David Brooks and Diane Ravitch….

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/opinion/01brooks.html

Article was picked up by John Merrow.http://takingnote.learningmatters.tv/?p=5183

Lots of interesting and passionate comments already, but I’d like to focus on David Brooks’ assertion (oft repeated by others) that charter schools don’t skim the best students. As evidence he cites the high number of students who are below grade level when they enter and the relatively high number of students with disabilities. All well and good but those numbers do not tell the tale.

Children who apply for and attend charter schools are skimming because their parents knew enough to apply, wait on line, sign the parent/school contract. Inshort, the parents are passionate and active in supporting their children’s education. That gives these children a tremendous leg up, and I’d say those families are skimming–leaving behind the children who do not have such active and supportive families.

Why does noone discuss this reality?