Positive data
As we bid farewell to the annual celebration of Black History throughout the month of February, a media outlet in Indiana took the time to point out that data show an increase in Black founders and leaders as charter schools grew in number in the Hoosier State.
More data
The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) recently released their analysis of a cohort of charter schools across the country whose teaching forces unionized between 2014 and 2016. The findings show a pattern of pluses and minuses where what is good for teachers may at the same time undermine the school models themselves. Worth a read.
West Virginia charter school updates
Despite the fact that charters are nominally allowed to operate in West Virginia per state law, we have seen that the rules around charter application are such that no brick-and-mortar charter has yet been approved. However, a year’s worth of remote learning across the Mountain State has boosted the possibility that a virtual charter school could be in the cards in the near future. The bill which would create the statewide online school was approved by the legislature and sent to Gov. Jim Justice this week.
Welcome back!!
Here’s a great story highlighting the sheer joy of many teachers and students to be back in school together after a very long year of remote learning. The most interesting thing to note is that the charter school – East Academy in Cleveland – has been largely in a fully in-person learning mode since August. The exuberance expressed in their dance video is actually meant to fire up other kids and teachers across Ohio who were finally getting to experience the same after so many months. Nice!
Charters in Ohio’s state budget bill
While a standalone bill on school funding writ large is being heard in the Ohio House of Representatives, the state budget bill has the potential to impact charter funding as well. The Fordham Institute’s Aaron Churchill took a look at four important policies that could boost the fortunes of charter schools across the state if passed.
PD opportunities
Concept Schools is hosting a series of virtual professional development sessions over the next two weeks focused on sharing the lessons learned by their experiences in teaching and learning during the pandemic. The Concept BOLD Summit: Blended & Online Learning Design for All series will be held live online at several times and dates and will be recorded for viewing later. All K-12 educators and leaders are invited to attend. You can find out more details and register for any session that interests you by clicking here.
