Charter schools, the IRS and for profit management companies

by David Safier The IRS has concerns about for profit Charter Management Organizations (CMOs or EMOs) running non profit charter schools. The important term here is "running." While it's perfectly OK for a non profit charter to contract out parts of its curriculum and operation to CMOs, it's a violation of tax regulations for the … Read more

Tucson school paragon of acceptance

by David Safier The above-the-fold photo on the front of today's NY Times' SundayStyles section shows 4 students from Rincon High under the headline, Can a Boy Wear a Skirt to School?   None of the students, male or female, appear to be wearing skirts, but the caption says that Rincon High is a place … Read more

Ed trivia doesn’t get much more trivial than this

by David Safier Education scandal rags Education Week is abuzz with vaguely interested in the shocking not-terribly-exciting news that Washington D.C. Superintendent Michelle Rhee is engaged to former basketball star, former charter school operator and current Sacramento mayor, Kevin Johnson. They've been carrying on a bi-coastal romance for some time. Johnson says it will be … Read more

Schools a success! Productivity is up!

by David Safier Stop the presses, and stop bad mouthing public schools. Our graduates are so well trained, productivity just jumped almost 10%! What's that? You say there's no direct connection between schooling and productivity? Then why was everyone trashing me and my fellow teachers in the 80s when productivity was down? If it was … Read more