[papagrit]

I, for one, looked at the local school systems all around my area before deciding where to send my two sons. All public schools and I investigated one that is private. (Model...no football) I wanted to send my kids to the best all around school that I could. I looked at three county schools, (Madison Southern's feeder, Rockcastle's feeder and Garrard's feeder as well as Berea Independent and Model. We live within a mile of each county line and two miles from Berea's district (where I attended). I choose Rockcastle (live in Garrard) because the elementary school there was in the top ten statewide. Same difference in the drive to either school. No recruiting involved when you put them in kindergarten at the school of your choice. I believe in education third and sports last behind GOD and family. The kids go to school to get the good grades to get into the good college to get the good job and the good paycheck. I'm all for all kids getting the good paycheck which starts with the education at the good elementary school.
I'm sure the charter school thing will blow up like the private school thing as far as recruiting and all of that, but, If I lived somewhere and my kid was getting the bum's education, I'd be all for sending them to the charter school if it helps them succeed in life. The more options, the better as far as I'm concerned. Maybe the bum schools will start working harder to keep the smarter kids(test score averages/state funding) instead of the good athletes in certain cases. Don't get me wrong, I love athletics and my favorite is football. But, after football is over, and you got a so-so education, it's tough to get into the good college unless you are a stud athlete. My two boys weren't stud athletes, but, they were way better than average athletes and were excellent students at Rockcastle. Both play/played DIII football at an excellent college. The eldest boy now has the good job and is getting paid well for it while the youngest has one year of college left. Neither boy majored in underwater basket weaving either.
Charter schools just aren't that bad a thing as far as I'm concerned. Why eat at McDonald's when there is a Golden Corral around the corner? Why let your kid settle for mediocrity when it comes to their success?