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Charter School Allegedly Maintains ‘Got To Go’ List to Push Out Unwanted Students
Many charter schools tout the promise of providing superior education compared to traditional public institutions, but a recent exposé has cast doubt on this assertion. Success Academy, a well-known charter school network in New York City, is facing allegations of creating a list of students deemed undesirable, effectively pressuring their families to withdraw them.
Charter schools operate with public funding while maintaining private management, and like their public counterparts, they must educate all enrolled students unless certain conditions are met, such as voluntary withdrawal or expulsion. However, reports suggest that some Success Academy schools have been attempting to push out students they find challenging.
The Case of Lisa Johnson
In a recent New York Times article, the story of Lisa Johnson, a mother whose young child attended a Success Academy school in Brooklyn, came to light. Her kindergartner faced numerous demerits and disciplinary actions that Lisa found excessive. Her daughter received reprimands for seemingly minor infractions, leading Lisa to question the fairness of the school’s approach.
Documents obtained by the Times revealed that Lisa’s daughter was allegedly included on a “Got To Go” list, which contained the names of 16 students that school officials wanted to remove. The repeated disciplinary measures were reportedly part of a strategy to encourage parents of these students to withdraw them from the school.
Previous Scrutiny of Success Academy
This isn’t the first time Success Academy has faced scrutiny over its treatment of students. Critics argue that its impressive performance metrics might be a result of the school’s efforts to “weed out” students who struggle or present challenges. Anonymous accounts from current and former employees support these claims, with one individual recounting a principal requesting that re-enrollment forms not be distributed to certain students to avoid their return.
Charter schools are supposed to provide equal opportunities for all students, promising to deliver better outcomes for the same demographic as traditional public schools. Actively trying to push out certain students to improve scores undermines that promise and can be seen as a misuse of public funding.
The Ethical Implications
While finding the right educational fit for a child is essential, actively targeting students to force them out is a troubling practice. If this type of operation continues, many parents may question whether they should support such institutions with their tax dollars.
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In summary, the allegations against Success Academy highlight serious ethical concerns regarding how some charter schools operate, raising important questions about their commitment to serving all students fairly.