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Welcome to the NEWS for April 19, 2024
In local news, ripple effects continue on HB1363 being defeated in committee and the legislature introduces a bill to extend the grace period on the new digital technology accessibility requirements to provide schools — including charters — with a one-year extension (to July 1, 2025). Plus, charters oppose Oklahoma's religious charter school proposal.
Remember to complete the member survey today.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
News & Commentary
Top News
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Local Headlines
BVSD school board talks about graduation requirements
Daily Camera | April 17, 2024
The Boulder Valley School District is looking at increasing the rigor of its graduation credit requirements, district leaders said at a school board study session Tuesday. Read more.
Fort Collins district plans to close schools amid budget struggles. Leaders have netted big pay bumps
The Colorado Sun | April 17, 2024
One after another, parents, teachers and even elementary schoolers stepped up to a microphone in the auditorium of Poudre High School on Tuesday evening to voice messages that were sometimes sharp, other times articulated through tears, about widespread fears around plans to close schools. Read more.
Charter school supporters must remain on guard (Opinion)
Colorado Politics | April 17, 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 last week. Read more.
Reflecting on being fired: A graduation gift to myself
Boardhawk | April 17, 2024
I’m going to tell you a story. A story that is quite painful for me to tell but I believe has leadership and policy implications for how we move forward in education together. Read more.
New data shows Denver schools are more closely following discipline rules
Chalkbeat | April 15, 2024
Denver schools are doing a better job complying with Denver Public Schools’ discipline matrix, according to data discussed at a school board meeting Monday. Read more.
National Views
Church and charter: Religious school runs up against unexpected opponent
The Gazette | April 19, 2024
The opening of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, the first religious charter school in Oklahoma and in the country, has garnered backlash from the existing charter school movement, prompting the state’s supreme court to hear arguments on the legality and legitimacy of the school’s existence. The move to create St. Isidore is highly opposed by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. James Merriman, chief executive officer of the New York City Charter School Center, raised concern that removing restrictions on religious charter schools could invite charter opponents to attack charter schools for funding religious education. Read more.
Books can save democracy
Thomas Fordham Institute | April 18, 2024
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in an eleventh-grade history class at a high school in the suburbs west of Chicago. Mr. DiTella was firing off questions about the civil rights movement and getting precious little in return, despite the fact that he had assigned a reading on the subject. Read more.
New Rule Covers LGBTQ Students, Refocuses on Victims’ Rights
The 74 | April 19, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education on Friday restored Title IX protections against sexual harassment and assault that many advocates argued were lost under former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The new rule requires districts to promptly investigate complaints, even if they occur off school grounds, and to extend those protections to LGBTQ students. But Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, who leads the House education committee, said the rule undermines due process rights and attempts to “radically redefine sex and gender.” Linda Jacobson reports. Read more.
Case Study: How 2 Teachers Use AI Behind the Scenes to Build Lessons & Save Time
The 74 | April 15, 2024
The sixth-graders learning about ancient Greek vases in their classroom at John Street School looked like students in nearly any other social studies class in the country. Read more.
Denying Education to Immigrant Children is Morally Wrong — and Practically Dumb
The 74 | April 15, 2024
These are tough times for parents and caregivers. To raise a child in 2024 is to live with a heightened awareness of school’s social, emotional, and academic value to children’s short- and long-term well-being. Read more.
Texas Will Use Computers to Grade Written Answers on This Year’s STAAR Tests
The 74 | April 10, 2024
Students sitting for their STAAR exams this week will be part of a new method of evaluating Texas schools: Their written answers on the state’s standardized tests will be graded automatically by computers. Read more.
Report finds massive under-investment in nation’s school buildings
The Washington Post | March 23, 2024
The nation is spending $46 billion less each year on school construction and maintenance than is necessary to ensure safe and healthy facilities, according to estimates in a new report. Read more (paywall).
Have the liberal arts gone conservative? How the classical education movement seeks to reorient schooling in America
The New Yorker | March 11, 2024
The first thing you notice when walking into the middle-school classrooms at Brilla, a charter-school network in the South Bronx, is the sense of calm. 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 apply@reach.edu.
Choice Enrollment of Students with Disabilities | April 23 & 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. Join these two sessions to learn more about the Dos & Don'ts when enrolling Students with Disabilities through the Choice process! Register here.
Grace Period for Digital Accessibility Compliance Extension
In 2021, Colorado became the first state to require both state and local governments to meet web accessibility standards. Passed during the regular legislative session, HB21-1110 makes it a state civil rights violation for a government agency to exclude people with disabilities from receiving services or benefits because of lack of accessibility. The League sought legal input, and it was confirmed that Colorado charters are required to abide by this new law. UPDATE: On April 15, 2024 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. For more information on both of these bills, please see our full statement here.
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. Want to find out more about OER and Open Education? 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. Each webinar is 90 minutes, 9:00 am - 10:30 am MDT on May 7, 2024 and May 14, 2024.
Join Our Team at the Colorado League of Charter Schools!
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. More.
Director of School Quality: Open now
Director of Accounting: Open now
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. For more information contact Rachel Moore at moore_r@cde.state.co.us.
Take the 2023-2024 Member Survey today!
Your input is vital to our educational community. We're urging leaders, like you, to participate in the Colorado League of Charter Schools 2023-24 Member Survey. Your insights will shape our future and ensure we effectively meet members' needs. The survey takes 10-15 minutes and closes TODAY, Friday, April 19, 2024, at 5:00 PM. By including your email, you'll be entered to win one of ten $50 gift cards as a token of our appreciation. For any questions, contact Kevin Hesla at khesla@coloradoleague.org.
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. Check out the full legal response here.
Advocacy & Action
Protect Charter Schools and Expand Public Education Choice
Federal funding for charter school growth has remained stagnant for the past five years. President Biden’s proposed budget for FY 2025 slashes Charter School Program (CSP) funding by nearly 10%, endangering charter school progress—despite charter schools being the only public school model growing in enrollment. Urge Congress to boost CSP funding to $500 million to meet this growing demand for public school choice. 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.
How the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act Supports Equity and Innovation
Educators who aspire to open a new school may be able to make their dreams a reality with a new bill moving through Congress. On October 18, 2023, Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Booker (D-NJ), along with Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Senator Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Scott (R-SC), Sen. Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Braun (R-IN) and Sen. Schatz (D-HI) introduced S.3072, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act. The purpose of the bill? To provide more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a school and tear down barriers for those who need the most help. Read more on this topic from the NAPCS.
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 as we get on our A-GAME together.
CDE Updates
Public School Finance Act Rules Update
On Thursday, March 14, the State Board of Education approved changes to the Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994 (1 CCR 301-39), which will be implemented in the 2024-25 school year. The School Auditing Office will continue to host office hours to discuss these changes and provide clarification as the office works to update the Student October Count Audit Resource Guide for 2024. Districts are encouraged to send their questions to the School Auditing Office at audit@cde.state.co.us by Friday, June 7.
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 by Monday, May 20. 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 accountability@cde.state.co.us.
League Events
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| View Event Calendar |
Health & Wellness
Professional Development
Topic: Adverse Childhood Experiences: What Does the Evidence Say and What Can We Do?
April 22 | 11 AM MT
This presentation will define and describe adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and review the substantial empirical evidence on their mental and physical health effects. Multiple ways of understanding and assessing for ACEs will be discussed, as will how to identify and address them in clinical practice. Register here.
Empowerment Through Education: Stewards of Children Training
April 24 | 2 PM MT
Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed, award-winning training designed to empower adults with practical actions to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in organizations, families, and communities. By participating, you'll acquire valuable insights, skills, and resources to recognize, respond to, and contribute to creating a safer environment for youth. Register here.
School Garden Summer Programming
April 30 | 1 PM MT
Get ready for summer and learn best practices from two different programs in Del Norte County, CA and Savannah, GA about how they structure volunteers over the summer and run a summer camp program for youth ages 5-13. Register here.
Improving Student Health & Wellness for Educators
May 9
The Colorado Healthy Schools Collaborative is excited to announce the upcoming hybrid meeting on May 9th, 2024! The meeting will be held in person in Colorado Springs and hosted virtually. In addition to the meeting, we have a variety of professional development opportunities available in the afternoon. Review the May 9 event schedule and register!
Eighth Annual Shared Risk & Protective Factors Conference: Building Sustainability & Action in Prevention
May 21–23, 29–31
The Shared Risk and Protective Factors Conference is a gathering for prevention professionals and community members of all ages interested in driving positive change. Attendees will gain skills in prevention, diversity, equity, inclusion, and Positive Youth Development. The conference aims to equip participants with tangible skills, and strategies to address racial inequities, and inspire passion, while providing a space for healing, celebration, and forming new connections. Register here.
Free Health Equity Training
On-Demand
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! Register here.
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. Register here.
Resources
Study: Overscheduling Harms Students' Well-being
A recent data analysis by economists from the University of Georgia and the Federal Reserve Board highlights the psychological costs of overscheduling for students, particularly during high-school years. The study reveals that excessive homework and extracurricular activities can harm mental well-being, making students more anxious, depressed or angry. Read more in The Hechinger Report.
Recess for Adults
You are, let’s say, eight years old, sitting at your school desk. Yes, that desk: the one that confines you in your chair, the one sitting in orderly rows, where you are supposed to do, well, whatever, with self-control and, above all, without causing trouble. Getting things done, under the teacher’s gaze. The bell rings. You are overcome with adrenaline-fueled excitement. It’s recess. Let’s go out to the playground. Doing something else. Read more.
Educator Residency Improves Teacher Diversity, Well-being
PEBC's pilot program, supported by a $1.5 million, 2-year grant from Kaiser Permanente, aims to rebuild the educator workforce in Colorado by recruiting teachers from historically underserved populations. The Teacher Residency program, aligned with the Thriving Schools initiative, focuses on integrating social and emotional well-being into classrooms to address burnout and retention challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the impactful PEBC Teacher Residency program.
Free Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services offers free, confidential support 24/7. Call 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Walk-ins are welcome for all Colorado residents, regardless of ability to pay. Visit the website for mental health, substance use, or emotional concerns.
Jobs
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| View all careers |
For a full list of current job opportunities at charter schools across the state, or to post your school’s openings, please visit our Career Center.
Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (March 21, 2024)
- NEWS (April 5, 2024)
- MOVE (April 12, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (April 1, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (March 28, 2024)
Upcoming TrainingsThe League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools. |
Join our MarketplaceVendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories. |
ACT for Charter SchoolsThe League's ACT Advocacy Network mobilizes charter school communities to strengthen and support schools statewide through education and empowerment. |
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