Charter Schools

Blacks Wanting Alternative Education Options Begin Mobilizing in Lexington
By Patrice K. Muhammad

Within the Black community there has always been a major emphasis put on education. Yet, despite the best efforts of parents, many Black children can be found among the lowest performers on standardized tests and enrolled in mass number at schools for students with behavior disorders. The successful children that rise to the top of their classes are sometimes met with low expectations of their teachers and no advanced math and science instruction. Frustrated parents in search of better opportunities for their children often find that better schools cost lots of money, which they don’t have. Sounds hopeless right? Not exactly.

There is a national organization working “unapologetically” to obtain greater educational options for parents of Black children.

The Black Alliance For Educational Options (www.baeo.org) works nationally to promote parental choice. Their website explains, “BAEO is staunch in its belief that parental choice must be an integral part of any serious effort to reform education in America. BAEO firmly believes parental choice programs, which lead to the creation of quality educational options, not only rescue the children who can take advantage of such opportunities but also create powerful incentives for all schools, public and private, to improve.”

Kentucky’s Chapter Coordinator is Pastor Jerry Stephenson of Louisville’s Midwest Church of Christ. Pastor Stephenson said that he is working with Lexington leaders like Councilman George Myers to create more opportunity. ”In Kentucky we are pushing for tax credits and other choices for parents since vouchers have been deemed unconstitutional,” explained Stephenson. “We are also very supportive of charter schools.”

Recently, Kentucky’s State Senate passed a bill allowing charter schools in Kentucky. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate by “charter”, or permission, and are popular in many states because charters can offer specialized programs to help segments of the student population. Charters often use more innovative teaching methods which can help struggling students succeed.

Stephenson and BAEO believe that charter schools will open the door to schools dedicated to the achievement of African-American young people.

BAEO is sponsoring two viewings of the award winning movie “The Lottery”. The movie features stories of the dreams of parents hoping to win a place for their children in a high performance school.

The movie will be shown at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at the Imani Baptist Church, 1555 Georgetown Road, across the street from the Oakwood Estates Subdivision.

All are welcome to learn more about charter schools and other alternative education options and how to lobby lawmakers to pass legislation allowing them in Kentucky.

Source: www.lextown.info