The BIG Con!:The basic idea is that the state takes control of low-performing schools away from local districts, then hands them over to charter operators to do their 'magic'. This matters a lot because several states are now planning to create similar districts, based on the model of Tennessee’s ASD. The planning is underway in Georgia, North Carolina, and Nevada, and more.The original promise was that the ASD would gather the lowest performing schools in the state--from the bottom 5%--and lift them to the top 25% in the state in five years. They are nowhere near that goal. The state data was recently released, and it showed that 5 of the 6 schools are still in the bottom 5%. The 6th school is in the bottom 7%. But after four years, it hasn’t happened in Tennessee. Since Tennessee canceled its state tests this year due to technical problems, there won’t be a fifth year score.
At dianeravitch.net
