As the legislature is still debating the future of about 200 Duquesne High School students, charter school operators this afternoon were announcing that they are willing and able to accept the students.
Tim Daniels, executive director of the Pennsylvania Charter Schools Coalition, said a cooperative of charter schools -- led by Northside Urban Pathways, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School and Propel Schools -- is ready to educate students, in various settings. They could include Northside Urban Pathways, located Downtown, which has about 25 openings. They could also include students enrolled in cyber schools or students who would be enrolled in a new "blended" school at the current building housing the Duquesne High School. This would be a blend of bricks-and-mortar and cyber education.
"We want them," said Dr. Daniels. "They will among themselves take every single student there and do it because they want to help."
The legislature is deciding whether to adopt a controversial proposal by state Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak that would result in the Duquesne students being placed in nearby school districts. Exactly what any legislation will permit is still under debate. Some have pointed to West Mifflin Area and East Allegheny as possible candidates. Both school boards have adamantly opposed being assigned the Duquesne students.
The state board of control, which runs Duquesne, closed the Duquesne High School for this fall.
Michael Race, spokesman for the state Department of Education, said the secretary is sticking by his plan as the best option.
He said students already can choose to go to a charter school.
"The vast majority of kids in the Duquesne School District have not enrolled in any charter school. It is a choice for them, yes. It always has been. They're basically speaking with their feet. The majority of them are saying we want to go to a traditional high school where we can have a traditional high school experience with all the extracurricular and athletic activities that involves."
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published: July 13, 2007, 6:15 p.m.
