Lab schools

Re “Virginia can tap educational potential through school option” (Other Views, Feb. 19) and “Charter schools” (Your Views, Feb. 27): Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed a partnership agreement with universities and colleges to create K-12 lab schools. And the op-ed and letter mentioned above cite several important points about the advantages and disadvantages of charter schools. I believe our project addressed many of their concerns back in 2000.

Twenty-two years ago, two Hartford public school colleagues and I founded a Connecticut local charter/magnet school, the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy.

First, it is a public school (grades 6-12) within the Hartford, Connecticut, system, publicly funded based on a per-student cost as the other city schools, and hires only certified teachers. Its board is made up of volunteer members of the community, including parents, and has publicly attended meetings. Importantly, it is a thematic-based curriculum providing advanced study opportunities into the fields of sport and medicine. My involvement as a professor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Connecticut precedes by 22 years, Youngkin’s appropriate, planned agreement with colleges and universities to create additional charter/lab schools.

Enrollment for the SMSA is determined by a randomly selected number of student applications each year. Its cultural mix closely represents the mix within the city of Hartford: 46% Hispanic, 25% Black and 23% white. It has achieved a National School of Distinction Award and been in the U.S. News’ list of best high schools. And the charter school act was established by a Democratic-controlled state legislature.

I strongly endorse this lab school partnership with colleges and universities.

— David N. Camaione, Virginia Beach