Charlotte community group holds forum on failing schools

A community group called United Voices will hold a meeting Sept. 10 to help families cope with low performing schools.

The forum will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke Baptist Church, 1600 Norris Ave. An email sent by Queen Thompson, a former CMS teacher and school board candidate, says speakers will help families understand their rights and talk about what a “failing” label means to teachers, parents and students.

The topic is timely: The state released school grades on Thursday. Despite gains and above-average performance in many areas, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had five schools graded F and 25 that were labeled low performing, based on D or F grades and average or below-average student growth.

The school board is working on a student assignment review that will give families a priority for opting out of schools that repeatedly get low ratings. The latest state list identifies 22 schools, with a total enrollment of almost 18,000 students last year, that would qualify for the opt-out priority based on the model the board is discussing.

For details about the forum: educationalsolut@bellsouth.net or 704-333-7966.

This story was originally published September 2, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Charlotte community group holds forum on failing schools."