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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New York City and Newark Charter Schools Receive Big Boost from Federal Government
On April 7, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will present an award to Civic Builders, Inc., an organization that finances, constructs, and renovates charter school buildings. The funds will be used to aid building efforts in New York City and Newark, N.J., charter schools. The grant comes as charter schools in the city face what officials at Civic Builders have termed a facility "crisis." The grant is part of a federal program aimed at making it more attractive for philanthropists to invest in charter school construction projects. The federal government has already awarded more than $175 million in grants to similar projects across the country.
Source: New York Sun, (04/07/2008)
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Texas Education Agency Seeking to Recover Millions from Charter Schools
Texas Education Agency officials say that nearly half of the state's charter schools have incorrectly reported student attendance, resulting in $26 million in undeserved payments. The $26 million comes from 93 of the 211 charter operators in Texas. The amount equals the average state funding for about 4,800 students at roughly $5,400 per student. Officials do not expect to recover at least $9 million of the debt because 20 schools ceased operations before repaying the state. They say that while traditional schools make similar errors, there is more of an incentive for charter schools to inflate enrollment statistics. "There is a kind of perverse incentive for a charter school in financial distress to look at (attendance inflation) as a way to get more money," said Lisa Dawn-Fisher, deputy associate commissioner for school finance. "If they can't get the warm bodies in the building, they may feel an incentive to falsify records." State charter advocates say most charters are led by dedicated staff providing a good choice for students who do not fit into traditional school systems. "Unfortunately, the public just hears about a very small percentage that's done something poorly, just like with public schools," said Katie Howell, executive director of the Resource Center for Charter Schools.
Source: Houston Chronicle, (04/06/2008)
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Tension Increases as L.A. Charter and District Schools Told to Share Space
Last week, some 40 Los Angeles schools with underused classrooms learned that some space on their campuses have been offered to charter schools. Charter operators say that until this year, the district has never tried to meet its obligation to an eight-year old state ballot measure that requires district facilities to be shared. Only about half a dozen charters currently occupy district buildings, a fraction of the expanding population of 129 charters operating within district boundaries. Charter advocates sued and reached a settlement in February. District faculty and families have expressed concern about competition and crowding.
Source: LA Times (free registration required), (04/06/2008)
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Twelve Organizations Seeking to Open New Charter Schools in D.C.
Twelve organizations, including the Archdiocese of Washington, are seeking to open new charter schools in the District of Columbia. The proposals follow the release of an audit by the Office of the State Superintendent that shows charter schools continue to be a popular choice with D.C. families. In the past school year, charter schools saw an increase of enrollment to nearly 22,000 students. Enrollment in D.C.'s other public schools has declined for a seventh consecutive year, with enrollment dipping just below 50,000 students.
Source: WTOP News, (04/04/2008)
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North Carolina State Board of Education Warns Charters that Uncertified Teachers Could Cost Them
According to a new policy implemented last week by the North Carolina Board of Education, charter schools can be stripped of their funds if they fail to employ enough licensed teachers. State law requires 75 percent of the elementary school teachers and 50 percent of the middle school and high school teachers at charter schools to be licensed. Under the new policy, charter schools that fail to reach the requirements will face a series of financial consequences. If a school is falling short of the requirements at the start of the school year, state dollars will be withheld from the headmaster's salary. If it falls short the following month, state dollars would also be withheld from the salary of the highest paid non-certified teacher. If the school continues to fall short of the requirements for a third month, the state funding will be withheld from the next highest paid non-certified teacher. Finally, if the school continues to fail to comply with the faculty rules as of February 1, state officials would recommend closing the school at the end of the school year.
Source: WRAL, (04/03/2008)
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Amended Charter School Bill Passes Georgia Senate
A bill designed to make it easier to create charter schools by creating an independent state charter school commission passed the Georgia Senate on April 2. Before approving the measure, Senators added an amendment which restricts the new commission from creating a charter school in a district already established as a charter school system. In calling for passage of the amended bill, Sen. Dan Weber said, "This legislation is important to allow families to have true local control."
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, (04/03/2008)
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National Public Charter Schools Week to Be Held May 5-9
National Public Charter Schools Week will be celebrated May 5-9, 2008. A primary purpose of this annual event is to connect public charter school students, parents, teachers, and leaders to policymakers, so they can experience the schools and the enthusiasm of the people supporting them. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools encourages charter schools to participate in a dynamic video campaign called "See Us Growing Excellence" - go here for more information.
Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, (03/15/2008)
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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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