The New School for Enterprise and Development graduated its final class Thursday — 72 students gathered at Howard University to celebrate their achievements.
There was Matthew Bolden, who’s headed to the University of Kansas.
And Khari Edwards, on her way to LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
And Erica Watkins, who will go to college at Temple University.
It was a bittersweet day for the graduates and all the people who have put their hearts and souls into this charter school on the wrong side of town. On June 30, the New School will close its doors for good.
The D.C. Public Charter School Board revoked the New School’s charter on March 20, citing numerous failures to meet its standards.
To the whipsaw of emotions that will confront the students and the teachers in this last week of school, add the continuing investigation of its founder, Charles Tate. Last week federal and D.C. lawmen raided Tate’s home and office in Florida, seeking financial records of his dealings with the New School.
Tate is a longtime Washingtonian and a veteran of the civil rights movement. In my interviews with him, in person and over the phone, Tate always came across as a selfless elder statesman who wanted only to help kids from the roughest neighborhoods see their way to success through decent education.
For certain, Tate had the biggest problem of the day in his crosshairs. We are losing poor kids from the city. He endeavored to give them an educational life raft.
How sad it would be if Tate were outfitting his luxury yacht at the same time.
The allegations, as I understand them, are that he took a salary from the school and was paid in a lump sum for his work. He explains that both payments were totally aboveboard and approved by the charter board.
Even if true, the charges bear no relation to the fleecing of the Washington Teachers Union, which resulted in prison terms for Barbara Bullock and Gwen Hemphill. I would not be surprised if the Tate investigation proves very little.
A few things have become clear, however. First, Charles Tate bit off more than he could chew. He had grand ideas for new ways to teach students from the inner city, but he and his educators failed to teach the basics, failed to provide books and other teaching materials, failed to provide a routine structure for learning.
What they did provide was a safe environment and small classes.
Which brings me to the good news that might come from the failure of the New School. There is hope that another charter school might take over the building and the land — and allow the New School’sstudents to stay.
Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School has been negotiating to take over the New School’s building, near the corner of New York Avenue and Bladensburg Road NE. It is perhaps the most successful charter school in the city for teaching technology.
With a bit of luck, WMST will be sending the New School’s next graduates to schools like Temple.
Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since 1985. E-mail him at [email protected].
