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Kudos for two Columbus charter schools
United Schools Network was honored this week as one of central Ohio’s Top Workplaces of 2024, as determined by Columbus CEO magazine. USN was ranked 25th among small employers in the area. Elsewhere in the capital city, Columbus Preparatory Academy is among the schools being served by Buckeye Ranch as detailed in a great Dispatch piece on Wednesday. Buckeye Ranch provides a roster of vital behavioral and mental health supports for students in 22 schools in Columbus. CPA is the only charter school currently being served.
Big win for KIPP: Indy
Indianapolis Public Schools is looking to renew its longstanding partnership agreements with three KIPP schools in the city. While most of it is boilerplate administrative stuff, one big addition is drawing attention: It is likely that the school board will transfer ownership of the district building KIPP: Indy has rented from them for the last 10 years to the charter. IPS would also provide $10 million toward a building expansion on behalf of KIPP: Indy. How awesome for the school and its students!
Notes on the history of education reform
Bellwether Education founder and partner Andy Rotherham weighed in this week to discuss his take on the history of (and current state of) the education reform movement. He covers a lot of ground, including the exponential expansion of charter schools over the last 30 years. Rotherham says there were many naysayers—even within the ranks of charter supporters—denying that such growth was possible. He cites this miscalculation among his evidence that ed reform is still alive and well but would benefit from some more positive, forward-thinking adherents today to keep things moving forward.
The view from North Carolina
In case you missed it, the Fordham Institute recently released a research report looking at the success (or otherwise) of charter authorizers in predicting which applicants are likely to establish successful schools. Data come from the state of North Carolina between 2012 and 2019). Who better to discuss the findings in a local context than Alex Quigley, a longtime member of the state’s Charter School Review Board. Quigley joined report co-author David Griffith to discuss the important findings for EdNC’s blog earlier this week. A good read for charter school professionals in any state.
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