A Sign of Hope: A Word from Idaho Charter Schools

There’s a lot of doom and gloom out in the news and problems in our culture. But sometimes, you just read something that makes you say, “Wow, there’s some increbible people out there.” Such was the case when I opened Today’s Letters from Idaho Charter School parents. Writes Kerry Henringer:

This is in response to the Maughans’ Reader’s View in the Feb. 4 paper (“Views of charter-school advocate Deide are divisive, wrong”). I am a parent who chooses to stay at home and school my children. I work nights on the weekends, and my husband has a full-time job that allows us to do so. We have enrolled our children in a virtual public charter school, Idaho Virtual Academy. We love the IDVA because of its rigorous curriculum. If my children excel, it’s because of the school.

My husband and I choose to have children, and we want to make the choices in their education. I wish more parents had the freedom to choose, but the Maughans would rather have my kids back in mediocre schools instead of expanding choice for all. Why do they want to do this to my children and the children of Idaho?

Denise Nicholson of Nampa writes:

My American dream steps into reality as I spend 900-plus hours educating my four children by enrolling them in a virtual public charter school (IDVA). I do this not because our family is financially independent. It hurts the pocket when giving up a second income to devote hours to my children’s education. However, I don’t mind the repetition of peanut butter or mac-and-cheese when I see them succeeding in their academics.

Three of my four children, whom I teach through a public charter now, were at some point in a traditional public-school setting. In this setting they were pulled out of classes for special education because they weren’t able to keep up with the classroom norm. I have found through experience that special education isn’t necessary for a great deal of children when they are taught one-on-one and able to move at their own pace, mastering each concept before moving on.

Are my children the elite? Hardly. Would it hurt their education if this parental choice was not an option? Absolutely. If parents are willing to sacrifice their time and a second income, why take this option or American dream away? Why mess with something that works?

Tami Djneres writes:

I would like to respond to an opinion (Feb. 4) that charter schools “cherry-pick” the “elite” and “siphon off able students” leaving mainstream schools “ghettoized.” This opinion implies that academic success can be expected only from a privileged few. Charter schools are successfully meeting the educational needs of many students and parents who value educational choices. The lottery system ensures equal access. Busing is provided. The proportion of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches is about the same in charter schools as in traditional schools.

Anyone who spends time getting to know these kids will recognize that they are not “privileged elite,” but a typical public school spectrum. The charter school my kids attend does not offer the wide variety of classes and after-school sports that they would enjoy if they attended a traditional junior high or high school in their district. However, their school persistently teaches that success comes from hard work and perseverance. They are challenged and expected to succeed. It is a joy to observe whole classrooms of kids who have a vision of what they can accomplish, and who are successfully achieving their goals.

Wow! A lot of people say I’m a good writer. I’ve got nothing to add to such eloquence. All I can say is thank you to the parents and teachers of Idaho Charter Schools. They’re plotting a new course for kid’s education and pouring their heart, sweat, and tears into the lives of Idaho’s children.

They’re not leaving it to the system, they’re getting their hands dirty, they’re getting involved, and making sacrifices for a better future for their children. Such sacrifice and dedication is the type of thing that changes the world, one child at a time.

Charter Schools

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