 Welcome to the NEWS for May 3, 2024 Want to learn more about key outcomes of the 2024 legislative session? Join us (virtually) for a one-hour briefing next Wed., May 8 at 9:30 AM. Then, we’re just one week away from Teacher Appreciation Week and two weeks away from National Charter Schools Week. How will your school celebrate? U.S. News & World Report’s recently released 2024 Best High School rankings; six of the top 10 in CO are charters. KIPP Walden Campus has gotten creative with communications, Atlas in COS has broken ground on a beautiful expansion, and Mountain Song Community School is looking forward to Saturday’s May Faire. Finally, a special shout out to Evelyn Sittner, a student at Thomas MacLaren who CU Boulder declared their choice of Outstanding Colorado High School Student. What’s happening in your community? Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday.
Top News
Local Headlines
How are Colorado teachers feeling these days? Good, state survey suggests.
Colorado Sun | May 1
Most teachers say their schools are good places to work and learn. Still, they crave more time for planning and more support in helping students who have lived through trauma. Read more.  Racial politics, redistricting, and the Denver school board
Boardhawk | May 1
We have board members and community members who speak about injustice, but do little to tackle the injustices that exist with our students’ academic achievement. Read more. Join Mountain Song’s May Faire celebration
Fox21 | April 30
Spring is in the air and one Waldorf-inspired charter school in Colorado Springs is gearing up for May Faire. Hannah Lewis, a teacher at Mountain Song Community School, and Abel, a student there, joined FOX21 Morning News on Tuesday, April 30 to talk about the celebration that welcomes Spring and celebrates Summer. Watch now.  From Ednium: Find something worth existing for
Boardhawk | April 30
I always felt centered by community. Even as I weighed what I wanted to do after high school, community always felt like home. I’m a Denver Public Schools graduate. Read more. Atlas Middle School in south Colorado Springs breaks ground on $24.1 million renovation project
The Gazette | April 29
Staff, administration and community members gathered at Atlas Preparatory School Friday to break ground on a new 44,056-square-foot middle school building that will include a new gymnasium and classrooms. Learn more.  BEST & BRIGHTEST: Teen advocate plans to practice law
The Gazette | April 28
Evelyn Sittner is a volunteer defense attorney. Her mentor, personal injury attorney Gordan Heuser, speaks of watching her “meticulously preparing for trials, crafting persuasive arguments, and providing compassionate representation.” Read more. Denver charter school uses student led show to keep parents informed
9 News | April 26
The KIPP Walden Campus is home to two schools, KIPP Northeast Elementary School and KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School. A Denver Public School (DPS) public charter school campus that serves students in the Green Valley Ranch and Montbello neighborhoods from pre-kindergarten through high school. Watch now.
National Views
 What’s the Right Goal for Student Achievement? Is 50% Proficiency Enough? 63%?
The 74 | April 30
Wakelyn: Aim for 'difficult but attainable,' and match goals for K-12 and higher ed to the projected needs of the economy. Read now. Interactive: In Many Schools, Declines in Student Enrollment Are Here to Stay
The 74 | April 29
Aldeman: Districts with the steepest drops can't escape the financial pressures that come with serving fewer kids. See what's happening in your state. Explore now.  How Well Do Schools, Families Communicate? Study Sees Parent-District Disconnect
The 74 | April 29
Deane: Research in over 75 districts reveals a desire for personalization, chaotic school choice processes, lack of engagement, information overload. Read more. Are two teachers better than one? More schools say yes to team teaching
Hechinger Report | April 25
Two years ago, when I visited Westwood High School in Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, every incoming freshman started the year in a very unusual way. Read more.
Community Announcements
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES  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. Reach Accepting Applications through May 15
Reach University is a job-embedded pathway to a Bachelor’s degree for existing employees who are interested in pursuing a path to becoming a teacher. The coursework is fully remote and takes an average of three years to complete (exact length is dependent on any previously accrued college credits), allowing participants to remain full-time in their current roles, maintaining all their benefits, while also earning a Bachelor’s degree. If your charter school has a staff member who would like to pursue this, they can learn more, attend a virtual information session and apply here. For questions, contact [email protected].  nXu Offers Comprehensive SEL and College & Career Readiness Solution
Help young people connect with who they are, explore who they want to become, and invest in pathways for personal and professional success. nXU’s dynamic, research-based middle and high school curriculum places purpose at the nexus of career exploration, social-emotional practices, positive identity development, and community building. Learn more. 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. Statewide Business Operations Networking Meeting | May 9
Join the CDE School of Choice units session, “Improving Charter School Meal Options: Lessons learned from the Field, re. Kitchens and Facilities.” Attendees can engage in a focused discussion led by Charter School Nutrition representatives to empower charter school leaders with strategies for providing nutritious meals. These expert panels will delve into critical areas such as menu planning, navigating budget constraints, enhancing student engagement, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Register now. CDE Community Learning Meeting | May 23
Recent changes to the Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act (1 CCR 301-39) provide greater flexibility to expand the use of and fundability of alternative instructional models. CDE is facilitating a first learning community meeting on Thursday, May 23 from 9:00am-11:30am. This meeting will be hybrid with options for attendance virtually via Zoom and in-person in Englewood, CO. Register here. Math Instruction Professional Development | June 2024
Elementary, middle school and high school teachers are invited to register for free online professional development in math instruction. The virtual asynchronous sessions will begin in June and will provide participants with practical tools and techniques to engage students, foster deeper understanding and cultivate an engaging learning environment around math. Register here.  Get Your School in its A-GAME
Over the past five years, a bold group of charter school authorizers from across the country have been reflecting on better ways to measure school quality. We have embraced the slogan: Measure What Matters, When It Matters. We now know we can only go so far without YOU at the table. Join these upcoming conversations as we get on our A-GAME together. ADVOCACY & ACTION Governor Signs House Bill 1394 into law
On April 18, Governor Polis signed House Bill 1394 into law. This is the bill that once and for all fully equalizes mill levy funding for CSI and the more than 20,000 students that attend CSI schools. It was a historic day for the Colorado charter school sector. Ever since 2017 when we successfully advocated for the equitable inclusion of district-authorized charters in local mill levy override revenue, we've been fighting alongside CSI to ensure the playing field was level for CSI schools as well. Learn more. Protect Charter School Funding Growth
The sole federal program dedicated to charter school growth has remained flat funded for the past five years—and is now facing a potential cut. Our movement has successfully pushed back before, and we can do it again. The CSP represents just 1% of federal spending on K-12 education, despite being the only public school model growing in enrollment. Polling shows that 75% of parents would choose a public charter school option if available. An increase in charter school funding will ensure that more parents have the option to do so. Take action.  Grace Period Regarding Noncompliance of Digital Accessibility
On April 15, the Colorado legislature introduced HB24-1454: Grace Period Noncompliance Digital Accessibility. If passed, the bill will provide a one-year extension to July 1, 2025 of immunity from liability for failure to comply with the digital accessibility standards for an agency that demonstrates good faith efforts toward compliance or toward resolution of any complaint of noncompliance. Learn more. House Education Committee Made Right Call Defeating HB24-1363
The League is grateful to members of the Colorado House of Representatives Education Committee for voting to kill Colorado House Bill 24-1363, which took unnecessary aim at students benefiting from Colorado’s effective and impactful public charter school system. The Colorado League of Charter Schools believes that all children in our state, regardless of zip code or background, deserve access to high-quality public school options. We express our gratitude to the Representatives who voted against this bill and prevented it from moving forward to the detriment of students statewide. Read the League's full statement here. THIS & THAT  Type A Electric Bus for Sale or Lease
Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette has a Type A (small) bus it is looking to re-lease or sell through its partnership with Highland Electric Fleets. This is a 2023 Chevrolet 4500 Chassis Collins Bus with capacity for 18. It is nearly new with only 948 miles on it. Because of its seating capacity, it does require a driver with a Commercial Driver's License. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Jennifer Douglas at Peak to Peak Charter School at 303-453-4611 or [email protected]. 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. 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 [email protected] 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 Wednesday, May 28. The selected teacher will represent the entire profession in the state and automatically become Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program. Informational CMAS Science & AEC Performance Framework Results Now Live
The 2023 informational performance framework reports containing 2023 CMAS Science for all districts and attendance/truancy results for Alternative Education Campuses have been provided to district accountability contacts via Syncplicity. For questions related to Syncplicity, training, or support, email [email protected].
Upcoming Events
| 3 May 2024 |
| State and Federal Policy Updates |
| A cohort for charter school leaders and board members who wish to stay updated on happenings at the state capital as they relate to education and the charter school sector. Meets weekly during the legislative session. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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| 8 May 2024 |
| 2024 Post-Session Legislative Debrief |
| Join us virtually from 9:30am to 10:30am MDT on May 8, 2024, as the 2024 legislative session concludes, where the League's Director of Governmental Affairs will brief members on the session's key developments and their implications for Colorado's public charter schools. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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| 10 May 2024 |
| State and Federal Policy Updates |
| A cohort for charter school leaders and board members who wish to stay updated on happenings at the state capital as they relate to education and the charter school sector. Meets weekly during the legislative session. |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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| 16 May 2024 |
| ACT Post-Session Wrap Up |
| Join us on May 16th at 12:00 PM MDT for the post-legislative session wrap-up, exclusively for ACT members! |
| Policy Calls, Virtual |
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Health & Wellness
| Outdoor Equity Grant Information Update |
| Learn about the latest updates and guidelines for the Outdoor Equity Grant by visiting the CPW website for detailed submission procedures and guidelines. The new application form will be available on Thursday. Join the Outdoor Equity Grant Board for a webinar on Tuesday, May 14 at 3:00 pm via Zoom to explore application changes and address any queries. Register for the webinar and access the recording for those unable to attend live. We eagerly anticipate your letter of interest as we collaborate to enhance equity and accessibility to Colorado's breathtaking outdoor environments. |
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| 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. Learn more. |
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| Eighth Annual Shared Risk & Protective Factors Conference: Building Sustainability & Action in Prevention |
| The Shared Risk and Protective Factors Conference is a gathering for prevention professionals and community members of all ages interested in driving positive change. Register here. |
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Careers
| Art Teacher |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: $45K-$70K, depends on experience.
Closing date: Jul 31, 2024 12:00 AM
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| Legacy Academy, Elizabeth, CO |
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| K8 School Principal |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: $100,000 - $112,500
Closing date: Jul 01, 2024 12:00 AM
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| Prospect Ridge Academy, Broomfield, CO |
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| School Facilities Manager |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: $46000+
Closing date: May 31, 2024 12:00 AM
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| New Vision Charter School, Loveland, CO |
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Recent League Newsletters
| The League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools. |
Vendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories. |
The League's ACT Network mobilizes charter school communities to strengthen and support schools statewide. |
Thank you to our Premium Sponsors |
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