On average, the funding gap between charter schools and traditional schools is 22 percent, or $1,800 per pupil. The average charter school ends up with a total funding shortfall of nearly half a million dollars.
Source: Charter School Funding: Inequity’s Next Frontier
|
|
 |
|
|
Charter School Board Governance 101
To help charter school board members govern their schools more effectively, the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, in partnership with the The National Association of Charter School Authorizers, The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and other Ohio based organizations, hosted a seminar on the essentials of charter school governance in October 2007. To help charter school leaders who were not in attendance, the organization posted presentations about board roles, academic accountability, charter school law, and potential legal liabilities. While some of the presentations were Ohio-specific, charter school stakeholders from other states will find the governance materials to be helpful.
2007 Thomas B. Fordham Foundation Sponsorship Accountability Report
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation became a charter authorizer in 2005 with the desire to bring high-quality charter models to Ohio. This second annual Sponsorship Accountability Report offers a comprehensive account of the organization's sponsorship policies and practices, as well as individual profiles of all Fordham-sponsored schools. (At the end of 2006-07, Fordham authorized nine charter schools in three communities.) Included in the profiles are descriptions of each school's educational program, school philosophy, and overall academic performance.
Report to the Community - Charter School Facilities Requirements: A Guide for Developers, Brokers and Landlords
This report outlines the challenges charter schools face in finding facilities and offers tips and strategies for securing school buildings. Charter school facilities' fundamentals, economic considerations, and legislated requirements are explained. The document also details how developers, brokers, and landlords can benefit from partnerships with charter schools.
Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2007
This third annual report from the National Charter School Research Project at the University of Washington's Center on Reinventing Public Education explores some of the most challenging issues facing the charter school movement. The 2007 edition focuses on what is happening inside charter schools: How are they organized and led? Who teaches in charter schools and how does their compensation differ from that of teachers in traditional public schools? Do charter schools seem to be meeting their original promises? Do charter school students experience anything different than students in traditional public schools?
Public School Academies, 2006-07: Michigan Department of Education Report to the Legislature
A new study finds that public charter schools are helping close the achievement gap in Michigan. Recent state data reveals that economically disadvantaged, African-American, and Hispanic/Latino charter students exceeded their host district peers by 4-5 percentage points in both math and English Language Arts. African-American students outperformed their peers statewide by one point in math and nearly 1.5 points in English Language Arts. Charter students with disabilities exceeded their host district peers by 9 points in math and 11 points in English Language Arts. Charter schools open seven or more years were 8 percentage points higher than schools open three or fewer years in both ELA and math (grades 3-8 combined). Seventy-four percent of charters made adequate yearly progress, compared to 68 percent of host district schools. The study also found that charters achieved impressive academic gains with less resources. During the 2005-06 school year, total charter school revenues lagged their host district revenues by an average of $2,289 per pupil.
The PA Coalition of Charter Schools Conference, April 27-29
The PA Coalition of Charter Schools 2008 Conference, "Quality Charter Education for PA Families & Children," will convene on April 27 – April 29 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, in Pittsburgh, PA. Conference registration will open in January; on-line vendor/exhibitor registration is available now. Additional information available online, via email (conference@pachartercoalition.com) or by telephone (724-934-8831).
Charter Schools Development Center's 2nd Annual Oregon State Charter Conference, March 3-4
The Charter School Development Center is hosting the 2nd Annual Oregon Charter School Conference at the World Trade Center in Portland.
Indiana Charter School Conference, February 21-22
The GEO Foundation's Charter School Service Center and the Indiana Charter School Association are hosting the 2008 Indiana Charter School Conference at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. Confirmed speakers include Washington Post reporter Jay Mathews and the National Alliance's President Nelson Smith. In conjunction with the conference, February 18 - 22, 2008 has been declared "Indiana Charter School Week." A number of activities have been scheduled throughout the state to celebrate Indiana charter schools and their impact on the state's public education system.
Toward Quality and Growth: the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools 2007 Progress Report
This document highlights the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools 2007 activities . The organization's efforts to improve quality throughout the charter school sector, advance sound charter policies, and build capacity to meet growing demand are profiled.
National Charter Schools Conference, June 22-25
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will host the 2008 National Charter Schools Conference from June 22-25 in New Orleans, LA. "Still We Rise: Achieving Academic Excellence at Scale" is the conference theme, reflecting the growth of quality public charter schools across America. The theme has special resonance in New Orleans, which boasts the nation's largest percentage of public charter school enrollment. Register for the conference or apply to sponsor/exhibit at http://www.nationalcharterconference.org. The conference is the largest gathering of charter school operators and proponents in the nation. Geoffrey Canada, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Harlem Children's Zone, will offer the keynote speech. Attendees will learn and share best practices, discuss national and state policy issues, have the opportunity to volunteer at local charter schools, and enjoy special events featuring New Orleans traditions, food and music! Questions? Call 206-463-3344 or e-mail nationalconference@publiccharters.org. Register before April 27 to get the lowest conference rates.
Wisconsin Charter School Conference, April 21-22
The 2008 Wisconsin Charter Schools Conference, co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Charter Schools Association and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will take place at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison from April 21-22, 2008. Registration, sponsorship and exhibit information will be available soon at the conference website.
Suggest resources for this newsletter:
http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/n/index.htm.
To unsubscribe:
To be removed, send an email:
FROM: your email address
TO: cs.unsubscribe.a.19@email.edgateway.net.
Or you can manage your subscription via your user profile. For assistance, please contact us at uscharterschools@wested.org.
To subscribe:
Get your own subscription to Charter Schools Resource Update at: http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/n/index.htm.
We respect your right to privacy. Please read our privacy policy. To subscribe or contribute news items you will need to register with USCharterSchools.org.
Charter Schools Resource Update is sponsored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and distributed by WestEd.
|
