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Tougher standards could be enacted for 'alternative' Texas charter schools
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: Education
DALLAS (AP) - A dramatic increase in the number of Texas charter schools seeking "alternative education" status has led some charter school experts to question whether so many campuses deserve to be held to a lower standard.
In the last four years, the number of Texas charter schools seeking "alternative education" status has shot up from 62 to 166. Charter schools with that designation are exempt from the state accountability standards used to evaluate every other campus in Texas.
About 60 percent of the state's charter school campuses are now exempt, even though "alternative" charters are virtually identical demographically to charters remaining in the standard accountability system.
Schools that want into the alternative system only have to fill out a form declaring that they're "dedicated" to serving disadvantaged youths.
The Texas Education Agency is considering a revised accountability system that could block many charters from receiving alternative status, according to one state charter expert. And for those schools that do qualify, the new system also would set a higher standard for ratings and accountability.
Texas' alternative accountability system "has become too comfortable a haven for charter schools," said Nelson Smith, president of the Charter School Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. "There are a number of schools looking at the tougher (standards) and thinking they need to take cover."
Each time the state has toughened standards, or even talked about it, more charters sought an alternative education label that would largely exclude them from the rising standards.
According to state records, 37 percent of the schools in the alternative system switched after receiving a low-performing rating.
When the state increased the passing rates needed to receive an acceptable rating in 2002, the number of charters in the alternative rating system nearly doubled, from 62 to 112. It happened again in 2003 when the TEA announced it would revamp the accountability system. Soon after, the number of charters seeking evaluation under the alternative system hit 166.
The state aims to change that practice in 2006, according to a proposal being reviewed by Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley.
Starting next year, schools will have to enroll at least 65 percent at-risk students to qualify for the alternative accountability system.
In the last four years, the number of Texas charter schools seeking "alternative education" status has shot up from 62 to 166. Charter schools with that designation are exempt from the state accountability standards used to evaluate every other campus in Texas.
About 60 percent of the state's charter school campuses are now exempt, even though "alternative" charters are virtually identical demographically to charters remaining in the standard accountability system.
Schools that want into the alternative system only have to fill out a form declaring that they're "dedicated" to serving disadvantaged youths.
The Texas Education Agency is considering a revised accountability system that could block many charters from receiving alternative status, according to one state charter expert. And for those schools that do qualify, the new system also would set a higher standard for ratings and accountability.
Texas' alternative accountability system "has become too comfortable a haven for charter schools," said Nelson Smith, president of the Charter School Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. "There are a number of schools looking at the tougher (standards) and thinking they need to take cover."
Each time the state has toughened standards, or even talked about it, more charters sought an alternative education label that would largely exclude them from the rising standards.
According to state records, 37 percent of the schools in the alternative system switched after receiving a low-performing rating.
When the state increased the passing rates needed to receive an acceptable rating in 2002, the number of charters in the alternative rating system nearly doubled, from 62 to 112. It happened again in 2003 when the TEA announced it would revamp the accountability system. Soon after, the number of charters seeking evaluation under the alternative system hit 166.
The state aims to change that practice in 2006, according to a proposal being reviewed by Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley.
Starting next year, schools will have to enroll at least 65 percent at-risk students to qualify for the alternative accountability system.