NYC Schools Open Their Doors to Sharing

For all the classes, workshops, and one-on-one conversations that influenced my professional development as a teacher, there was nothing quite like the opportunity to observe other educators in action. Whether I went next door to my mentor teacher’s room or across town to a different school, I inevitably returned to my own classroom with pages of furiously scribbled notes. Some things I implemented immediately, some things planted the seeds for longer-term changes, while still other things were frankly lessons in what I did not want my own class to look like. 

Given the growing number of virtual platforms, it’s becoming easier and easier to share ideas digitally, but there remains something to be said about the physical act of observation. While in-school sharing is still the norm, there are far fewer opportunities for educators to actually go out into the field and observe in a different setting.

This past spring, NYC Collaborates, an initiative of New York City’s District-Charter Collaboration Compact that aims to facilitate opportunities for schools to share information and best practices, launched its first school study tour series. Through these tours, NYC educators were able to visit a variety of district and charter schools, with each visit focused on a particular theme. More than just identifying possible schools to visit–in and of itself not an easy task for an individual–we wanted to ensure that we created a deeper learning experience. Further, we wanted to ensure that it was actually a shared learning experience, where educators had the opportunity not just to learn from the school they were visiting, but also from one another.

Check out this video to see what the tours were really all about.

We’re grateful to the four schools that warmly welcomed what was essentially a group of strangers into their building. We’re thrilled that attendees prioritized the opportunity to visit another great public school, and that they candidly contributed to rich and authentic conversations. 

And we’re excited to keep the momentum going. If you want to learn more or brainstorm with us, stop by or drop us a note. 



NYC Collaborates is a co-sponsor of the upcoming national Best Cooperative Practices for Charter & Traditional Public Schools Conference. Click to learn more and register for the conference.

Learning From the Best Cooperative Practices Between Charter and Traditional Public Schools

Dawn of the Charter School Movement in Maine (Part II)

Part I of this series examined the implementation work that has happened in Maine since the passage of its public charter school law through the authorization of its first group of public charter schools. Today's blog looks at the preparation to open these first charter schools.

Last week we witnessed the first lottery for admission to one of the two public charter schools opening on October 1st. Cornville Regional Charter School had 90 applicants for 60 seats. If a family had two or more children applying, when the first one was admitted through the lottery, if the parents signed the letter of commitment right away, the other siblings were also admitted. The event was observed by several members of the state charter commission and MACS. The news article can be viewed here. The other charter school opening this fall school, MEANS, had 49 applicants for 50 seats by the deadline, so no lottery was needed.

Charter schools in Maine have had a delayed start due to the highly compressed application and contracting process this year, but the new opportunities have been welcomed by the many families who have indicated their intent to apply. Our next steps will include helping these new schools to meet their promises – it’s really rewarding work!


A parent reacts to her child winning a seat in the Cornville Regional Charter School lottery. Photo credit:
Michael G. Seamans, "Winners drawn in Cornville charter school lottery," Morning Sentinel, Sept. 5, 2012.

Authors Judith Jones and Roger Brainerd work for the Maine Association for Charter Schools.

Dawn of the Charter School Movement in Maine (Part I)

It’s been exhilarating and exhausting for the past several months. Once the enabling law was passed, we thought the going would get easier. And, indeed, the formation of the new state charter authorizing commission and the critical work of the staff at the Maine Department of Education has meant that implementation of the bill is really happening.

But, the continued intervention of opponents through political channels and the media has made it a rollercoaster ride. The state charter commission did create an application form and process, and 6 of 9 groups that filed “letters of intent” produced actual applications. The results so far: two approved for opening on October 2012; one approved conditionally for fall of 2013; another scheduled for a public hearing on September 11 for an opening in 2013. And the two applications for virtual charter schools were postponed until the commission could get training for reviewing these complicated proposals.

There has been a wonderful outpouring of creative ideas and passion by potential charter school founders, as well as diverse locations and themes. Of the first four major applicants, two are in rural areas, one suburban, and one urban. There is a school for at-risk kids with a natural sciences and agriculture theme; a STEM high school; a K-6 village school with individualized education plans and project-based learning; and an early childhood K-2 program based on 10 years work by an existing non-profit arts and science program.

The state charter commission has just issued its RFP for new applicants that wish to open in the fall of 2013, with full applications due in October. We are excited to work with these new groups.

Given the newness of this movement, all those involved have had a steep learning curve. Our organization is delighted that the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is supporting Maine’s efforts by sponsoring two days of workshops and training for authorizers and founders in late September. This support is really needed, especially since the federal Charter School Planning Grants for SEAs has no money this year. What bad timing for a small state like Maine! It has also been difficult to persuade conservative members of foundation boards to understand and support the public charter school efforts. Hopefully, we’ll have better news on this front by next year.



Image via www.mainecharterschools.org

Authors Judith Jones and Roger Brainerd work for the Maine Association for Charter Schools.

Charters provide choices parents didn't have (excerpt)