Education leaders ‘disappointed’ with latest charter school grades

By Devna Bose and Leonardo Bevilacqua | Originally published by Mississippi Today

For yet another year, Mississippi’s charter schools posted a substandard performance on their Mississippi Department of Education report cards. 

None of Mississippi’s charter schools scored a B or higher on the accountability grades this year. Only one was rated C — Ambition Preparatory Charter School in Jackson — while most of the others were rated D. The lowest rated charter school was Instant Impact Global Prep Charter School in Natchez, which received an F.

Three of the state’s 12 charter schools weren’t graded. One lacked complete data because of the limited grades it served this past school year, while the other two started operations this year.

State education leaders said they were “disappointed” with the continued lack of progress. 

“I’m a little annoyed with some of the directions they’re going in,” said state Rep. Rob Roberson, a Republican from Starkville who chairs the House Education Committee. “I’m not going to say I’m not interested in having a conversation to make them better, but I’m having a lot of heartburn with how they’re set up and where they’re at right now.”

According to state law, charter schools can only be established in areas where the local school district is rated C or above if the local school district’s board approves. There’s no appeal process, so if the school board denies the request, the process ends. 

New charter schools can only be established without local school board approval in areas where the local district is failing or receives a D rating on the accountability model.

Mississippi charter school researchers and leaders have maintained that it’s difficult to perform under the strict rules the state has imposed, and that charter schools require flexibility and freedom to flourish. This past year, they lobbied lawmakers to loosen these restrictions, allowing charters to open in more places. 

But state lawmakers — especially in the Senate — have been hesitant to grant the board more power as schools performance falters.

“It’s a hard one for me,” Roberson said. “I expect better.” 

Lisa Karmacharya, executive director of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, said on Tuesday that she understands Roberson’s frustration but highlighted the progress of Ambition Prep, calling it the charter board’s “flagship” school. 

Since its first grade in 2023, Ambition has gained 30 points on the accountability scorecard, marking academic progress. 

She recommended that instead of pushing for charter school growth during the new year, the board should focus on outcomes and go back to the original promise of charter schools in Mississippi: that they would be afforded more flexibility than traditional public schools in exchange for better outcomes. 

Despite current standings, Karmacharya still believes the sector has an important place in Mississippi’s education system.

“Although the scores aren’t where we want them to be, we know that families choose these options and opportunities because they feel it’s what their child needs,” she said.

This article was originally published by Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Source: Original Article