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
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Note: Please be aware that online publishers often change URLs or no longer provide access to articles after 7 days. If any of the below links no longer work, access the publishing newspaper and search the archives for the keywords in the subject matter. Good luck.
National Charter Schools Conference (New Orleans, 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.
Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, (03/01/2008)
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NYC Charter Schools Receive High Marks
Last week, New York City's Education Department released report cards for charter schools. Seventy-nine percent of the graded charter schools received As and Bs, compared to 62 percent of the city's traditional public schools. "As a group, they skew higher," said Michael Duffy, who oversees charter schools for the city's Education Department. "I think that charter schools are all about accountability. It's baked into their DNA. They are data driven and focused on how their students are doing, so it's not surprising to see them do well." The scores pushed two charters -- Williamsburg Collegiate in Brooklyn and KIPP Infinity in Manhattan -- to Numbers 1 and 2 in the city in terms of overall report-card score.
Source: New York Times (free registration required), (12/25/2007)
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Commission Recommends Allowing More Charter Schools in North Carolina
On December 19, North Carolina's Blue Ribbon Charter School Commission released its final report – including a recommendation increasing the state's cap on charter schools by six a year. "[Charter schools] provide significant choices to people who in the past didn't have choices," said Michael Fedewa, chairman of the commission, which was formed by the State Board. "It's a movement that's worthy of expansion." The commission says that high-performing charter schools and applications in the 52 counties that do not have charter schools should be excluded from the cap. The recommendations, if approved by the state legislature, could allow for as many as 80 charter schools to be added next year, although the commission does not expect to see that much growth at once. "We would be growing, but we would be growing at a controlled and manageable rate," said Sen. Joe Sam Queen, a commission member.
Source: News and Observer, (12/20/2007)
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Georgia Districts Seeking Charter Status
A handful of school districts in Georgia may take advantage of a new state law that allows public school systems to convert entirely to charter systems. The state has received an application from the Decatur school district and expects up to six more before the January 15 deadline. "The main impetus is allowing them to approach things in a more innovative fashion unrestrained by state laws," said Andrew Broy, director of charter schools for the Georgia Department of Education. A few districts are eager to get rid of attendance zones and allow parents to choose where their children attend school. Others are districts with growing immigrant populations or a large number of low-performing schools that are looking for a new strategy to improve student achievement.
Source: The Ledger-Enquirer, (12/20/2007)
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Oklahoma Lawmakers Decry District Suit Over Charters
The board of the Tulsa district has voted to authorize a lawsuit against the state Department of Education regarding the 1999 Oklahoma Charter School Act. The suit will contend that the law violates the provision in the Oklahoma Constitution against "special" or "local" laws because it applies only to school districts in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Several state legislators disagree with the claims. Rep. Jabar Shumate said he is appalled by the school district's pursuit of litigation to settle a matter on which he and others worked hard to find a compromise. "Our Supreme Court stated as early as a year ago that the Legislature can pass laws that are population-oriented and not specific to a particular city." The district may be reacting to recent changes to the charter school law. In addition to allowing districts with at least 5,000 students to sponsor charter schools, the amended law also allows university sponsors.
Source: Tulsa World, (12/20/2007)
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Significant Increase in New Charter Schools Expected in New York City
Next month, the New York State Board of Regents will vote on 19 new charter school proposals for New York City. Currently, 60 charter schools are operating in the city.
Source: New York Post, (12/19/2007)
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New L.A. Charter Official Faces Conflict-of-Interest Challenges
José Cole-Gutièrrez,the new director of the charter division for the Los Angeles Unified School District, may be forced to abstain from some charter-related decisions due to his role as a former general manager for the California Charter Schools Association. On the advice of the district's ethics officer, Cole-Gutierrez could have to abstain from dealing in any way with at least 10 charter schools. The trade-off with conflicts is worth it, according to his supporters, who characterize his skills as sorely needed and his integrity as beyond dispute. "Jose's strengths will allow L.A. Unified to partner with charter schools in ways the district wishes to and should," said Brian Bauer, executive director of Granada Hills Charter High School. "He's a collaborator and a sharp person who really looks at issues objectively -- removing personality without striking the humanity from the conversation."
Source: LA Times (free registration required), (12/16/2007)
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