charter or public school?

My son was withdrawn from a low performing public high school to a charter school, due to the Principal's refusal to approve transfer to another public school. My son has ad/hd and had some behavior problems at his charter school. Just when he was going to be put on a Behavior Contract, his appeal to tranfer to the other public school was approved. My son's father withdrew him from the charter school and enrolled him in the public school. Now my son doesn't want to stay at the public school because of lack of structue and student's efforts. I don't know whether to try to put him back in the charter school, if they take him back, or leave him at the public school, which has more opportunites for kids with ad/hd. Any advice would be appreciated.

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I can realy relate your concern and frustation with our situation. Our first child has dyslexia and currently is in elementary level in a public school and very soon he will joint a charter school. I am not able to give you a magic formula neither solution for your love one; however, I can share with you about our decisions and learning experiences we have had down the road.
He was in 1st grade when we found out he has Dixlexia and our journey started when we knew that in public schools (at least in our state) by law they can not give any support until 3rd grade....it was a big shake for us !!!. knowing that he can have eligibility for services and support from especial education as a student wiht "learning Disability"starting 3rd grade. I was furious, sad and frustated... a cocktail of mix-feelings . We did two things:
First thing,We did not want to wait and stared to look for treatments for him. Not until we went through two different tratments for the following two years without progress finally we found one that started to work for him and it was "neuro-feed back" (I was sketical in the beginnig but my wife finally convinced me; by the way, it was recommended by a family friend that had ad/hd child).
Apperantly, Dislexia can minimize but never be cure but we are happy with his progress due neurofeedback.
The second thing we did that once he was in third grade we put a lot and I mean a LOT of preassure on making sure public shcool does it job and make its structure work...As I mentioned before, by law the school should to put him in a specific program to monitor his performance and along with the parents have created a committee for his monitoring (teachers, principal, diagnostician, special education teacher, etc ). this still is a constant battle becasue some fo them lack of commitment. This is when we clearly observed the difference between compliance and commitment.
Any charter school falls under the same laws of public education. The Charter school (at least the one I am refering) is an Uplift Education public charter school. Uplift Education is a 501(c) (3) charter management organization dedicated to operating schools that provide a better quality education and we are totally convinced that our son will be in a better hands. "Dogmon" is right about been in a waiting list and we were so lucky that our son has been drawn in the lottery for admission to the 2009-2010 shcool year.
We wish you and your family the best. God bless

Hello, having a child in a public school since she started her 'academic career' I am just a little 'pissed ' with the lack of structure, effective behavior managememt techniques and the caring, compassionate, humane qualities the teachers LACK. This needless to say will be our last year in public school. I guess it is true that you get what you pay for.

I dont know how much help i can be at this point. I just started looking into putting my son into a charter school. Here are some things i learned from my neighbor. His son has adhd and was having a difficult time in school at otsego, they heard about Kaleidoscope charter school which is open to the public, however you must sign up and be on a waiting list. My neighbortells me it's the best thing they have done for their son who i believe is in 3rd or 4th grade. It seems the opportunities have been great for this boy. My son does not have adhd, but he needs more help with reading/writting. He has been in summer school each summer so far and stays after school twice a week for more help. Im beginning to get frustrated with my son, myself and the school. I feel this is excessive for a 2nd grader.Might your son have these behavioral problems at any school, i mean it might take some time to get adjusted and time for the teachers to understand how to best deal with his needs. maybe make a list of pros and cons of each school and go with the best number of pros.
Good luck

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charter or public school?

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