More than 300 parents, teachers and school administrators packed a meeting room at Barnes Tennis Center during a Feb. 2 forum to hear a presentation on the possible formation of Peninsula charter schools. The forum was sponsored by the Point Loma Cluster Schools (PLCS) group. The cluster includes 10 K-12 schools that have a combined enrollment of about 6,000 students. While the meeting was not designed to establish a consensus about the formation of local charter schools, the forum did bring together opponents, supporters and those simply eager to learn more. Based on sentiments expressed by the standing-room-only crowd, two ideas clearly emerged. First, Peninsula public schools serve people passionate about education. Second, all of the participants said they wanted the best possible education experience for students. The organizers of the meeting were educational reform advocates who presented a panel of experts to share ideas and opinions in a high-tech environment. Audience members were invited to “Twitter” their thoughts and responses — reactions that were displayed on a large screen. Some questions were submitted to the three-member panel through written cards or e-mails. The forum, moderated by Bud Mehan, included panelists Ben Austin, executive director of Parent Revolution and a former state Board of Education member; Paula Cordeiro, dean of the University of San Diego (USD) School of Leadership and Education Sciences; and Larry Rosenstock, founding principal of the chartered High Tech High School. PLCS President Christy Scadden introduced the forum. “We are not here to push charter (schools), but to explore it,” Scadden said. All three panelists urged parents to become more active and take power from defenders of the status quo within public schools. In Austin’s opening remarks, he asserted that schools are set up for adults, not children. He added that there are bad charter schools but said the state Board of Education has never shut one down. Cordeiro stressed her research background and said teachers are the single most important component of successful schools, accounting for 33 percent of variation in student achievement. Next, at 25 percent, is the school principal. Applicants at High Tech High are selected by lottery with student data not a factor, according to Rosenstock. All of the school’s employees work on year-to-year contracts, he said. Responding to submitted questions, Cordeiro said some countries have better schools “because they have the best teachers.” “Are you allowed to create practices that relate to the needs of Point Loma kids or to make decisions about the use of your limited funding?” Cordeiro asked. Austin then addressed the issue of unions. “I believe fundamentally in labor unions,” he said, calling them the one group that has helped maintain school funding. “But I also believe in parent unions.” Rosenstock said there are 14 laws that prohibit firing someone for arbitrary and capricious reasons. “I’m not anti-union, but I am anti-tenure,” he said. PLCS representatives said they believe Point Loma High School could be eligible for a so-called “parent trigger” clause if certain No Child Left Behind Act criteria are not met, possibly leading to the conversion of a charter status. Addressing standardized tests, Rosenstock noted results often mirror socioeconomic status. He said any group requiring standardized tests with published scores should first be required to take the same tests with their own scores made public. Teacher evaluations drew varied audience reactions, with panelists urging emphasis on student achievement. One teacher tweeted: “I’m [already] evaluated every day.” During a final segment, a microphone was passed to interested audience members. Many students attend PLCS schools on transfers. One parent chastised forum organizers who claim ethnic diversity as among the cluster’s strengths. “There was no childcare offered for this meeting. No busing or translation,” the parent said. “Most of our diversity is still sitting in their mid-city living rooms.” Looking around the room, the woman added, “Most of us here look pretty much alike.” PLCS organizers asked audience members to continue attending meetings as they work to build a greater parent voice and explore options to improve area schools. For more information, visit www.pointlomacluster.com. WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL? The California Department of Education uses the following definition on its website: “A charter school is a public school, grades K-12. It is usually created by a group of teachers, parents and community leaders and sponsored by an existing local public school board. Specific goals and operating procedures are detailed in an agreement (or “charter”) between the sponsoring board and charter organizers. Charter schools are generally exempt from most laws governing school districts. They must participate in statewide assessment tests. Public charter schools must be nonsectarian in their programs, admission policies, employment practices and all other operations. Private schools may not convert to charter schools. Public charter schools may not charge tuition or discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender or disability.” — Scott Hopkins