Edison Schools’ chances slim

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

If the nation's largest public school management firm comes to Clark County, it will live or die on its ability to raise student achievement, the firm's president said Tuesday.

"If the superintendent and the School Board decide that they want us to be a part of this district, they are going to do it for one reason: student achievement," Chris Whittle, president and chief executive officer of Edison Schools, said.

"They will hire us on that basis and they will fire us on that basis if it doesn't work."

Although the School Board and administration are gathering information about Edison Schools and its prospects for turning around at-risk schools, its chances of a contract here are slim because of a lack of funding.

Both school district and Edison officials are questioning whether Nevada's per-pupil funding is enough to run the program. A final analysis on the figures is expected to be finished within two weeks.

"They're having trouble, given the amount of money we get, making it worthwhile," Superintendent Carlos Garcia said, adding that the district would work toward finding a solution to the money gap.

According to Garcia, the district receives about $5,000 per student each year in state and federal aid. Whittle said Edison spends an average of $6,500 per student, with per-pupil spending reaching as high as $9,000 in New Jersey.

Edison, a private firm that uses public funds to manage schools, operates 113 schools in 45 cities and 21 states and has a total student enrollment of about 57,000. In addition to pouring $1.5 million to $2 million into each school it takes over, Edison acquires any aid the district receives for the school.

"If (Edison) can't afford to run their program here, then I think it's important for people to know that we're running our district pretty lean," Garcia said.

Despite the money issue, representatives from the district and Edison Schools continued their discussions Tuesday during a luncheon at the Hughes Center Residence Inn by Marriott. Edison would manage several at-risk schools in Clark County if funding could be solved.

Madison and Fitzgerald elementary schools are two likely locations for the program. Principals of the two at-risk schools have attended an Edison seminar, and School Board member Shirley Barber strongly supports using Edison at the schools.

Garcia said he expects the School Board to vote on bringing Edison Schools to Clark County in January. If it is approved, the district will take a couple of months to decide which schools Edison will run, so the program can begin next fall.

A series of public meetings also would be held. Edison would offer Clark County its own curriculum for reading, math and science, along with home computers for students.

"We provide computers for every teacher and starting in third grade, we give one to every family and that is networked back to the school," Whittle said.

The daily schedule for elementary school education includes 90 minutes of reading, 30 to 60 minutes of writing and language arts, 60 minutes of mathematics, 45 minutes of science and 45 minutes of history.

On alternating days, world language is taught for 40 to 45 minutes, fine arts for 40 minutes and physical education and health for 40 minutes.

Parental involvement is a key component of the program, with parents signing contracts to set their children's goals on a quarterly basis.

Included are specific steps to improve a child's special strength or weakness. Principals of Edison Schools typically hire and recruit their own staffs, Whittle said. Additionally, training is emphasized for everyone, from teachers to secretarial staff.

Teachers would not be forced to participate in the program and could easily be reassigned, because the school district is growing so rapidly, Garcia said.

Whittle admitted the program has received opposition from teachers unions or communities that objected to private firms running public schools.

He also admitted the program "isn't perfect," and that a handful of schools are experiencing stagnant or declining student achievement. Test scores at most Edison schools are on the rise, however, he said.