 Welcome to the NEWS for January 31 Charter students speak up during National School Choice Week, lawmakers seek limits on classroom cell phone use, and this charter won’t be moving to a new facility just yet. Plus, why the religious charter schools case is a bigger deal than you think and a look at Colorado’s NAEP test results. Stay informed at the state capital with today’s virtual legislative lunch at noon and then take a moment to login and register for your workshops at the 2025 Annual Conference. With three general sessions, an esports Learning Hub, drone soccer demos, curated Book Nook and more, we’ve got all the inspiration, motivation and education you need Feb. 26-28 at the Marriott DTC. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.
| 29th January 2025 |
| National School Choice Week highlights progress and inequities in Denver metro area schools |
CCM
Colorado has long been a pioneer in school choice, offering families various educational options, including public, charter, private and magnet schools, as well as open enrollment across district boundaries since 1994. |
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| 29th January 2025 |
| Trump executive order seeks to steer federal funds to private school vouchers |
Chalkbeat
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that aims to steer large amounts of federal money away from public schools and toward private-school vouchers and other “educational alternatives.” |
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| 29th January 2025 |
| New Colorado Springs charter school specializes in dyslexic education |
The Gazette
Experts estimate that one in five children have dyslexia, a neurological disability that affects a person’s aptitude for reading, writing and spelling — and presents greater challenges for success in school. |
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| 28th January 2025 |
| Research Shows Charter School Networks Can Help Close Student Achievement Gap |
The 74
A new District of Columbia Council bill mandating training for public charter school boards, while well-meaning, fails to address the real problem in D.C.’s public schools: the city’s large, growing racial student achievement gap. |
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| 28th January 2025 |
| NAEP test results: Colorado’s scores are mostly stable, as gap between low and high performers widens |
Chalkbeat
Colorado students continue to perform better than students in many other states and showed slight improvements on national math and reading tests, but they’re still scoring below pre-pandemic levels. |
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  Colorado lawmakers seek limits on cell phone use in the classroom
Chalkbeat | January 29
On Wednesday, legislators unveiled a new bill that would require school districts to enact policies to limit cell phone and smartwatch use by July 2026. Civil rights complaint filed against Elizabeth district by former dean who objected to book ban
Chalkbeat | January 29
A middle school administrator who was fired by the Elizabeth School District after calling a plan to remove school library books racist has filed a civil rights complaint with both the state and federal government.  Trump’s targeting of transgender rights creates uncertainty about Colorado laws protecting students
Chalkbeat | January 29
President Trump’s targeting of transgender rights as he begins his second term is raising questions about the potential impact on Colorado laws meant to protect transgender students, including a new one that requires educators to use students’ chosen names. Trump education department investigating Denver Public Schools over all-gender restroom at East High
Chalkbeat | January 28
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced Tuesday that it is investigating Denver Public Schools for recently converting a girls' restroom at Denver’s East High School into an all-gender restroom.  Denver board rejects charter school’s request to move into soon-to-be-vacant elementary school
MSN | January 24
The Denver school board rejected a request Thursday from a charter school to move into a soon-to-be-vacant elementary school building. Parent group files court motion to stop Denver school closures
Chalkbeat | January 24
A group of parents suing Denver Public Schools over a decision to close or partially close 10 schools has asked a judge to stop the closures and order that the schools stay open.  Denver mayor: The city will sue the Trump administration if ICE agents detain immigrants at schools
Chalkbeat | January 24
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said this week that the city will sue the Trump administration if it instructs federal immigration enforcement agents to detain Denver residents at schools, churches, hospitals, and other “sensitive locations.” Colorado Graduation Rates Reach Highest Level in a Decade
CDE | January 22
The Colorado Department of Education announced that the state's four-year graduation rate increased to 84.2% for the 2023-24 school year, the highest in over a decade. Dropout rates also declined to 1.9%, showing positive progress. Despite these gains, gaps remain across student groups.
  The true meaning of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in public education
Boardhawk | January 29
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been under scrutiny for decades. With recent pressures, companies like Target, McDonald’s, Meta (Formerly Facebook), Walmart, Ford, and many more are rolling back or completely eliminating their DEI efforts. Trump wants to withhold money from schools teaching ‘discriminatory equity ideology,’ gender identity
Chalkbeat | January 29
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday seeking to withhold federal funding from K-12 schools that teach “discriminatory equity ideology” or “gender ideology.”  New NAEP Scores Dash Hope of Post-COVID Learning Recovery
The 74 | January 29
Hopes for a post-COVID academic recovery were dashed Wednesday morning with the publication of new federal testing data for elementary and middle schoolers. From Defiant to Compliant, Schools Take Varying Tacks to Possible ICE Raids
The 74 | January 28
From strategic defiance to more open compliance, school districts across the country are gearing up in very different ways for how to respond if — or when — immigration agents arrive on campus.  As High Court Takes Catholic Charter Case, ‘Stakes Really Couldn’t Be Higher’
The 74 | January 27
In his frenetic first week back at the White House, President Donald Trump allowed immigration raids at schools, sidelined federal employees focused on diversity and ended civil rights investigations into book bans. The religious charter schools case is a bigger deal than you think
Fordham Institute | January 26
The Supreme Court agreed on Friday afternoon to hear a landmark religious charter schools case out of Oklahoma, and it’s a much bigger deal than you might imagine.  Trump Admin Guts School Safety Committee Created to Combat Mass Shootings
The 74 | January 23
When a broad group of parents, educators, and activists met in late October at a government office building in Arlington, Virginia, they gathered around a shared goal: Make America’s schools safer. Teachers Vow to Keep Immigrant Kids Learning Despite Anxiety Around Deportation
The 74 | January 31
Students from immigrant families are living in fear and, in some cases, have stopped showing up at school now that President Donald Trump has returned to office. Yet not all educators have received directives on how to respond to their anxiety and possible raids, said teachers who spoke at a news conference yesterday.
  Keynotes, Drone Soccer, Esports and More Join the Camaraderie Feb. 26-28 at the Marriott DTC  With nearly 50 workshops across 13 tracks, plus keynote speakers Maggie Jackson and Dr. Steve Perry, there is inspiration and education for every aspect of your charter school! New this year are interactive attractions, including drone soccer demos and tournaments, local author meet-and-greets, and an esports hub with live demos. We’ve also built in plenty of networking opportunities, including our annual Hall of Fame awards, two happy hours, and an exhibit hall featuring nearly 100 participants dedicated to enriching and empowering the charter school sector. Single and multi-day tickets are available, plus special options for authorizers and others who may qualify for Great Schools Colorado. Bring your board members and your staff, and get ready for our biggest and brightest event of the year! 
GET INVOLVED
Immigration Resources for School Leaders: A number of our schools have reached out requesting resources and technical assistance on the topic of immigration and some of the latest actions related to it. In response to this, the League has curated a list of materials for members to support you in understanding relevant regulations, rules, rights, and responsibilities. Please see these resources, which we will update as new information emerges. Spotlight Your Outstanding Educators
The Colorado Department of Education’s “Teacher Tuesday” highlights exceptional public school teachers across the state. Each post shares a teacher’s story, accomplishments, and passion for education. Encourage your teachers to be featured by filling out this form. Join a Friday Legislative Lunch
Legislative Lunches are free, virtual weekly meetings designed for charter school leaders and board members to stay informed about key legislative updates affecting education and the charter school sector. This cohort provides concise updates on developments at the state capital, helping attendees stay engaged and connected with issues impacting their schools. Join us every Friday from 12:00 to 12:30 PM during the legislative session. Support Charter Schools Impacted by SoCal Wildfires
The Southern California wildfires have devastated communities, displacing families and damaging schools, including public charter schools. Many staff and students have lost their homes, with some schools completely destroyed. The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is partnering with local organizations to provide critical resources and immediate aid. Join us in supporting these efforts to help families and schools rebuild stronger. Give today.  Attend a Regional Gathering
Our Regional Gatherings bring together charter leaders from across the state to connect with peers, engage with League staff, and discuss state-level and policy efforts. Drinks and appetizers are on us. Join one or sign up for multiple to strengthen your connections. Our next Regional Gathering will take place in Durango on March 12. Register today! Join a Learning Community
Take your professional growth up a notch with our lineup of ten specialized Learning Communities and three training events designed to enhance your skills and strengthen the charter school community. From specialized cohorts for board chairs, marketing professionals, and school founders to impactful training sessions on community engagement, there’s something to benefit everyone. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow.
RESOURCES
2025 National Civics Bee
The annual competition encourages young leaders to flex their civics knowledge and get involved in their communities by identifying real issues and offering solutions. Top students will get to compete for grand prizes, including a $100,000 529 college savings plan. The application period for the 2025 Civics Bee is now open for students in grades six to eight. Learn more. 58th Annual High School Bridge Building Competition: Sat. March 1
The annual Model Bridge Building Contest is a statewide program aimed at providing interaction and communication among practicing engineers, high school students, and other professionals. Its underlying objectives are to enhance the appeal of engineering careers to high school students, begin establishing their relationships with the professional community, and improve the prospects that such careers will be mutually beneficial to both society and the individual. The top winners from each region in the state competition are eligible to advance to the International Contest. Awards and scholarships are available. Learn more.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Leadership Institute Explores Education Systems Transformation
The 8th Annual Education Systems Leadership and Policy Institute will take place July 14–18, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by the Center for Education Policy Analysis (CEPA) at CU Denver, this five-day seminar is designed for current and aspiring leaders in education systems transformation. The Institute offers graduate credit options and features guest instructors from across the nation. Applications are open now, but space is limited. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].  Colorado Education Policy Fellowship
The 2025 Colorado Education Policy Fellowship begins in February and runs through December, offering a nine-month professional development experience for individuals passionate about education policy in Colorado. With a blend of in-person and virtual sessions, participants will explore key topics such as rural school challenges, mental health access, and state funding reforms through dialogue with policymakers, researchers, and educators. This fellowship fosters collaborative learning and networking opportunities. Applications are due January 31, 2025. If you are interested, please contact [email protected]. READ Act Training
Amendments to the READ Act require K-3 teachers providing literacy instruction, 4-12 reading interventionists, and school administrators (including principals) to complete specific training (SB19-199 and SB22-004). The Office of Elementary Literacy and School Readiness is hosting monthly live informational webinars to provide updates on the training requirements for teachers and school administrators. When Quality Means We Can Get Better, Faster
Kevin Hesla, Director of Data Strategy at the League, dives into how charter schools are driving improvements in performance metrics like CMAS, P/SAT, and SPF rankings. Drawing from a Keystone Policy Center report, he highlights how charter schools exemplify accountability and progress, offering a roadmap for improving outcomes for all students, especially those historically underserved. Through data insights, Kevin emphasizes how quality and innovation in charters inspire growth in education.
CDE UPDATES
 State Board of Education Welcomes New Members
The Colorado State Board of Education welcomed Kristi Burton Brown (CD 4), Kathy Gebhardt (CD 2), Yazmin Navarro (CD 8), and Sherri Wright (CD 3) as new members. They were sworn in by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Richard Gabriel and will help shape the future of education in Colorado. Learn more about their backgrounds on our website. Charter Enrollment Grows as Overall Student Count Declines
The 2024-25 October Count data shows a 0.1% decline in overall PK-12 enrollment, totaling 881,065 students. However, charter schools saw an increase of about 1,000 students statewide. Visit the CDE website for a full breakdown of enrollment trends. Graduation Rates Hit Highest Level in a Decade
Colorado’s four-year graduation rate rose to 84.2% in 2023-24, the highest in over a decade. The state’s dropout rate also improved, falling to 1.9%. More details on graduation, dropout trends, and student mobility are available on the CDE website.   The League is excited to share an update about the successful application for the Federal CSP grant, now called Great Schools Colorado. This five-year, $68 million program aims to support schools that serve traditionally underserved communities, focusing on expanding access for students with disabilities, English learners, and other educationally disadvantaged groups. The program’s goal is to encourage growth, replication, and the creation of new charter schools that meet challenging state academic standards. In the coming months, the League will roll out specific details about the application process for subgrants, with a focus on meeting federal performance measures to ensure equitable access and growth. Read the full email with updates here. To get updates on new information and updates, sign up for the Great Schools Colorado monthly newsletter.  
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