Major Charter Overhaul in Detroit

I don't even know where to start with this one, as it's obviously a super-complex situation. I haven't been paying enough attention to all the ins and outs of DPS since moving to Chicago, so I don't feel comfortable speaking on this with any authority. I know that growing up in the area, I was 'against' charters--though in retrospect I wasn't all that knowledgable on the topic.

As many of you know, I spent some time working in a charter high school here, which certainly complicated my views. I can obviously speak on this for days, but to super-simplify: I don't think it's the best systemic answer for public education, but I get the sense of urgency on the part of parents and students who perhaps don't have access to the type of rigorous academic environment they see as desirable for college preparation. I don't think for-profit companies should be running schools, but there are benevolent individuals and organizations that have started charters, and I do get the perspective of many educators who love working in a school where they feel effective and safe. I understand that, on the whole, charters are not more successful than traditional public schools, but I will only speak for the school I was at--and not necessarily those of the the network it's spawned, where administration differs, but where a few of my fantastic teacher-friends work. This school is certainly not for everyone, but it has been great for a lot of students; I think it's important to keep that in mind when making structural critiques of the charter system (which I do). Okay, that was a little more than the two cents I intended to insert, but man, this education thing is tricky.

Anyways, read the article, and I look forward to the imminent debates on the DPS topic. Detroit is not Chicago, but there are always lessons we can take away. Ultimately, the biggest tragedy is that it's come to this. My initial reaction is that this charter overhaul is scary, but of course I can't speak for the students, teachers, and parents of Detroit, who have been fighting for reform for longer than I've been around. Stay tuned....