Erica Fortenberry has taught in Newark, N.J. public schools for 17 years. She is a passionate supporter of traditional public schools. But when it comes to her own child, she sends them to a public charter school.
Fortenberry explains why in an op-ed for the Star-Ledger. “It is frustrating as a teacher in Newark and an alum of the Newark public school system to see first-hand what is happening in Newark,” she writes. “But as a mother, it is terrifying.”
Fortenberry’s 13-year-old attends Link Community Charter School. “Link produces results not because they have more money [than traditional public schools]. Their accomplishments are rooted in the same values of most Newark parents — they figure out how to do more with less, they find a way to make things work. As a district schoolteacher, I would like to see the effective practices being implemented at Link replicated in my district school.”
Despite the school’s location in downtown Newark, Fortenberry says she feels completely comfortable with her child’s safety. “Most of all, Link is located in the heart of Newark, yet I know my child is safe. They open its doors at 7:15 am to provide breakfast to all. Homework help is provided late into afternoon. If a child is having difficulty out of school, there is support from talented and dedicated social workers, nurses, and faculty advisors.”
Fortenberry criticizes taxpayer money spent on Newark’s traditional public schools that gets wasted. She says, because of bureaucracy, too little of the billion dollars the state sends to Newark ends up actually reaching students.
Thanks to the education Fortenberry’s son has received at Link, he earned a full scholarship to a private high school. Fortenberry says everyone in New Jersey should have the same opportunity. “It is time for Newark to embrace, celebrate and replicate experiences like my son’s public education at Link – so every child in Newark is provided a high quality education. Whether we call them district, magnet, charter or community schools — it does not matter to me, or most in the city.”
“The key to success is making sure parents are provided options.”
Read Fortenberry’s entire op-ed here.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
