A Compilation of Knowledge On Area Public and Charter Schools Lorraine C. Harmer, MLD “It is important that we have honest conversations and understand all the issues involved.” ~Ms. Bowman at an Octorara Area School District Board Meeting ~ 1/16/12Background Please allow this to serve as an informal introduction. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education and a Master in Leadership Development. My current employment positions include instructing Developmental Math and Introductory Algebra courses for Delaware County Community College, teaching students K-adult in a virtual environment with Educate Online, and providing substitute teacher services for nine local schoo! districts, including Octorara Middle and High Schools. My passion for teaching is matched by my will for students to achieve. It is this passion, combined with reviewing the Octorara Area School District board meeting minutes which has led to the compilation of this knowledge. The data researched is from reliable online sources such as the PA Dept of Education and PBS. The intent is to inform and educate, with the outcome of creating a platform for informed, honest dialogue Performance Outcomes 16/12 “Dr. Newcome said when we look at comparisons between public and private schools it is important to remember that we bear the cost of the “new private school” ~ the public cyber and public charter schools. These schools make a claim that they are better than the traditional public school, but the data is not showing they are better.” http://www.octorara.k12.pa.us ye NUMBER VERBAL | MATH WRITING: STUDENTS | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE SCHOOL NAME. TESTED SCORE SCORE ‘SCORE OCTORARA AREA HIGH SCHOOL 437. 500 505 477, 21ST CENTURY CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL 56 544 499 515 AVON GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL co 516 508 489 hlip:/www.portal.state.pa.us About 21st Century Cyber Charter School In 1999 the Intermediate Units of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties saw the need for a cyber school to serve their students, but they wanted to ensure that the school offered a high quality education. These IUs, and their 64 member school districts, formed our school in 2001.The four IU Executive Directors, along with two school district Superintendents from each county and one parent, serve as our charter school board. Our Board has a tremendous amount of experience in education, and its members take an active role in guiding our school. 21st Century Cyber Charter School (21CCCS) is a Pennsylvania chartered, diploma ‘granting school serving Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12. As with all charter schools, we are funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so there is no fee to attend.Our Board members: Dr. Barry Galasso, Bucks County IU Mr. Mark Klein Esq. Council Rock SD Dr. Joseph O'Brien, Chester County TU, Vice Chairperson Dr. Thomas Newcome, Octorara Area SD, Chairperson Dr. Raymond Fischer, Oxford Area SD Dr. Lawrence O'Shea, Delaware County 1U Dr. George Steinhoff, Penn-Delco SD Dr. Jerry Shiveley, Montgomery County IU Dr. Christopher McGinley, Lower Merion SD Dr. Merle Horowitz, Marple Newtown SD Dr. Clifford Rogers, Perkiomen Valley SD Dr. Lisa Andrejko, Quakertown Community SD Ms. Heidi Wood-Tucker, Parent Representative hitpy/www.2 leccs.org/about-us, htm i6lt2 “The argument is that it is to create better schools. The data does not bear that out for the Octorara District.” + ve ¥ I wera 3 Weorective action it 4 year | ¥ — Bmace ave : | % — Bsce ave Bee 4 Wace ave wae 2 Wi corrective action 2% Year wis - use ave - x farciog ws 30 Wace ave wise 2% Wschoo! improvement 1 nsz 3¢ Wi corrective Action i Year area ¥ ace ave hitp:/paayp.emetric nev/DistricvSchoolL istic 5