Welcome

We have much to celebrate as we wrap up 2023. Read League Board Chair David Singer’s article on what he’s grateful for. The League’s Legislative Agenda nears the finish line and get a preview of the Fall Advocacy Survey results. Coming soon, the League’s Regional Gatherings, Advocacy Day, and Annual Conference are all promoted below. 

If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.  

From the Board Chair: Closing out 2023 and Welcoming 2024

With 2023 nearly complete and the holiday season upon us, we have so much to be thankful for across our public charter school space, and simultaneously, so much to gear up for in the new year ahead. This is the perfect moment to pause and review where we are in our shared efforts to positively and meaningfully transform public education and to preview what’s in front of us.

Here’s a brief summary of the content to come, followed by more details for those who want to dive in further:

• NAEP and Student Outcomes: Colorado is leading the charge with a recent report demonstrating that our state is ranked 2nd nationally when it comes to charter school performance. Read more.

• Fall Survey: As an advocacy organization that represents more than 260 schools serving nearly 140,000 children across our state, we have to know what you’re experiencing on the ground and what your most pressing issues are. Our Fall survey provided tremendous insight into your needs moving forward and where we need to further focus our energy at the League. Read more.

• Legislative Agenda: You spoke and we listened. It’s clear that funding equity, facilities access and affordability, and authorizer consistency are three of your most critical priorities, along with school autonomy/flexibility. As we round out the legislative agenda for 2024, we want you to know where we’re targeting our efforts and we’re asking for another round of feedback. Read more.

• Go Membership Go: With 90% of public charter schools across Colorado as members of the League this year, we are thrilled to see the strength of a united front across so many unique and diverse communities. More than ever, we have to hold on to the common ground that binds us and push forward with a shared voice. Read more.

• Elections – Getting Involved: Having just closed out election season, it’s easy to pause and forget about the next election that will be here before we know it. In this ‘downtime,’ we have work to do to rally our families, communities, and allies, all equipping us further for what lies ahead. Read more.

• Regional Gatherings, Advocacy Day, and the Annual Conference: Being physically together, building new relationships and strengthening old ones, gaining inspiration from a colleague… this is what our convenings are all about. We’ve got a number of opportunities to come together on the horizon. Read more.

• MQSS: We remain deeply committed to the ‘grand bargain’ of autonomy for accountability – the backbone of our charter sector’s founding 30 years ago. Along those lines, we have updates on the Member Quality Standards and Supports system that we’re rolling out. Read more.

• For all these items please see the full article

On behalf of the League’s staff and board, thank you for everything you do to put children first. Have a wonderful winter break and we’ll see you all again in 2024.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,

David Singer, League Board Chair
Founder/Executive Director - University Preparatory Schools

Legislative Agenda for December

The 2024 Legislative Session is just around the corner, and the League is committed to advancing policies that strengthen charter schools, foster educational excellence, and provide families with the public school options that best meet their children’s needs. You can access our complete DRAFT 2024 Legislative Agenda here.

Our member schools play a critical role in developing our annual agenda through their engagement with us. Your insights are invaluable in ensuring that our advocacy efforts align with the needs and aspirations of our students, teachers, and communities. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for the 137,000 students across our more than 260 public charter schools. Send us an email with your thoughts and feedback ([email protected]). The League’s board will vote to finalize this agenda at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 12. Read more.

Increased Funding and Resource Sharing Are Top Legislative Priorities for Charter Leaders

The League surveyed its membership through the fall to determine what priorities were top of mind as the League crafted its 2024 Legislative Agenda and prepared to advocate for Colorado’s 260+ charter schools and over 137,000 students. “This survey is critical to our work in the legislature and our broader policy efforts as we aim to expand and defend what we’ve worked so hard to develop over the last 30 years,” said President Dan Schaller.

Topline: League Survey Finds top advocacy priorities for respondents were increased funding and equitable sharing of resources. While the vast majority of charter schools felt their authorizer granted them appropriate levels of autonomy, nearly half also felt that their authorizer did not treat them as an equal member of their geographic school district. Read more.

Get Schooled

Families Have Choice

By Kim Daly, Senior Writer, North Magazine

As a parent, navigating your child’s educational journey can be a chore, but Colorado’s status as an open enrollment state means families have choice. The law allows for students to either attend their assigned neighborhood school or “choice into” another public school within — or even outside of — their district. From traditional public and magnet schools to public charter schools, online schools and homeschool programs, families can select a path that best fits their child's unique learning style and goals.

Magnet and charter schools provide families with public, brick-and-mortar options different from their traditional neighborhood school. While magnet schools offer specialized curricula, charter schools are allowed innovation in exchange for higher accountability.  Meanwhile, online schools and homeschooling provides flexibility, especially for students who are not hardwired to sit indoors for a standard school week or who require consistent, project-based learning to reinforce concepts. 

Cullen McDowell is the Executive Principal at Rocky Mountain Classical Academy in Colorado Springs. Ultimately, he says, all schools serve as a cornerstone in the process of nurturing and educating the next generation, shaping their intellectual, social, and emotional development. “I take pride in offering a choice to families who may be seeking an educational environment that better suits their needs or values,” says McDowell, better known as Principal Mac. Read more.

New Year, New Eco-Opportunity

With Staples, it’s easy to make a positive impact, one purchase at a time.

As charter schools strive to foster a culture of environmental responsibility among students and staff, it’s easier than ever to gain momentum one small step at a time. By making just one or more eco-friendly purchasing decisions, charter schools can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also set an inspiring example for students and the wider community.

It’s a trend that Jody Bartling, Key Account Executive for Facilities at Staples Business Advantage, is seeing gain momentum in both K-12 and university-level institutions. “The educational sector is starting to recognize there is benefit not only from an environmental standpoint, but also in setting a good example and supporting their core values. It can also lead to cost-savings and improved image.” Read more.

Community Announcements 

Learning Opportunities 

Nominate Now: The League's 2024 Hall of Fame Celebrates Outstanding Leaders
Nominate your outstanding team members for The Charter Schools' Hall of Fame, a yearly celebration recognizing members, leaders, and supporters of the charter school movement. Nominations close December 15, 2023. The Finalists will be revealed in January 2024, leading up to the grand award ceremony on February 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM during the opening night of the 2024 Annual Conference. Nominations needed for:

• Lifetime Achievement
• Leader of the Year
• Educator of the Year
• Most Valuable Charter Contributor (for Business Managers and other staff)
• Advocate of the Year
• Nominate someone today!

Registration open for 'Parents Encouraging Parents' Conference
Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) presents a statewide conference fostering collaboration between families and schools through two days of educational engagement, connection, and community building. Scheduled for January 26-27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Aurora, our winter 2024 PEP welcomes registrations. Early registration is recommended due to limited space. For additional details, reach out to Beth Donahue at 720-926-1453 or [email protected]. Join in on creating a supportive network for families and professionals alike!

INCubatoredu Webinar Series by Uncharted Learning
Uncharted Learning invites you to a transformative webinar series featuring alumni panels sharing their experiences with high school entrepreneurship through INCubatoredu. Over the next two months, join three dynamic sessions to hear directly from students whose lives were shaped by this program. Discover how INCubatoredu prepared them for college success and propelled them into thriving careers. Engage in interactive discussions, pose your burning questions during Q&A sessions, and be inspired by real-world success stories. Save the dates, register now, and unlock the entrepreneurial journey with Uncharted Learning!

• Thurs. 1/11, 3pm MT: https://bit.ly/3GjfVUH
• Wed. 1/31, 10am MT: https://bit.ly/46AEszt

Professional Learning & Exploration Program with Educational Tours
Join fellow district leaders from around the country in Japan and South Korea during July ‘24 to build global competency, explore educational innovation, connect with community and take part in professional networking in an international setting. Scholarships are available - applications are due by January 19, 2024. Apply here. For more information reach out to Heather Keeton.

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.

Volunteers Needed for 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. Learn more.

Enrichment

Youth Guidance Evolve: A Tier 2 SEL Initiative
Youth Guidance's Evolve program is a Tier 2 Educator SEL initiative, merging the best elements of BAM & WOW programs. It empowers school staff with training and resources for trauma-informed support, fostering a nurturing, culturally sensitive environment. The Evolve Model fills a crucial gap, blending therapeutic principles for youth development in a co-ed setting with engaging, trusted leadership. Accessible through "Evolve Central," it offers professional development, unlimited curriculum access, and a vibrant online community. Thrive in a supportive school ecosystem with Evolve. Learn more.

Funding Opportunities

Accelerated Exam Fee Program Now Open
The Accelerated College Opportunity Exam Fee Grant Program provides funds to high schools to pay all or a portion of AP and IB exam fees on behalf of eligible students. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 12. For more information contact Marina Estrada Kokotovic at [email protected] or 303-866-6267.

Morelli Scholarship: Empowering Dyslexic Students in STEM Education
The Morelli Scholarship application opens on January 1, 2024, encouraging potential applicants to seize this opportunity. Geared towards students with dyslexia pursuing STEM degrees in the Fall of 2024, the scholarship prioritizes those excelling in STEM subjects despite challenges in English. Many scholars engage in our free Mentorship Program during their freshman year. Visit their website for more Foundation details and to access the application. Access the list of questions on our website before the application launch, allowing interested students to work on their submissions during the holiday season.

Cahn Fellowship
Cahn Fellowship provides advanced leadership development and recognition in large metropolitan areas to strong, talented school leaders to improve public education. The best schools are led by strong principals. Cahn Fellowship selects high-potential principals to participate in programs that maximize their talents and enhance their skills. These programs aim to have a dramatic impact on the performance of the school, the outcomes for the students, and the satisfaction and commitment of the principals themselves. Learn More.

2023-24 Local Food Program Grantees
The list of School Food Authorities participating in the 2023-24 pilot year of the Local Food Program is available on the Reimbursement and Funding Nutrition webpage. Approximately $500,000 was awarded to the sponsors for the purchase of Colorado grown, raised, processed and value-added products. The goal of this program is to help bolster farm to school activities and support Colorado producers, farmers and ranchers.

Free crisis services available through Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services: Free, confidential support 24/7. Call 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Walk-ins welcome for all Colorado residents, regardless of ability to pay. Visit the website for mental health, substance use, or emotional concerns.

CDE Updates

Innovative Learning Opportunities Pilot Program Intent to Apply deadline next week
The Innovative Learning Opportunities Pilot Program supports a variety of learning experiences that usually occur outside of the classroom. Schools interested in participating during the 2024-25 school year should complete the Intent to Apply form by Wednesday, Dec. 13. The ILOP Application process webpage has more detailed information about the application process.

Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee openings
CSEAC has openings for new members who are interested in the quality of education received by children and youth with disabilities. CSEAC is a state-level committee mandated by federal and state law that includes parents of individuals with disabilities, educational service providers, administrators and representatives from a variety of related agencies. The committee is statewide and representative of diverse disabilities. Click here to view the application and current list of vacancies on the CSEAC website. 

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Awards nominations and applications open
PAEMST Awards are the highest honors the U.S. government bestows upon kindergarten through sixth grade teachers of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science. Principals, teachers, parents, students and members of the general public may nominate exceptional Colorado STEM teachers who teach grades K-6 for the 2023-24 award year. Eligible teachers may also apply directly on the PAEMST website.

Important Update on 2024 Framework Targets and Measures
Wishing you the best as you sprint towards maximizing instruction before the holiday break! A quick update on the 2024 framework targets and new measures: the state board has decided to maintain consistency in the 2024 Target Methodology, reintroduce Science Achievement, delay the On Track Growth indicator, and defer PWR Higher Bar measures for further study. Your valuable feedback and the Technical Advisory Panel's expert recommendations played a crucial role in these decisions. Look out for more updates in December, including finalizations of 2023 plan types and accreditation contracts.

League News & Events

December 11, 2023 Southern Colorado Regional Gathering We are excited to invite you to an upcoming Regional Gathering Happy Hour in your area hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools! This event promises an excellent opportunity to connect and network with fellow charter leaders in your area, as well as engage with members of the League staff. Join us at Happy Hour for El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Pueblo, Prowers Charter Leaders. Regional Gatherings, 15 S. Tejon St Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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.

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. Read more

Top News

Local

Ferguson Pyatt Selected as Architect for Colorado's First Charter School on Tribal Land
Viv-Media   |   December 7, 2023
Ferguson Pyatt, a Boulder-based architecture firm, has been selected by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to design the new Kwiyagat Community Academy (K-5) in collaboration with Studio NYL Structural Engineers, R Design Landscape Architecture, and Bowman Consulting Group. Read more.

15 years after Colorado paved way for a new kind of school, students are falling short
The Colorado Sun   |   December 6, 2023
Innovation schools across Colorado are largely failing to ensure their students meet grade-level benchmarks in subjects like math and English, with learning outcomes “truly subpar” in some areas, according to a report published Wednesday by the nonpartisan Keystone Policy Center. Read more.

How Colorado used COVID early childhood aid to spark innovation
Chalkbeat   |   December 5, 2023
Much of the federal relief aid sent to Colorado’s child care providers during the pandemic helped keep doors open and businesses solvent. Read more.

Colorado poll finds voters skeptical of college, more supportive of career education
Chalkbeat   |   December 5, 2023
It’s more important for Colorado schools to prepare students for the workforce than to prepare them to attend college. Read more.

Former teacher Carrie Olson elected to second stint as president of the Denver school board
Chalkbeat   |   December 1, 2023
Former Denver teacher Carrie Olson was elected Friday to a second stint as president of the Denver school board. Read more.

Colorado Springs School District 11 announces termination amid staffing shake-up
The Gazette   |   December 1, 2023
The communication department for Colorado Springs School District 11 appears to have gone dark with rumors of a high-level personnel shakeup within the district. Read more [paywall].

National

America Must Recommit to a Learning Recovery Moonshot With High-Dosage Tutoring
The 74   |   December 7, 2023
Public education is at an inflection point in the campaign for learning recovery. Read more.

Which large school districts provide fertile terrain for charter growth?
Fordham Institute   |   December 12, 2023
In many communities, public school systems compete with an increasingly complex and frequently overlapping set of alternatives for students and families, including charter schools, public schools in other districts, voucher programs, tax-credit scholarships, and education savings accounts, as well as traditional private schools, microschools, and homeschooling. Read more.

Exclusive: Free New AI Tool to Help Americans Search and Compare Student Test Scores Across All 50 States
The 74   |   December 6, 2023
A free, AI-enabled tool promises parents, researchers and policymakers a no-fuss way to access state assessment data, offering up-to-date academic information for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more.

Hands-On Learning: At One Louisiana School, ‘Phenomenon-Driven’ Curriculum Is Boosting Students’ Confidence & Learning Skills
The 74   |   December 6, 2023
Imagine observing a 3rd-grade classroom where students are working together to plan and carry out investigations to explain why two magnets stick together or push away from one another. Read more.

Does America Have a New Definition of Success?
Michael B Horn   |   December 6, 2023
Todd Rose rejoined me and Diane Tavenner to talk about compelling new research findings on what Americans do and don't want from their schools, institutions and lives. Listen now [paywall].

American Math Scores Fall on International Test — But Many Other Countries Suffered More
The 74   |   December 5, 2023
Math achievement tumbled for American 15-year-olds between 2018 and 2022, according to the latest results from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), an exam comparing academic performance in the U.S. against that of dozens of other countries. Read more.

U.S. math scores dropped, but reading and science results held steady on key international test
Chalkbeat   |   December 5, 2023
It’s a familiar story, with a few interesting plot twists. That’s how one top federal official described the 2022 test results for American students on a high-profile international exam that allows for comparisons of what 15-year-olds around the world know and can do in math, reading, and science. Read more.

Schools Are Now the Leading Target for Cyber Gangs as Ransom Payments Encourage Attacks
The 74   |   August 1, 2023
Shoddy cybersecurity practices and a willingness to pay ransom demands have made school districts ripe for online exploitation, new data suggest. Read more.

Health & Wellness

The Colorado Health Foundation

Feb. 15, 2024 Grant Deadline

• Building a Pipeline of Primary Care Providers to Serve Diverse Communities
• Capital Infrastructure - Increasing Access to Care for Coloradans of Color
• Equitable Community-Designed Outdoor Spaces
• Supporting Coloradans in Recovery through Nonclinical Programs
• Supporting Holistic, Culturally Responsive and Youth- Driven Physical Well-being

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.
 

Jobs

Recent League Newsletters

• ACT (December 6, 2023)
• NEWS (December 1, 2023)
• MOVE (November 10, 2023)
• LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (November 30, 2023)
• CONNECT COHORT (December 7, 2023)

Upcoming Trainings The League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools.	Our Marketplace Vendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories.	Health & Wellness The Healthy Schools Hub: Join the League at a new One-Stop Location for Health & Wellness Resources.
Thank you to our Premium Sponsors