November 14: Charter Schools Showing Signs of Success Across PA

Pennsylvania's charter schools have become an integral part of the state's education system with more than 131 schools educating 70,000 students. Lawrence Jones Jr. president of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools describes the many ways charter schools are proving successful across the state in this Philadelphia Inquirer opinion.

In other headlines... 

OH: A report from the Buckeye Institute says the state's largest public schools are actually helping students and saving tax dollars. Go here for the story in the Lima News and here for the report. 

CA: Los Angeles Unified School District has added 120 charter schools, including 12 charter - district partnership schools, in the last six years.  Los Angeles Board of Education member Tamar Galatzan recognizes that a clearly defined accountability system and set of standards for approving and renewing these schools' charters is critical for the success for L.A.'s charter movement in this Los Angeles Times opinion.

MD: Imagine Discovery Public Charter School in Woodlawn is Baltimore County's first charter school. With four new charters opened this fall, bringing the statewide total to 32, WBALTV NBC 11 reports that the first annual Maryland Charter Schools Conference held yesterday and today in Baltimore will give school leaders a chance to share best practices here.

MO: Charter schools in Kansas City are gaining acceptance as a legitimate public school options for local families. This Kansas City Star opinion by Aaron North, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association, emphasizes how the charter school model can deliver high-quality, responsive, outcome-driven public schools available to all families.

CO: Denver Public Schools yesterday unveiled its plan to consolidate schools in order to make better use of school facilities. The plans include allowing charter schools to share space with traditional district schools. Nancy Mitchell of the Rocky Mountain News reports that some families were pleased while some families were surprised by the plan here.