NEWS
DC PCSB executive director open to neighborhood preference for charters
The Examiner
By Mark Lerner
April 14, 2015
Yesterday, appearing on the Kojo Nnambi radio program Scott Pearson, the executive director of the DC Public Charter School Board, was asked about the local charter movement's strong opposition to having a neighborhood admissions preference. Mr. Pearson replied accurately that a task force including individuals with a wide variety of expertise examined this topic a few years ago and rejected the idea primarily because thousands of low income students currently travel miles to attend many charters. The fear is that a preference for those living near a particular school would crowd out these students.
The Mr. Pearson added the following reflection. He pointed out that several charters have requested to have a neighborhood preference and parents have complained about long commutes to reach their children's' schools. Then the PCSB executive director observed that there is a new Mayor and many new D.C. Council members so that this subject may be revisited. Mr. Pearson stated that if a neighborhood preference is considered again he would be open to the suggestion.
Mayor Bowser has repeated numerous times that charters should reserve slots for those who live near the facility. So I guess its time to get ready for a new policy. However, there are other considerations here.
Charters have improved the academics of all schools in the nation's capital by providing competition for students. In our town money follows the child so attracting and retaining kids is important to these institutions. A neighborhood preference will have the impact of limiting school choice since schools will have a captive audience. Any reduction in school choice will slow or stop public school reform.
The other major problem with a neighborhood preference goes directly to the heart of the charter school option. Charters provide unique programs that are tailored to meet the needs of the families they serve. They were introduced to get around the "one size fits all" traditional school system. A right to admissions by those living near them would make these schools more closely resemble the traditional school programs that aim to be acceptable to the most number of people.
But it appears that this genie is now out of the bottle. Get ready for school choice to take a major blow in D.C.
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