Curriculum & Policies
Will the curriculum change?
Yes, students attending a charter school will no longer be required to adhere to the curriculum offered at Newberry schools under Alachua County Public Schools. It is unclear what will happen to the UFLI reading program, which has recently launched and is used around the country to help improve reading scores. Newberry has “B” schools, among the top in the county, but could see a shift under new leadership.
On the FL Department of Education FAQ for Charter Schools, under “Are charter schools exempt from state statutes?” it states: “charter schools are generally exempt from the Florida K-20 Education Code (Ch. 1000-1013, F.S.), except those statutes specifically applying to charter schools”
On the FL Department of Education FAQ for Charter Schools, under “Are charter schools exempt from state statutes?” it states: “charter schools are generally exempt from the Florida K-20 Education Code (Ch. 1000-1013, F.S.), except those statutes specifically applying to charter schools”
What rules and standards will the curriculum have to follow?
The new curriculum has yet to be announced or released and will be determined by a governing board mostly controlled by the Newberry City Commission, which gets to appoint 3 of the 5 members (the Archer City Commission gets to appoint 1 members and the political group (Education First for Newberry, Incorporated) gets to appoint 1 member.
Will the students have to take the same amount of tests/assessments?
Just like students attending a district-run public school, charter schools students must take standardized state exams (like the FSA) and meet federal academic standards. It’s unclear what that test will be.
Who will get to decide what curriculum is used at each school?
A governing board mostly controlled by the Newberry City Commission and a political group (Education First for Newberry, Incorporated), which will be the acting school board for the first 3-5 years, will decide the curriculum. A superintendent and principals will be later hired and will have a say in what is taught.
Will these schools be private or religious? Could they become that?
While the new public charter schools must follow state and federal standards, the curriculum is unknown but could lead to religious teachings based on the beliefs of those pushing for the change and those in charge of decisions.
Will conservative or liberal political ideologies be pushed as a result of this?
The new schools may create more policies that adhere to traditional conservative and religious policy-making. Some of those pushing the charter change have shared their devout religious beliefs, anti-LGBTQ stances and anti-masking ideologies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the fact that it is being fronted by a former employee of a right-wing political consultancy and that Commission Marden is an officer of the extremist radical right-wing John Birch Society, we have serious concerns over how they would influence the curriculum.
Given the fact that it is being fronted by a former employee of a right-wing political consultancy and that Commission Marden is an officer of the extremist radical right-wing John Birch Society, we have serious concerns over how they would influence the curriculum.
Will discipline policies change?
It is expected that these policies will change, as members of the Newberry City Commission (which would control a majority of governing board) have expressed frustration with some of the equitable disciplinary policies currently in place. Under new leadership, school administrators will have the ability to craft new policies that are more strict which could result in more students being disciplined. Advocates of the charter system have no current plan to address that discipline is equitable to all students, regardless of race and gender.
Will the CAT program continue at Oakview?
The new charter school will most likely lose its magnet status with Alachua County Public Schools. The program is funded through ACPS with the help of other district resources. If a new or similar program is added back, it will depend on the governing board mostly controlled by the Newberry City Commission, future superintendent and yet-to-be-named principals and depend on the financial outlook of the new district.
Will the Criminal Justice program continue at Newberry High School?
The new charter school will most likely lose its magnet status with Alachua County Public Schools. The program is funded through ACPS with the help of other district resources. If a new or similar program is added back, it will depend on governing board mostly controlled by the Newberry City Commission, future superintendent and yet-to-be-named principals and depend on the financial outlook of the new district.