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Summer programming on the way
Kudos to Columbus Preparatory Academy, recipient of a grant from the City of Columbus to help fund summer programming this year. CPA was the only charter school to earn the award amid a big group of long-established institutions and programs.
Laboratory
Here’s an interesting look at an innovative microschool program in Indianapolis. Purdue Polytechnic High School’s Lab School has just 20 students, all of whom accepted the offer to participate in what leaders describe as “part one-room schoolhouse, part all-day advisory period.” The plan was to create a fully supportive educational model that individualized every aspect of the school day for students while still having access to the larger resources of the Purdue Polytech charter system.
Success story
The Editorial Board of the Washington Times called the growth of—and the competition from—charter schools a success story in the nation’s capital. Not just the charters themselves, but how well D.C. Public Schools upped their game in order to compete for students. “No matter which side one chooses,” they write, “the big winners have been D.C. children and their parents.” Nice!
The view from Florida
The votes are in and the proposals to convert three traditional district schools in Alachua County, Florida, into charter schools have all failed. Looking at the raw numbers, one might be confused, since there are more “yes” votes than “no” votes in some categories. However, the conversion rules are very detailed and the bar for success is high. Not coincidentally, a sweeping education bill sitting on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk would, among many other things, simplify these conversion and voting processes in the future.
The view from Missouri
Heading to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk in Jefferson City for signature: Missouri Senate Bill 727. It also addresses many areas of education, including early learning expansion, virtual course choice provisions, a teacher pay bump, and creation of a tax credit scholarship for private school students. Additionally, Boone County would be included for the first time in the list of counties where charter schools are allowed to operate in the state.
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