Most readers favored STEM education for MUSD charter schools

When it comes to what area of concentration should be offered if Maricopa Unified School District converts six of its schools to charter schools, the majority answer was STEM education.

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, garnered 47 percent of the vote. That represents 95 readers out of the 204 taking the InMaricopa.com poll.

Next up, 31 percent, or 64 readers, want an emphasis on basic-core subjects.

The MUSD school board approved a resolution June 12 to charter five elementary and one middle school.  Each school could have a different curriculum concentration. The district plans to spend the 2013-14 school year refining the charter concept for each of the schools.

On Monday, during a special meeting, the board is scheduled to take the next steps by voting on charter applications and other charter documents to get the ball rolling with the state Department of Education for Butterfield, Saddleback, Maricopa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa elementary schools and Maricopa Wells Middle School. The meeting will be 6 p.m. in the governing board room, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

Poll-takers also supported these focuses for charter-school educatio when asked: What emphasis would you like to see in a MUSD charter school?

• Performing arts, 8 percent
• Accelerated learning, 8 percent
• Community service, 3 percent
• International Baccalaureate, 2 percent
• Cultural diversity, 1 percent.

No one supported an emphasis on agriculture or science.