A Reader Writes... Pretty Lies and Powerful Truths - Part 5

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In response to the 10/31/2012 post, “Pretty Lies andPowerful Truths – Part 3,” a reader writes:
SC,
In reference to the quote in the post, “The monthlydiatribes against school choice, vouchers, and charter schools, however, arethe weakest part of the blog.”
I felt the same way and did not bother to write.  I was turned offalso but just decided to put up with the insults to get the information Ineeded to be a better principal. 
SC ResponseIf you were insulted, I can assure you that was never the intent.  The intent was to stake a position anddefend it.  In fact, I saw theposts in question as an invitation to either improve upon and/or refute theargument.  Personally, the issues Ihave with poor performing charter schools are the same issues that I have withpoor performing traditional schools. They waste public resources and underserve children who can least afford to be underserved. I have no issue withperforming charter schools, because they are public schools.  I just understand that the charterschool and the traditional school don’t play by exactly the same rule(advantages and disadvantages for both sides) so the solutions developed forone aren’t always applicable for the other.
Second, the blog does cover a wide range of topics and perspectives,from classroom issues, to campus issues, to boardroom issues to political issues.For me, I see the common thread as leadership.  I always wanted to know that those above me were thinkingand had a plan.  That made iteasier for me focus on leading my little part of the world.  I will be honest, when you pull backthe curtain in most districts, there is no plan and there is no considerationof the big picture. So my hope is that the exploration of topics across thespectrum validates that there are thinking, purposeful leaders at alllevels.  At least it does for me.
Third, we will continue to tackle the issue of vouchers.  They are on the political agenda andthey will impact public schools. To ignore that fact, would be to say that the layperson has a betterunderstanding of what is best for schools than the education professional.  For me, nothing is further from thetruth.
Finally, I am glad that at times you find that the blog is useful inyour role as a campus leader.  Thatis why the blog was born.  Eightyears ago there was a group of principals tasked with near impossible improvementmandates.  They were spread acrossthe state and they only had each other as a support network. The informal communicationweb that they shared morphed into the near daily posts that you now receivetoday. The majority of those principals were successful and have since becomeAssistant Superintendents and Superintendents, hence the expansion of topics.
Thanks for sticking with us.
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