People who support public education also should support Texas Charter Schools. Created by the Texas Legislators in 1995, Texas Charter Schools have quickly developed a track record of improving the academic and behavioral performance of some of our most challenging students. In fact, Texas Charter Schools were created to serve students who face these challenges. Although traditional school districts in Texas (including rural, urban, and suburban ISDs) have enthusiastic teachers, principals, and school board members, a number of students still have difficulties attaining success in school. Perhaps some of these children cannot thrive in large schools and classrooms, and a number of students would benefit from additional instruction, values, compassion, and empathy. Although traditional public schools attempt to teach these virtues through literature and social studies, some students continue to have difficulty incorporating their classroom learning into their own lives. Many of these children have no options and will eventually drop out of school; thus the need for Texas Charter Schools.

A new Manhattan Institute study, Public High School Graduation and College Readiness Rates in the United States, authored by Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Jay P. Greene and Senior Research Associate Greg Forster, finds that only 70% of all students in the public high school class of 2001 graduated, and only 32% left high school qualified to attend a four-year college.  Furthermore, it finds that only 51% of all black students and 52% of Hispanic students graduate, and only 20% of black and 16% of Hispanic students leave high school ready for college. The study finds that Texas ' overall graduation rate was 37 th in the nation at 67%, while according to the Texas Education Agency, only 1% of high school students drop out each year. The study also finds that the graduation rates for black and Hispanic students in Texas were 62% and 57%, respectively.

Texas Charter Schools in collaboration with new partners in education have created an exciting new educational delivery system to level the playing field for children needing a change in order to succeed. An overwhelming case exists for expanding and improving provisions for programs like Texas Charter Schools. Studies of the effectiveness of intervention have demonstrated beyond doubt the economic and educational benefits of these programs for school age children. In addition, studies have shown that the earlier intervention is started, the greater is the ultimate dollar savings to taxpayers and the higher the rate of educational attainment. More specifically, research indicates that early intervention in education helps enhance intelligence in some children; produces substantial gains in physical development, cognitive development, language and speech development, psychosocial development and self-help skills; helps prevent the development of secondary disability conditions; reduces family stress; reduces societal dependency and institutionalization; reduces the need for special class placement in special education programs; and saves substantial costs to society and our nation's schools. According to the Alliance for Sound Education Policy:

“Traditional public schools have been in existence, in their present form, for over 125 years. They have accumulated buildings designed for education, libraries filled with books and reference materials, computers and other technology, and; supposedly, a highly qualified staff. In addition to state funding, traditional public schools have the ability to levy taxes to support operations and building construction. Texas Charter Schools are funded by the state at approximately 50 to 60 percent of the amount per pupil spent by traditional public schools. Based on the cost function model predictions used by actuaries today, the average charter school spends over $4,000 per pupil LESS than a traditional public school with identical characteristics and identical student performance.”

Texas Charter Schools are designed to educate and prepare each student to become a thoughtful, active citizen who has an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society. Currently in Texas , only a small percentage of affluent families can afford educational options. Many families served by Texas Charter Schools have some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children in the state of Texas . This practice seems to perpetuate the disparity between the rich and the poor in our area. For example, when occasionally our special needs, underprivileged and/or minority students are labeled “at-risk,” “learning disabled,” or “resource,” traditional school districts unconsciously set up a self-fulfilling prophecy of low expectation. Later on, many of these children begin to believe that there is no hope that they can equal or exceed the academic accomplishments of their parents or peers. Out of desperation, some students go as far as to drop out of school and fall subject to gangs, drugs, teenage pregnancy, and criminal activities.

Using the philosophy that every child is somebody special and can learn, Texas Charter Schools strive to educate and empower students, parents, staff, and our community. In fact, many of Texas Charter Schools' students who were previously failing now regularly achieve A or B grades and honor roll status. Across the board, their grades, pride, attitude, self-esteem, and overall demeanor improve through the effort of the inspirational faculty, staff, management team, and enthusiastic tutor-mentors. Using a holistic discipline model, Texas Charter Schools work hard to instill a high standard of academic achievement, combined with lessons in values, ethics, compassion, empathy, and virtues that are necessary for children to become lifelong learners, good citizens, and well-rounded adults.

Texas Charter Schools will continue to create positive places for kids to learn and grow. I urge you as proud Texans to support Texas Charter Schools in their efforts to leave no child behind. God bless you and may God continue to bless the schoolkids who attend Texas Charter Schools.

For more information on the Mitchell Center contact 512-805-3000 or visit the school's website at www.texasprep.us

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