🧭 Navigate the Week in Education

This week’s headlines spotlight the evolving landscape of education funding and school choice. From Colorado’s budget shortfalls and long-awaited child care wage increases to a pivotal Supreme Court case that could redefine charter schools, the conversation around public education is heating up.

Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.

23rd April 2025 Colorado’s 2025-26 budget has more money for schools, but it’s less than was promised Chalkbeat Colorado lawmakers approved a state budget for next year that has more money for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. But the increase is less than what was promised or requested.

23rd April 2025 North Dakota becomes 47th state to approve public charter schools Washington Times North Dakota this week became the 47th state to authorize public charter schools, building on a model that advocates say improves academic achievement while spending less money.

22nd April 2025 In tough budget year, raises for Colorado child care workers win continued support from lawmakers Chalkbeat What happens when teachers who earn a bit above the minimum wage get a 30% or 40% raise?

22nd April 2025 The future of charter schools rests with Supreme Court Washington Times On April 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in an important First Amendment case that could hinge on the meaning of the word “public.”

17th April 2025 Colorado spent $2 million studying education funding. Lawmakers don’t want it to go to waste. Chalkbeat Two years ago, Colorado paid for a pair of studies that calculated the cost of providing an adequate education to all students in the state. The price tag for those studies: $2 million.

From Ednium: Challenge yourself to transform
Boardhawk   |   April 24
I was a club kid – a Boys and Girls Club kid. I was very artsy, and took art classes all the time. I had dope women teachers who got me into art at the club.

No simple answers as CHSAA tables discussion of multiplier placing charter and private schools in higher competition
Gazette Preps   |   April 22
In short, a multiplier takes the total number of students enrolled at the school and multiplies it by 1.5 and uses that number when placing the school in a classification (5A, 4A, 3A, etc.).

Many students from closing Denver schools headed for higher-rated schools next year
Chalkbeat   |   April 21
Phil Chen spent weeks this winter touring Denver elementary schools. He knew what he was looking for: a school that most closely resembled his daughter’s current school, Palmer Elementary, which will close in June.

The Department of Education meets “Office Space”
Fordham Institute   |   April 24
The U.S. Department of Education has been cut down to half its previous size. Over the past month, as more than a thousand former employees carted their belongings out of the building at 400 Maryland Avenue, they were greeted by protesters denouncing the clumsy cuts and callous execution.

Fewer Subjects, Students, Data Points: Feds to Scale Back NAEP
EdWeek   |   April 21  (Freewall)
The National Assessment of Educational Progress, the only nationally comparable test given periodically to U.S. students, will shrink in scope over the next eight years, representatives from the National Assessment Governing Board announced in a board meeting on Monday. NAGB sets policy for NAEP.

Public School Pre-K Teachers are Professionals, but Aren’t Treated that Way
The 74   |   April 23
States are investing in expanding their pre-K programs. More than 1.5 million children were enrolled in a state-funded pre-K in 2022-23, about twice the number who attended in 2002, and thousands more were in locally funded programs.

Public Education: Living on Tulsa Time
CharterFolk   |   April 23
A recurring theme we’ve explored here at CharterFolk in recent months is the sheer volume of change now rippling across public education – and the challenge of distinguishing signal from noise.

Trump signs orders to promote stricter school discipline, end analysis of racial disparities
Chalkbeat   |   April 23
President Donald Trump signed executive orders Wednesday that aim to promote stricter school discipline and discourage schools from considering whether discipline policies have a greater impact on students of color.

Making Sense of Oklahoma
Founders Library   |   April 22
On April 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear two cases out of Oklahoma related to the nation’s first religiously affiliated charter school.

Democratic lawmakers want to restore federal office that serves English learners
Chalkbeat   |   April 22
A top Illinois congressman is calling on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to reverse recent changes to the U.S. Department of Education office that provides support to over 5 million English learners nationwide.

Arguments Mustered For Supreme Court Case Of Religious Charter School
Forbes   |   April 22
At the end of April, the U.S. Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments in a case that challenges the wall between church and state, and pro-school choice organizations, red states, and religious groups are lining up against Oklahoma’s attorney general and a group of Constitutional scholars.

Schools push career ed classes ‘for all,’ even kids heading to college
The Hechinger Post   |   April 21
It had been a slow morning at the Class Act Federal Credit Union. But a little after 11 a.m., a client walked through the door.

Supreme Court Weighs Whether Parents Have Right to Opt Out of LGBTQ Lessons
The 74   |   April 21
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will consider whether one of the nation’s largest school districts violated parents’ First Amendment right to religious freedom when it stopped allowing them to opt their children out of LGBTQ-themed lessons.

Let’s Make NAEP a True National Yardstick for Local Autonomy
The 74   |   April 21
Student outcomes in K–12 education have largely stagnated over the recent decades.

Supreme Court cases could pave way for larger role for religion in public schools
The Hechinger Post   |   April 19
The Supreme Court over the next two weeks will hear two cases that have the potential to erode the separation of church and state and create a seismic shift in public education.

🎥 Annual Conference Workshop Recordings Now Available! Log into our website to view recordings of our 2025 Hall of Fame awards, keynote speakers, and Solution Sessions. Revisit the powerful ideas, keynotes, and conversations that made the event unforgettable. Dive back into expert insights and inspiration anytime, anywhere. 💡

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

How Parents Think About School Enrollment
Avela, a leading provider of enrollment and school choice solutions, recently surveyed hundreds of parents across the country to understand how families search for and select schools. The findings reveal key insights that can help charter leaders improve outreach, increase enrollment, and better meet family needs. Download the full report.

Free PD for Supporting Multilingual Learners (May 7)
Colorado educators can take advantage of free professional learning through Project MOMENTUM to meet the 45-hour PD requirement for supporting multilingual learners. An upcoming Lunch and Learns on May 7 will focus on youth relationships and mental health literacy.

Evidence-Informed Strategies for Math Instruction (July Cohort)
CDE’s free, self-paced math course is now accepting interest forms for its third cohort. Designed for K–12 educators, it offers 14 modules, school-wide facilitation guides, and optional graduate credit—complete the form for priority registration.

GET INVOLVED

Lakeshore Learning’s 2025 Furniture Expo
Join Lakeshore Learning on May 7–8 in Denver for a hands-on Furniture Expo featuring innovative classroom furniture, instructional materials, and the debut of the new Modern Edge line. Attendees will connect with education leaders, explore cutting-edge products, and engage with Lakeshore’s Design Studio and leadership team.

NCSW 2025: May 11-17
National Charter Schools Week (NCSW) takes place May 11–17 with a theme that recognizes 30 years of the Charter Schools Program (CSP). Since its inception, CSP funding has supported the growth of high-quality charter schools across 42 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam—highlighting a lasting, bipartisan commitment to student-centered innovation. Plan your school’s celebration.

Submit Your Promising Partnership Practices Year-round
SACPIE and CDE are collecting standout partnership practices for the eleventh annual Promising Partnership Practices—Colorado book. Schools, districts, and educational organizations are encouraged to submit their initiatives year-round to highlight innovative collaborations for student success.

Join Today’s Legislative Lunch
Join our free, virtual Legislative Lunches every Friday from 12:00–12:30 PM for quick updates on education policy and charter school issues. Stay informed on key developments at the state Capitol throughout the legislative session.

Find a Learning Community
Enhance your professional growth with our ten specialized Learning Communities. From board chairs to marketing professionals, these opportunities will help you collaborate, learn, and strengthen the charter school community.

RESOURCES & GRANTS

Plan Ahead and Simplify Your Back-to-School Purchasing
As summer approaches, Staples is ready to support charter schools with back-to-school planning through their exclusive partnership with the League. From locked-in pricing and inventory management to deferred billing and cooperative discounts, Staples offers a streamlined solution for school supply needs—backed by a dedicated team ready to help every step of the way.

Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
Boost literacy for Colorado's children (birth-12th grade), especially children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. Apply for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant by May 1st at 4 p.m.

Free Girls’ Leadership Curriculum
Lean In Girls is a free, evidence-based leadership curriculum for girls ages 11–15, designed to build confidence, reframe failure, and inspire bold leadership. With 15 one-hour sessions, it’s easy to implement in after-school programs, advisory, or enrichment periods. Learn more or join an info session to see how schools nationwide are empowering girls to lead with confidence!

Immigration Resources for School Leaders
In response to requests, the League has compiled a list of immigration-related resources to help schools navigate regulations and rights. Access the resources here, including details on how to view the recorded webinar.

Free K-12 Math Resources
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has released free K-12 math resources to improve student proficiency. Developed with educators and institutions, these toolkits offer research-based materials, assessments, and activities to address declining math scores.

CDE UPDATES

CDE's Response to April 3 Title VI Certification Request
CDE will not collect or submit signed copies of the April 3 Title VI certification, as it was not approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act and lacks legal clarity. CDE remains committed to Title VI compliance and will submit the most recent OMB-approved civil rights assurances. 

CDE Statement on DHS Directive Change Regarding Sensitive Locations and Protected Areas
CDE is aware of the recent DHS directive rescinding the designation of schools as “sensitive locations” for federal immigration activities. CDE remains committed to ensuring all students, regardless of immigration status, have access to a safe learning environment and encourages school leaders to review federal resources to support immigrant students and their families.

Join our Next Cohort Session: May 13

With the 2025 CSP grant cycle underway, now is the time for school leaders, developers, and operations teams to engage with key opportunities designed to support your growth and success. Both the New/Replication/Expansion and Continuation Grant Applications are now open, with deadlines approaching in May. If you're applying — or considering it — be sure to attend one of our upcoming Technical Assistance sessions to get your questions answered and set yourself up for success.

This season also features our next Prospect Cohort session on May 13 — focused on Training & Technical Assistance — and our Quarterly Business & Operations Cohort on May 15, promoting financial health and operational excellence across Colorado charter schools. There’s something for everyone in this vibrant learning community, and we’re here to support you at every step. Read the latest issue of our monthly newsletters here.

11th April 2025 Mili Llama Mili Llama matches qualified college students and other community based individuals with half-day, full-day, and long-term substitute teaching assignments.

25 April 2025 Legislative Lunches A cohort for charter school leaders and board members who wish to stay updated on happenings at the State Capitol as they relate to education and the charter school sector. Meets weekly during the legislative session. Policy Calls, Virtual

5 May 2025 CSP Office Hours: Grant Project Goals Have questions or want to dive deeper into CSP? Join us for Office Hours! Great Schools Colorado, Virtual

16 May 2025 Town Hall May 2025 A virtual meeting for the charter school community featuring timely topics. Town Hall

April Healthy Schools Meeting We’re excited to invite you to our free, in-person CHSC workshop on April 30, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM at the Lowry Conference Center in Denver. Complete the initial sign-up to reserve your spot. Session details will be shared by April 1.

Upcoming Training Series on Preventing School Violence We are excited to announce the upcoming Preventing School Violence Mini Training Series, designed to equip educators, school staff, and community members with essential strategies to create safer learning environments. See this flyer for registration details and more information.

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• ACT (April 23, 2025)
• NEWS (April 18, 2025)
• MOVE (April 11, 2025)
• LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (April 16, 2025)
• CONNECT COHORT (April 24, 2025)
• GREAT SCHOOLS COLORADO (April 17, 2025)

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.	ACT for Charter Schools The League's ACT Network mobilizes charter school communities to strengthen and support schools statewide.
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