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More Charter Teachers Certified Than in Schools Across State, in Detroit

Posted on: Thursday, 26 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

DETROIT, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter public schools have more certified teachers than their peers statewide and in the city of Detroit, according to new data from the Michigan Department of Education.

The data shows an outstanding 95% of charter teachers statewide are certified or permitted to teach. That compares to 91% in traditional schools statewide, and 87% in 18 host districts deemed by the department to be a fair and accurate comparison to charter schools.

In Detroit, 95% of charter teachers are certified or permitted, compared to 83% in the traditional district.

Certified & Permitted Teachers ------------------------------ Charters statewide ............ 95% Traditionals statewide ........ 91% Traditional host districts .... 87% ------------------- Detroit charters .............. 95% Detroit traditionals .......... 83%

The data was released today in Detroit, at the start of the 9th annual Michigan Charter Schools Conference at Cobo Center. This two-day, professional development event draws 3,000 charter educators and gives them access to some of the leading minds in education.

Pastor Marvin Winans, of Perfecting Church in Detroit, started a Detroit charter school for the performing arts in 1997. He said the data shows remarkable leadership and affirms what parents have long known -- charter public schools hire top-quality staff.

"Charter teachers love children and let nothing stand in the way of delivering great education every day. These are teachers who are excited to focus not on bureaucracy, but on the children. Charter teachers say, 'I can,' and they do," Winans said.

Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, said, "Charter teachers are highly qualified individuals choosing charters because of their dedication to excellence and cutting-edge approaches to learning. They also choose charters because of the unfettered collaboration they have with administrators and parents to do whatever's needed to help all children excel."

Stephanie Van Koevering, executive director of the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers, said the data shows the results of a constant push for quality by the schools and their authorizers. She noted that charter teachers appreciate the fact that their schools routinely give them ongoing training and professional development opportunities -- far more than is required or common in other schools.

"Charters have a passion for excellence that's evident in the hours staff spend studying test results, researching best practices, consulting with state and national experts, and implementing new classroom strategies to address evolving student needs," Van Koevering said. "Charter educators recognize there are no do-overs in education. They do everything they can to maximize the education of every child."

According to former Detroit Lions wide receiver Freddie Scott, a charter school parent and board member, the data is significant considering the current state of education and urgent need for children to be competitive in a global marketplace.

"This is tremendous news for all -- for children, parents, businesses and the state -- that teachers at charter public schools are among the state's most highly qualified," said Scott, a member of the board of directors at Bradford Academy in Southfield.

"It is critical that teachers can deliver what parents have long sought: an unbridled commitment to every child, with the creativity and compassion to create a classroom environment where you literally feel the excitement of learning."

MAPSA

CONTACT: Dan Quisenberry of MAPSA, cell: +1-517-719-3268

Source: PRNewswire

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