Blogs

A CNN opinion piece by Mike Feinberg, co-founder of KIPP and superintendent of KIPP Houston, argues that eliminating school days in order to save money as more than 100 school districts in 17 states have done -- is the wrong approach.

In other headlines...

‘R.I. Nearly Doubles Charter School Cap’
‘Thriving Charter Schools Need Fairness, Not Favors’

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High schools across the country are in the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge, hoping to have President Obama speak at their graduation. Principals had to submit applications by March 15 that show how schools are making great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness.  Greenville Tech Charter put together a great video, and we're hoping a charter will win. Let us know if your school is also trying to win so we can spread the word.

According to the Providence Journal, Rhode Island lawmakers passed a bill yesterday to expand the charter school cap from 20 to 35.

In other headlines...
In Idaho, ‘Bill to Give School Districts More Charter Help’
Ed. Reform Hearings in Connecticut

Rhode Island Raises Charter School Cap

Over the weekend DOE released a “Blueprint” for reauthorization of ESEA.  There’s a lot to like from the charter perspective and a lot that will bear watching as Duncan’s ideas move through the legislative sausage-grinder. There’s a serious commitment to choice including charters, magnets and “autonomous public schools” (although the document talks about a “priority” for charters, which is good). Also present is the emphasis on growth (which as Paul Peterson notes, stands on the shoulders of NCLB’s testing requirements) and doing away with a status-based AYP in favor of one based on a trajectory toward college and career-readiness.

A Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Harvard’s Paul E. Peterson describes several randomized experiments, conducted by researchers from Stanford, Harvard and RAND Corp., which have shown student performance increasing among students admitted to charters, as well as charter graduation and college attendance rates besting those of traditional public schools.

In other headlines...
“Innovative Schools” in Maine
NY May Reconsider Charter Cap
‘Charter School Offers Flexibility to Aspiring Artists, Athletes’

The Washington Post and USA Today report that President Obama has proposed an overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Law, replacing a pass-fail approach with a focus on academic growth.

In other headlines...
‘Utah Legislature: Charter Schools Get Boost in Funding, Seat on Board’
‘In Virginia, a Watered-Down Bill on Charter Schools’
‘Strong Cities Start with Safe Streets, Good Schools’
‘Coalition of Newark Educators Form Unlikely Alliance Trying To Reform City Schools’

As you may know, I recently announced my decision to step down as CEO of the Alliance this summer, although I will remain in harness as “Senior Advisor” for another year after that.

The Detroit Free Press reports that a city charter school will be the first new school to be funded by a grant from Excellent Schools Detroit, the coalition planning to open 70 new schools in the city over the next decade.

In other headlines...
‘Charter Schools Getting More Interest as KCMO Plans School Closings’
HIn Utah, Lawmakers Drop Charter Funding Proposal to Resolve Budget
‘What Diane Ravitch Gets Wrong’

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, lawmakers in the Utah House of Representatives have until midnight tonight to resolve the issue of how charter schools are funded.

In other headlines...
A New Plan for Detroit
New Jersey Ed. Commissioner to Encourage More District-Charter Cooperation
‘Parents in Struggling School Districts Partner With National Firms To Launch Charters’

According to the New York Times, district-run schools in charter-rich NYC neighborhoods are responding by stepping up marketing to attract and retain students.  Welcome to our world!  The real news is that a bunch of schools, both charters and traditional public schools, scored an A on the city’s latest report card.