Choice schools teach on - under a microscope

Last Updated: Sept. 27, 2000

What's it like during a typical day at a Milwaukee choice school?

At Blyden Delany Academy, 2466 W. McKinley Blvd., Principal Taki Raton is dealing with the usual problems that crop up during the course of trying to provide a quality education to poor children.

Someone needs a tape recorder for a lesson; another student needs direction to the appropriate classroom; there's a momentary discipline problem that requires giving one student some "quiet time."

Raton handles each situation as it arises, then returns to an unscheduled interview with a journalist who decided to just show up this morning to see what's going on.

Raton, who founded Blyden Delany three years ago after spending 12 years working and teaching at Milwaukee Public Schools, understands choice schools in Milwaukee are under increased scrutiny these days.

He welcomes the attention.

"We're not going to become defensive or rebellious," he said, sitting behind a desk in a room filled with Afrocentric literature, African masks and portraits of various black historical figures like Marcus Garvey.

"We're just going to keep on doing what we've been doing."

The state Department of Instruction has started cracking down on choice school applicants in Milwaukee, withholding money and asking tough questions about the way these government-supported private institutions are performing their duties.

One school applicant under DPI scrutiny was found to have no building. Others were late returning overpayments, or didn't submit required documents.

The use of tax-supported school vouchers to pay for poor children's education is a controversial program that has both gained support and earned derision.

Many conservative foundations and Republican politicians like Gov. Thompson favor choice; many liberal and Democratic politicians oppose choice because they feel it takes resources from public schools.

For many black parents, though, choice isn't political at all. The child's education is the only motivating issue.

Raton, like others in the local school choice community, questions the motives behind the latest focus on choice schools, particularly those run by blacks.

"I'm concerned it seems to be only the black schools being targeted by the state and the media," said Raton.

According to Raton, Blyden Delany has repaid the state for its overpayment; he described it as a bookkeeping matter that didn't deserve the attention it received.

Raton says the proof of his school's credibility is in the number of parents with more than one child enrolled, and those who have kept their children at the school all three years it has been in existence.

Blyden Delany has 83 students, from kindergarten to eighth grade.

"They've seen the change in their children's behavior, they like the culture of the school and its environment."

Character is stressed more than academics, said Raton. Students at Blyden Delany wear uniforms and recite a self-esteem pledge each morning. They are taught how to get along with each other, how to resolve conflict, and to build good character.

Although some question the accountability of choice schools for the academics they teach, Raton has no misgivings. "Our children will make the grades, and they do."

He's in favor of having his students participate in standardized tests like public school students and releasing the results.

"I want my students to be able to compete with students from everywhere else, plus, it lets us know where we're at, by comparison."

Halfway through the interview, Raton takes an empty water bottle out of a waiting student's hand.

"Give me that, that sound's going to drive me crazy," he said of the crackling of the plastic.

It's another typical moment, just like any school anywhere. Only when it comes to choice in this town, nothing is typical.

There are always eyes watching, waiting for that first slip.