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We 💖 Charters
This month, there’s so much to LOVE, like celebrating the power of student advocacy and putting the finishing touches on our biggest event of the year – The 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference! We’ve got new workshops, interactive exhibits, and even a special guest with four legs! Read on for the latest stories and engagement opportunities within Colorado’s charter school community.
Interested in Great Schools Colorado? Stay up-to-date with our dedicated monthly newsletter. If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
Where is the focus on quality?
By Dan Schaller, League President
If ever there was a time when quality needed to be front and center in our dialogue and decision-making about education, it is now. The latest National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) test results – known less formally as “the Nation’s Report Card” – can only serve as a wake-up call for families and legislators. The average U.S. student remains nearly half a grade level behind in math and reading compared to pre-pandemic levels – and those pre-pandemic levels weren’t anything to write home about to begin with.
As has been the consistent drumbeat for years, many want to continue to point exclusively to a lack of funding as the issue. If only there were more and adequate resources devoted to education, the argument goes, then you would see the results our kids need. As someone who has worked closely at the Colorado State Capitol for the past decade, I can attest firsthand to just how much this line of thinking dominates the debate on education and virtually every issue related to it.
But the problem is that this singular focus on funding belies the facts. One of the more compelling graphs I’ve seen recently is the following from the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy:
What this graph clearly demonstrates is that even while per-pupil funding in Colorado has increased 92% over the past decade, test scores have actually gone in the opposite direction. Funding may play a significant role in our public education system, but it is clearly not the panacea many want to make it out to be.
If we were serious about focusing on something other than just money, charter schools could provide a roadmap. A recent report from the Keystone Policy Center showed that Colorado charter schools not only consistently achieve higher academic outcomes across the board, but these stronger results become even more pronounced in the areas of highest need. Indeed, across many of our state’s most historically underserved communities, the Keystone Report shows that students are 32 percentage points more likely to attend a Green/Performance school when attending a charter versus not. And charter schools are doing this with less money, not more.
Results such as these are compelling and ones we should be seeking to replicate whenever and wherever we can. And yet that’s nowhere close to the debate we’re having at the Capitol right now. Instead, all of the oxygen is being consumed discussing things like multi-year averaging and the impacts its proposed elimination would have on district budgets.
Our kids deserve better. They deserve a debate grounded in data and focused on results. We must make quality the central tenet and refuse to be distracted by anything tangential. When we engage with well-meaning representatives in the legislative arena each year, we must ask ourselves one question: Are the issues on which we’re spending precious time, energy, and resources truly changing the outcome for kids?
As legislators debate education throughout the remainder of the 2025 session, quality must be the litmus test by which we evaluate all potential policies, spending, and proposed bills. Let’s find things that work and extend them to ALL our public schools. It’s the least we can do for our students and families, especially in areas where no quality options currently exist.
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2025 Hall of Fame Finalists
The Colorado League of Charter Schools' annual Hall of Fame honors those who have significantly contributed to the charter school movement. We're excited to share this year’s list of outstanding finalists.
Winners will be announced at the Hall of Fame Ceremony on Wednesday, February 26 at 6 PM as we kick off the 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference. Registration to join us at the Marriott DTC is free but kindly requested. (Register for the conference using the "Special Meeting" ticket.)
Students Lead the Way on Advocacy Day
Young voices made a big impact at the State Capitol while inspiring their educators along the way
By Kim Daly
On the League’s 2025 Advocacy Day, the State Capitol buzzed with 137 students and 52 educators, bringing together 26 charter schools from across the state. Collectively, they engaged with 35 legislators, sharing personal stories and perspectives that illustrate the importance of charter schools in Colorado's public school landscape.
Among the participants was Harsha Chundru, a senior at Prospect Ridge Academy and a 2025 Charter Champion. His involvement is a result of his own positive experience. “There’s a lot of representation for charters, but we need to do more to advance them,” he explains. Chundra, a soccer team captain and National Honor Society President, has always enjoyed connecting with people. His most significant takeaway from the event? The multitude of perspectives among his peers at other schools. It’s important everyone speaks up, he says, because “no person has the same story.”
Cynthia Akinbobola, a senior at DSST Green Valley Ranch (GVR), also attended. “Many legislators are against charters,” she states. “We’re here to prove them wrong.” At DSST GVR, she says every student has an educator they can look to as a role model, and the school’s College Success Team provides critical support in a safe environment. Read more.
Title IX: Regulation Update & Training Opportunities
A recent federal court ruling has invalidated the 2024 Title IX regulations, reverting compliance requirements to the 2020 regulations. This means that key substantive changes introduced in 2024—particularly the expanded definitions of “sex” and related protections—are no longer in effect as of January 2025.
While procedural aspects from the 2024 regulations may still be adopted for best practices and risk mitigation, schools must now ensure that their policies and procedures align with the 2020 framework.
Learn more and get compliant with freshly updated Title IX Trainings. Find the training that is relevant to both your role and your school’s needs.
- April 8 – 9: Coordinator Training (9:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
- April 10: Board Member Training (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
- April 10: Decision Maker Training (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
- April 17: Investigator Training (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Boardhawk Launches Podcast
📻 From the writers of Boardhawk comes a new podcast that continues its focus on keeping a sharp eye on DPS and its Board of Directors. Listen in for substantive, fact-based commentary from experienced journalists Alan Gottlieb and Alexis Menocal Harrigan.
Each of the three episodes released to date ranges in length from 20-35 minutes. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. In the latest episode, hosts Alan and Alexis interview former McAuliffe International School Principal Kurt Dennis and his attorney, renowned civil rights lawyer David Lane. Listen now.
In their own Words – Youth Leaders Speak out for Charters
Charter Champions is a four-month advocacy training program hosted by the League for charter high school students who aspire to be leaders in their community. For the 2024-25 school year, we have hosted and trained eight student leaders.
🔊 Below are their perspectives on what it means to attend a charter school:
“Attending a charter school gives me a valuable view on education, as well as the structure to become a person of character… it allows me to build a strong community that motivates me to succeed in academics, arts, or sports. I value the structured environment offered at charter schools because it encourages me to be a well rounded person of character.” – Charlotte Manke, SkyView Academy
“To me, attending a charter school is all about the unique opportunities and experiences my school provides me. My charter school catered to my learning needs and I feel more prepared to enter the "real-world" with the 21st century skills I've gained in high school.” – Cassidy Hayden, Animas High School
“It is truly amazing the experience and the lessons I have learned at CEC.” – Jonathan Barnes, Colorado Early Colleges Online Campus
“To attend The STEAD School means to have the opportunity to learn in an environment tailored more towards the needs of individuals. It also gives me more chances for hands-on learning for career development.” – Brayden Sands, The STEAD School
"Prospect Ridge is an environment that allows for a healthy atmosphere of collaboration and it has allowed me to create meaningful relationships with people that are a part of all facets of the school." – Sriharsha Chundru, Prospect Ridge Academy
"Attending a charter school gives me a lot more flexibility to engage in the topic I'm learning about. This is even more present in the Project Based curriculum that gives students a much more hands on approach that feels more impactful.” – Rosie LeCompte, Animas High School
For a full list of participants, please visit our website. If you know a charter high school student who is ready to take their leadership and advocacy to the next level, email us, or look for our call for nominations in the fall.
More workshops, an app, and a llama?
We’ve added an additional five workshops to the conference line-up, including the opportunity to talk crisis communications over coffee with PR firm GroundFloor Media early Friday morning. View the full lineup of workshops and general sessions, including keynote speakers Maggie Jackson and Dr Steve Perry.
Better yet? View it all on our conference app – live and ready for download. For the most convenient and comprehensive conference experience, we highly encourage its use.
If you are reading this on your phone, download the app here. If you are on a desktop, scan this QR code with your phone. Sign up using the email address associated with your registration to receive a validation email that will provide access to the app. Once inside the app, (1) search for the organization “Colorado League of Charter Schools” and then (2) click “2025 Annual Conference” in the Upcoming Events tab.
Registrants can choose workshop sessions and set aside time for interactive exhibits:
📚 Author meet-and-greets in the Book Nook
🎮 Drone soccer plus play or watch esports demos in the EdTech area
📸 Yes, free professional headshots
📲 Seek vendor solutions with Game On! + (maybe) win prizes!
🦙 Visit all three days with Benito the llama
And of course, the full schedule, venue map, speaker list, and exhibitor locations are at your fingertips.
| Get the App |
Three Key Developments at the Capitol
As we move further into February, the General Assembly’s 75th session is in full swing, bringing critical discussions on education policy in Colorado. Here are three key updates:
- Legislative Victory for Charter Schools – A proposed bill that would have granted the legislature veto power over Charter School Institute (CSI) decisions has been dropped, thanks to strong advocacy efforts.
- Funding Changes on the Horizon – Governor Polis proposed eliminating student enrollment averaging for school funding, a move opposed by many districts but one that aligns with how charter schools already operate.
- Advocacy Day Success – Nearly 150 students from 36 charter schools met with legislators, making a lasting impact at the Capitol.
Join our Legislative Lunches, track key education bills, and stay connected with updates throughout the session.
| More Legislative Updates |
Meet Dr. Anne Keke
The Colorado League of Charter Schools is excited to welcome Dr. Anne Keke as our new Director of Grassroots Advocacy. With a background in criminal justice, organizational leadership, and community engagement, Anne brings a wealth of experience to the role. Originally from Côte d'Ivoire, she has called Aurora home since 2001 and has worked extensively with both juveniles and adults in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Arapahoe County Juvenile Probation Department.
A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Anne is actively involved with the African Leadership Group (ALG, USA) and has testified before the Colorado Board of Education on the importance of equal education. She holds a Doctorate in Management with a minor in Criminal Justice, and in her free time, she enjoys exploring Colorado’s mountains and spending time with her family.
We’re thrilled to have her on board to help amplify the voices of charter school communities across the state. Feel free to connect with Anne at [email protected].
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Visit the Great Schools Colorado website to learn how the Colorado League of Charter Schools is distributing $68 million in federal education funding. This initiative aims to expand access to high-quality public charter schools in Colorado, ensuring students have opportunities to attend schools that meet and exceed state academic standards. Explore details on:
- Connect with us at the 2025 Annual Charter School Conference
- Meet the dedicated staff behind Great Schools Colorado
Stay connected with our Great Schools Colorado newsletter.
Learning Opportunities
Immigration Information and Webinar: Law firm Kokol and Casey will be hosting an informational webinar, "The School in the Age of Immigration Enforcement: Navigating Roles, Rights & Responsibilities," via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at noon. Interested school leaders and staff can register for the webinar through this link. Written resources are available here. League point person: Bill Knous: [email protected]
Webinar: Trauma-Informed Practices in Arts Education
Join CDE’s Arts team for a webinar on Trauma-Informed Practices (TIPs) in Music, Dance, Drama, and Visual Arts classrooms. This session will provide strategies to help arts educators foster inclusive, supportive learning environments. Register here for the webinar taking place on April 21, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 PM.
Better FAFSA Lunch & Learn Webinars
Join the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Better FAFSA Lunch & Learn webinar to stay informed on financial aid updates for students. Sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 12, from noon to 1 PM.
Earn Continuing Education Credits with Educator Financial Aid Training
Educators can earn six continuing education credits at the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Educator Financial Aid Training. Local Education Providers (grades 9-12) may also qualify for a one-time $500 stipend. Join in Alamosa on Friday, Feb. 28, from 9 AM - 3 PM.
Apply for the 2025-26 Early Literacy Professional Development Grant
Colorado educators can apply for the 2025-26 Early Literacy Professional Development Grant by 4 PM. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. This grant supports K-3 educators in implementing evidence-based reading strategies through specialized training. For questions, email [email protected].
Enhance Your Math Instruction with Evidence-Informed Strategies
CDE’s Powerful Practice: Evidence-Informed Math Teaching course is now accepting statements of interest for its third cohort. This free, asynchronous course helps K-12 educators strengthen math instruction through key concepts and effective strategies. With 14 modules, facilitation guides for school-wide learning, and optional graduate credit, this course supports professional growth. Complete the interest form for priority registration in 2025.
Leadership Institute Explores Education Systems Transformation
The 8th Annual Education Systems Leadership and Policy Institute will take place July 14–18, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by the Center for Education Policy Analysis (CEPA) at CU Denver, this five-day seminar is designed for current and aspiring leaders in education systems transformation. The Institute offers graduate credit options and features guest instructors from across the nation. Applications are open now, but space is limited. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].
Get Involved
Spotlight Your Outstanding Educators
The Colorado Department of Education’s “Teacher Tuesday” highlights exceptional public school teachers across the state. Each post shares a teacher’s story, accomplishments, and passion for education. Encourage your teachers to be featured by filling out this form.
Join a Friday Legislative Lunch
Legislative Lunches are free, virtual weekly meetings designed for charter school leaders and board members to stay informed about key legislative updates affecting education and the charter school sector. This cohort provides concise updates on developments at the state capital, helping attendees stay engaged and connected with issues impacting their schools. Join us every Friday from 12:00 to 12:30 PM during the legislative session.
Support Charter Schools Impacted by SoCal Wildfires
The Southern California wildfires have devastated communities, displacing families and damaging schools, including public charter schools. Many staff and students have lost their homes, with some schools completely destroyed. The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is partnering with local organizations to provide critical resources and immediate aid. Join us in supporting these efforts to help families and schools rebuild stronger. Give today.
Attend a Regional Gathering
Our Regional Gatherings bring together charter leaders from across the state to connect with peers, engage with League staff, and discuss state-level and policy efforts. Drinks and appetizers are on us. Join one or sign up for multiple to strengthen your connections.
Our next Regional Gathering will take place in Durango on March 12. Register today!
Join a Learning Community
Take your professional growth up a notch with our lineup of ten specialized Learning Communities and three training events designed to enhance your skills and strengthen the charter school community. From specialized cohorts for board chairs, marketing professionals, and school founders to impactful training sessions on community engagement, there’s something to benefit everyone. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow.
Resources & Grants
Immigration Resources for School Leaders
In response to requests from schools, the League has compiled a list of immigration-related resources to help members navigate regulations, rights, and responsibilities. This curated collection provides guidance and will be updated as new information becomes available. Access the resources here.
Free Math Interventions
CDE has released no-cost math interventions to support educators, families, and out-of-school programs statewide. These resources include comprehensive lessons, assessments, and activities designed to strengthen key math skills. Explore the resources here.
2025 National Civics Bee
The annual competition encourages young leaders to flex their civics knowledge and get involved in their communities by identifying real issues and offering solutions. Top students will get to compete for grand prizes, including a $100,000 529 college savings plan. The application period for the 2025 Civics Bee is now open for students in grades six to eight. Learn more.
CDE Updates
Federal Executive Orders and Education Policy Updates
Recent federal executive orders have raised questions about their impact on K-12 education. While these orders direct federal agencies, they do not impose immediate changes on the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) or local schools. A federal court has temporarily blocked the federal funding freeze, and a related memo was rescinded on Jan. 29. CDE is monitoring a new U.S. House bill proposing to abolish the Department of Education and shift funding to states. Colorado’s laws protecting individuals from discrimination in schools remain in place, and CDE will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Charter Enrollment Grows as Overall Student Count Declines
The 2024-25 October Count data shows a 0.1% decline in overall PK-12 enrollment, totaling 881,065 students. However, charter schools saw an increase of about 1,000 students statewide. Visit the CDE website for a full breakdown of enrollment trends.
Graduation Rates Hit Highest Level in a Decade
Colorado’s four-year graduation rate rose to 84.2% in 2023-24, the highest in over a decade. The state’s dropout rate also improved, falling to 1.9%. More details on graduation, dropout trends, and student mobility are available on the CDE website.
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Denver Public Schools sues feds to stop immigration enforcement at schools, ‘sensitive locations’
Chalkbeat | February 12
Denver Public Schools is taking the Trump administration to court in an effort to keep immigration enforcement away from schools locally and across the country.
Rocky Mountain Prep is paying parents to become full-time literacy tutors
Denver Post | February 13
Graduation came early for Rocky Mountain Prep elementary school communities. It wasn’t the students donning mortarboards and stoles, but their parents who beamed as they moved their tassels from right to left to a room full of applause.
Career-Connected Learning: Engaging Students by Teaching Real-World Skills
The 74 | February 11
The average American student spends roughly 15,000 hours in school between kindergarten and 12th grade, far more than the 10,000 hours needed to master almost anything.
Should Colorado expect workplace raids or immigration agents visiting schools? Here are some answers about the law.
Colorado Sun | February 11
Questions are swirling about how the Trump administration’s new immigration policies will continue to affect Colorado, especially after federal agents went door to door in Denver and Aurora last week detaining an unknown number of people.
Easy, DOGE. IES matters.
Fordham Institute | February 11
The federal role in education dates to 1867 when President Andrew Johnson signed legislation creating the first “Department of Education” for the purpose of…
A Supreme Court case could pave the way for publicly funded Jewish day schools
JTA | February 10
After Oklahoma approved a request by the Catholic Church to open a charter school in 2023, lawsuits quickly followed. Courts at both the state and federal levels ruled against the church, finding that a publicly funded school promoting religion would be unconstitutional.
U.S. News & World report recognizes Challenge to Excellence Charter School among the 2025 best elementary and middle schools
Denver Post | February 10
Challenge to Excellence Charter School has been ranked No. 2 in Douglas County School District among the 2025 Best Middle School rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
Did Zearn boost Colorado math scores? A study says yes, but an expert says questions remain.
Chalkbeat | February 10
A digital math tool that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made available for free to schools helped contribute to higher math scores statewide, according to a one-year study conducted by the company that makes the tool and released by Polis’ office last week.
Governor proposes cuts to BEST school building fund
AXIOS | February 10
The rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul scenario reflects the difficult task ahead of balancing a $40 billion budget with a $1 billion shortfall.
Kids are still behind in reading and math. Here’s how these schools bucked the trend.
Chalkbeat | February 10
Math is the subject sixth grader Harmoni Knight finds hardest, but that’s changing.
How Colorado’s first agriculture-focused charter school is giving students tools for life
Colorado Sun | February 9
The STEAD School will graduate its first seniors in May. How will their education compare to other ag students in Colorado?
*NAEP Shows U.S. Is in a Learning Crisis. Charter Schools Have 3 Ways to Fix It
The 74 | February 6
The latest NAEP scores reveal a stark and troubling reality: Students remain far behind. This is especially true for those who were already behind, widening already large learning gaps.
Charter school continues to help students find their voices
MSN | February 6
The Denver Public Schools (DPS) charter high school in southwest Denver started 10 years ago and since then, 100% of their students have graduated with a college or university acceptance.
*Featured League Staff or Board Member
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