 Welcome to the NEWS for April 26, 2024 Join us virtually on May 8 for a briefing on the 2024 legislative session's key outcomes and impact on Colorado charters. Then, the countdown to National Charter Schools Week is on! Learn more and join the celebration May 12-18.
Several former Durango High School students stood in the halls of Animas High School recently, celebrating a new law that grew from their efforts. Plus, what schools need to know before buying AI tech tools. If you’re seeking a Type A Electric Bus, Peak to Peak has one for sale or lease. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday.
Top News
Local Headlines
Benigno: Opponents of educational choice target charter schools
Complete Colorado | April 22, 2024
One of the most, if not the most, reprehensible anti-charter bills ever introduced in Colorado, House Bill 24-1363, was soundly killed in the House Education Committee. Five Democrats and all three Republicans voted against the bill, while three Democrats voted in support. Read more.  Hearing for Colorado school funding formula bill brings out long-standing inequities and new worries
CPR News | April 22, 2024
Diego is a high school student in Lafayette. Despite his brilliance and creativity, he may not graduate. His challenges are many: unstable housing (he lives with his aunt), learning English, and mental health issues. Read more. Ex-Denver Public Schools PIO says board members not getting enough information, but some disagree
Chalkbeat | April 18, 2024
The former executive director of communications for Denver Public Schools accused the district this week of “limiting the flow of information” to school board members, which he said hinders the transparency of an organization that serves 88,000 of the city’s children. Read more. Polis signs $24 million funding bill to help schools with new immigrant students
CPR News | April 18, 2024
The Colorado Department of Education will distribute approximately $24 million from the state education fund to school districts and charter schools that recently enrolled new immigrant students. Read more.
National Views
 Time for a ceasefire in the civics wars
Thomas Fordham Institute | April 25, 2024
How about a ceasefire in the civics wars? Possibly even a peace treaty? This could turn out to be easier to achieve than pausing the conflict in Gaza (or Kashmir or Sudan or…). Read more. What the End of ‘College for All’ Means for the Future of America’s High Schools
The 74 | April 24, 2024
CRPE’s in-depth interviews with students and educators across six high schools in New England yielded a resounding message: the primary purpose of high school is not to prepare every student for college. Read more. Post Childbirth Without Paid Leave, Teachers Leave Their Own Children to Teach Others’
The 74 | April 23, 2024
When elementary school teacher Kimberly Papa gave birth to her daughter, Margot, a little over a year ago, she wasn’t expecting much in the way of paid maternity leave. She knew that the majority of Americans don’t have access to it and certainly not those in her state of Ohio. Read more.  5 Questions Schools Should Ask Before Purchasing AI Tech Products
The 74 | April 21, 2024
Every few years, an emerging technology shows up at the doorstep of schools and universities promising to transform education. The most recent? Technologies and apps that include or are powered by generative artificial intelligence, also known as GenAI. Read more. Here’s What Teachers Think Their Salaries Should Be
Education Week | April 19, 2024
It’s no secret that teachers are generally unsatisfied with their salaries. A $20,000 raise might help, a new survey suggests. Read more.
Community Announcements
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Reach Accepting Applications through May 15
Reach University is a job-embedded pathway to a Bachelor’s degree for existing employees who are interested in pursuing a path to becoming a teacher. The coursework is fully remote and takes an average of three years to complete (exact length is dependent on any previously accrued college credits), allowing participants to remain full-time in their current roles, maintaining all their benefits, while also earning a Bachelor’s degree. If your charter school has a staff member who would like to pursue this, they can learn more, attend a virtual information session and apply here. For questions, contact [email protected].  Practices Improve Learning Experiences & More for Students with Disabilities
The Networked Improvement Community for Students with Disabilities, a group of 10 public charter school networks, worked to reimagine how they serve students furthest from opportunity. Using the tools of improvement science, educators and content experts developed and refined more than 20 evidence-based practices to improve learning experiences, environments, and outcomes for Black and Latinx students with disabilities experiencing poverty. The practices address common challenges schools face in five areas and offer step-by-step instructions, templates, and case studies. Learn more. nXu Offers Comprehensive SEL and College & Career Readiness Solution
Help young people connect with who they are, explore who they want to become, and invest in pathways for personal and professional success. nXU’s dynamic, research-based middle and high school curriculum places purpose at the nexus of career exploration, social-emotional practices, positive identity development, and community building. Learn more. Choice Enrollment of Students with Disabilities | April 29
This month, we’re hosting two special Lunch & Learn events addressing the equitability of the Choice process. Students with disabilities deserve the opportunity to participate in Choice just like their non-disabled peers and the 2022 state rule change was meant to protect students with disabilities from discrimination when they participate in the Choice enrollment process. Register here. Are the Kids All Right? Successfully Implementing Social-Emotional Learning | May 1
Post-pandemic, we all know that attending to social-emotional wellbeing is a top priority. But what are the best ways to do that? In this community conversation, Transcend will dive deep into the 5 key steps that will empower you to effectively implement SEL models. Register now.  OERColorado May Webinar Series | May 7 & 14
New to openly-licensed educational resources (OER)? Or ready for a deep dive? Either way, the May 2024 OER Webinar Series offers free knowledge for everyone. Register for the upcoming OERColorado webinar series to learn more about OER for Colorado. Can’t attend live? Register anyway to access recordings of the webinars. Statewide Business Operations Networking Meeting | May 9
Join the CDE School of Choice units session, “Improving Charter School Meal Options: Lessons learned from the Field, re. Kitchens and Facilities.” Attendees can engage in a focused discussion led by Charter School Nutrition representatives to empower charter school leaders with strategies for providing nutritious meals. These expert panels will delve into critical areas such as menu planning, navigating budget constraints, enhancing student engagement, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Register now. CDE Community Learning Meeting | May 23
Recent changes to the Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act (1 CCR 301-39) provide greater flexibility to expand the use of and fundability of alternative instructional models. CDE is facilitating a first learning community meeting on Thursday, May 23 from 9:00am-11:30am. This meeting will be hybrid with options for attendance virtually via Zoom and in-person in Englewood, CO. Register here. Math Instruction Professional Development | June 2024
Elementary, middle school and high school teachers are invited to register for free online professional development in math instruction. The virtual asynchronous sessions will begin in June and will provide participants with practical tools and techniques to engage students, foster deeper understanding and cultivate an engaging learning environment around math. Register here.  Get Your School in its A-GAME
Over the past five years, a bold group of charter school authorizers from across the country have been reflecting on better ways to measure school quality. We have embraced the slogan: Measure What Matters, When It Matters. We now know we can only go so far without YOU at the table. Join these upcoming conversations. ADVOCACY & ACTION Governor Signs House Bill 1394 into law
On April 18, Governor Polis signed House Bill 1394 into law. This is the bill that once and for all fully equalizes mill levy funding for CSI and the more than 20,000 students that attend CSI schools. It was a historic day for the Colorado charter school sector. Ever since 2017 when we successfully advocated for the equitable inclusion of district-authorized charters in local mill levy override revenue, we've been fighting alongside CSI to ensure the playing field was level for CSI schools as well. Learn more. Protect Charter School Funding Growth
The sole federal program dedicated to charter school growth has remained flat funded for the past five years—and is now facing a potential cut. Our movement has successfully pushed back before, and we can do it again. The CSP represents just 1% of federal spending on K-12 education, despite being the only public school model growing in enrollment. Polling shows that 75% of parents would choose a public charter school option if available. An increase in charter school funding will ensure that more parents have the option to do so. Take action.  Grace Period Regarding Noncompliance of Digital Accessibility
On April 15, the Colorado legislature introduced HB24-1454: Grace Period Noncompliance Digital Accessibility. If passed, the bill will provide a one-year extension to July 1, 2025 of immunity from liability for failure to comply with the digital accessibility standards for an agency that demonstrates good faith efforts toward compliance or toward resolution of any complaint of noncompliance. Learn more. House Education Committee Made Right Call Defeating HB24-1363
The League is grateful to members of the Colorado House of Representatives Education Committee for voting to kill Colorado House Bill 24-1363, which took unnecessary aim at students benefiting from Colorado’s effective and impactful public charter school system. The Colorado League of Charter Schools believes that all children in our state, regardless of zip code or background, deserve access to high-quality public school options. We express our gratitude to the Representatives who voted against this bill and prevented it from moving forward to the detriment of students statewide. Read the League's full statement here. THIS & THAT  Type A Electric Bus for Sale or Lease
Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette has a Type A (small) bus it is looking to re-lease or sell through its partnership with Highland Electric Fleets. This is a 2023 Chevrolet 4500 Chassis Collins Bus with capacity for 18. It is nearly new with only 948 miles on it. Because of its seating capacity, it does require a driver with a Commercial Driver's License. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Jennifer Douglas at Peak to Peak Charter School at 303-453-4611. Join the League Team
We're excited to announce two open positions at the Colorado League of Charter Schools! Please pass along this information to anyone who might be interested:
Government Instrumentality for ERTC in Colorado Charter Schools
In response to ongoing inquiries, the League sought an additional legal opinion on Colorado charter schools' eligibility for the federal Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) program. Conducted by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, this opinion differs from previous ones. While schools are encouraged to consult their attorneys before acting, it's essential to note that the ERTC program is currently on hold at the federal level, pending legislation such as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. If passed, claims made after January 31, 2024, would not be allowed. This update aims to provide transparency and guidance to our members amid evolving legal and legislative landscapes. Read the full legal response. CDE UPDATES  Nominate an Exceptional Teacher for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Do you know an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 teacher? Nominate him or her to apply for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year award. The selected teacher will represent the entire profession in the state and automatically become Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program. Informational CMAS Science & AEC Performance Framework Results Now Live
The 2023 informational performance framework reports containing 2023 CMAS Science for all districts and attendance/truancy results for Alternative Education Campuses have been provided to district accountability contacts via Syncplicity. For questions related to Syncplicity, training, or support, email [email protected].
Upcoming Events
| 23, 29 April 2024 |
| Lunch & Learn | Choice Enrollment of Students with Disabilities |
| Students with disabilities deserve the opportunity to participate in Choice just like their non-disabled peers! Join this session to learn more about the Dos & Don'ts when enrolling Students with Disabilities through the Choice process! Meets on April 23rd and 29th from 12:00pm-1:00pm MST. |
| Seminars, Webinars, Convenings, Virtual |
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| 26 April 2024 |
| State and Federal Policy Updates |
| A cohort for charter school leaders and board members who wish to stay updated on happenings at the state capital as they relate to education and the charter school sector. Meets weekly during the legislative session. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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| 3 May 2024 |
| State and Federal Policy Updates |
| A cohort for charter school leaders and board members who wish to stay updated on happenings at the state capital as they relate to education and the charter school sector. Meets weekly during the legislative session. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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| 8 May 2024 |
| 2024 Post-Session Legislative Debrief |
| Join us virtually from 9:30am to 10:30am MDT on May 8, 2024, as the 2024 legislative session concludes, where the League's Director of Governmental Affairs will brief members on the session's key developments and their implications for Colorado's public charter schools. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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