BTF Analysis - A Severe Lack of Diversity in Erie County Charter Schools and Possible Resegregation

The Buffalo Teachers Federation today released a troubling report prepared for the BTF by NYSUT, the BTF’s State affiliation (attached).

The report details the extreme lack of Administrator Diversity and the general lack of diversity in the Erie County Charter Schools.

The Education Trust recently released a report that compared the racial makeup of teachers and students in numerous school districts across New York State. This analysis was based upon an unpublished data set which had been collected by the State Education Department. NYSUT had obtained the same unpublished data set. It should be noted that this data is self-reported, unaudited information and therefore may not be completely accurate.

Some of the more troubling Charter School statistics:

County-wide

• 25% of the Charter School students are White while 81% of the principals and assistant principals are White (Buffalo - 57% White principals and assistants)
• 68% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino while only 20% of the principals and assistant principals are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino (Buffalo – 38 % Black and Hispanic)

Individual Charter Schools

• Western New York Maritime Charter School
  • While 62% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanics or Latino there are no Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino principals or assistant principals (0%). The administration is 100% White.
• Buffalo United Charter School
  • 98% of the Charter School students are Black or African American are Hispanic or Latino while only 17% of the principals and assistant principals are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino.
  • 2% of the Charter School students are White while 83% of the Principals and Assistant Principals are White.
• Enterprise Charter School
  • 93% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino while there are no (0%) Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino principals and assistant principals
  • 93% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino while 8% of the teachers are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino
• Health Sciences Charter School
  • While 94% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino only 6% of the teachers are
• South Buffalo Charter School
  • While 46% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino there are no (0%) Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino administrators
  • While 46% of the Charter School students are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino there are no (0%) Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino teachers

The same concerns exist for most of the other Charter Schools.

The BTF also points out a further concern…

There is a Severe Lack of Diversity in Erie County Charter Schools and Possible Resegregation.

Too many of the Charter Schools are apparently in violation of the spirit and intent of legislation and court orders to integrate our schools.

• Aloma Johnson Charter School
  • 0% White students, 97% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Buffalo United Charter School
  • 2% White students, 98% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Charter School of Inquiry
  • 4% White students, 85% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Elmwood Village Charter School
  • 47% White students, 39% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Enterprise Charter School
  • 2% White students, 93% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Health and Science Charter School
  • 4% White students, 91% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• King Center Charter School
  • 2% White students, 89% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• Westminster Community Charter School
  • 96% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students. No White students (0%)
• Global Concepts Charter School
  • 66% White students, 33% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students
• South Buffalo Charter School
  • 51% White students, 46% Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students

“This analysis provides very troubling and serious statistics that must be addressed by the Charter Schools, the courts, the legislature or all of the above.

The administrative disparity in the Charter Schools is unacceptable. What is the message to the students when they do not see administrators that look like them?

There is no excuse for not seeking out and hiring a diverse administrative staff. The Charter Schools control that completely.

The lack of diversity of teachers also must be addressed as it is now being addressed in the Buffalo Public Schools with what is called the Urban Teacher Academy.

Diversity will in and of itself not ensure greater scores on what many consider invalid tests. Smaller class sizes increased support services and administrative support staff will improve the education of our students.

However, seeing someone who looks like you, gives a student the knowledge that they can succeed.

I ask you to think back and imagine that you are a White student while almost all of your teachers and administrators are Black or African American.
Just as troubling is what is apparently an abandonment of the spirit and intent of the laws, court rulings and commitment to integrate our schools.

The BTF calls upon the Charter Schools, Local, State and Federal legislatures to investigate these statistics and to take appropriate corrective actions”, stated Phil Rumore, President, Buffalo Teachers Federation.

PR:su

Encl. BTF/NYSUT Charter School Analysis