Charter schools or no charter schools? Roland Martin weighs in

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - A gathering of the minds took place Thursday for change within Birmingham City Schools.

Journalist Roland Martin was in town to lead the conversation and talk about School Choice.

Martin organized a panel to speak at the event.

Some people were for charter schools, one person was trying to start a charter school, school leaders at the state level, and there was also a parent of a Birmingham City School child.

They were all there to answer questions about why Birmingham City Schools are failing and what should be done.

Martin says he started this not to convince people that charter schools are the answer but to help involve the community in finding out what the answer is to ensure success for these students.

"I have never supported a failing traditional school. I have never supported a failing charter school. So we have to be having a success conversation as opposed to some of these silly back and forth adult conversations that people have that have nothing to do with our child succeeding," Martin asked.

At the end of the event, parents were allowed to ask questions so they could form their own opinion about what is right for the future of their students.

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