Rising tide of concerns at Milwaukee Public Schools are greater than the debate about one charter school

Alan Borsuk: There were at least 99 reasons not to close Kathryn T. Daniels University Preparatory Academy, Michael Bonds said over and over on Thursday night. What did the Milwaukee School Board member mean? This: On the school report cards issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction several months ago, 99 schools in the … Continue reading Rising tide of concerns at Milwaukee Public Schools are greater than the debate about one charter school

The GOP’s Biggest Charter School Experiment Just Imploded

James Pogue: The west side of Columbus, Ohio, is a flat expanse of one-story houses, grimy convenience stores, and dark barrooms, and William Lager, in his business wear, cut an unusual figure at the Waffle House on Wilson Road. Every day, almost without fail, he took a seat in a booth, ordered his bottomless coffee, … Continue reading The GOP’s Biggest Charter School Experiment Just Imploded

#EIE17: STRATEGY SESSION VIII – Turning the Tide: Tools to Promote Charter School Growth

Strategy Session VIII: Turning the Tide: Tools to Promote Charter School Growth. Recorded at the 2017 National Summit on Education Reform on Thursday, November 30 in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, only 329 new charter schools opened across the United States in 2016, down from 640 new charters in … Continue reading #EIE17: STRATEGY SESSION VIII – Turning the Tide: Tools to Promote Charter School Growth

A proposed Florida Constitutional amendment on Charter Schools

Greg Stanley: One proposal would allow the state to create a new body to license and govern charter schools. The amendment would allow charter schools to avoid getting approval from their district’s school board by potentially getting that approval and oversight from the state. The problem is school districts often do not want charter schools … Continue reading A proposed Florida Constitutional amendment on Charter Schools

Donors and Founders on Charter School Boards and Their Impact on Financial and Academic Outcomes

Charisse A. Gulosino Elif Şişli-Ciamarra: This study provides the first systematic analysis of the composition of charter school governing boards. We assemble a dataset of charter school boards in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2013 and investigate the consequences of donor and founder representation on governing boards. We find that the presence of donors on the … Continue reading Donors and Founders on Charter School Boards and Their Impact on Financial and Academic Outcomes

In a Deeply Flawed ‘Analysis,’ the Associated Press Blames Public Charter Schools for America’s Segregated Cities

Robin Lake, via a kind Deb Britt email: History repeats itself. Unfortunately, so does irresponsible analysis. For the 20 or so years that I’ve been studying charter schools, the attacks on charters have morphed over time. Early on, it was said that charter schools were going to admit only the most advantaged students. When that … Continue reading In a Deeply Flawed ‘Analysis,’ the Associated Press Blames Public Charter Schools for America’s Segregated Cities

The Legal Status of Charter Schools in State Statutory Law

Preston C. Green, III Bruce D. Baker Joseph O. Oluwole: Given the recent increase in charter schools as an alternative to the traditional public education system, this Article explores the legal status and position of charter schools. Charter schools exhibit many characteristics of private schools, particularly in terms of management, but also retain many public … Continue reading The Legal Status of Charter Schools in State Statutory Law

Does D.C. Charter Schools’ Autonomy Come at the Cost of Public Accountability? (How does this compare with traditional school governance?)

Rachel Cohen: On a Monday night in late April, the D.C. Public Charter School Board convened for its monthly meeting with plans to vote on new charter school applications. One network, DC Preparatory Academy, submitted two requests for expansion: one to increase their student enrollment ceiling, and one to open a new elementary and middle … Continue reading Does D.C. Charter Schools’ Autonomy Come at the Cost of Public Accountability? (How does this compare with traditional school governance?)

YOUNG SCHOLARS CHARTER SCHOOL ANNOUNCES SERIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT ANNUAL “EXPERIENCE WEEK”

Via a kind Matthew Frankel email: Broad Range of Small and Large Local Community Businesses Pledge their Support to Provide Students with Invaluable Work-Study Opportunity Philadelphia, PA – October 8, 2017 – Young Scholars Charter School announced today that is has forged twenty-two strategic partnerships with local businesses from around the Philadelphia area to support … Continue reading YOUNG SCHOLARS CHARTER SCHOOL ANNOUNCES SERIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT ANNUAL “EXPERIENCE WEEK”

Small Houston charter school pays top dollar to leader, owns luxury condo

Jacob Carpenter: For more than a decade, the leaders of Accelerated Intermediate Academy have run their small Houston charter school on a lean budget, paying teachers below-average salaries and educating kids in modest facilities resembling portable trailers. At the same time, the school’s superintendent, Kevin Hicks, has drawn an annual salary of about $250,000 – … Continue reading Small Houston charter school pays top dollar to leader, owns luxury condo

Launching a Preschool Movement and a Public Charter School in Dane County!

One City Early Learning Centers: A high quality preschool education, from birth to age 5, should be available and accessible to every child in the United States of America. Please join us on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 from 11:30am to 1:00pm for lunch and an important presentation and dialogue. We would like to get your … Continue reading Launching a Preschool Movement and a Public Charter School in Dane County!

You’re Invited: One City to Launch Preschool Movement and Charter School

One City Early Learning, via a kind Kaleem Caire email: A high quality preschool education, from birth to age 5, should be available and accessible to every child in the United States of America. Please join us on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 from 11:30am to 1:00pm for lunch and an important presentation and dialogue. We … Continue reading You’re Invited: One City to Launch Preschool Movement and Charter School

Commentary on Charter School Financial models, Compare to K-12 Districts

School Finance: About a year ago, I released this report: In which Gary Miron and I discuss various methods by which charter school operators work largely within existing policy constraints, to achieve financial gain. While working on this report, I explored various other topics that did not make the final cut, in part because I … Continue reading Commentary on Charter School Financial models, Compare to K-12 Districts

Wisconsin wins $95 million charter school grant

Wisconsin DPI, via a kind reader: Wisconsin won more than $95 million from a competitive, five-year federal grant for the Wisconsin Charter Schools Program, according to an announcement last week by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant, the largest in the country this year, will support the growth of high-quality charter schools, especially secondary … Continue reading Wisconsin wins $95 million charter school grant

When charter schools unionize, students learn more, study finds

Matt Barnum: When charter school teachers push to unionize, charter leaders often fight back. That’s happened in Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Unionizing, they argue, would limit the schools’ ability to innovate, ultimately hurting kids. But a new study of California schools finds that, far from harming student achievement, unionization of … Continue reading When charter schools unionize, students learn more, study finds

Teachers Union Document Reveals Master Plan for Unionizing Charter School Networks

Mike Antonucci: Over the past few years we have seen major efforts to unionize teachers in charter schools in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Some have been successful, others not, but teachers unions and their allies continue to hope they can make significant inroads in the charter school movement. These efforts face significant challenges, … Continue reading Teachers Union Document Reveals Master Plan for Unionizing Charter School Networks

Madison’s Status Quo Governance: Board Majority Rejects a Montessori (sort of) Charter School Proposal

Karen Rivedal: But Cheatham urged the board not to see it as an us-vs-them proposition, noting the charter school and its students would be fully part of the district if the contract was approved. The district also should “honor and value” grass-roots proposals that come from the community, she said, especially one like this promising … Continue reading Madison’s Status Quo Governance: Board Majority Rejects a Montessori (sort of) Charter School Proposal

UW System office seeks charter school proposals; Milwaukee market may be tapped out

Annysa Johnson: Bennett said he has had some interest in the Madison, though he declined to identify schools or individuals. If a school is authorized there, it would be the first in the city not chartered by the Madison Metropolitan School District, and only one of three independent charters — those not authorized by a … Continue reading UW System office seeks charter school proposals; Milwaukee market may be tapped out

Request for proposals open for Wisconsin’s first recovery charter school

“Everyone always asks, ‘Why are you so small?’ Well, there are not very many teenagers who want to admit that they have a drug or alcohol problem, or mental health issues. Parents don’t want to brag about that (either),” she said. “We are trying to break the stigma by having students feel good about themselves … Continue reading Request for proposals open for Wisconsin’s first recovery charter school

Independent (!) Charter School RFP: Madison OR Milwaukee (!)

University of Wisconsin System Office of Educational Opportunity, via a kind email: As home to the nation’s first public kindergarten, Wisconsin has a proud history of visionary educators incubating innovative educational opportunities for students, families, and their communities. The Office of Educational Opportunity is proud to be a partner in the Badger State’s living legacy … Continue reading Independent (!) Charter School RFP: Madison OR Milwaukee (!)

Commentary On Charter School Climate And Madison’s Non Diverse Governance

Alan Borsuk These reasons feed my thought that the forecast for creating independent charters outside Milwaukee isn’t strong, no matter what state law says. Under Gary Bennett, the UW System charter office has moved carefully. It does not want to create angry politics around schools in Madison or elsewhere. With the exception of plans to … Continue reading Commentary On Charter School Climate And Madison’s Non Diverse Governance

Charter schools do more than teach to the test: evidence from Boston

microeconomicinsights:: A growing body of evidence indicates that many urban charter schools boost the standardized test scores of disadvantaged students markedly. Attendance at oversubscribed charter schools in Boston for example—those with more applicants than seats—increases the test scores of low-income students by a third of a standard deviation a year, enough to eliminate the black-white … Continue reading Charter schools do more than teach to the test: evidence from Boston

NEA Policy Statement on Charter Schools – Final Version

National Education Association: Introduction Charter schools were initially promoted by educators who sought to innovate within the local public school system to better meet the needs of their students. Over the last quarter of a century, charter schools have grown dramatically to include large numbers of charters that are privately managed, largely unaccountable, and not … Continue reading NEA Policy Statement on Charter Schools – Final Version

On Charter School Accomplishment

relinqueshment: CREDO is the best national quasi-experimental data source we have, and its methodology holds up well in comparisons with experimental data. To the extent you’re suspicious of CREDO or of quasi-experimental design, Rand also did a national study on charters that looked exclusively at experimental studies. The authors found: “Consistent with many previous studies … Continue reading On Charter School Accomplishment

South Carolina Announces $250,000 Fellowships For Educators to Launch Top-Notch Charter Schools

Naomi Mix: Attention aspiring charter school leaders: South Carolina policymakers are looking to award hundreds of thousands of dollars to talented educators with the skills to launch their own charter schools. The South Carolina Public Charter School District is starting an incubator program aimed at cultivating high-performing charter schools to educate underserved, low-income and minority … Continue reading South Carolina Announces $250,000 Fellowships For Educators to Launch Top-Notch Charter Schools

CTA Prepping Charter School Moratorium Resolutions for Local School Boards

Mike Antonucci: The California Teachers Association approved a new business item that reads: CTA will develop and promote resolutions that local associations can introduce at school board meetings calling for county-wide and statewide moratoriums on new charter school authorizations. The union has promoted limits on the number of charter schools since the charter law was … Continue reading CTA Prepping Charter School Moratorium Resolutions for Local School Boards

Parents And Teachers Say Charter Schools Get These 4 Things Right

Madeleine Deliee: You’ve probably heard a lot about charter schools lately, but you may not know exactly what they are, or what makes them so popular in some circles—and controversial in others. Now, with the proposed federal budget devoting $500 million in funding to charter expansion across the United States, you’re likely to hear even … Continue reading Parents And Teachers Say Charter Schools Get These 4 Things Right

RFP 15196 – Educational Oversight of City of Milwaukee Charter Schools

City of Milwaukee: For this RFP, the City of Milwaukee is using a Bonfire portal for accepting and evaluating proposals digitally. All required documents are available for download on the Bonfire portal. Your submission must be uploaded, submitted, and finalized prior to the Closing Time of May 30, 2017 at 2:00 PM CST. We strongly … Continue reading RFP 15196 – Educational Oversight of City of Milwaukee Charter Schools

Charter schools meet demand for better education

Los Angeles Daily News: A new labor-backed study charges that California charter schools are opening schools where they aren’t needed, but parents – not special interests or governmental bodies – should be the final judges. The report from In the Public Interest criticizes charters for opening in areas where there is existing classroom space in … Continue reading Charter schools meet demand for better education

Boston charter school educator named national teacher of the year

James Vaznis: Sydney Chaffee’s (center) classroom lessons at Codman Academy Charter School in Dorchester focus on the intersection of history and literature. By James Vaznis GLOBE STAFF APRIL 20, 2017 At Codman Academy Charter School in Dorchester, Sydney Chaffee likes to put the spotlight on her students during a weekly schoolwide assembly — having them … Continue reading Boston charter school educator named national teacher of the year

Hey, ProPublica, No Child Left Behind and Charter Schools Aren’t the Root Cause of Gaming the System

Maureen Kelleher: SYSTEM-GAMING HAS EXISTED FOR DECADES Ways to make hard-to-serve young people disappear from high school rolls have existed since well before Michelle Fine’s groundbreaking study on this problem, Framing Dropouts, was published in 1991. In the early 1980s, Fine discovered that only 20 percent of the freshmen who entered one of New York … Continue reading Hey, ProPublica, No Child Left Behind and Charter Schools Aren’t the Root Cause of Gaming the System

‘Alternative’ Education: Using Charter Schools to Hide Dropouts and Game the System

Heather Vogell and Hannah Fresques: Sunshine’s 455 students — more than 85 percent of whom are black or Hispanic — sit for four hours a day in front of computers with little or no live teaching. One former student said he was left to himself to goof off or cheat on tests by looking up … Continue reading ‘Alternative’ Education: Using Charter Schools to Hide Dropouts and Game the System

District Of Columbia Charter Schools: Multi-Agency Plan Needed to Continue Progress Addressing High and Disproportionate Discipline Rates

United States Government Accountability Office: Discipline rates (out-of-school suspension and expulsion rates) at District of Columbia (D.C.) charter schools dropped from school years 2011-12 through 2013-14 (the most recent years of national Department of Education data available). However, these rates remained about double the rates of charter schools nationally and slightly higher than D.C. traditional … Continue reading District Of Columbia Charter Schools: Multi-Agency Plan Needed to Continue Progress Addressing High and Disproportionate Discipline Rates

Charter School Enrollment Growth

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (PDF): Across the country, more than 300 new charter public schools opened in the fall of 2016. Charter schools are public schools that have exibility to meet students’ unique needs, while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. Every year, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) … Continue reading Charter School Enrollment Growth

Are Charter Schools Good or Bad for Black Students

Graham Vyse: Black History Month began Wednesday, and this year’s theme is “The Crisis in Black Education.” According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the group that founded BHM—this crisis “has grown significantly in urban neighborhoods where public schools lack resources, endure overcrowding, exhibit a racial achievement gap, and … Continue reading Are Charter Schools Good or Bad for Black Students

University of Wisconsin System Charter School Opportunities, including Madison; Draft Recovery School Legislation

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, via Gary Bennett: The University interprets its responsibility to authorize charter schools as a part of a larger attempt to improve education for children and in this instance, the education of children in the City. Charter schools must have programs that provide quality education to urban students and address the critical issues … Continue reading University of Wisconsin System Charter School Opportunities, including Madison; Draft Recovery School Legislation

A Madison “instrumentality Charter School” Approved

Doug Erickson: Board member Mary Burke said it was critically important to her that the student body of the new charter school reflect the demographics of the overall district in terms of racial diversity and the percentages of students with special needs. The school’s founders and its supporters convinced her through their testimonials and their … Continue reading A Madison “instrumentality Charter School” Approved

As vote nears on Montessori (Instrumentality) charter school, questions remain on cost, staffing

Doug Erickson: The Madison School Board is poised to vote Monday on whether to create its first public Montessori charter school, a decision that appears to hinge on the level of risk board members are willing to accept. The district’s charter review committee says it cannot recommend approval of the proposal from Isthmus Montessori Academy … Continue reading As vote nears on Montessori (Instrumentality) charter school, questions remain on cost, staffing

Newsflash: Bruce Baker Analyzes Charter School Expansion and I’m Impressed

Laura Waters: I am typically a fierce critic of Professor Bruce Baker but this week I find myself in the delightful position of praising his scholarship. Not all of it, mind you, and I’ll get to that. But in his new analysis, “Exploring the Consequences of Charter School Expansion in U.S.Cities” published by the Economic … Continue reading Newsflash: Bruce Baker Analyzes Charter School Expansion and I’m Impressed

Madison’s Wright Middle School seeks to give up its charter school status

Doug Erickson: Wright Middle School, 1717 Fish Hatchery Road, is poised to give up its status as a charter school after 22 years. Kaleem Caire, a community member who has been heavily involved in helping the school discern its future, said the decision came about in part due to changes by the state Legislature. In … Continue reading Madison’s Wright Middle School seeks to give up its charter school status

Charter Schools and Milwaukee K-12 Governance

Alan Borsuk: Just when it seemed like the annual trends involving the education landscape of Milwaukee had become predictable and boring, a couple of unpredicted things happened. Around this time every year since 2008, I’ve put together a chart showing where Milwaukee children are getting a publicly funded education, sector by sector. I try not … Continue reading Charter Schools and Milwaukee K-12 Governance

What Massachusetts’ most expensive ballot initiative ever reveals about the bitter national debate over charter schools

Olivia Becker: Public opinion has been split but leans toward the “no” side on Question 2, according to recent polls. TV ads, fliers, and phone calls coming from both sides of the fight, have been relentless leading into Election Day. If the initiative passes, it will signal a prominent nod of support for the growing … Continue reading What Massachusetts’ most expensive ballot initiative ever reveals about the bitter national debate over charter schools

Teachers Union, CPS Read Charter School Cap Differently

Sarah Karp But Chicago Public Schools officials said the cap does not necessarily mean there’s a district-wide moratorium on expanding charter schools. “There’s plenty of room for high quality charter operators to apply and to go through our process,” said CPS CEO Forrest Claypool. “There is not a moratorium and there’s room under the cap … Continue reading Teachers Union, CPS Read Charter School Cap Differently

NAACP’s Charter School Test: The venerable civil-rights group may sell out poor black children

Wall Street Journal The national board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will vote this week on a resolution calling for a moratorium on charter schools. If they vote yes, they should also change their storied name because they will be voting to leave black children behind. Delegates to the NAACP … Continue reading NAACP’s Charter School Test: The venerable civil-rights group may sell out poor black children

Meet NJ’s Next Governor Who Will Vote For a National Charter School Moratorium on Saturday

Laura Waters: Allow me to take a wild guess: New Jersey’s newly-anointed next governor Phil Murphy has never stepped foot in a charter school. Yet on Saturday, he, along with the rest of the NAACP National Board, will vote to call for a moratorium on the expansion of charter schools. Now allow me a wish: … Continue reading Meet NJ’s Next Governor Who Will Vote For a National Charter School Moratorium on Saturday

Here’s Why Some Black Leaders Are Fighting the NAACP Over Charter Schools

EDWIN RIOS AND KRISTINA RIZGA In late July, the NAACP called for a national moratorium on charter schools, claiming they target low-income and minority communities with practices mirroring the predatory subprime mortgage lending industry. Now a group of more than 160 black civic leaders is asking the civil rights group to reconsider, arguing that charters … Continue reading Here’s Why Some Black Leaders Are Fighting the NAACP Over Charter Schools

The cost of the charter school cap

Thomas Kane: IN NOVEMBER, VOTERS in Massachusetts will decide whether to raise the cap on charter school enrollment. The irony is that for most voters—those living in suburban and rural communities with charter enrollment far below the current cap—the vote is inconsequential. The charter cap applies to the percentage each school district’s spending which can … Continue reading The cost of the charter school cap

‘It’s Heartbreaking’: Boston Parents Ask Why Their Wealthy Neighbors Are Fighting Charter Schools

Richard Whitmire What’s the matter with Newton? That’s what Dawn Tillman wants to know. Why would her neighbors in the hyper-upscale Boston suburb of Newton, located just eight miles to the west, deny a KIPP charter high school to a kid in hyper-downscale Roxbury, where she lives? Not just any kid. Tillman is thinking of … Continue reading ‘It’s Heartbreaking’: Boston Parents Ask Why Their Wealthy Neighbors Are Fighting Charter Schools

Herding Cats: Managing Diverse Charter School Interests in Collaboration Efforts

Sean Gill, Sarah Yatsko, Robin Lake More than 23 cities have signed District-Charter Collaboration Compacts— formal agreements between school districts and charter schools that aim to share resources and responsibility and build trust and collegiality to ensure equal access to high-quality schools for all students. Yet, within the charter sector itself there are highly varied … Continue reading Herding Cats: Managing Diverse Charter School Interests in Collaboration Efforts

Politics, rhetoric, Achievement And Charter Schools

Thomas Sowell The one bright spot in black ghettos around the country are the schools that parents are free to choose for their own children. Some are Catholic schools, some are secular private schools and some are charter schools financed by public school systems but operating without the suffocating rules that apply to other public … Continue reading Politics, rhetoric, Achievement And Charter Schools

RFP 14843 – Management Oversight of City of Milwaukee Charter Schools

City of Milwaukee: The City of Milwaukee is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to provide management oversight services to the Charter School Review Committee (CSRC) as specified in Chapter 330-27 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to board meeting attendance, school visits/monitoring, drafting reports to the CSRC, and review and administration … Continue reading RFP 14843 – Management Oversight of City of Milwaukee Charter Schools

More Detroit Public School Principals Have Been Charged With Crimes in 2016 Than All the Charter School CEOs in John Oliver’s Rant

Eric Boehm After detailing how the CEOs of charter schools in Florida and Pennsylvania had recently been convicted of embezzling school funds to enrich themselves, Oliver stressed that the two incidents were not outliers. “In Philadelphia alone, at least 10 executives or top administrators had pled guilty in the last decade to charges like fraud, … Continue reading More Detroit Public School Principals Have Been Charged With Crimes in 2016 Than All the Charter School CEOs in John Oliver’s Rant

Evaluating Madison’s Rejection of the Proposed IB Charter School…

Paul Finland They point out that most coverage they analyzed was episodic, about a new report or the latest crime. Instead, they suggest “news media commit to reflexively exploring their community over the long haul, rather than reactively reporting on events as they arise. … This would mean a change in priorities, perhaps ditching the … Continue reading Evaluating Madison’s Rejection of the Proposed IB Charter School…

The Great Massachusetts Charter Schools Debate

Rachel Slade In November, Massachusetts voters will decide whether the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) can raise the cap on the number of charter schools allowed, or increase enrollment in existing charters in underperforming districts. If the referendum is approved, the city of Boston—which currently has 27 Commonwealth charter schools that operate independently … Continue reading The Great Massachusetts Charter Schools Debate

Why do I and other black families support charter schools?

Citizen Stewart: Most Black families support charter schools, not because they are duped or privatizers, but because many see their neighborhood schools, and know their children need better options. I know, because I saw it first hand in West Oakland, struggling to get my brother the education he deserved, in a system that didn’t treat … Continue reading Why do I and other black families support charter schools?

Why Did Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Call for an End to More Charter Schools?

Kristin Rizga: A few weeks ago, the Movement for Black Lives, the network that also includes Black Lives Matter organizers, released its first-ever policy agenda. Among the organization’s six demands and dozens of policy recommendations was a bold education-related stance: a moratorium on both charter schools and public school closures. Charters, the agenda argues, represent … Continue reading Why Did Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Call for an End to More Charter Schools?

How Black Lives Matter Activists Plan to Fix Schools: Activists are calling for an end to charter schools and juvenile detention centers.

Emily Deruy: As my colleague Vann Newkirk has noted, the Movement for Black Lives Matter coalition recently published a platform outlining a range of specific policies it would like to see take shape at the local, state, and federal levels. The education proposals are rooted in the K-12 space, activists who helped draft them told … Continue reading How Black Lives Matter Activists Plan to Fix Schools: Activists are calling for an end to charter schools and juvenile detention centers.

Texas Opens Probe Into Gulen Connection to Charter Schools

Douglas Belkin and Tawnell D. Hobbs: The state of Texas has launched an investigation into alleged fiscal improprieties at the state’s largest chain of charter schools. Behind the probe: charges by the president of Turkey that the schools are part of a $500 million a year front to fund the revolutionary aspirations of a Turkish … Continue reading Texas Opens Probe Into Gulen Connection to Charter Schools

on Spectacular Success of NYC Charter Schools

Students first: “The real news from today is the spectacular success of New York City charter schools. The evidence is in that charter schools are the most effective urban school reform in the nation. Charter schools are serving high-risk populations incredibly effectively and it’s time for Mayor de Blasio to embrace what actually works for … Continue reading on Spectacular Success of NYC Charter Schools

Who Is Running America’s Charter Schools? A Data Correction

Jersey Jazzman: As you’ll notice, the shares of students enrolled in Chicago-area charter schools — Noble, UNO, Distinctive, etc. — are way lower. Nobel’s own annual report for 2011-12 put their enrollment at “more than 6,300,” which means they and others move into the “less than 10K” category. Which actually reinforces a point Bruce made … Continue reading Who Is Running America’s Charter Schools? A Data Correction

What’s the Secret Ingredient? Searching for Policies and Practices that Make Charter Schools Successful

Philip M. Gleason: The charter school sector in the United States has grown steadily since the first charter school opened in 1992. As of the 2015–2016 school year, more than 6,800 charter schools served nearly 3 million students in forty states and the District of Columbia. Overall, research suggests that the average charter school performs … Continue reading What’s the Secret Ingredient? Searching for Policies and Practices that Make Charter Schools Successful

A Jacobin investigation finds widespread corruption at one of the nation’s largest charter school networks.

George Joseph: Over the summer, FBI agents stormed nineteen charter schools as part of an ongoing investigation into Concept Charter Schools. They raided the buildings seeking information about companies the prominent Midwestern charter operator had contracted with under the federal E-Rate program. The federal investigation points to possible corruption at the Gulen charter network, with … Continue reading A Jacobin investigation finds widespread corruption at one of the nation’s largest charter school networks.

Colorado’s charter schools are more diverse, performing better and paying teachers less, report shows

Nicholas Garcia: Colorado’s charter schools for the first time are enrolling racial and ethnic minority students at a higher rate than the state’s district-run schools, a new report by the state education department shows. The report released Friday also found that charter school students — including those who are considered at-risk — continued to outperform … Continue reading Colorado’s charter schools are more diverse, performing better and paying teachers less, report shows

Charter School Company Blasts “Shameless” California Attorney General

Molly Hensley-Clancy: attorney general won a groundbreaking $168.5 million settlement against the country’s largest operator of online charter schools. Or, after a lengthy investigation, it managed to collect only $2.5 million from a business that pulled in almost $1 billion in revenue in 2015 — with no fines, penalties, or admission of wrongdoing. Which one … Continue reading Charter School Company Blasts “Shameless” California Attorney General

Why a Charter School Founder Is Running Against Mayor Garcetti

Hillel Aron: often preposterously low, and some have suggested that a more prominent figure should be given direct control of the LAUSD. That was one of Antonio Villaraigosa’s major platforms when he ran for mayor in 2005. When he won, defeating incumbent James Hahn, Villaraigosa got the state Legislature to pass a law giving a … Continue reading Why a Charter School Founder Is Running Against Mayor Garcetti

Some charter schools close in wake of Ohio reform law

Associated Press: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Monday asked federal regulators to examine how Ohio charter schools that received money through a grant program stack up against their counterparts in other states before giving the state any more money. In a letter to Education Secretary John King, the Democrat said he remains concerned Ohio charter … Continue reading Some charter schools close in wake of Ohio reform law

Charter school teacher named 2016 Minn. Teacher of the Year

Karen Zamora: Besides being named Minnesota Teacher of the Year on Sunday, Abdul Wright scored two firsts. Wright, who teaches eighth-grade language arts at the Best Academy in Minneapolis, is the first black male to win the honor, and also the first charter-school teacher so honored. “I know that I have an opportunity to give … Continue reading Charter school teacher named 2016 Minn. Teacher of the Year

A Quarter-Life Crisis for Public Charter Schools?

Greg Richmond: Charter schools celebrate a milestone this year: 25 years. In our nation, 6,800 charter schools serve nearly 3 million students. Many of these schools are achieving extraordinary results. But instead of celebrating the contributions made by charters to public education over 25 years—and there is plenty to celebrate—I’d rather focus on what must … Continue reading A Quarter-Life Crisis for Public Charter Schools?

Are Charter Schools a Cause of — or a Solution to — Segregation?

Matt Barnum: promise of Brooklyn Prospect Charter, which is using the model of school choice to break down neighborhood barriers and foster a more diverse student body. But such an approach faces skeptics on both sides. On the one hand critics of charter schools say that far from advancing integration, they are a source of … Continue reading Are Charter Schools a Cause of — or a Solution to — Segregation?

After The Hype, Here’s What Went Wrong At Milwaukee’s Lighthouse Charter School

Alan Borsuk: The importance of principals. The school has had six principals in less than four years. That alone tells you a lot. I interviewed several people who are or were involved in the school and they all pointed to leadership as a problem. “Leadership sets the tone for everything happening in a building,” Knox … Continue reading After The Hype, Here’s What Went Wrong At Milwaukee’s Lighthouse Charter School

Understanding Student Discipline Practices in Charter Schools: A Research Agenda

Patrick Denice, Betheny Gross, Karega Rausch Fair use of exclusionary discipline is a rising concern in public schools. At issue is whether this type of discipline is disproportionately applied to certain groups of students and whether some charter schools use it more frequently. For the first time, data compiled by the Department of Education’s Office … Continue reading Understanding Student Discipline Practices in Charter Schools: A Research Agenda

Orderliness in School—What a Concept: Our charter schools are under fire for being strict. Funny, students do well and parents are eager to sign up

Eva Moskovitz: school enrollment grew by 260,000 students nationwide. Most of the fastest-growing charter networks, including Success Academies in New York City, which I run, believe we have a responsibility both to push children to achieve their potential and to protect them from the mayhem that in district schools often robs students of their opportunity … Continue reading Orderliness in School—What a Concept: Our charter schools are under fire for being strict. Funny, students do well and parents are eager to sign up

Charter schools’ ranks swell in Albuquerque

Maggie Shepard: When they return to their collegelike charter school campus tucked away in Sandia Park in the East Mountains, they’ll get back to their small, intimate classes and after-school sports – all publicly funded. East Mountain High School was the first charter school launched immediately after the state fully authorized charter schools in 1999. … Continue reading Charter schools’ ranks swell in Albuquerque

Oregon charter schools underperform, serve too few poor and minority students, study says

Betsy Hammond: Oregon’s charter school movement is on life support, ranking worst among 18 states where at least 2 percent of students attend charter schools, a report by a pro-charter school group says. One of the biggest problems: Oregon’s nearly 30,000 charter school students made less progress in reading and much less in math than … Continue reading Oregon charter schools underperform, serve too few poor and minority students, study says

Charter schools once again dominate District 4 race for East Baton Rouge School Board

The Advocate: Collins and Maxie are both mid-’90s graduates of Baton Rouge public schools — Lee and Capitol high schools, respectively. Both have school-aged children. Collins, 39, has two sons, 18 and 19 years old, who are recent graduates of Belaire and Scotlandville high schools and are now in college. Maxie, 37, has six children, … Continue reading Charter schools once again dominate District 4 race for East Baton Rouge School Board

Why Do Many Big Donors Prefer Charter Schools?

Richard Whitmire: Recent big-dollar donations from pro-charter philanthropists leave traditional educators sputtering: Why don’t they just donate their money to us? Good question, and one that was raised in Los Angeles recently in light of a possible huge gift from philanthropist Eli Broad and others that appears headed mostly to charter schools. LAUSD board member … Continue reading Why Do Many Big Donors Prefer Charter Schools?

Stop Attacking Successful LA Charter Schools

Nina Rees: of the reasons the late union leader Al Shanker advocated for the creation of charter schools was to give teachers more freedom to explore new ways of teaching without the bureaucratic stranglehold that comes with one-size-fits-all solutions. Nowhere is the need for this freedom more important than in large school districts like the … Continue reading Stop Attacking Successful LA Charter Schools

One tired critique of charter schools “its The Unions”

Laura Waters: Here’s the problem, Madam Secretary: The nature of teacher union contracts — rigid and prescriptive — is what typically precludes wider adoption of successful charter school innovations. While Clinton’s recitation of teacher union scripture may win her endorsements, it won’t win any votes from parents of New York City’s 95,000 charter school students, … Continue reading One tired critique of charter schools “its The Unions”

On Urban Charter School Success

Susan Dynarski: Charter schools are controversial. But are they good for education? Rigorous research suggests that the answer is yes for an important, underserved group: low-income, nonwhite students in urban areas. These children tend to do better if enrolled in charter schools instead of traditional public schools. There are exceptions, of course. We can’t predict … Continue reading On Urban Charter School Success

Why I left NC district schools to teach in a charter school

Mamie Hall: My 10 years teaching in the public schools can best be described as a roller coaster of inspiration, innovation and disappointment. After college, I began working in a pilot year-round middle school program. We had smaller class sizes and a lot of freedom. We set our own schedule, made our own policies and … Continue reading Why I left NC district schools to teach in a charter school

New Mathematica Study on KIPP Charter Schools as They Scale Up; FYI, They Don’t “Cream Off” Top Students

Laura Waters: KIPP elementary schools have positive, statistically significant, and educationally meaningful impacts on three of four measures of reading and mathematics skills. Consistent with prior research, KIPP middle schools have positive, statistically significant, and educationally meaningful impacts on student achievement in math, reading, science, and social studies. Average impacts of middle schools were positive … Continue reading New Mathematica Study on KIPP Charter Schools as They Scale Up; FYI, They Don’t “Cream Off” Top Students

Washington State Supreme Court: Charter schools are unconstitutional…

John Higgins: After nearly a year of deliberation, the state Supreme Court ruled 6-3 late Friday afternoon that charter schools are unconstitutional, creating chaos for hundreds of families whose children have already started classes. The ruling — believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country — overturns the law voters … Continue reading Washington State Supreme Court: Charter schools are unconstitutional…

Justices receive political contributions from lead party in charter school lawsuit

Washington policy center : New research finds that some justices on the state supreme court have received political contributions from a lead party in a key lawsuit now before the court. Parties in the case, League of Women Voters, Washington Education Association, et al vs State of Washington, are asking the court to strike down … Continue reading Justices receive political contributions from lead party in charter school lawsuit

An Alternative View on Charter Schools and Backfill

Robin Lake: Paul has legitimate concerns about the “backfill” issue (whether charter schools should be required to take students mid-year or after traditional entry grades), concerns that are grounded in his research with Gail Foster and Tamar Gendler at RAND back in the 80s. High Schools with Character is one of the best things I’ve … Continue reading An Alternative View on Charter Schools and Backfill

An Alternative View on Charter Schools and Backfill

Robin Lake: Paul has legitimate concerns about the “backfill” issue (whether charter schools should be required to take students mid-year or after traditional entry grades), concerns that are grounded in his research with Gail Foster and Tamar Gendler at RAND back in the 80s. High Schools with Character is one of the best things I’ve … Continue reading An Alternative View on Charter Schools and Backfill

MPS approves ‘no excuses’ charter school with vow to draw students back

Vivian Wang: Laying down a new marker in the competition for school enrollment in Milwaukee, the School Board has approved a high-profile young educator’s proposal for a new charter school, after he promised to ramp up efforts to reverse the flow of students leaving the district for voucher schools and other options. Maurice Thomas’ planned … Continue reading MPS approves ‘no excuses’ charter school with vow to draw students back

N.J. Charter Schools Receive Less Money From Private Sources Than N.J.’s Traditional Schools

Laura Waters: Researchers at the University of Arkansas studied 15 states, including New Jersey, and found that traditional public schools receive more than $2,700 more per student than charters, even with non-public dollars included. The data analyzed is from the 2010-11 school year, the most recent available at the time the study began. New Jersey … Continue reading N.J. Charter Schools Receive Less Money From Private Sources Than N.J.’s Traditional Schools