Ed Cox discussed his entry into the charter school movement, inspired by the 1986 “A Nation at Risk” report. He highlighted the effectiveness of Catholic schools, which cost half as much but performed twice as well. New York adopted the Michigan charter school law, emphasizing transparency and fairness. Cox stressed the importance of governing boards and principals in school success. He noted the role of State Universities like SUNY as independent authorizers, advocating for multiple authorizers for competition and innovation. Cox also shared the experience of authorizing a teachers’ union-sponsored charter school, which faced challenges but demonstrated the potential of charter schools to provide equal educational opportunities.
Transcript
Outline
Ed Cox’s Entry into the Charter School World
- Robert Bellafiore asks Ed Cox about his entry into the charter school world.
- Ed Cox explains his start in 1986 with the “A Nation at Risk” report, which highlighted issues in K-12 education.
- Peter Flanagan formed Student Sponsored Partners to sponsor inner-city kids into high school, comparing their performance to public school peers.
- Catholic schools were found to be twice as effective for half the cost, leading to the adoption of charter school laws in various states.
Administration and Implementation of Charter School Laws
- Ed Cox discusses the importance of understanding and implementing charter school laws correctly.
- He emphasizes the need for schools to advertise and have lotteries to ensure a diverse student body.
- The law required schools to be more inclusive and not just involve friends and family.
- Ed Cox’s approach was to administer the law without imposing any biases.
Core Principles and Oversight of Charter Schools
- Robert Bellafiore inquires about the core principles Ed Cox had to adhere to as an authorizer.
- Ed Cox lists the basics, including data collection over five years to evaluate the school’s performance.
- The importance of not allowing schools to game their applications or boards was stressed.
- Proper handling of public funds and ensuring a good education for students were crucial.
Role of the Governing Board in Charter School Success
- Robert Bellafiore asks about the importance of the governing board in creating a successful charter school.
- Ed Cox explains that the governing board is the key, with the principal being the CEO of the school.
- The principal’s role in inspiring teachers and ensuring academic success is highlighted.
- The relationship between the authorizer and the school is crucial, with the authorizer acting as a monitor rather than an administrator.
State University as an Authorizer
- Robert Bellafiore discusses the importance of having a State University as an authorizer.
- Ed Cox explains that State Universities, like SUNY in New York, have a deep understanding of education and are independent from school districts.
- Having multiple authorizers is beneficial as it introduces competition and different approaches.
- The role of the authorizer is to monitor and provide guidance without becoming overly involved in the school’s operations.
Challenges and Successes with the Teachers Union Charter School
- Ed Cox shares a story about the New York City teachers union starting a charter school.
- Despite initial skepticism, the school was authorized, and the union leader, Randy Weingarten, took responsibility.
- The school faced criticism from pro-charter school advocates and had to be terminated after seven years.
- The experience highlighted the challenges of running a charter school within a union contract.
Future Prospects and Promise of Charter Schools
- Robert Bellafiore asks about the future prospects and promise of charter schools in New York.
- Ed Cox asserts that charter schools have proven their effectiveness, often matching or surpassing private schools.
- Charter schools provide equal opportunities for inner-city students, similar to Catholic schools.
- In New York City, charter schools make up 15% of the system and are recognized as important parts of the educational landscape.
