This can only help the Aurora Public Schools, in my opinion. Even if they don’t achieve the desired results, at least the challenge to the other schools will be present.
Two Aurora schools, Fletcher Elementary and William Smith High, have applied to become pilot schools. Two developers also have indicated interest.
Results of (a similar) program in Boston have been impressive: Students in pilot schools are outperforming those in regular schools by a significant margin. And families who moved away to other districts are now coming back to the pilot schools.
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Pilot schools are similar to charter schools except they remain under the umbrella of the district. The schools are free from district mandates and union work rules and can design their own curricula. They also can spend their budget how they see fit, Van Gytenbeek said.
Pilot-school class sizes are much smaller, as is the student-to-teacher ratio. Teachers receive more training, and students are offered more support services.
“Autonomy comes with increased expectations,” said Van Gytenbeek. “Charter schools have shown us that we need to compete, and we have to be responsive to those things that we are hearing.”
He said that within three years, the Aurora pilot schools must outperform the district average on tests such as the Colorado Student Assessment Program and the ACT. They would also need to show a reduced level of student mobility.
A big step forward in creating the schools was the buy-in of the teachers union, Van Gytenbeek said. The district met with union leaders, and both sides agreed to the concept.
I’m shocked that the teacher’s union bought into the concept. We’ll keep an eye on this…
