As with any endeavor, the reason you are called to action says a lot about your cause.
That is true of charter schools.
Mississippi’s experiment with charter schools has put Clarksdale in the laboratory of testing a new business model or framework for education. This community is getting to see firsthand the success of this novel education idea.
Is it perfect? No, but again we go back to why charter schools came to Clarksdale.
If the aim of any charter school is a mechanism to grab state and federal funding for a business that calls itself a school, its business model is flawed. We have enough job programs in this state that call themselves city and county school districts. They cost the taxpayer every day.
If the aim of any charter school is to form an elite education system for a select few, again that business model is flawed. We have enough private schools in this state and nation that allow people to pay for a place to send and educate their children. They cost the taxpayer nothing.
But if a charter school is formed to provide a better quality of education for children in that community. . . well, your Clarksdale Press Register feels that cause is just.
It is apparent many public school systems across this state are failing. Local school test scores will come out soon. Yes, both our city and county schools have made strides, but too many children don’t reach their full potential in our traditional public education system.
Charter schools have offered another option.
We’ve watched the success of this school and the success of students in this unique school system. We think taxpayers are getting their money’s worth.
We hope the people of this community will applaud success when they find it anywhere in Clarksdale and Coahoma County.
Right now Mississippi has six charter schools, five in Jackson and one in Clarksdale. Not all are as successful as ours.
We hope people from around Mississippi will look at us and see what this experiment in a new education system can do for their community, this state and our children.
