Thompson Charter Schools in Detroit

The continuing controversy about DPS reminds us that the city's school have been challenged for many years and that numerous reform proposals have been suggested. Thirteen years ago, Detroit asphalt magnet and philanthropist Thompson offered to spend $200 million to establish 15 small enrollment charter high schools in Detroit. The DFT opposed this and Governor Granholm was unable to get the requisite legislation approved in Lansing. That offer was more than twice what Mark Zuckerberg spent in his efforts to reform Newark school.
Thompson withdrew his generous offer but went on to establish nine charter schools in the city of Detroit. His schools may now enroll 10 percent as many as enrolled in the public schools administered by Governor Snyder and Judge Rhodes.
Charter schools are often portrayed as no more effective than regular public schools. Does anyone know if Thompson got a better return on his investment in education in Detroit than Zuckerberg did in Newark? Thanks,

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Originally Posted by renf

The continuing controversy about DPS reminds us that the city's school have been challenged for many years and that numerous reform proposals have been suggested. Thirteen years ago, Detroit asphalt magnet and philanthropist Thompson offered to spend $200 million to establish 15 small enrollment charter high schools in Detroit. The DFT opposed this and Governor Granholm was unable to get the requisite legislation approved in Lansing. That offer was more than twice what Mark Zuckerberg spent in his efforts to reform Newark school.
Thompson withdrew his generous offer but went on to establish nine charter schools in the city of Detroit. His schools may now enroll 10 percent as many as enrolled in the public schools administered by Governor Snyder and Judge Rhodes.
Charter schools are often portrayed as no more effective than regular public schools. Does anyone know if Thompson got a better return on his investment in education in Detroit than Zuckerberg did in Newark? Thanks,

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Zuckerberg got absolutely nothing for his money. Newark schools still suck big time. They can't even account for a huge chunk of the money-many millions of dollars. Consider it a total waste of money...

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Originally Posted by renf

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Charter schools are often portrayed as no more effective than regular public schools. Does anyone know if Thompson got a better return on his investment in education in Detroit than Zuckerberg did in Newark? Thanks,

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Effectiveness is not only measured against the incumbent system. It should include whether the insurgent has changed the rules of the game.

The mere existence of Charters has without doubt encouraged reform in DPS. If there were no Charters, DPS would be worse than it is today.

In addition, Charters should also be valued for being 'experimental labs'. New ideas that are unthinkable in establishment education can be tried out. Some are stupid. But other will not be. This is why diversity in how we education stduents is valuable.