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Comments
I can’t thank you enough
for the support that the
articles have given me in the
time I needed it most.
Thanks for providing such a
needed publication.
Cherie, WA
Your essay on testing was
great: concise, clear,
definitive and needed.
Stanley, KS
Terrific newsletter, both
from the standpoint of a
parent of two adolescents
and my professional role…in
our rural school district.
Rebecca, NY
Today I just read someone
else’s copy of the most recent
issue and I just want to say
THANK YOU soooooo much
for the “Snakes and Snails
and Puppy Dog Tails”
article!!!!
LeDonna, NC
VERONA CORE KNOWLEDGE CHARTER SCHOOL
Doing the Basics
Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Verona Core Knowledge Charter School
believes children will maximize their educational
success in an environment that emphasizes
teacher-directed instruction, research-based
teaching methods and materials, a solid knowl-
edge base and academically challenging content
– all while encouraging good conduct.
Academic excellence, in the form of both
knowledge and skills, is the driving force behind
the school’s philosophy. The charter has over
300 students enrolled in its kindergarten
through eighth grade program and is an option,
at no additional cost, to parents of all students.
PRINCETON HOUSE CHARTER SCHOOL
Serving Special Needs
Orlando, Florida
PHCS is an Exceptional Education program
committed to meeting the needs of children with
autism through education, support, resources
and advocacy. It is the school's firm belief that
with intensive intervention techniques, their
children will develop the skills necessary to
advance towards programs of inclusion or main-
streaming within traditional school settings. It
currently serves 61 children. Michael is one of
these children.
Michael started with PHCS when he was
three years old. He had no verbal communica-
tion skills, was unable to follow any directions
receptively and used negative behavior to
control his environment. After four years, they
proudly sent him on his way to a classroom of
12 children – none of whom were autistic.
Even though his parents were apprehensive
and afraid, Michael has fit in beautifully! He is
continuing to gain skills in academic standards,
communicating on multiple levels, and has
developed into a wonderful little boy. Princeton
House strives to see all of it’s children attain
goals like the one that Michael achieved.
NEW SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Specializing in Creative Learning
Phoenix, Arizona
New School for the Arts (NSA) is a four-
year, college-preparatory high school that
emphasizes its academics as much as its arts
education. The school’s mission is to be
Arizona’s premier charter high school by
offering a high quality arts and academic
program to prepare its 225 students for college
and arts careers.
NSA’s graduation requirements are more
strenuous than those in traditional public high
schools; all students must complete more credits
than in traditional public high school. Plus,
NSA offers Advanced Placement courses in
History and English literature.
NSA’s arts faculty are deeply committed to
not only providing students with the tools to
follow their artistic interests, but also providing
them outlets and programs with which they
can display or perform their work. In fact,
ArtOne, a gallery in Scottsdale, recently
featured a special exhibition of student paint-
ings, sculptures and photographs.
A LOOK AT THREE CHARTER SCHOOLS:
riddled with spelling errors and receives an A,
you need to raise this with the teacher and
convey your own expectations.
2.
What are the criteria for each grade?
Are there specific benchmarks that must be met
to earn each of these grades? Just like the need
for standards in states, across school districts
and in schools, what children are taught and
learn needs to be measured.
3.
Finally, talk to your child’s teacher —
and possibly your parent group and the prin-
cipal, too — about the purpose of the new
grading system. What is it supposed to
measure? Make sure that it is firmly based on
what your child has learned and the knowledge
she has acquired. Watch for goals that are
cloaked in phrases like “to raise self-esteem”
or “increase awareness of others.” Grades
measure objective academic progress. While
some of these cognitive or behavior goals may
be important for children, the job of school is to
ensure the acquisition of knowledge.
THE NEW GRADING STYLES: ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Princeton House Charter School.
