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Welcome to the June MOVE!
Welcome to our LAST newsletter of the year. Thank you so much for reading and staying connected with us. In this newsletter read through more info on the League’s new strategic plan and a school leader’s take on what’s next for charter schools. The League also has big news on the Federal CSP grant below. The Leadership Summit and Annual Conference registrations are open now if you would like to register early and save some $. Thanks and we’ll see you in early August as we come back for the next school year!
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday (we do occasionally put out info during the summer so send things our way and reach out if you need anything).
A Roadmap Toward What’s Next
Dear Colorado Charter School Community,
On behalf of the Colorado League of Charter Schools and our Board of Directors, I’m proud to present our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
This plan is the product of months of hard work and in-depth collaboration across staff, board, members and partners, and I’m incredibly grateful to all who contributed to its development.
Because of the broad base of stakeholders who participated in its creation, I’m confident that it will serve as a compelling North Star for the organization in the months and years ahead.
It’s been several years since the League operated under a strategic plan. The onset of COVID in 2020 left us feeling like the more practical approach in the short-term was a year-to-year outlook with annual outcomes and priorities. In many ways, this was the sort of approach that COVID-19 necessitated.
But now that the pandemic is largely behind us – and both the League and sector have surpassed 30 years in existence in the meantime – now felt like the appropriate time to step back and take a longer-term view on where we’re at and where we’re headed.
At more than 260 schools and 135,000 students (or more than 15% of the state’s K12 enrollment), it’s hard to argue that charter schools have become an indelible part of Colorado’s public education landscape. Charter schools regularly return results that surpass those of non-charters, particularly for many of our state’s most historically underserved students and families. We have much to celebrate coming off the first three decades of charter existence in Colorado.
But we must not let these results make us complacent. While we’ve traveled far, there’s still so much further we need to go – not only as a sector but across public education in general. Coming out of the pandemic, our students and systems are crying out for improvement and reinvention. The old ways of doing things are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of 21st-century learners and the demands of a 21st-century world and economy.
Charter schools can be exactly the sort of improvement and reinvention our system needs, but only if we stick together, continue to push ourselves beyond the status quo, and remember the key principles that got us to where we are today. For at our core, we’ve never simply been about choice for choice’s sake, but rather about choice and flexibility in service of a higher goal – namely, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, are getting access to the high-quality public education opportunities they so richly deserve.
That’s what this strategic plan reflects: A roadmap that will enable charter schools to remain at the forefront of improvement and reinvention for public schools in Colorado. We hope you’ll join us on this journey. Nothing less than the future of our students, state, and society depends upon it.
Sincerely,
Dan Schaller, President
Colorado League of Charter Schools
Thank You: CSP Application Completed
On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the League transmitted its application to the Federal Government for the “Federal Charter Schools State Entity Program in Colorado.” We collectively wanted to take this moment to thank you all for your support of our application and your input to our process.
As a Charter Support Organization serving 260 charter schools and 135,000 students, we recognize the importance of effective management and stewardship of federal grants. If selected, we will be responsible for serving the statewide community of charter schools with these funds through new schools, expansions, replications, trainings, convenings, and research, and we are excited about supporting all of our schools across the sector. Read more.
Our Collective Success
One of our collective joys each year is capturing the positive news that comes out of the charter school space. This year was no different and follows a solid trendline of years past. A few highlights:
- CREDO’s report that charter students, nationally see more days of student instruction than their non-charter peers. In Colorado this translates to 13 extra days of reading instruction and 15 extra days of math instruction across all charter schools.
- An Ed Next report from Harvard researchers ranked the Colorado charter sector #2 in the country across multiple factors.
- The defeat of an Historic Anti-charter bill (HB24-1363).
- Full funding equity for CSI Schools.
- Another year of significant PPR funding increases alongside, facilities funding increases and a new public school funding formula.
Please see our full summary of these wins in the Legislature as well as in the sector overall. Thank you for your voice and contribution.
Member Renewals Coming in July to School Leaders
As this school year winds down, the League’s plans (both strategic and practical) will turn to next year. We are already working hard on planning for the next legislative session. Our team is building a plan to ensure that we visit schools in each corner of the state and our communications about convenings, events, trainings, and the conference are in place.
To that end, we’ll send our membership renewals to school leaders and business managers in July. Watch for those in the email. This membership renewal is tied to your school record, which is available online in your account to renew through a credit card or to download an invoice to pay by check. In July, your invoice will appear here under “My Account” and then “My Memberships.” When the organization is renewed, all your staff members are collectively given membership and benefits.
Your membership funds the work the League completes across the state with you, but also with the various partners, stakeholders, funders, legislators, board members, authorizers, and thought leaders. In the case of our total advocacy work, the League leverages our membership dues to spend more than two times that amount on our advocacy work.
School leaders and business managers will receive separate emails about how to manage their accounts, but we suggest you login now to ensure your information is up to date. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or email ([email protected]), and we’ll ensure that your account is up to date.
Charter schools are vital to an equitable education
The state Legislature recently defeated a bill that would have stripped charter schools of local control and subjected them to death by a thousand cuts. House Bill 1363 represented a dated and dangerous misconception that charter schools should be targeted for defunding and other hardships because they undermine educational equity instead of supporting it.
I know charter schools are integral to setting Colorado students up for success —especially students with unique needs and from underserved communities.
I am a firm believer in the importance of public education. Providing adequate and equitable funding for all students is not a partisan issue, regardless of personal beliefs. Closing the opportunity gap, a disparity in educational outcomes factoring in variables such as race and socioeconomic status, will require dismantling the system and a paradigm shift of nationwide beliefs rather than small bureaucratic changes. Read more.
Community Announcements
Learning Opportunities
Dissertation Volunteer Work
Pass it on. No cost culture branding opportunity for one school or smaller P-12 system for 2024-2025. Your culture is your brand. Assuming a fit for the yearlong process, Rich's only request as a volunteer is that you pass on the capacity following. To learn more, go to www.linkedin.com/in/richsinclair or www.leadingschoolsforward.org. Your culture is your brand. Before returning to Colorado, Rich was a partner with the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools including work with one that remains one of the highest rated in the state nine years later, published in the Journal of Values Based Leadership. Prior, he led the turnaround of three Colorado schools, P-12, including an early charter.
Early College of Arvada School Materials Giveaway
ECA is excited to invite schools to explore and select from a variety of educational materials. Available items include: Technology, LOTS of Curriculum, Novel Classroom Sets, Art Supplies, Theater Costumes/Props, PE Equipment, and Textbooks. This is a fantastic opportunity to gather resources for your school. To ensure ECA can accommodate everyone, please RSVP here.
Scholarships and Success Coaching for Graduating High School Seniors
Recent high school graduates across the Centennial State will be eligible to receive education and career coaching this month thanks to Opportunity Next Colorado, a new $25 million statewide scholarship and advising program administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). Through a new collaboration with coaching nonprofit InsideTrack, participating learners across the state will receive coaching and advising support to help them navigate the complex, often daunting process of planning for a career and life after high school. Learn more.
EF Education First is Offering a Unique Professional Development Opportunity
APPLY NOW for a scholarship to participate in the 2024 EF Global Education Symposium in Boston this November. Applications are due by Friday, August 9th, 2024. Administrators working with students in grades 6–12 are eligible to apply. For more information, reach out to Kristine Turner, Senior Area Manager for EF [email protected] or 303-570-9121.
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.
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 as we get on our A-GAME together.
Advocacy and Action
Grace Period Regarding Noncompliance of Digital Accessibility
On April 15, the Colorado legislature introduced HB24-1454: Grace Period Noncompliance Digital Accessibility. The bill passed in May and provides 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.
This and That
Charging Station Surplus from Thompson Schools
I'm Andy Larkins with Thompson School District in Loveland. I have about 120 chromebook/laptop charging stations that I do not need. I hate to send them to a recycler if someone can use them. They're about 3-4 years old, and most have not been used very heavily. They are free for the taking if anyone is interested, but I need them out of my warehouse by mid-June. Interested parties can contact me directly: 970-613-5163 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
FREE Core Knowledge Language Arts Listening & Learning Strand Domains 1-11
Depending on the domain, there are at least 20 copies of the student books; most have 26, and a few have 30. Each domain also has one of the read-aloud teacher books, a skills teacher book, a flip book, one set of visual cards, and one set of black-line masters skills worksheets. Contact Halsley Hoff, [email protected] or 720.383.4519 x 3107
CDE Updates
CDE Teams with CU’s BUENO Center and Colorado Association for Bilingual Education to Expand Access to the Teacher Profession
DENVER -- The Colorado Department of Education is partnering with the University of Colorado’s BUENO Center and Colorado Association for Bilingual Education to support paraprofessionals interested in becoming licensed educators. Read more.
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].
Professional Learning Opportunities
- June 17-18: Professional learning for educators supporting multilingual learners with authors Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh. Sessions will be hosted by Aurora Public Schools. Find information and registration on our website.
- Sept. 25 and Oct. 2: Training on prevention and promotion in MTSS; attendees will explore best practices for implementing prevention programs in schools. Register here for the Sept. 25 training in Craig and register here for the Oct. 2 training in Denver.
League News & Events
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NEW TITLE IX TRAININGS have been added for July and August —also register your staff for the Leadership Summit (Oct. 11) and the Annual Conference (Feb. 27-28, 2025).
Top News
Local Headlines
Reports of violence and self-harm in Colorado schools reach peak numbers
The Denver Gazette | June 11
Reports about bullying, suicide, drug usage, and other forms of self-harm in schools reached record numbers in Colorado during the spring 2024 semester, according to Safe2Tell. Read more.
Disparities in local tax revenue for Colorado schools are growing, causing inequities and concern
Chalkbeat | June 11
As Colorado celebrates school funding increases meant to benefit some of the most disadvantaged districts in the state, one key issue remained unresolved this legislative session: the growing inequities created by local taxes. Read more.
Colorado primary election: 2nd Congressional District State Board of Education candidate Q&A
Coloradoan | June 11
Two Democratic candidates are vying for the Colorado State Board of Education seat in the 2nd Congressional District. Registered Democratic and unaffiliated voters will get to vote for their choice during Colorado's primary election June 25. Read more.
Colorado SKIES Academy Receives Charter Authorization from Colorado Charter School Institute
24-7 Press Release | June 11
Colorado SKIES Academy (CSA), an innovative aerospace-focused middle school, proudly announces its official charter authorization by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI). Read more.
School closure policy approved by Denver board amid declining enrollment
Chalkbeat | June 13
The Denver school board unanimously approved a new policy Thursday for when and how to close schools due to declining enrollment. Enrollment in Denver Public Schools has been falling since 2019, and despite a recent influx of migrant students, the district is predicting another 8% drop by 2028. The board voted to close three small schools last year and has indicated more closures and consolidations are likely. Read more.
Hispanic students in Denver are more likely to attend lower-enrolled schools at risk for closure
Denverite | June 10
Hispanic students in Denver are more likely to attend schools with lower enrollment — and therefore more likely to be affected by any school closures — than white or Black students. Read more.
GAMA Supports Colorado SKIES Academy Work to Foster Youth Aviation Education
GAMA | June 10
The Colorado SKIES Academy recently announced that it has received an official charter authorization by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), allowing the middle school to continue to offer its unique educational experiences that cultivate student interest in aerospace and STEM fields. Read more.
Pueblo D70 votes to revoke charter of Pueblo Classical Academy, close school by July
The Pueblo Chieftain | June 7
Pueblo County School District 70 board directors voted on June 4 to revoke the charter of Pueblo Classical Academy and close the school by July 1. Read more.
National Views
Rethinking the Definition of High-Quality Instructional Materials for Math
The 74 | June 12
In many states and districts, post-pandemic learning recovery began with literacy. Not only had students fallen behind in reading, but a new body of research pointed to deep flaws in the way reading had been taught for decades. Read more.
‘Summer Boost’ Shows Promise in Halting COVID Slide
The 74 | June 11
A philanthropic initiative launched in 2022 to get students back on track from COVID learning loss is returning promising results, a new study suggests: just four weeks spent in the Summer Boost program last year helped students regain nearly one-fourth of their reading skills and one-third of math skills, compared to students who didn’t participate in the program. Read more.
Call to Action: This Summer, Target Deepfakes that Victimize Girls in Schools
The 74 | June 11
School’s almost out for summer. But there’s no time for relaxing: Kids, especially girls, are becoming victims of fabricated, nonconsensual, sexually explicit images, often created by peers. Read more.
Pandemic aid for schools is ending soon. Many after-school programs may go with it
NPR | June 10
Fifth-grader Andreana Campbell and third-grader Kewon Wells are tending to a garden box after school at Eugene Field Elementary School in Tulsa, Okla. Read more.
Chronic absenteeism rates almost doubled during pandemic
K-12 Dive | June 10
The report from the Casey Foundation highlights recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, particularly noting how chronic absenteeism can impact students’ reading proficiency. Read more.
With 'chronic absenteeism' soaring in schools, most parents aren’t sure what it is
NPR | June 10
As the school year comes to a close, one problem is plaguing educators across the country: chronic absenteeism. In 2023, roughly 1 student out of 4 was chronically absent across the school year. Read more.
‘Up in the Air’: Oklahoma Families in Limbo as Courts Decide on Religious Charter
The 74 | June 10
At the nation’s first religious charter school — an Oklahoma virtual K-12 named for the patron saint of the internet — student registration and staff recruitment are in full swing for an August opening. Read more.
If we can’t get rid of bad teachers, then what?
Fordham Institute | June 7
In his recent column “Let’s Talk About Bad Teachers,” Michael Petrilli fearlessly seized the third rail of U.S. K–12 education. Read more.
Health & Wellness
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Jobs
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Recent League Newsletters
- NEWS (June 7, 2024)
- MOVE (May 10, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (May 8, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE EPILOGUE (June 12, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (May 23, 2024)
- ACT (May 30, 2024)
Upcoming TrainingsThe League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools. |
Our MarketplaceVendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories. |
ACT for Charter SchoolsJoin the League's ACT Network to mobilize charter school communities and strengthen the education ecosystem. |
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