Compromised Principals

“We used our names and news organization email addresses, following each state’s rules for starting private or microschools, a type of private school intended for just a few students. Experience running a school wasn’t needed. No one from any of the states asked us about our backgrounds or qualifications, though West Virginia did ask for proof of a high school diploma. No one questioned what we plan to teach or how we would measure whether students are learning. And yet we could enroll students in two states right now, if we wanted to. Arkansas even suggested ways our school could accept public money through the state’s voucher-style program.” ProPublica wanted to find out just how easy it is to start a private school. It was A) Easy B) Simple C) Effortless and D) All of the above. We’re Reporters, Not Teachers. We Were Able to Start Private Schools Anyway.