October 2023 MOVE from the League

Discover the impact of school board elections in empowering communities through voting and how local leaders are forging innovative paths. Learn about the crucial messages charter school leaders should adopt. Gain insights into the debate on student-based budgeting's impact on equity, and get updates on the 2023 Charter Schools Program Grant recipients.

Join us for the Annual Conference or check out Advocacy Day. If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.

The Crucial Role of School Board Elections: Empowering Communities Through Voting

In the vibrant tapestry of democracy, every citizen's voice forms a thread weaving the fabric of a better society, and one of the most meaningful ways individuals can shape their community's future is by participating in school board elections. On November 7th, voters across Colorado will choose people to serve on their local school boards for the next four years.

The League has created a comprehensive election toolkit that charter schools, their boards and staff can utilize to get their families out to vote in this important election. The resources are entirely nonpartisan and have been thoroughly vetted to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. At the same time, our sister organization, CLCS Action, is engaging directly with voters in a number of school districts around the state to support school board candidates who value public charter schools and ensuring access to high-quality public school options.

The Colorado charter school community is over 260 schools serving more than 130,000 students. When we stand together and speak with one voice, candidates and elected officials take notice. As a voting block, we are powerful, and that is particularly true in school board elections. In addition to standing up for your charter school, here are a few other reasons to cast a ballot in this election:

Quality Education for All

School board elections epitomize local empowerment. By voting, you directly influence the policies that govern our schools. School board members play a pivotal role in shaping curricula, allocating resources, and ensuring that educational standards are met. Your vote can elect candidates who prioritize equal access to a quality education creating an environment where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to excel academically and academic choices are nurtured.

Focusing on Educational Priorities

Communities are diverse, and so are the values and beliefs of their members. School board elections provide a platform to ensure that the local educational system aligns with the priorities of each community. By voting, citizens can elect representatives who put the best interests of students, their families and educators first.

Accountability and Transparency

Transparency and accountability are the bedrock of a healthy school, school district and our democracy more broadly. Through the act of voting, we demonstrate to candidates and elected officials that we’re paying attention. In turn, school board members, aware of the community’s watchful eye, have a greater incentive to act responsibly, fostering an environment where decisions are made in the best interest of students, teachers, and the community at large.

If you share our belief that every student in Colorado should have access to high-quality public school options, the coming school board elections are critical. Each vote cast by a member of the charter school community this November is a testament to our shared commitment to all students.

Please join your friends and colleagues in the charter school community and vote on November 7th.

— Kyle DeBeer, VP Civic Affairs, the League

Local School Leaders Chart New Paths

With the 2022-23 school year underway, Colorado's charter school landscape is welcoming a fresh cohort of dynamic leaders poised to shape the educational landscape for their communities. These visionary educators, handpicked to helm their respective charter schools or networks, bring a wealth of experience, innovation, and dedication to the forefront of charter school education. Read more.

7 Key Messages Every Charter School Leader Should Embrace

No one understands the immense value of continuing education more than educators themselves. Particularly within the charter school sector, where innovation is at the heart of all that we do, leaders are well-positioned to foster a culture of continuous improvement, both for themselves and their school at large. As heard at our 2023 Leadership Summit, here are eight key messages that every charter school leader should embrace to ensure their next steps are the best steps. Read more.

Does Student-Based Budgeting Promote Equity? Baldermann says no

Boardhawk.org | October 2023
The debate over how Denver Public Schools allocates money to its schools may not seem like the most scintillating topic to address less than a month before a pivotal school board election.

But it cuts to the heart of differing philosophies about school governance and autonomy. Some members of the current school board have made it clear they would like to eliminate or curtail the long-held practice called Student-Based Budgeting (SBB) and replace it with a more centralized, cookie-cutter approach.

One of the leading proponents of axing SBB is Scott Baldermann, who represents southeast Denver and is up for reelection next month. Read more on Boardhawk.

2023 Charter Schools Program Grant Recipients Announced

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced grant recipients for the FY 2023 Charter Schools Program (CSP). In all, the Department announced $572 million to be awarded over the next three to five years. Grants are used to open new public charter schools and replicate high-performing public charter schools across the country. The demand for charter schools continues to grow, and the CSP is necessary to meet the needs of communities across the nation. Read more.

Community Announcements

Proposition HH Debate
Live stream the Proposition HH Debate on October 23, 2023 at 7 PM MT. Hear from Governor Jared Polis, Arthur Laffer, Michael Fields, and Rose Pugliese. This event will be live-streamed on coloradopolitics.com, denvergazette.com, and gazette.com.

Board Fundamentals (Fall)
Please Join the Schools of Choice Unit for Board Fundamentals on October 27, 2023 at 9 AM. This fall, we will revisit the basics to renew our understanding of our roles as governance members. We will also discuss issues geared toward strengthening our practices to support our school leaders, staff, and students. Register here.

Colorado Gives More Than $17 Million to Fund DonorsChoose Program
Colorado teachers can apply now to receive $1,000 to purchase supplies, resources, learning materials, and more that will improve the learning experiences. I encourage all teachers to apply today while funding lasts! We are investing a total of $7.1 million to support school supplies, and Colorado teachers can submit projects to receive funding by visiting: www.DonorsChoose.org/colorado.

Technical Advisory Panel: Rural Representative Membership Opportunity
CDE seeks one rural representative to serve on the Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Growth, which serves as an advisory body to CDE regarding the implementation of the Colorado Growth Model and the Educational Accountability Act.

TAP members are appointed by the commissioner of education and serve three-year terms without compensation. Applicants must represent a rural community in Colorado and must demonstrate expertise with educational assessment, growth (including the Colorado growth model), research, and/or accountability.

By Monday, Dec. 4, applicants must submit a statement of interest and resume using this form to be considered. The selected candidate will be notified prior to January 2024.

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Bringing Your School’s Math Vision to Life
Join us at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) to learn about our journey to create a student-centered, joyful, and rigorous math culture. Participants will learn about how we used EL’s 10 Steps to Success to change the math culture at our school and our continued work to provide high-quality math instruction that is inclusive of all students and stakeholders. Learn more here.

Inviting Applications FY24 Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations
The U.S. Department of Education has published the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants) competition. Applications are due January 5, 2024. The NIA can be accessed in the Federal Register here. The competition website can be accessed here. CSP will host a webinar to review the competition’s eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, application requirements, and assurances. The webinar will also review the steps required to complete the Grants.gov registration and submission processes and answer participants’ questions. Register for the webinar.

MindSpark's Education Accelerator funded by The Daniels Fund
This program will allow your school to bring forward a team of 2-8 individuals to solve your largest problem of practice. The Education Accelerator (EA) is an innovative, fully customizable leadership program lasting five months. It is designed to support schools in developing an innovative culture, solving their biggest problem of practice, and elevating their future by leveraging entrepreneurship. It is a cohort-based model, where several teams bring forth a problem and we help you work through it! This opportunity is completely free thanks to The Daniels Fund! Please feel free to reach out to Kiki Huckaby, [email protected] if interested in learning more, or use this link to register.

Teaching Dr. King as an Antidote to Violence
Developed by Dr. Shawn Joseph and Dr. Matthew Daniels and endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young, MLK curricula employs the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to teach his unifying, non-violent principles to a digital generation. Also calling upon students to dream on paper as a central project of the course about how they can harness the historically unprecedented power of digital and social media to be torchbearers for these timeless principles in the Digital Age. To learn more about how McGraw Hill Education has incorporated these practices, view their and watch how McGraw Hill and MLK Holiday Commission celebrate new scholarship opportunities here.

Youth Guidance Evolve Program
Youth Guidance’s Evolve program is a Tier 2 Educator social-emotional learning (SEL) program designed to cultivate a culture of support and trauma-informed engagement by delivering training and resources to school-based staff to implement the most effective components of the organization’s most renowned programs – Becoming a Man (BAM) & Working on Womanhood (WOW). The Evolve program model creates the space for youth to thrive in a school ecosystem of supportive, emotionally attuned, and culturally competent adults. The Evolve Model meets the urgent need by bridging the therapeutic principles used to support youth growth and development in a mixed-gendered environment, with relatable engagement formats delivered by trusted school leaders, professional development opportunities, unlimited access to the Evolve Curriculum and youth engagement resources through an online learning community--known as "Evolve Central." Learn more.

Free crisis services available through Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 844-493-TALK(8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay.

To get help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know visit the Colorado Crisis Services website.

Learning Opportunities

TAPP Seeks partners to expand in Colorado
TAPP Online is a five-year study that aims to identify the most effective way to prepare school specialists to implement the Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP) intervention in rural communities, while creating family-school partnerships to improve student success.

Our research team is leveraging virtual professional development to bring TAPP to rural communities. Our goals are to support school specialists as they deliver TAPP and promote positive school outcomes for students they serve. Teachers and parents enrolled in the study will be paid for their participation.

For more information and to learn how to get started, please contact Laura Escobedo or Kate Watson.

Charter School Capital Updated Resources
Charter School Capital broad library of charter school resources aims to provide the information charter leaders need to help their schools thrive! A plethora of resources has recently been updated or created for your use. Each of which have tips, strategies and guides on a range of topics. Check out all of the new material:

CDE Updates

Notify of FY24-25 BEST Grant Round by Nov. 30
The deadline for all applicants to notify CDE of their intent to apply for a BEST grant in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024-25 grant round is Nov. 30. The intent to apply form, as well as the full grant round announcement, can be found on our website. Click Here for Additional Information.

Charter School Capital Construction Eligibility Report Due Oct. 31
All charter schools eligible to receive Charter School Capital Construction funding are required to complete the Charter School Capital Construction Report (CSCC-01) on an annual basis. This online report is due by Tuesday, Oct. 31, to help CDE determine eligibility and funding levels for the next fiscal year. Click here for more information.

Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant is Open
The Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant is open for applications through the new grants management system called GAINS. This grant’s purpose is to promote the postsecondary education of eligible teachers who teach or wish to teach computer science in K-12 education.

Intent to Apply (encouraged, but not required) is due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10.
Completed applications must be submitted through the NEW online application system, GAINS, by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.

A webinar will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 to provide information on this grant or the GAINS system. For more information regarding this grant, visit the Computer Science Teacher Education Grant website.

CCSP Start-Up Grant Competition
The Schools of Choice (SOC) Unit at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is conducting the 2023 Colorado Charter School Program (CCSP) Start-up Grant Competition and is in need of a number of substantial volunteers with experience in charter schools to read and review grant applications. This program provides grant funds and technical assistance for up to 4-years to new and expanding charter schools across all of Colorado. To learn more information about the CCSP Grant and upcoming competition, see the attached flier, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/grantprograms and/or send inquiries via email to [email protected].

Proposed Changes to Public School Finance Rules
The Colorado Department of Education's School Finance Unit is currently seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Public School Finance Act (PSFA) rules and will continue collecting feedback through mid-August. Your perspectives and ideas will play a vital role in creating a fair and effective PSFA framework that benefits our schools and students. You can find the proposed rule changes linked below. The Department has recently been in conversations with the State Board of Education to explore making revisions to the Public School Finance Act (PSFA) rules (1 CCR 301-39) to modernize the rules to reflect the educational delivery system of today and make some technical updates/changes. Your early participation is critical in influencing the decision-making process. After this initial feedback phase, the State Board of Education will announce a formal rulemaking process, which will afford additional opportunities for input. This is an excellent opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping the future of public school financing in Colorado. Please respond below.

To review the proposed draft edits to the School Finance rules: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WHiUICSxbpBq9TCNft_xGtz-v9f7r0DE/view?usp=drive_link
To provide feedback on the draft edits through the feedback survey by mid-August: https://forms.gle/pNqwp5u3EYrbfCLU8

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the CDE team below:

Questions about the full rules – Amy Carman, Executive Director of School Finance and Grants, CDE
Questions about the Blended Learning Initiative – Mallorie Klemm, Blended Learning Sr. Consultant, CDE

League News & Events

February 27 – 28, 2024

2024 Annual Conference

Please join us at the 2024 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference, a two-day charter school event dedicated to empowering educational excellence. Prepare for an unforgettable experience that will transform your professional practice.

DTC Marriot

February 1, 2024

Advocacy Day

Mark your calendars for February 1, 2024, a day poised to ignite inspiration and spark transformative conversations. Together, we'll continue to pave the way for a brighter future for charter education, armed with newfound insights and an unwavering commitment to advocacy. The League's annual Advocacy Day serves as a vibrant platform for the entire charter school community, encompassing visionary school leaders, dedicated educators, impassioned parents, and motivated students.

Colorado State Capitol

Learning Communities & Networking Groups

The League offers cohort experiences in "Learning Communities" available for current League Members to connect with, meet with, discuss topics, and share materials with peers at charter schools around the state.

Top News

Local

Watch: Denver school board candidates Scott Baldermann, Kimberlee Sia debate teacher rights and more
Chalkbeat | October 18, 2023
Denver school board candidates Scott Baldermann and Kimberlee Sia shared the stage at a recent debate, where they disagreed about school autonomy and teacher rights, the leasing of an empty school building to the Archdiocese of Denver, and whether the school board is dysfunctional. Read more.

DPS board candidate Kimberlee Sia: Union-reform divide is a false dichotomy
Boardhawk | October 18, 2023
School board elections over the last few years have been defined by candidates put into two groups – those supported by education reformers and those supported by the teachers union. Read more.

Proposition HH fundraising narrows with three weeks to go before Election Day
Colorado Politics | October 18, 2023
With ballots now out for the November general election, the fundraising by groups competing for votes on the measure that seeks to offer property tax relief using state refund dollars has narrowed. Read more [paywall].

Mayor Mike Johnston endorses Youngquist, De La Rosa, Sia for open Denver school board seats
Chalkbeat | October 17, 2023
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who called the current school board “a public embarrassment” earlier this year, endorsed three candidates Tuesday for open board seats in the Nov. 7 election. Read more.

Watch: Charmaine Lindsay, Marlene De La Rosa, Adam Slutzker face off in Denver school board debate
Chalkbeat | October 17, 2023
Asked to name a decision by Denver school board member Charmaine Lindsay that they disagreed with, the two candidates challenging Lindsay for her seat pointed to different votes. Read more.

Colorado Supreme Court: Low ratings don’t harm school districts
Chalkbeat | October 16, 2023
The Adams 14 school district failed to show that state intervention caused any real harm or injury and has no basis to sue the state, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday. Read more.

Youngquist, Sia, De La Rosa for DPS board
Denver Gazette | October 16, 2023
There’s no diplomatic way to put it: Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education has become an embarrassment and, in some ways, a disgrace. Read more.

Child care ratings: Here’s what Colorado parents need to know
Chalkbeat | October 16, 2023
When families send their young children to childcare or preschool, they want them to be safe, happy, and engaged. So how can they figure out if a program is offering high-quality care? Read more.

Watch: Kwame Spearman, John Youngquist spar in lively debate for Denver school board at-large seat
Chalkbeat | October 16, 2023
Kwame Spearman and John Youngquist, who both are running for an at-large seat on the Denver school board, said police officers should not have been removed from Denver schools in 2020. Both also supported the decision to bring the officers back this year. Read more.

At Cole, supporting Spanish-speaking learners this Hispanic Heritage Month
Boardhawk | October 16, 2023
At Cole Arts & Science Academy we are intentional about supporting our Hispanic students in a way that feels authentic to their educational experience and to the experiences of their families living in our communities. Read more.

This High School Was Ranked the Best in Colorado
NewsBreak | October 15, 2023
There are few things more important than a child's education, and this makes choosing the right school essential. Read more.

Voter guide: Jeffco school board candidates answer 7 questions about the issues
Chalkbeat | October 13, 2023
In Jefferson Public Schools, voters are selecting two new school board members this year. Read more.

Voter guide: We asked Aurora school board candidates some questions. Here’s what they said.
Chalkbeat | October 13, 2023
Voters in Aurora this year are selecting up to three new members to sit on the school board for Aurora Public Schools. Read more.

Voter guide: We asked the Westminster school board candidates 6 questions ahead of the election. Here’s what they said.
Chalkbeat | October 13, 2023
This November, voters in Westminster will select three new school board members from six candidates. Read more.

Jeffco board votes to close two more schools amid enrollment decline
Chalkbeat | October 12, 2023
Jeffco’s school board voted 4-1 Thursday night to close two district K-8 schools that together serve more than 500 students and have nearly 100 staff. Read more.

National

‘The Center Still Holds’: In Exit Interview, Charter Leader Nina Rees Reflects on the Shifting Politics of School Choice
The 74 | October 19, 2023
Nina Rees wasn’t the first person to lead the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Read more.

Senators Cornyn, Booker introduce legislation to help educators access funding to open new charter schools
NAPCS | October 18, 2023
Bipartisan bill will strengthen federal Charter Schools Program by providing more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a new school. Read more.

Study: Virtual Tutoring Boosted Young Readers’ Literacy Scores
The 74 | October 18, 2023
Young children learning to read made significant progress after participating in a high-dosage virtual tutoring program, according to new research released Wednesday — results that seem to defy conventional wisdom about effective ways to improve performance. Read more.

Science of Reading Push Helped Some States Exceed Pre-Pandemic Performance
The 74 | October 17, 2023
In 2019, Westcliffe Elementary in Greenville, South Carolina, got troubling news: It was one of 265 schools in the state where more than a third of third graders failed to meet literacy standards. Read more.

Banning Smartphones at Schools: Research Points to Higher Test Scores, Less Anxiety, More Exercise
The 74 | October 11, 2023
The international debate over technology and youth was jolted last week by a surprising announcement: Schools in the United Kingdom will soon ban the use of cell phones. Read more.

Health & Wellness

New Toolkit for School Employee Wellness
Investments in school employee wellness can reduce school system costs, foster positive working conditions, and improve outcomes for students. Child Trends has released a new toolkit that school systems can use to ensure that all employees experience wellness at work.

Annual Colorado Youth Suicide Prevention Symposium Register Now!
Don't miss out on the Annual Colorado Youth Suicide Prevention Symposium happening on Thursday, November 16, 2023. The event will be held both at the Lowry Conference Center and virtually via Zoom, ensuring accessibility for all participants. In collaboration with our partners from the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Office of Suicide Prevention, this symposium promises to be an insightful and impactful gathering. Secure your spot now by registering here.

Health Equity
Check out the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC)’s 90-minute recording of Equitable Language and Why it Matters.

School Health Professionals play a vital role in student health! Enroll in the Health Equity Online Module, a 2.5-hour, self-paced online course from the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center. The course is free and meant for those who are serious about walking their health equity talk but aren’t quite sure how to get started.