issues impacting education in Delaware. Charlie could have easily associated himself which a charter school such as Charter School of Wilmington who doesn’t have such barriers to overcome. So he could have put his money on the favorite instead of a long shot. But surely the liberal opposition can’t admit Copeland does have compassion for the underclass.

Those of you who are educators and have the passion and insight to serve the  needs of at-risk students I urge you to apply for employment at Delaware Academy of Public Safety. Also, I want to thank those traditional public school teachers who have chosen to teach within out high poverty traditional public schools. Pointing the finger of failure at those who do run from such a challenge is an injustice.