 Welcome to the NEWS for August 30, 2024 In this week’s newsletter, we explore the impact of charter school competition on traditional public schools and discuss strategies for charter success under various political leaders. We also share tips on reengaging students with content that builds lasting skills and methods to foster genuine understanding in math classes. Plus, learn how Colorado's education community is tackling potential financial threats with a new tax agreement. We want to know what’s happening in your community. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.
Top News
Local Headlines
 As a new school year begins, teachers express their hopes and wishes
Boardhawk | August 29, 2024
As students prepared to return to the classroom in Denver, Boardhawk asked teachers to share what they were hopeful for in the new year and what they wished for their students. Colorado’s CMAS test results for 2024: See how your school or district performed
Chalkbeat | August 29, 2024
Most Colorado school districts saw gains from last year in the percentage of students in grades 3-8 who are meeting expectations on their math exams. Here’s how Colorado’s 20 largest districts regulate student cell phone use
Chalkbeat | August 27, 2024
Before school started at her northern Colorado high school, senior Madison Vella heard complaints about the new rules barring cell phone use during class.  Podcast: What a Mentorship Mindset Can Do for Student Motivation
The 74 | August 27, 2024
In this special summer episode, Michael and Diane are joined by David Yeager, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of the new book 10 to 25, which explores key insights into youth development. Should Colorado’s constitution protect school choice? Voters will decide in November.
Montrose Press | August 26, 2024
Colorado voters will decide whether they want to protect the right to school choice in the state constitution in November after a measure with that goal qualified for the ballot Friday.  Colorado students have improved attendance, but the rate of chronic absenteeism remains high
Chalkbeat | August 22, 2024
The percentage of Colorado students who are chronically absent dropped for a second year, a promising sign that schools may be getting more kids engaged in classes. Colorado State Board of Education reauthorizes two educator preparation programs and a teacher apprenticeship sponsor
CDE Press Release | August 28, 2024
DENVER – At its August meeting, the Colorado State Board of Education approved the reauthorization of two educator preparation programs and a teacher degree apprenticeship sponsor as a way to remove barriers for people seeking to become teachers. On Wednesday, the state board gave full reauthorization to the Colorado River BOCES Alternative Teacher Preparation Program and the Colorado State University Global Traditional Preparation Program. Read more on this issue and the rest of the Board's decisions. Durango School District 9-R shoots for $150 million bond in November
Durango Herald | August 29, 2024
The Durango School District 9-R Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously approved ballot language for a $150 million bond measure that will appear on the November ballot. This time, the district will not be allocating funds to local non-district charter schools for infrastructure. Bond Issue 4A, which passed in 2020, allocated funds to Mountain Middle School for a new building and Animas High School for its new school building. The school district designated $1 million of bond money to Animas High School for the building and $2.5 million for the Mountain Middle School addition. The district plans to include local charter schools in a partnership for staff housing. While state law only allows the district to build housing for its own staff, the district is seeking ways to partner with other educational entities to maximize housing opportunities for educators. Read more Initiative 138: Colorado voters to decide on putting school choice in the state constitution
Chalkbeat | August 28, 2024
School choice will be on the Colorado ballot in November, but the intent and implications of the proposed constitutional amendment are in dispute. Backers of a measure to enshrine in Colorado’s constitution a child’s right to school choice submitted enough signatures to earn a spot on the ballot, state officials said last week. Read more.
National Views
St. Louis NAACP Files Federal Complaint Over Black Students’ Low Reading Scores
The 74 | August 28, 2024
The St. Louis NAACP is making another move to improve literacy in local school districts — but this time, it’s looking to the federal government for help.  Stark Racial, Class Disparities in K-12 Mental Health Linked to Absenteeism
The 74 | August 27, 2024
Amid the ongoing youth mental health crisis and rising rates of chronic absenteeism, a new national report pulls back the curtain to reveal which student groups have the hardest time finding support at their schools. Podcast: What a Mentorship Mindset Can Do for Student Motivation
The 74 | August 27, 2024
In this special summer episode, Michael and Diane are joined by David Yeager, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of the new book 10 to 25, which explores key insights into youth development.  Schools are competing with cellphones. Here’s how they think they could win
AP | August 26, 2024
Isabella Pires first noticed what she calls the “gradual apathy pandemic” in eighth grade. Only a handful of classmates registered for service projects she helped organize at her Massachusetts school. Even fewer actually showed up. Ending the U.S. Department of Education: What it would mean and why Trump and Project 2025 want it
Chalkbeat | August 23, 2024
When Donald Trump told Elon Musk one of his first acts as president would be to “close the Department of Education, move education back to the states,” he was invoking a GOP promise that goes back to President Ronald Reagan and the department’s founding.  ‘Never Underestimate a Public School Teacher’: Walz’s Speech Stirs Night Three of DNC
The 74 | August 22, 2024
As the clock ticked past 11:00 Wednesday night and East Coast viewers awaited the acceptance speech of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, the programmers of the Democratic National Convention pulled out one last surprise before their vice presidential nominee’s arrival.
Community Announcements
Important Announcement: Phishing Alert
We have been informed that phishing emails are being circulated, falsely claiming to be from the Colorado League of Charter Schools. These emails request information verification and contain a link that should not be clicked. Please be vigilant and do not engage with these emails. If you receive such a message, delete it immediately and do not provide any personal information. See an example of this type of email below.  Loveland Classical Schools opening secondary school expansion
Loveland Classical Schools celebrated the opening of a new wing at its secondary school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new addition, which includes eight classrooms and an innovation space, was financed through a tax-exempt bond and managed by NV5 Engineering with GTC Construction as the builder. The expansion addresses the school's growing enrollment, now exceeding 1,000 students. The event also marked the start of Back to School Night for middle and high school students. CDE to host the 2024 Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging Conference on Sept. 18-19
The Colorado Department of Education will host the 2024 Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging Conference on September 18-19 in Colorado Springs. The event, focused on creating supportive learning environments, is fully booked, but educators can join the waitlist. The conference features 50 sessions on topics like social-emotional learning and dropout prevention. Despite the event's popularity, CDE encourages those interested to sign up for potential openings. CDE and AIR Seek Public Input on Colorado's K-12 School Funding
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are conducting a study on Colorado's K-12 school funding system. They are inviting stakeholders to participate through an online survey and virtual town hall meetings from late August to September. Feedback will help inform future funding policies. Visit the Colorado Financial Adequacy Study website for more details and to participate. ERTC Program Update
In response to continued inquiries we had received from the field, the League recently worked with others to pursue an additional legal opinion on the question of the federal Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) program and whether Colorado charter schools might be eligible to participate. The law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, reached conclusions different from prior opinions. Schools are encouraged to consult with their attorneys before taking potential action related to this program. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES  Request for Proposals Resources & Support: Upcoming Youth Wellbeing Grant
Colorado AG Phil Weiser announced a third round of funding that originated from the Juul settlement dollars. Gary Community Ventures is interested in supporting Denver metro area school districts with the development of their grant applications to make the submission process as easy as possible for those interested in submitting grant proposals designed to Accelerate Outcomes for Multilingual Learners in Secondary Schools and Increase Family Affordability through Tax Credits. Letters of Interest and brief applications are due no later than TODAY Aug. 30 at 5:00 PM. OERColorado Offers Free Digital Resources for Colorado Classrooms
OERColorado provides free PK-12+ learning materials to Colorado educators, supporting schools by reducing costs and offering adaptable resources. This statewide platform aligns with the state’s educational requirements under 22-5-119, C.R.S. Explore the OERColorado curriculum library and find resources tailored to your classroom needs. Join the upcoming OERColorado and ISKME webinar series in October to learn about "Vetting and Adopting OER" on October 1st and "OER Leadership and Advocacy" on October 8th. Learn more at OERColorado.org. Small Grants Available for Seal of Climate Literacy Implementation
Lyra Colorado, led by CEO and Founder Mary Seawell, announces the Seal of Climate Literacy, signed into law by Governor Polis in May. The Seal aims to deepen students' understanding of climate change through real-world experiences. Local education providers can tailor coursework and learning opportunities to fit their communities.
To support implementation this school year, small grants are available. Apply by September 23, 2024. Visit SealofClimateLiteracy.org for more resources. CDE UPDATES Accountability Update
The mid-August accountability update from the CDE focuses on their accountability data release process, including an updated accountability timeline (with actual dates). Educator Recruitment & Retention Program Offers $10K for Aspiring Educators
The Colorado Department of Education invites aspiring educators to apply for up to $10,000 in financial assistance for educator preparation program fees. The Educator Recruitment and Retention program provides direct support for qualified individuals interested in teaching in a shortage area and who can commit to working in that area for three years. Learn more and apply by Sept. 30. THIS & THAT You or Your Staff Could be Featured on Teacher Tuesday
CDE’s communications unit created a weekly social media campaign called Teacher Tuesday that highlights a teacher every week across all of the department’s social media. The posts feature the teacher’s photo, their accomplishments, how long they’ve been teaching and what brings them joy about their work. We need your help to add more teachers. Please fill out this submission form to add a co-worker or yourself or pass it on to a friend. PACE for Administrators & Benefits Managers
As you plan your back-to-school orientations and benefits schedules, don’t forget to include the Professional Association of Colorado Educators (PACE) in your agenda. As a CLCS preferred partner, PACE offers invaluable benefits. With new staff joining your team each year, a presentation by PACE State Director Ariel Elliott can ensure everyone is up to speed. Choose from 15- or 30-minute presentations to fit your busy schedule. Contact Ariel today at [email protected] or call/text at: 720-580-1326.
Upcoming Events
| 20 September 2024 |
| Town Hall September 2024 |
| Featuring experts in a wide variety of fields, these virtual meetings for the charter school community are held at 10:00 AM on the third Friday of every-other-month from September through May. |
| Town Hall |
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| 11 October 2024 |
| Leadership Summit 2024 |
| Join us at the Colorado League of Charter Schools Leadership Summit on October 11, 2024, where we'll celebrate the theme of Catalysts: Supporting & Celebrating Agents of Change. This annual summit brings together visionary leaders and decision-makers from across Colorado, serving as catalysts for innovation and progress in public education. With attendees representing over 15% of all public school students and significant financial influence, this event is pivotal in shaping the educational landscape of our state. Be a catalyst for change, and join us in shaping the future of education in Colorado! |
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| 27 – 28 February 2025 |
| Annual Conference 2025 |
| Embark on a transformative educational journey at the highly anticipated 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference! Join us for an immersive experience where innovation meets inspiration, fostering a dynamic environment for educators, administrators, and stakeholders alike. Discover cutting-edge strategies, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with visionaries shaping the future of education. Unleash your potential, embrace new perspectives, and be part of a community dedicated to redefining the landscape of learning. Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to elevate your educational endeavors. Secure your spot at the forefront of innovation – register now for the 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference! |
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Health & Wellness
Careers
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| High School Special Education Teacher |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: $52,000-$79,126.53
Closing date: Sep 08, 2024 12:00 AM
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| Eagle Ridge Academy, Brighton, CO |
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| Children's House Guide |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: 28,000-44,000
Closing date: Sep 30, 2024 12:00 AM
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| St. Vrain Community Montessori School, Longmont, 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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