PRO: Why TIP Academy would be a good thing
Michael Schwerdtfeger is one of the principal organizers of TIP Academy Palos Verdes. He lives in Rancho Palos Verdes and has three children attending Mira Catalina Elementary School. Here's what he says about the plan:
TIP Academy PV will provide an exciting new learning opportunity to kids. The curriculum is designed to focus on big picture ideas, teach our children to “love to learn” and use a teaching style that matches each child’s learning style. TIP PV will provide a place for our children to learn to be independent thinkers and problem solvers, and break away from the restrictive structure that is placed on teachers within public schools.
TIP PV is a demonstration school and as such is committed to enhancing the public school system in Palos Verdes. TIP PV will offer training for all teachers within PVPUSD on differential instruction and other innovative teaching techniques. In addition, TIP PV will provide choices to parents which will increase the quality of education for all public schools within PV.
While we believe that the PVPUSD is one of the finer school districts in the state, we strongly believe that competition, innovation, and choice can make the district even better. California’s approximately 700 charter schools (with 89 new charter schools opening in 2007) have brought change and innovation to the state’s schools, and are clearly the future direction of education. While some may suggest that the PV school district is “good enough,” the supporters of TIP Academy Palos Verdes believe that the founding of a charter school in Palos Verdes can turn a very good school district into a great one by keeping the district on the cutting edge of education.
TIP Academy will provide a public school choice that will keep tax money and our children’s state assigned educational dollars in the Palos Verdes public school system, rather than forcing those interested in such an alternative away from public education into private schools or home schooling.
For information about TIP Academy Palos Verdes, please see www.tippv.org.