Please Read the Op Ed I wrote: Time to Dispel the Myths About Newark Charters
Dr. Yusef Ismail
Accomplished nonprofit professional with extensive experience in organizational and program development
As someone who has spent more than a decade working with Newark students in both traditional public and charter schools, it is impossible for me to sit idly by and let rhetoric trump reality. As we debate the issue of education in Newark, we must ensure that our focus is in the right place. The only thing that should really matter with regards to this issue is results. Last year, Newark's KIPP Schools sent 92 percent of their high school graduates to college. Remarkably, 94 percent of North Star Academy's graduates went on to a four-year college. Across our city, thousands of students have been stuck on charter school wait lists and demand continues to outstrip supply, suggesting that Newark's charter school network should expand significantly faster in order to serve more students.
Unfortunately, it seems as though the real concern for some is not about developing excellent college-preparatory education for Newark students, but preserving the monopoly of special interests. As a parent, I know that these people are not putting my child first. It is time to dispel the myths and the rhetoric about charter schools and remain committed to serving the students, not protecting political interests.
Yusef Ismail, MHS
Newark
https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/11/time_to_dispel_myths_about_newark_charters_a_scary.html
CEO, 63 New Street LLC, 61 New Street LLC...La Cocina Restaurant & Roberts Pizzeria and Restaurant
8 年Your fight is with the power of the teachers unions and how they enrich the pockets of politicians...who in turn...sell our children out...good luck...
Security Officer
9 年I love the challenge that charter school gives our children, my son had been doing exceptionally well for three years now.
Broadcaster/Radio Talk Show Host
9 年Outstanding! Very well put. Lamentably, some have their hearts in the right place but their opinions are, IMHO, misguided by activists claiming that public charter schools are inherently bad or solely exist to create employees for certain industries. Both of these suggestions are very poor attacks on the effectiveness of charter schools. Parents often reject charters because we oftentimes fear what we don't know. I'm hopeful that more parents will read your OpEd and consider other options for their children's educational success.