Despite positive trends in graduation rates, the dropout crisis is still a real problem across the country. Students who have already fallen behind or dropped out are most often left to fend for themselves in largely ineffective and limited alternative options. This student population represents untapped economic potential. If served properly, it could transform from being an economic and social burden to one resulting in increased spending, tax revenue, and job creation. A small subset of public charter schools are taking on the challenge of developing effective alternatives for OU students. These schools are using the flexibility of the public charter model to create learning environments that work for OU students, as evidenced by profiles of successful schools across the country. Though they are succeeding in small pockets, their impact could be far more widespread with the right supports. OU student-specific data collection, partnerships for wraparound services, equitable funding, and alternative accountability measures will encourage more schools to take the risk and reap the rewards of offering struggling students a way to get back on track. These policies will support the growth and creation of a true space for OU students within the public charter landscape—a place of critical importance for students who cannot find the right academic home anywhere else. So, why public charter schools for OU youth? Part of this answer lies in the unique autonomies that public charter schools are afforded, leading them to be able to tailor school environments to specific populations, such as OU students. However, the other part of the answer is simply that these schools are seemingly the only ones willing and able to pick up the mantle of serving these struggling students, proving once again their critical role as a part of the public school landscape.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:02:11 +0000
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