A thoughtful perspective on CO Charter Schools...

About as thoughtful as you

How is Harsanyi presenting a thoughtful perspective on Charter Schools when he takes Rep. Merrifield's qoute of context, suggesting once again it was aimed at the families and students of charter schools rather than what it was; A private e-mail exchange about 3 individuals of school board members in his district.

Harsayni is echoing the vail bile from the Cons at face-the-state. Nothing more than toilet politics on their part.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Mon Apr 02, 2007 at 09:43:44 AM CDT

IMHO...

Harsanyi quickly stops talking about Merrifield and focuses on the larger scope of charters in Colorado. I linked his article to steer this conversation AWAY from name-calling (as much fun as that sometimes is) and towards more substantive discussion.

Harsanyi on the MM comment: "The comment, in any event, is secondary to the issue at hand." and "Democrats have done a good job creating the perception that they're moderate. So why are the most radical members of your caucus running education policy?"

That is a valid question.

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by: GOPpundit @ Mon Apr 02, 2007 at 09:56:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Do charter schools perform or benefit from their demographics

Before you write anything about charter schools, be sure to read Freakonomics, which casts a huge and credible shadow over the charter schools and school vouchers movements.

Although it doesn't mention either charter schools or vouchers specifically, any reader will see the major point derived from sophisticated data mining of educational records.

That is, it's the parents, stupid. Their genes, incomes and literacy determine the academic success of their kids. It's their zip code that tells the story, not whether kids are bused to better schools or parents move to better subdivisions.

I also recommend that you read Judith Rich Harris' two out-of-the box books on nature versus nurture. The books are her latest, "No two alike, human nature and human individuality," and her 1998 book, "The Nurture Assumption, why children turn out the way they do."

I don't know how good the education establishment's studies of charter schools and vouchers are, but I suspect they're highly biased and lack credibility.

For an outstanding discussion of database mining bias and research bias, read the new book on the stock markets by David Aronson, "Evidence-Based Technical Analysis, applying the scientific method and statistical inference to trading signals." He includes strong chapters on statistical analysis and basic statistics as part of his argument that chart patterns don't tell traders anything about markets. The book's $60 on Amazon and worth the price just for the discussions about statstistics and data mining, both of which are critical to your study of charter schools, imho.

So, what I'm saying, is that I have trouble believing either the school unions or the advocates of charter schools and vouchers because I doubt the credibility of their studies and data mining. You have an opportunity to break some new ground, if you have the skills, knowledge, integrity and resources to do some heavy lifting.

Looking forward to your diaries on charter schools.

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by: Another skeptic @ Mon Apr 02, 2007 at 09:58:11 AM CDT

Thanks

Thanks for the thoughts. I own Freakonomics... and will look into the others.  -G

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by: GOPpundit @ Mon Apr 02, 2007 at 10:17:19 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Their "genes?"

Are you serious? Genes?

Or did you mean culture?

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 10:06:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Genes, assuming coming from same culture

Genes, assuming similar cultures.

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by: Another skeptic @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 11:47:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Genetics and culture are two very different things

even if many people share both in common.

I'd like to read what role you believe genes specifically have in determining one's success or failure in school.

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 16:34:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sidebar...

My sidebar comment on this subject... is that genetic structure impacts the development of cognitive ability and therefore also traditional IQ metrics. Case in point are genetic anamolies like Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida. Both are specifically related to genetics and both specifically impact an individual's ability for cognitive function.

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by: GOPpundit @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 17:03:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lemme guess

You also ascribe to the theory that skull capacity = IQ?

"Thousands are sailing, across the western ocean, to a land of opportunity, that some of them will never see . . ."

- The Pogues

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by: Druid @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 17:42:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Um, no actually.

What I described are not oft debated medical realities. Do you disagree with something I said?

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by: GOPpundit @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 18:12:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're kidding

Right?

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by: Another skeptic @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 20:43:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kidding about what?

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 23:13:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kidding about genes

You seem to think they have no bearing on the success of students.

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by: Another skeptic @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 10:25:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let's just say

that it would be news to me. Please enlighten me to this connection, or at least your sources. Honestly.

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 11:14:58 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Whoops, that sounds snarky

and it isn't intended to be. I'm open (but skeptical, which you should appreciate) to the possibility that there's a proven (or even hypothetical) genetic link, but I currently believe that culture is more likely to have this kind of effect.

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 11:16:31 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hello?

There's nothing convincing about statements without supporting facts. Do you have anything at all to reference, or can I consider this a concession of the debate to me?

What are you talking about?...I don't get it." - bjwilson83

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by: Aristotle @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 13:54:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm with you AS

I have a hard time with believing the supporters of either side, but I do like the idea of options for parents because different kids do better in different school settings.  The cookie cutter approach to education does not work for all students or parents.

I get the criticism of a voucher system better than that of charter schools.  Since they are under the public school umbrella, what's the beef?

Holding public school supporters or choice supporters in disdain is a waste of time and energy, IMO.

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 17:44:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]