Programs push academics, but may discourage diversity

Published: Monday, March 1, 1999

Monday, March 1, 1999

SCHOOLS: Academic

By Karla Y. Pleitez

Daily Bruin Contributor

Like every other charter school in the state, Palisades High School in Los Angeles draws most of its students by offering a motivated staff and higher test scores. And to top it off, Palisades has a breathtaking ocean view.

Educators and students agree that charter schools, when compared to regular public schools, can often better meet the needs of students and constitute a viable option for educational reform. Charter schools also offer a safer academic environment.

"Palisades has calmed down since I used to go here. Charter schools are definitely doing their jobs - fewer students ditch, and I haven't seen a fight in a long time," said Crystal Estrada, a campus aide at Palisades High School.

"The campus is also very racially diverse, and you see everyone, no matter what their race is, hanging out with each other," she said.

Some Palisades students say that the campus might be racially diverse, but some of their classes do not represent the ethnic make-up of the school.

"I've noticed that in my harder classes, like AP (Advanced Placement) classes, there are hardly any minorities. Most of the students are either white or Asian," said Chrystie Cooper, a senior at Palisades High.

Critics say that Cooper's observation points to a general problem with charter schools - a lack of racial diversity. They say charter schools generally enroll students from more affluent areas, resulting in a majority of white students and a lack of minorities.

Amy Stuart Wells, a professor of education at UCLA, published a study in December 1998 that cited this problem.

"Charter schools are not meeting the state requirements of reflecting the district's ethnic make-up," she said.

The general criteria for getting accepted into charter schools makes it difficult for students from poorer areas to get in. This leads to less socioeconomic diversity, in addition to a lack of ethnic diversity, critics say.

Staff members, however, say that all students have the same opportunity to enroll in the classes of their choice. The founder of the Palisades High, Meril Price, said that he opened the school to serve certain segments of the population - minorities and students from poorer neighborhoods - that were not receiving the best education possible.

"The public is looking for alternatives and we offer them that," Price said. "Palisades has a reputation of improving student achievement, hence we have become one of the most popular schools in Southern California."

Many students agree that charter schools offer challenging classes and a better education, but said that it is their own determination, not the school, that improves their test scores.

"Charter schools tend to attract and keep a certain type of students. These are the students that do better in certain tests," said Payam Yousef, a senior at Palisades.

"I studied on my own for the SATs and AP tests. My scores didn't have much to do with any special programs offered by the school," he said.

Staff members said, though, that the high academic standards set by the school are what enhance the students' scores on statewide tests. Some students said that the reason the school has a good reputation is because only the best are accepted and stay in.

"Not anybody can get in," said Shanil Weaver, a senior at Palisades. "The school has a certain reputation to maintain."

Beside the reputation of a rigorous academic curriculum, the administration said that Palisades is known for having some of the best teachers.

"Charter schools attract teachers who are more creative and who are more committed to programs for students," Price said.

But critics said that because charter schools are not part of a regular school district, they make enforcing standards of educations difficult. Well's study reported that being isolated from the general school district - Los Angeles Unified in the case of Palisades - can prove to be a problem with charter schools.

Staff members said that Palisades and other charter schools have solved this problem by often forming a "mini-district," where an elementary school, middle school and high school communicate with one another about the students they serve.

"When a school goes charter, it is a positive experience for teachers, parents and students," said Paula Dallas, an AP biology teacher at Palisades High.

"Charter 'mini-districts' are especially beneficial for students because by fearing the transition less they would be able to better focus on their school work," Dallas said.BEN SCHWARTZ

Seniors at Palisades High, a charter school, gather in the school's gym for a morning senior class meeting.

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