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Monday, August 19, 2013

Military Charter High School Pitched in Bethlehem

Charter School Supporters (L to R): MAJ Charles Taylor, MAJ Nathan Kline, Karen LeBron and Brian Smith 
One small step for the Bethlehem School Board. One giant leap for Lehigh Valley students. That's the argument that proponents of the Advanced Military Aerospace Science Academy made during an informational meeting at Bethlehem Public Library on August 17. They are seeking public support for a military-oriented charter school next year. It needs the approval of Bethlehem School Directors.

Biochemist Brian Smith explained that a military charter school, the first of its kind in the state, would focus on leadership, discipline, respect, team work and a "leave no one behind" mentality. He envisions a student population of about 200, although no site has been selected.

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a contract, or charter, with a host district school board. They are managed by school boards established by a founding coalition. They tend to have more flexibility in teaching methods than traditional public schools, but are more accountable. Unlike public schools, students can choose to attend these schools.

"I don't get paid to look at drawers all day," MAJ Charles Taylor
Major Charles Taylor, who teaches a JROTC program in New Jersey, noted that a military academy would have uniforms. "I don't get paid to look at drawers all day," he explained. He added that a military charter school would teach students basic skills like looking at someone when he is speaking to you, and speaking in complete sentences.

Major Taylor added that even something as simple as drill teaches cameraderie, discipline, teamwork and leadership.

Curriculum will focus on Project Lead the Way, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program.

But even Smith concedes a charter military school is not for everyone. "I haven't heard anything negative about it, except from my daughter," says Smith, a father of five. "She doesn't want to have anything to do with the military."
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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    cool

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    I went to a military school. It was called St. Joseph's in Easton. We wore uniforms and the teachers wore Army boots and kicked our asses until we behaved and learned, which we did.

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  3. Bernie O'HareAugust 19, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    I went to St. Theresa, where I was among the worst students, despite having my ass kicked daily and being repeatedly condemned to Hell.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mike FaccinettoAugust 19, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    I disagree with your statement: "They tend to have more flexibility in teaching methods than traditional public schools, but are more accountable." They are less accountable and that is documented.

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  5. Bernie O'HareAugust 19, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    By whom? Teachers' unions? Michael, you are one of the achool directors who must agree to the charter. Your antipathy towards charter schools is alone an indication that they are held to higher standards than other public schools.

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  6. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    School districts, in my opinion don't favor accepting charter schools any longer, now that Charter schools have joined together across the state as a lobbying force. It was reported that they are going directly to Gov. Corbett, seeking $150 million in funding, bypassing the state legislators, seeking to change the funding formula in their favor. Over the past 15 months they have filed 231 legal appeals challenging the Dept. of Education's funding formula.
    Source: The Morning Call 8/14/2013

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  7. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    I would whole heartedly support a military academy. Discipline & commitment is quite lacking in our youth today.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    I too would whole heatedly support this. Our great country is not militarized enough these days.

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  9. Peter J. CochranAugust 19, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Major Taylor, Sir,I as well as others,I'm sure from Post 9 would be willing to add to your agenda.We will be posted at The Northampton County Genealogical Society tomorrow at 14;00 hrs. for the acceptance of the 911 Memorial Flag. Come join us.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mike FaccinettoAugust 20, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    By accountable I mean they do not have to share the same data or operate as transparent as traditional public schools. They are also exempted from certain state rankings as related to school performance.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 20, 2013 at 11:03 AM

    I'm hearing alot of negativity about charter schools and not enough positive. What we need to focus on is what this school will bring to our children and how it will change the future of our society. We have to do something to change it now or do we want the future president going yoyoyo, aight.

    ReplyDelete

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