NAPCS CEO Interviews Khan Academy Founder

On BookTV, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools president and CEO Nina Rees interviewed Khan Academy founder Salman Khan about his new book, “The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined.” They discussed how schools can use the “flipped classroom” model, with students watching lectures at home and using class time for discussions and problem-solving. Khan suggested that education reform could go even further, beyond the current system in which students are grouped in age- based cohorts and learn the same material together.

Source: BookTV

Editorial: Georgia’s Charter School Amendment Should Be Approved

According to an Albany Herald editorial, Georgia’s Amendment 1, which would amend the Constitution to empower a state commission to approve public charter schools, “comes down to choice… We believe most schools boards have the best interests of their students at heart and would give fair consideration to a charter school application, but there are also boards that will make purely political decisions. Without a guarantee that local political concerns won't trump the best interests of the students, we believe the amendment should pass so that a state commission, appointed by the Georgia Board of Education, can serve as an appeals court for parents.”

Source: Albany Herald

Opinion: Reasons to Support Georgia’s Charter School Amendment

In his Marietta Daily Journal column, Allen Koronkowski urges Georgia voters to pass the proposed constitutional amendment which would restore the state’s power to authorize and fund public charter schools. “If the amendment fails, our choices diminish,” Koronkowski argues, explaining that if it fails, 16 schools chartered by the state will be closed.”Remember — no one is forced to attend a charter school, but if your local school underperforms and you can’t afford private school tuition, you ARE forced to live with it.” If he lived in an underperforming school district, Kornokowski writes, “I would not enjoy writing that property tax check every year and I would definitely be looking for an alternative…This amendment is for the parents whose children attend an underperforming school or simply one that doesn’t meet their child’s needs and who cannot afford a private education. This amendment gives them one more way to get the education they are paying for — and deserve.”

Source: Marietta Daily Journal

Mississippi Lawmakers Renew Charter School Push

According to NECN, several Mississippi political leaders told a Mississippi Economic Council gathering that they would try again to bring public charter schools to the state. Governor Phil Bryant said charters are "desperately needed," especially in the state’s failing districts. Bryant said parents should be allowed to restructure existing public schools to provide a particular academic focus or disciplinary approach. "I'm a disciple," Bryant said. "I've been to Helena-West Helena, Ark. I've been to New Orleans. Those systems work." Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said the Senate will push for "meaningful school choice legislation, including public charter schools." House Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton said he supports public school choice. “[W]e tell our children, 'You've got to go to this particular school, and if that school doesn't provide what you need, you have no other choice,’" he said.

Source: NECN

New Mexico Governor Calls Charters ‘Pioneers’ in Reform

According to the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez told a gathering of the state’s public charter schools they were “pioneers” in education reform, emphasized her support for charters and vowed to oppose any legislation that would cut their funding or prevent more charter schools from opening. “We need all hands on deck, and charter schools are an important part of this effort,” Martinez told the crowd. Four of New Mexico’s top 10 schools are charters, and of the 40 schools statewide receiving an ‘A’ grade from the state, 10 are charters. Since 2003, an average of six charter schools have opened each year in New Mexico. Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera also spoke, encouraging charters to continue innovating on behalf of all New Mexico’s students.“We are asking and we are counting on your standing on the front lines, not just for your school but for every student in our state,” Skandera said.

Source: Albuquerque Journal