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
|
|
 |
|
|
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)
-----------------------------------------------
FY2008 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill Cuts Funding for Public Charter Schools
Last week, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a statement on the FY2008 federal omnibus appropriations bill. The bill substantially cut funding for public charter schools, forcing an already under funded sector to operate with less resources. Federal support for public charter schools decreased 16 percent in real dollars in the FY08 bill -- a cut of more than $40 million. With over 365,000 students on charter school waiting lists throughout the country, the National Alliance will work aggressively to restore and increase charter school funding in FY2009. "Charter schools rely on federal aid since they are shortchanged at the state and local levels, said Nelson Smith, President of the National Alliance. "It's a one-two punch for charters when the federal aid is decreased."
Source: Reuters, (01/14/2008)
Also See
-----------------------------------------------
On Sixth Anniversary of NCLB, Alliance Encourages Congress to Pass Improved Law
On the sixth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a statement encouraging Congress to renew serious efforts to pass an improved NCLB. Staff recommended that legislators "address the 'supply side' of reform" and use the law as "an engine for creating vital new public education choices in every community that needs them." The statement concluded with the following: "… we call on all our political leaders, in and out of Congress, to remember the spirit in which NCLB was enacted - and to leave aside the sloganeering and partisan bickering that has too often replaced thoughtful debate in recent weeks. Reauthorization should not be delayed by well-financed antagonists of accountability; it's time to get to work in earnest."
Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, (01/13/2008)
-----------------------------------------------
New York City Charter Association and Schools Protest Audit by State Comptroller
The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence and 13 New York City-based charter schools will make their case this week against State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's audit of their institutions. "These performance audits are duplicative of the extensive academic review of charter schools already undertaken by the New York State Department of Education, the New York City Education Department, and the charter schools' 'charter entities,'" said John Henry, an attorney representing the plantiffs. Another argument they will make is that the Comptroller does not have constitutional power to audit charter schools. DiNapoli's office disagrees with the constitutionality arguments, and its court papers state that charter schools, like public-school districts, lack capacity to challenge the constitutionality of state legislation. While the litigation is focused on New York City charter schools, the outcome will have implications for charters across the state.
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, (01/12/2008)
-----------------------------------------------
North Carolina Becoming Tougher on Charter Schools
State Board of Education officials are cracking down on existing charter schools they say are failing students. Last week, the Board cited low-test scores for a decision not to renew the charter of SPARC Academy in Raleigh. This past school year, SPARC was labeled a low-performing school by the state with only 40.3 percent of students passing state tests. The board also limited the renewal of Durham's Kestrel Heights School to just three years, instead of the maximum 10-year period. "We need to make sure that charter schools are being held accountable," said Melissa Bartlett, co-chairwoman of the State Board of Education committee that reviews charter schools. "We want charter schools to live up to their potential." Board members said they are responding to calls from groups such as the Blue Ribbon Charter School Commission to hold charter schools more accountable for their performance. The Blue Ribbon Commission also urged legislators to raise the cap on charter schools.
Source: News and Observer, (01/11/2008)
-----------------------------------------------
Wisconsin Legislators Spar Over Virtual Charter Schools
Last week, key Republican and Democratic leaders in Wisconsin launched competing efforts to rewrite state law for virtual charter schools, which currently serve about 3,000 students. Rep. Brett Davis (R), chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, proposed that online charters be allowed to continue operating with few restrictions. Sen. John Lehman (D), chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said he is introducing a measure restricting online schools to half of the approximately $6,000 in state aid they currently receive for each student who transfers from a home district. His legislation was criticized as a threat to the economic survival of online schools by Republicans, the nonprofit Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families and the Northern Ozaukee School District. Virtual schools are under fire in the state. Last month, in a case filed in 2004 by the state teachers union, the District 2 Court of Appeals ruled that Wisconsin Virtual Academy was violating state law by allowing parents to assume the duties of state-licensed teachers. The court also held the school in violation of a law requiring charter schools to be within the district that operates them.
Source: Wisconsin State Journal, (01/10/2008)
Also See
-----------------------------------------------
National Teacher Certification Program Assisting Public Charter Schools in Finding Faculty
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) has been working with charter schools in Arizona to recruit teachers. "Charter schools usually have smaller staff, and are not able to spend the money to go out and recruit teachers," said Bonnie Zuckerman of ABCTE. "So, we're trying to offer them a venue for that." "(Recruiting) is very difficult, it always has been," said Baltazar Garcia, principal of Mexicayotl Academy in Nogales, Arizona. Garcia says unlike traditional public schools which are highly structured, charter schools can sometimes be misunderstood. "It's hard to get the word out," he said. "People don't know what we can offer." Organizers with ABCTE also plan to offer recruiting events in Texas in March.
Source: KOLD-TV, (01/10/2008)
Also See
-----------------------------------------------
Georgia's First Single Gender Charter Campus Approved
The Georgia Board of Education unanimously approved Ivy Preparatory Academy, a girls-only public charter school in Gwinnett County. Final approval came seven months after Gwinnett County’s education board voted against the proposal claiming it would be discriminatory. "We're absolutely thrilled to be chartered," said Nina Gilbert, executive director and head of school. "It's been a process ... [but] we wanted to provide a high-caliber, rigorous college-preparatory opportunity to students who could probably benefit the most." When Ivy Prep opens, it will be Georgia's first single-sex charter campus. "I think they're going to be successful," said Andrew Broy, who reviews charter school petitions for the Georgia Department of Education. "It's certainly innovative."
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, (01/10/2008)
Also See
-----------------------------------------------
Charter School Law Deskbook (2007 Edition) Now Available
It is with great pleasure that the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools introduces the Charter School Law Deskbook, 2007 Edition! This first of its kind publication serves as a complete reference guide for those working on initiatives related to charter school law. It includes a comprehensive catalog of both federal and state resources along with a wide-ranging question-and-answer section, all in one volume. The individual state sections include the applicable laws and regulations for each state. A useful 50-state chart allows for comparison from state to state. Purchase your copy by visiting http://bookstore.lexis.com/bookstore/product/63600.html or by calling 800-533-1637.
Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, (12/25/2007)
-----------------------------------------------
Thank you for your interest:
Please be aware that publishers sometimes change URLs or no longer provide access to articles. If this occurs, access the publishing newspaper and search for the subject matter.
Submit news items on the Web:
You can view archives or submit news items at: http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/n/index.htm.
To unsubscribe or subscribe:
If you would like to be removed from this list, send an email to: cs.unsubscribe.a.16@email.edgateway.net or manage your subscription via your user profile at USCharterSchools.org. 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.
Did you receive this issue as a forward from a friend? Get your own subscription to the Charter Schools News Connection here.
Charter Schools News Connection is sponsored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and distributed by WestEd.
|
|
