The other day I decided to look on Reddit, a site where readers decide what news makes the front page, and I saw an article from the Delaware Business Ledger about a new charter school forming in Wilmington Delaware that bases its core curriculum around homeland security. I was shocked, students will be taught about Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), guarding prisons, etc. Now, this doesn't sound like something I want my daughter to attend! I did not realize the curriculum at charter schools could be so focused.
After reading this I decided to look into the role of the separation of church and state in charter schools, because I have heard rumors of religious ones before. It turns out this is still illegal, we can indoctrinate our students in patriotism, but not religion, in a state sponsored school. During my research, I ran across this article, arguing that the government should allow the teaching of religion in charter schools. For a long time now there has been debate about the role of religion in public classrooms, and I wonder if the debate is going to shift from the role of religion in general public schools to the role of religion in charter schools.
I think I should talk to Angie, and see what she thinks about all of this. Do the parents at her son's school seem to want a curriculum that is focused on careers after school? Or, instead of focusing on careers, are they simply trying to find a group of like-minded families, so they don't have to deal with typical school politics? It seems like a school could run much more smoothly if there is just a small group of students, whose parents agree on major issues. At least, there would be a lot less fighting about what is and isn't appropriate to let children learn.
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2 comments:
Although they may not teach religion in the school they can get around it if it is in line with there charter.
As with other public schools, charter schools may not provide religious instruction, but they may teach about religion from a secular perspective. And though charter schools must be neutral with respect to religion, they may play an active role in teaching civic values. The fact that some of these values are also held by religions does not make it unlawful to teach them in a charter school. Furthermore, faith-based and religious organizations can be involved with charter schools in many ways, and religious expression by students is allowed in charter schools
It it these reasons why many people don't like public schools. They allow public funds to go to private religious view.
So, how does one find out about the underlying beliefs and values that a charter school might teach its students? Are these things that one can find in the schools statement of purpose and values?
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