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Welcome to the NEWS for December 15, 2023
Explore the rise of in-school phone bans with Yondr's surging sales. Learn about the notable growth in charter school enrollment amid declining traditional public school numbers. Understand the enduring legal challenges faced by charter schools. Stay informed on the emerging artificial intelligence trends in education for 2024 and gain insights from disheartening findings in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results on American education.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
News & Commentary
Top News
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Local
Four takeaways from the rocky rollout of Colorado’s popular new free preschool program
Chalkbeat | December 13, 2023
With its new universal preschool program, Colorado joins a small but growing group of states that offer tuition-free preschool to all 4-year-olds. Read more.
Former Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes wants to cool down culture war rhetoric
Chalkbeat | December 7, 2023
Former Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes faced plenty of anger in her old job. Read more.
Battling teacher shortages, Colorado enlists the help of a promising pool of educators: Military vets
Colorado Sun | December 7, 2023
Twenty years in the military taught Jack Bookout the delicate balance of patience and diligence he needed to command his next platoon: classes of 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds who show up to his room each day and confide in him about struggles they have far outside Mitchell High School. Read more.
National
What do parents need to know about the science of reading?
Fordham Institute | December 14, 2023
One of the most welcome developments in education practice and policy of the past half decade has been the surprising momentum around the science of reading. Read more.
Los Angeles Schools Chief Says District Enacting Targeted Hiring Freeze as Federal Relief Funds Expire
The 74 | December 13, 2023
Los Angeles Unified has enacted a targeted hiring freeze and is considering closing or consolidating schools as it faces the loss of federal pandemic aid and declining enrollment, superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in an interview last week. Read more.
14 Charts that Changed the Way We Looked at America’s Schools in 2023
The 74 | December 12, 2023
For K–12 education, 2023 was a year spent over a threshold. Schools had one foot in the shutdown era, still struggling to restore a sense of normalcy that disappeared in 2020. Read more.
Parents Need to Know About Student Progress. Most State Data Comes out Too Late
The 74 | December 12, 2023
When the U.S. Department of Education released guidance on statewide assessment systems just before Thanksgiving, it was a reminder that the federal government has an important role in ensuring parents, communities and the broader public have accurate information about the academic progress of K-12 students. Read more.
A Nation At Risk +40: New Hoover Institution Research Initiative to Analyze Impact of Four Decades of School Reform
The 74 | December 12, 2923
In 1983, the release of the groundbreaking A Nation at Risk report ignited a nationwide movement for educational reform. Read more.
PISA Exam Tests Real-World Math Skills. But That’s Not What U.S. Schools Teach
The 74 | December 11, 2023
The results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) are out, and the United States ranked 28th out of 37 participating Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries in 15-year-olds’ math reasoning skills. Read more.
A Rose-Colored Recovery: Study Says Parents Don’t Grasp Scope of COVID’s Academic Damage
The 74 | December 11, 2023
Last week, as leading education experts gathered — again —to ponder the nation’s sluggish recovery from pandemic learning loss, one speaker put the issue in stark relief. Read more.
Should schools ban cellphones?
Fordham Institute | December 8, 2023
They’re coming for the kids’ phones. Who is “they”? Governments, for starters. There’s a national U.K. effort to forbid phone usage by students during the school day. Bans have already been implemented in France and China. Read more.
Community Announcements
Learning Opportunities
Nominate Now: The Colorado League of Charter Schools' 2024 Hall of Fame Celebrates Outstanding Leaders in Education
Nominate outstanding school leaders for The Colorado League of Charter Schools' Hall of Fame, a yearly celebration recognizing members, leaders, and supporters of the charter school movement. Commencing on November 8, 2023, nominations for the 2024 Hall of Fame will be accepted until January 2, 2024. 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. Join us in spotlighting those who make significant contributions to the charter community in Colorado. Your nominations play a crucial role in honoring excellence and fostering a sense of community within the charter school movement. Nominate someone today!
Elevating Educational Quality: Member Council's Impact and the MQSS Program
The Member Council, crucial in advising on matters benefiting both the League and the community, introduced the Member Quality Standards & Supports (MQSS) program last year. Addressing the need for high-quality education, the program targets schools with lower academic performance through SPF ratings, set for release this week. MQSS aims to boost charter sector quality with stronger standards and intentional support. Despite less than 10% of League members falling into the bottom two performance categories, the program highlights the League's commitment to elevating the charter sector and improving education quality statewide. For inquiries, contact the Member Council, Dawna Taylor (VP of School Services), or Dan Schaller (President). Your engagement is vital as we strive for statewide educational improvement.
League Flash Poll: Take a Couple Minutes to Help Us with PERA
PERA is looking to expand the pool of qualifying employees to include substitute teachers hired by third-party contractors, even if they remain employed by the contractor rather than the school. The League is actively pushing back on this issue and needs your help to assess the potential impact on our schools. Please take a quick 8-question survey to share your insights on current practices at your school and how this shift could affect you. We'll keep you updated on developments as we continue to oppose this initiative.
New Report Shows Charter School Enrollment Continues to Grow Across the Nation
In the most recent school year, from 2022 to 2023, charter school enrollment grew 2%, while district school enrollment remained flat. In practical terms, this means charter school enrollment increased by 72,241 students (or 2.02%) while district public school enrollment increased by only 7,458 students (or 0.02%) nationwide. Looking at raw numbers, charter schools enrolled nearly 10 times the number of new students as district schools in the last school year. Read full press release here.
Increased Funding and Resource Sharing Top of the List of Priorities for Charter Leaders
During the fall, we took time to reflect on the challenges faced by school-based academic, operational, and business leaders across the state. The League conducted a survey, prioritizing insights from the front lines to shape our legislative agenda. The survey identified increased funding and equitable resource sharing as top advocacy priorities. While most charter schools felt their authorizer granted appropriate autonomy, almost half perceived unequal treatment within their geographic school district. A comprehensive overview is available in the newsletter, and we congratulate Katie DeMaria, the Grand Prize winner of our survey. Click here for more details on the Fall Survey and to see other winners.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free crisis services available through 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.
CDE Updates
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
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Health & Wellness
Prioritizing Well-Being Among School and District Staff, Educators, and Administrators
Health and well-being are fundamental to our success in educating youth, engaging families, collaborating with colleagues, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Register for a four-part, learning series that prioritizes staff well-being with Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools on January 25, February 22, March 14, and April 11 at 4 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. PT. All school and district staff, regardless of position or title — including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators — are encouraged to attend this no-cost webinar series.
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
| Careers |
Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (December 6, 2023)
- NEWS (December 1, 2023)
- MOVE (December 8, 2023)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (November 30, 2023)
- CONNECT COHORT (December 7, 2023)
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| © 2023 Colorado League of Charter Schools |