Update 2020. One of the early decisions WE made when I got on the Jordan School Board was do decide to become a Charter School Authorizer. The Jordan School Board has become a Charter School Authorizer. RSL Academy High School is our First Charter School, and we will explore more opportunities.
Jordan School Board Becoming a Charter School Authorizer
From the Board Room: Jordan School Board Becoming a Charter School Authorizer
Last Tuesday (May 10, 2016) in the Jordan School Board discussed a brilliant idea. As you know, during the April Town Hall Meeting, The Jordan School District announced that they intend on creating 21st-century schools. Creating 21st-century schools requires innovation. It demands educators to think outside the box. The schools in the future are going to be centered on personalized education, where parents and students select the type of school they want to attend.
Charter schools were created to provide competition to our education system, and to allow consumers, parents and students choice in education. Like them or not, Charter Schools are NOT going away, and they will continue to change the face of education. Let's be honest, there are many Charter Schools that are doing an excellent job at providing a good alternative choice to our public traditional system.
What many people do not know, is our local school district can become a Charter Authorizer that local Charter schools could choose to work with. This is done in many states in America and even some districts in Utah. It is a wise move, even if you do not choose to Charter many schools. Jordan School District actually once Chartered a school called Itineris Early College High School.
Creating a district charter school, could allow our district to have some control in the other schools of choice in our district. For example, REAL soccer has announced they are going to build a Charter STEM School in Herriman. Authorizing their program, might allow the two programs to work together. Negotiations would be held to the amount of cooperation the two entities would have with each other. JSB could control the charter closely, or could let the school work very independently.
With this move, the Jordan School Board, could provide school choices such as a competency basedschool, or a blended learning program. Other programs could also be explored. If you do not want to send your child to one of these District Charter Schools, you could still choose your local traditional school.
Great move Jordan School Board, in thinking outside the box and RETHINKING EDUCATION.