A public hearing about the proposed Somerville Progressive Charter School happens this Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. inside the auditorium at Somerville High School. The hearing, organized by the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides people with an opportunity to voice their opinion about the school.
We at Somerville Patch would like to know where you stand on this issue, so we invite you to take our poll and elaborate on your choice in the comments section.
If you want to learn more about the Somerville Progressive Charter School, read our coverage of the School Committee and Board of Aldermen's opposition to it. You can also read a Q&A with a member of the founding group and another interview with a leader of a group opposed to the charter school.
Also, on Somerville-4-Schools, a message board for parents and others to discuss education issues in the city, there have been discussions about the matter in recent weeks.
Shedward Weeks
1:24 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
The wording implies that a 'No' vote indicates some sort of complacency with the SPS system. My impression is this is not the case in general nor is it the case among those who object to the SPCS proposal. Most people believe that things need to be improved, but the SPCS proposal does not offer a positive improvement, and what it does offer is at the expense of the rest of the city's school population.
K Chef
6:50 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
The SPS system should allocate money to hold back the students for whom English speaking is an issue and give them intense instruction. At least this could level the playing field in one area and give the system a chance to offer instruction to all grade school students on a similar plane.
Another specialty school , not designed to help everyone, is the last thing Somerville needs. Besides, the way "school choice" works in this city, your not guaranteed a spot in this school even if you want one. Take it from one who could not get her children placed where she wanted after 20 plus years of residency.