Charters closing gaps for Black and low-income students
New research from M. Danish Shakeel and Paul E. Peterson of Harvard University shows that charter school students made strong achievement gains on NAEP reading and math tests over the period of 2005–2017. Black students and low-income students improved their scores the most over that time. Charter school students even posted better scores than their traditional district peers in fourth-and eighth-grade reading by 2017. You can read the full research report at Education Next, check out discussion of the findings at The 74, and read the authors’ thoughts on the national implications of the report at the Wall Street Journal. Clearly hugely important research.
Diagnosing and treating the “Covid slide”
School has been in session for several weeks in many schools across Ohio. Here’s a look at how a number of schools in Montgomery County have already begun addressing the academic gaps exacerbated by pandemic-mitigation closures last spring. Of particular note here is the work already undertaken by Dayton Leadership Academies. Even though DLA is teaching fully remotely for now, students came in individually over two weeks for one-on-one assessments with teachers. “Teachers will analyze the results and create data-driven lessons for small groups,” said Principal Tess Mitchner Asinjo. Kudos to the DLA team and all other charters going the extra mile to keep their students moving forward.
Remote learning centers
As fully remote learning continues this fall in many of Ohio’s major cities, support for working families—those whose students do not have reliable adult supervision at home—is taking center stage. Here’s a look at efforts in Cleveland to (safely) open and staff remote learning hubs at various locations across the city. Breakthrough Schools Network is using closed school buildings to provide help for their students and families.
Growing enrollment
We also heard details this week from Ohio Connections Academy regarding the enrollment (and hiring) boom they experienced this fall. 1,200 additional students and 25 additional teachers. Unfortunately, they are now at maximum capacity with students on a waiting list.
Share your school’s reopening plan
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has joined in a nationwide research effort to document and analyze the pandemic-influenced fall 2020 school reopening landscape. NAPCS hopes that many charters will participate in order to properly depict the innovation and dedication they are demonstrating during this time. Click here today to sign your school up to participate.
