As a mother and grandmother, I have always known how important education is to a child’s future and success. However, I had never been associated with charter schools until this school year when my grandson, Austin, began attending the Excel Public Charter School in Kent.
At his former school, Austin would reluctantly attend class or try to get out when he could, often claiming he had a “tummy ache.” Since Austin has been at Excel, he’s become a completely different student. Even though his school days are longer and he has a longer school year, he’s happy to go to his classes. When he comes home, he is excited to tell us what he did and learned that day. To say Excel has transformed Austin’s life is truly an understatement.
What could have made such stark differences in Austin’s attitude toward school and accomplishments in his work? I’ve learned that charter schools have the flexibility and autonomy to adopt new instructional models, with more academic and tutoring time, while allowing personalized experiences that meet students’ individual needs. The emphasis on strong family partnerships keeps us regularly informed of Austin’s progress, and we have become active in family school events.
I’d like to share an extraordinary personal experience. On Dec. 16, my husband and I attended a concert performed by the students at Excel. Though very few students had ever played a musical instrument before, the school’s curriculum requires each student to learn to play a string instrument. The room was overflowing with students’ families and friends and it reflected the most racially and ethnically diverse group we had ever been a part of. When the students began to perform, there was a communal gasp and then hardly a dry eye in the room. We were reacting with pure awe! They were playing together beautifully, beyond anything we could have imagined possible, with just four months of instruction! It would have been hard to believe if we were not hearing this for ourselves.
As we drove home, we could not help but think: If this level of competence, accountability, self-discipline and teamwork could be achieved in music, just imagine the possibilities in math, science, technology, language … in any and all areas of academic endeavor.
I have become a strong advocate for public charter schools in our state. This option was provided to us after voters approved the charter school law back in 2012, but the state Supreme Court ruled that charters were unconstitutional. Fortunately, our state Legislature can fix this, and two such bills have already been proposed.
As the legislative processes continue, please consider backing public charter schools as one of our choices in education in Washington. I urge you to contact your legislators and voice your support. To all of our state lawmakers: If you have not been a supporter, please rethink your position. Visit Excel and see the difference it is making in my grandson’s life – or tour another charter school and see how this option can help our kids.
– Margaret Hilburn
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