Congratulations to Ohio’s high quality charter schools!
This week, the Ohio Department of Education released the list(s) of Community Schools of Quality in the state. The law was complex, so there are three sets of criteria and separate lists of eligible schools. Each list is separate and posted as a spreadsheet which must be downloaded from the link above. But all schools earning the designation will be eligible to receive additional state funding per pupil. And that should be celebrated loudly and proudly. Fantastic news for the schools and the families they serve.
More good news
Although there was no discussion of charter schools from the myriad Democratic presidential candidates debating in Westerville this week, a recent poll conducted by Democrats for Education Reform indicates that this could—and should—change. Nearly 80 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, including nearly 90 percent of black Democratic primary voters, support expanding access to more choices within the public school system, including to charter schools, according to the poll results.
The view from the classroom
A new study published in Education Week surveyed more than 19,000 Teach for America applicants from 2007-2015. Researchers compared the responses of applicants who were admitted to TFA but did not teach with those who were admitted and did ultimately serve around a variety of hot button issues in education. The findings are wide-ranging and nuanced, but appear to indicate that participating in TFA changes one’s perception of the things that really matter in increasing education quality and broadening access to it.
Show us the money
Here is a profile of Charter School Capital, a financial services firm based in Portland, Oregon. The firm works exclusively with charters, providing loans to buy buildings and renting property it owns to schools. It also provides capital to cover budget gaps, building renovations and other expenses, as well as offering marketing expertise to increase enrollment. Since 2007, Charter School Capital has invested more than $2 billion in 700 charter schools nationally. Its revenue increased 24% in 2019 compared with last year. Its biggest markets are California, Arizona, Florida and Ohio.
Relay Leadership Training event
KIPP Columbus is hosting a one-day training event on January 16, 2020, focusing on teacher observation and feedback. It is ideal for anyone who coaches at least one teacher or who will be preparing to coach in the coming year. Leaders will learn the four keys to effective observation and feedback, including locking in frequent and regular observations, identifying the one or two most important areas for growth, giving direct face-to-face feedback that practices specific action steps for improvement, and creating systems to ensure feedback translates to practice. In addition, leaders will have opportunities to practice skills by participating in simulations and video reviews. For more information or to register, click here. Registration is now live, with seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Cecilia Shanahan with any questions.
