Rhyme time
Kudos to the students of the Arts and College Preparatory Academy (ACPA) in Columbus who will be taking part in the aptly-named “Schooled on Poetry” spoken word event coming up in May. They and their Columbus City Schools peers have been working on the project, led by poet-educator Peter Kahn, throughout the school year. Best wishes for a great finale event!
Rocky Mountain realignment
Ten buildings in Denver Public Schools will close or reduce grade bands at the end of this school year. While many parents express concern about where their children will end up next year, it seems that attendance zone reconfigurations are intended to nudge impacted families into higher-performing district options, which is awesome. Many parents interviewed in this piece say they’ll move their children to existing charter schools instead of waiting to see what the downsized district buildings are like. Also awesome.
More good news from the Hoosier State
On the heels of successful passage of legislation that will share millions of dollars in local tax revenue between charter and district schools in a number of Indiana cities, policymakers are looking to tackle two other big impediments for school choice families: Facilities and transportation. Senate Bill 373 was recently amended to include details of a plan to create a Local Education Alliance—separate from district or charter administrations—to develop and oversee plans for sharing buildings and cooperating on student transportation. Right now, the legislative language applies only to Indianapolis, but success would likely guarantee expansion to other cities…and maybe other states too! Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Joining the club
Not to be outdone, North Dakota governor Kelly Armstrong signed legislation this week that allows charter schools to be established in the state for the first time ever. Amazing! “Expanding school choice is a win-win for North Dakota families and for our state’s workforce and long-term success. The public charter schools authorized by this bill can drive innovation, improve student outcomes, and increase parent satisfaction,” said Armstrong after the signing ceremony. The Peace Garden State becomes the 47th in the nation to authorize charter school creation.
Not all the news can be good, but divine intervention is a pretty powerful antidote
AEI senior fellow Naomi Schaefer Riley this week details what she calls a “war on charter schools” currently underway in Minnesota. The main issue is an impending budget shortfall and the apparent intention of state legislators and Governor Tim Walz to balance that budget on the backs of charter school families. Among the roughly $40 million in proposed cuts: Eliminating a facilities maintenance fund and ending a program that helps charters cover the gap between the actual cost of educating special needs students and the reimbursement amounts charters receive from districts. But supporters recently received some divine backup: Written testimony in support of charter schools from the North American envoy of the Dalai Lama. (Minnesota has the second-largest Tibetan-American population in the country—hence the interest from His Holiness.) Incredible! “Charter schools in Minnesota,” writes Dr. Namgyal Choedup, “have given critical educational support and opportunities to immigrant students with high-quality general education, language education, and effective teacher-family involvement for a wide array of students in atmospheres that foster intellectual curiosity, dignity, and learning efficacy.” How, pray tell, does one say no to that?
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