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News & Commentary

Top News

25th October 2023 NAEP results underscore imperative to support, inspire math citizenship The 2023 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson, recently spent a class period discussing something unexpected with her calculus students: food deserts.

24th October 2023 41 States Sue Meta Over the Social Media Giant’s Impact on Kids Thirty-three states are banding together to sue Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, saying the social media giant is consciously harming children’s mental health. An additional eight states, plus the District of Columbia, are filing suits in their own states over similar issues.

24th October 2023 ‘Just Slow It All Down’: School Leaders Want Guidance on AI, New Research Finds New generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, which can mimic human writing and generate images from simple user prompts, are poised to disrupt K-12 education.

24th October 2023 Denver school board gives Superintendent Alex Marrero good grades and an $8,000 bonus The board concluded that Marrero met just over 80% of his goals.

22nd October 2023 Oklahoma Attorney General sues to stop US' first public religious school Oklahoma's Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Friday sued to stop a state board from establishing and funding what would be the nation's first religious public charter school after the board ignored Drummond's warning that it would violate both the state and US constitutions.

Local

Trust issues cut both ways in Denver Public Schools
Boardhawk   |   October 25, 2023
It has become increasingly obvious over time that a two-way trust deficit exists between Denver Public Schools’ board and leadership on one side and the broader Denver community on the other. Read more.

Vanguard charter school faces lawsuit over Gadsden flag
Fox 21   |    October 25, 2023
A 7th-grade student at The Vanguard School, a charter school in Harrison School District 2, is suing the Colorado Springs district over its policy on whether he can wear a Gadsden flag patch on his backpack. Read more.

DPS board election to test teachers' union influence
Boardhawk   |   October 23, 2023
More is at stake in the upcoming Denver school board election than three board seats – it’s a proxy that tests the political power of the teachers union. Read more.

Kwame Spearman details his education agenda
Boardhawk   |   October 20, 2023
This article was written by Kwame Spearman, a candidate for an at-large (citywide) seat on the Denver Board of Education. Boardhawk has offered to publish a limited number of commentaries from school board candidates, including Spearman’s opponent, John Youngquist, through October. Read more.

Shaped by pandemic hardships, more Colorado college students are sticking with school
Chalkbeat   |   October 19, 2023
Stephanie Araiza tries to keep the tough days at the University of Colorado Boulder in context. Her parents struggled to earn money during the pandemic because they weren’t getting as many hours. Unlike many who could do their jobs remotely or whose work was considered essential, they didn’t have a college degree. Read more.

Adams 12’s first newcomer center offers students support and a path to graduation
Chalkbeat   |   October 19, 2023
About 23 students from mixed grades were taking a math quiz on exponents at the newcomer center at Thornton High School one recent Friday afternoon. The class was buzzing. Students were helping each other. Read more.

National

Female High School Grads Feel Less Prepared for the Future
Inside HigherEd   |   October 25, 2023
More female students than male students feel underprepared by their high schools to make a career choice or declare a college major, according to the Post-Graduation Readiness Gender Report by YouScience, a technology platform that aims to suss out student aptitudes. Read more.

New federal program puts $12 million toward school integration in a dozen states
Chalkbeat   |   October 23, 2023
School desegregation efforts in a dozen states are getting a $12.5 million infusion from the federal government as part of a new grant program meant to create more diverse schools. Read more.

Senators Cassidy, Cornyn, and Booker introduce Legislation to help Educators Access Funding to open new Charter Schools
NAPCS   |   October 23, 2023
Bipartisan bill will strengthen the federal Charter Schools Program by providing more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a new school. Read more.

‘Anxious Nation’ Filmmakers Announce Free Streaming of Teen Anxiety Documentary in Honor of National Mental Health Screening Month
The 74   |   October 16, 2023
The documentary co-directed by Laura Morton & Oscar-winner Vanessa Roth explores rising anxiety among American youth & will stream free Oct. 24-26. Learn more.
 

Community Announcements

Learning Opportunities 

SOC Board Fundamentals: Oct. 27
Join the Schools of Choice Unit for Board Fundamentals TODAY, Oct. 27, at 9 AM. We will revisit the basics to renew our understanding of our roles as governance members. We will also discuss issues geared toward strengthening our practices to support our school leaders, staff, and students. Register here.

SOC Rural & Non-Metro Charter School Support Forum: Nov. 7  
During the 2023-24 school year, the Schools of Choice Unit will continue to host the Rural and Non-Metro Charter Support Forum through a six-meeting virtual series. This forum aims to provide belonging, connection, network opportunities, and best practices for rural leaders.  Hosted virtually from 4:00-5:00PM, this session will focus on School Finance and finance supports provided by CDE. Register now.

Bring your School’s Math Vision to Life at DDES: Nov. 28 & 29
Join us at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) to learn about our journey to create a student-centered, joyful, and rigorous math culture. Participants will learn about how we used EL’s 10 Steps to Success to change the math culture at our school and our continued work to provide high-quality math instruction that is inclusive of all students and stakeholders. Learn more.

Technical Advisory Panel (TAP): Rural Representative Membership Opportunity
CDE seeks one rural representative to serve on the TAP for Longitudinal Growth, an advisory body to CDE regarding the Colorado Growth Model and the Educational Accountability Act. Applicants must represent a rural community and demonstrate expertise with educational assessment, growth (including the Colorado growth model), research, and accountability. Apply by Dec. 4. 

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.To get started, please contact Laura Escobedo or Kate Watson.

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.

Funding Opportunities

Applications Open for FY24 CSP Grants
The U.S. Department of Education has published the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year 2024 Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants) competition. Applications are due January 5, 2024. The NIA can be accessed in the Federal Register here. The competition website can be accessed here. 

Teacher Grants available through DonorsChoose Program
Colorado teachers can apply now to receive $1,000 to purchase supplies, resources, learning materials, and more that will improve the learning experiences. We encourage all teachers to apply today while funding lasts! Colorado teachers can submit projects to receive funding here.

Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant
The Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant is open for applications through the new grants management system called GAINS. This grant’s purpose is to promote the postsecondary education of eligible teachers who teach or wish to teach computer science in K-12 education. Intent to Apply (encouraged, but not required) is due by 5 p.m.  Friday, Nov. 10. Completed applications must be submitted through the NEW online application system, GAINS, by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.

Notify of FY24-25 BEST Grant Round by Nov. 30
The deadline for all applicants to notify CDE of their intent to apply for a BEST grant in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024-25 grant round is Nov. 30. The intent to apply form, as well as the full grant round announcement, can be found on our website. Click Here for Additional Information.

CDE Updates

Charter School Capital Construction Eligibility Report Due Oct. 31
All charter schools eligible to receive Charter School Capital Construction funding are required to complete the Charter School Capital Construction Report (CSCC-01) on an annual basis. This online report is due by Tuesday, Oct. 31, to help CDE determine eligibility and funding levels for the next fiscal year. Click here for more information.
 

League News & Events

November 7, 2023 + 4 other dates Leading School Culture in a Post-Pandemic World Designed for both veteran and new leaders, this workshop series will support leaders in being the leader their organization needs them to be with a focus on social-emotional learning, trauma-informed and restorative practices to address student needs. Meets quarterly on the second Tuesday by Zoom from 8:30-11AM with an option to attend the first meeting in-person at the League offices. Earn up to 12.5 Continuing Education Units. Extended Learning Opportunities, Hybrid (See description for more details)	November 15, 2023 Leveraging Community Engagement to Drive Continuous Enrollment (Session Three) Designed for both school leaders and site-based owners of marketing, enrollment and/or community engagement, each session will help attendees set a new vision and norm for school recruitment across teams, while gaining access to a wealth of practices, tools, and frameworks that can be adapted to any context Extended Learning Opportunities, Hybrid
November 17, 2023 Town Hall Join our engaging virtual town halls to stay informed and educated on major topics within the League. Town Hall	November 28, 2023 Northern 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 Larimar and Weld County Leaders. Regional Gatherings
February 1, 2024 Advocacy Day Mark your calendars for February 1, 2024, a day poised to ignite inspiration and spark transformative conversations. Together, we'll continue to pave the way for a brighter future for charter education, armed with newfound insights and an unwavering commitment to advocacy. The League's annual Advocacy Day serves as a vibrant platform for the entire charter school community, encompassing visionary school leaders, dedicated educators, impassioned parents, and motivated students. Colorado State Capitol	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. DTC Marriot

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. Learn more

Health & Wellness

Colorado Youth Suicide Prevention Symposium: Nov. 16
Don't miss out on the Annual Colorado Youth Suicide Prevention Symposium happening on Thursday, November 16, 2023. The event will be held both at the Lowry Conference Center and virtually via Zoom, ensuring accessibility for all participants. In collaboration with our partners from the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Office of Suicide Prevention, this symposium promises to be an insightful and impactful gathering. Secure your spot now by registering here.

Free Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 844-493-TALK(8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay. To get help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know visit the Colorado Crisis Services website.

Promoting 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 free, 2.5-hour, self-paced online course from the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center.
 

Jobs 

Recent League Newsletters

• ACT (October 25, 2023)
• NEWS (October 13, 2023)
• MOVE (October 20, 2023)
• LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (May 3, 2023)
• CONNECT COHORT (October 26, 2023)