Another Charter Schools Week is in the books
Hope you have all had a celebratory and productive Charter Schools Week. Some news from throughout the week: The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released their annual impact report on the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). The report breaks down how the program works and ways school leaders across the country are using the funds to benefit students, families, and communities. Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, published an op-ed in the Indianapolis Star in which he responded to numerous charter school mischaracterizations in a previous Star piece and especially enumerated the many ways that charter schools in the Hoosier State are held to rigorous accountability mechanisms. The Fordham Institute’s national office released a report focusing on English Learners in the Lone Star State, finding that charter schools there stack up well against traditional district schools in terms of important academic outcomes. For example, English Learners who enroll in a Texas charter school are significantly more likely to graduate high school and enroll in a four-year institution—and, on average, they earn significantly more in the post-college years. Finally, author Jed Wallace, the voice of CharterFolk forum, published a thorough look at some of the pretty great news around the charter school world between Charter School Weeks in 2022 and 2023.
Celebratory weeks converge
This week was also Teacher Appreciation Week. In honor of the two celebrations, NAPCS president and CEO Nina Rees published a fantastic piece recognizing all of the dedicated teachers in charters across the country. She also highlights the seven winners of the group’s Changemaker Award for outstanding service to their schools and communities and for going above and beyond for their students.
First academic year
It may be hard to believe, but the school year will soon be ending. And the first brick-and-mortar charter school to open in West Virginia is celebrating the successful conclusion of its inaugural academic year. There have been some bumps along the way, said West Virginia Academy president John Treu, including transportation and enrollment concerns. But the community has rallied around them and the next year will begin with brand new promise, lessons learned, and an eye on a bright future.
The $50 project
Rooted School, a growing charter network with schools in New Orleans and Indianapolis, is undertaking an interesting experiment in financial literacy education. Every week since January, students have been given $50 to spend however they like via debit cards. No strings attached. The idea is to give them “an increased sense of agency, self and financial freedom,” said Talia Livneh, director of programs at the Rooted School Foundation. Officials are also seeing students learning “financial literacy, capability, [and] socialization” through their spending decisions. Researchers are also tracking students’ spending behavior and studying their attitudes about money and financial security. Nice!
News from Columbus
Here at home, teachers and other staffers of KIPP Columbus voted 67 percent to 33 percent to unionize and to join with the Ohio Federation of Teachers. The union next intends to negotiate a contract with the school’s administration.
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