Seven Districts Apply To Open Charter Schools

Seven Arkansas school districts have submitted applications to open charter schools, including three that would be New Tech schools.

Blytheville High School and South Pike County School District in Murfreesboro seek to convert their existing high schools into the New Tech model, while Rogers hopes to open the stand-alone Rogers New Technology High School.

New Tech is a national movement where students learn by creating projects using technology and working in groups. The teacher serves more as a facilitator than a lecturer. Classes such as English and world history are integrated so that two teachers work with 60-70 students in a large, open area. Students demonstrate their knowledge by giving oral presentations.

Gov. Mike Beebe’s STEM Works Initiative seeks to increase student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math, and the New Tech network is one way schools are trying to do that. Two schools, Lincoln High School and Cross County High School, pioneered the New Tech concept in the state. Earlier this year, nine other school districts were awarded grants of $150,000 each by the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet to aid in their transition to the New Tech Network.

Charter schools are public schools funded by tax dollars, but they are granted more flexibility to deal with rules and regulations. The State Board of Education is expected to decide on the applications on January 14, 2013.

The other applications are:

The Jonesboro School District has applied to convert the existing Jonesboro High School into The Academies at Jonesboro High School. According to the application, the school would be made up of three academies: one focusing on STEM-type subjects and agriculture; one focusing on business, communications and finance; and one focusing on health, human services, law and government administration. The district hopes to improve performance among its growing African-American and economically disadvantaged population.

The Warren School District hopes to open the Brunson New Vision Charter School, which would convert its existing Brunson Elementary School into one where fourth- and fifth-graders progress through levels of instruction rather than grade levels.

The Bauxite School District has submitted an application to open the Miner Academy for grades 6-12 for students in need of an alternative learning environment, such as students who are behind on their credits.

The Texarkana School District hopes to open the Washington Academy, an alternative education school that would serve at-risk students.

Last week, the State Board approved three charter school applications and denied two others, all proposed by entities other than school districts.