Collaboration that helps more students succeed needs to be a fundamental principle in public education. One of our central principles is that like colleges and universities, districts & charter public schools can both compete and collaborate.
There are many examples around the country of districts cooperating. There also are examples of district charter collaboration. In this area, we want to discuss, frankly and openly, examples and details of collaboration, what encourages and what discourages collaboration, and other topics that are focused on two broader, central questions - how can we most effectively work with and learn from students and families? What can collaboration contribute to this overall goal?
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This has been a source of frustration and disillusionment for me. 7 years ago, a group of charters within our county made an effort to form an association, so that we could look beyond the fear of competition and find ways we could work together towards common goals (health insurance, transportation, etc.) It was our intent to be just as open and inviting to the district schools, as well. However, the long-time prejudice against charters by district personnel became just too hard to overcome. You can only have the door slammed in your face just so many times! That being said, however, I have had shining moments of wonderful connection with district folks who see the purpose of charters and the benefits we provide our shared community. Would LOVE to hear about those charters who have working relationships with districts and how they did it!
It was the hope of the authors of the original charter law that districts and charters would be able to work together and learn from each other. Unfortunately this hasn't always been the case. I will say that the Mastery School is a good example of district/ charter collaboration. The Mastery School (located in Mpls) , serving grades K-5, was established in 2012 through a unique collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools. The then district superintendent wanted to learn from and replicate Harvest Network strategies that were producing such outstanding results for scholars, especially Black boys. In collaboration with parents, Mastery places scholars in single-gender classrooms, which allow for catered instruction and support to our male and female scholars separately based on research in this area.
I'm envious! I've even said the words to district folks, "Steal from us!" But I get their frustration. It stems from what I believe to be a misconception that charters steal the "good" kids. That might have been the case in certain areas, but my understanding is that charters often were the "saving grace" for kids who were being failed in the district system. Our community has a wide variety of charters and district schools so parental choice is pretty powerful.