Group 6 Michael Berg, Scott Gravitt, Joy Singleton, Gina Smeeton, Amy Wagner

Charter School Themes Teachers Parents Students Organizational Leaders Policy Makers/Government Officials

Adequate background knowledge of charter schools *Private funding *Public schools financially suffer *Arts and after school programs hurt particularly *Fearful charters jeopardize arts *Teachers could lose jobs *Value in specific situations - alternative environments, special needs or circumstances *Negative view *Public funding *Taxpayer funding for charter schools *Do not take away from public schools *No fears of charter schools affecting elementary teaching position *Positive view Teacher 1 Teacher 2

Views central office leaders as authoritarians who like to have power over schools Central office leaders would be hurt the most Favor of charter schools but hesitant Charter schools need kinks worked our first Viewed charter schools as equal to public schools Viable option for school reform Teachers would be hurt the most Teachers could lose positions if enrollment drops due to charter schools Would consider sending children to charter school if the charter could serve better than public schools Viewed charters as a tool to work with children to get specialized instruction Would consider sending students to charters- conditional Teacher 1 Teacher 2

Parent 1 Student in High School Has attended private, charter and public Proponent of charter schools Parent 2 Student in Elementary School Former Teacher Have concerns regarding charter schools If providing quality education, charters deserve funding Privately funded Must meet same standards as public Teachers have more flexibility in how and what they teach *somewhat knowledgeable about charter schools *publically funded *charter schools take away funding from traditional public schools *charter schools have to meet the same standards as traditional public schools *Parent involvement *higher level in charter schools than traditional public schools

Parent 1 Parent 2 Funding Public Private Who benefits? Children No Response Overall advantages *None *Gifted programs *Wouldn’t send child *Flexibility to charter *STEM curriculum *No data to support *Teacher accountability

Common Both students attend public high schools and have attended public school throughout their academic careers Limited knowledge of charter schools The district where they attend school does not currently have any charter schools in operation Themes Charter schools have higher standards than public schools Higher test scores Enhance student achievement Educational advantage over public schools Two high School Students Students benefitted Not as easy as public schools Students more disciplined

Indecisive Privately funded Take away funding from public schools Hurt the lower middle class Not all parents can afford charter schools Positive Public funded Private donations County contributions Better teachers, equipment More opportunity for extra curricular Smarter kids More money toward non academic interests Student 1 Student 2

Common Themes Student Success!

Common views and concerns Views Contemporary school choice option Management routine part of work Potential for limiting public school funds Teacher quality and pay not equal to public school Relaxed regulations in exchange for student success Comparison to public schools difficult-apples to oranges Concerns Managing accountability Meeting the needs of the students, parents and community Exclusion of students-economic or other opportunity Meeting federal, state, local data reporting requirements Research doesn’t show improved achievement trends Limitation of public school funds hurts students who do not have opportunity to attend Charter Schools

Common Factors of Concern Student Success Academic Opportunities FundingAccountability

Contrasts Enhances competition Improves creative opportunity Benefits pubic and students Benefits businesses Allows school choice options and alternatives Provides higher accountability Hurts public schools May reduce local school funding Can’t compare, like apples to oranges Difficult to hypothesize Rules waived in exchange for achievement promises Common pro statements Common con statements

All Georgia charter school legislation was written by members of Republican Party. With few exceptions, members of the Democratic minority vote against HB797.

Common Theme: “It’s about power & money” Georgia State Republican Legislator Georgia Public School Superintendent Ironically – both stakeholders are members of the Republican Party School flexibility and choice are needed; and these goals are only achievable through charter schools. Traditional Public schools are failing to adequately prepare students for work in our technology advanced society. State politicians intend to defund public education; dismantle local control of schools, and privatize education. These goals will be achieved if HB797 becomes law following November 2012 election.

Summary Each level of stakeholders had common and contrasting opinions of charter schools. It can be concluded from these interviews that: The topic of charter schools is a divisive topic amongst the same category of stakeholders. For example, one teacher sees charter schools as a possible answer to school reform, whereas the other sees it as a means to destroy public education. While charter schools may be divisive, it seems as if each level of stakeholders know what charter schools are and are able to provide an adequate explanation of the differences and similarities between charter and public schools. There was an apprehension on the part of organizational leadership stakeholders to share opinions and to answer the survey questions. A couple refused to participate when approached. Those that did participate requested to remain anonymous.