With Betsy Devos as Secretary of Education the momentum behind charters and voucher systems continues to increase. However the momentum behind these options was already building and her selection merely highlights the trend towards schools of choice. According to a document from the National Alliance for Charter Schools, charter schools have grown six fold in the last 15 years. Which means there are close to 7000 charters educating about 2.9 million students.

The reason this is important is because it illustrates the reality of the current educational landscape. That being said, how can public schools embrace the reality and ride the wave of change instead of being swept away like Blockbuster was by Netflix.

One of the main things public schools can do maintain the status quo is simple but not easy. Talking with all you parents consistently is key. Focusing on parents/guardians and families will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Focusing on this single aspect will create a ripple effect over time. Calling parents is the one thing you can do from a communication standpoint than can impact your student count. It will help you retain and acquire more students.

This kind of mindset, where we’re battling against other schools for students, is easy to fall into. Which leads to the question: how can we have an abundant mindset? Are there ways that traditional public schools can partner with charters. What can public schools learn well performing from charters? I have no concrete answers, but it is a question worth asking.

Just like in teaching good questions elicit thoughtful answers. What are some other questions or comments surrounding this topic? Share your ideas in the comment section below.

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