November MOVE from the League

Welcome to the November MOVE!

While we reflect on a signature win in the election to keep charter schools safe and thriving at the State Board of Education, we also love seeing Colorado charter schools take innovative strides from drone soccer robotics programs to the determined efforts of one rural community to keep their school open. We also highlight one school's cultural connections and community celebration at a vibrant Día de los Muertos event, which brought over 500 families together to honor this meaningful tradition.

Leaders: Please complete our flash poll on Waitlists.
ALL: Please join us this morning at 10 AM for our latest Townhall.

If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.

Charter Families Are Majority Makers

By Dan Schaller, League President

Good morning everyone,

On election night last week, there were any number of consequential races being decided for both our state and country. In the midst of all the attention being paid to the Presidential and Congressional contests, you’d be forgiven for not having the bandwidth to absorb much else. But one race in particular – that for a decisive seat on the Colorado State Board of Education – was important on many levels, not least of which for what it revealed about the importance of the state's growing and influential charter school sector.

In the 8^th Congressional District (CD8), Gabe Evans managed to eke out a narrow victory against incumbent Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, but the more interesting shift occurred down ballot in the same district.

In the CD8 race for the State Board of Education, Republican nominee Yazmin Navarro managed to win by a much more substantial margin, besting the incumbent Democrat Rhonda Solis by roughly 16,000 votes.

What caused Yazmin Navarro’s margin of victory to be so large?

In a nutshell, it was charter school families – 18,000 charter school parents, to be exact.

As you know, the State Board of Education serves a critical role when it comes to public charter schools, with the power to overturn the decisions of local school boards that reject the applications of new charter schools or refuse to renew existing charter schools. The winner of the CD8 race would determine whether the State Board of Education retained a bipartisan, pro-charter school majority or, for the first time in state history, flipped to more of an overt anti-charter posture.

In the end, the candidate who vowed to support charter schools when they proved effective at educating kids was the one who emerged victorious.

The outcome of the race made one thing clear: Charter school families are a political force to be reckoned with.

With over 137,000 Colorado children currently being served by public charter schools – 50% larger than the largest school district in the state (Denver Public Schools) – this is a constituency that cannot and should not be ignored.

Efforts supported by CLCS Action, the League’s partner 501(c)(4) organization, focused on a group of 18,000 charter school parents in CD8 with a mission to inform, engage, and activate them on the State Board of Education race. We took not a partisan position, having supported Democratic candidates in other races, but one based on which candidate would best serve our students and families.

We reached out with digital ads, mailers, and texts, letting them know the stakes of the race and where each candidate stood on the issue of charter schools.

And charter school parents of all political persuasions took notice and voted accordingly.

To win by the margin she did, Yazmin Navarro had to convince a significant number of voters who supported Democrat Yadira Caraveo in the CD8 Congressional race to cross the political aisle and support her in the CD8 Board of Education race.

Thank you to all who stood with us and made their voices heard in this election. It was a momentous outcome and one we need to keep replicating as we prepare for what’s likely to be another contentious legislative session ahead.

Dan Schaller, President
Colorado League of Charter Schools
[Read this on our website]

Drones Prepare Students for Soaring Careers in Aviation and Aerospace

By Kim Daly, Contributing Writer

Fueled by the highest concentration of private aerospace jobs in the nation and home to the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), U.S. Air Force Academy, and the United Airlines Flight Training Center, Colorado is uniquely positioned as a leader in both aviation and aerospace. However, filling the pipeline of talent is critical to industry sustainability, an opportunity some charter schools are using to help students soar.

Thanks to partnerships with CrewConcept and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Skies Academy and Colorado Early Colleges successfully use drone soccer robotics teams to spark student interest and foster a love for flight and space exploration. This year, CrewConcept partnered with five charter school campuses to secure $95,000 in funding from CDOT’s Aviation Workforce Development grant. The schools themselves then joined forces to formalize aviation career pathways for students — from early middle school courses at Colorado Skies Academy to high school-level, industry-focused classes at Colorado Early Colleges. Read the full article here.

District Partners with Community to Keep Rural School Open

By Kim Daly, Contributing Writer

While the JACCC’s brightest future may just lie ahead, it holds steadfast to community roots.

Nine miles west of Highway 93 in Golden, nestled in the piney hills off a winding road, students and staff gather on a nearly 11-acre campus with captivating views. According to local history, the first schoolhouse in Coal Creek Canyon existed along this area of Twin Spruce Road in 1890. Over 130 years later, residents of the community faced a significant threat: the potential closure of its local K-8 school. Less than a year later after the local school district partnered with the community, Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon (JACCC) and the families it serves are both excited and hopeful. Read the full article here.

Douglas County Community Unites for Dia de los Muertos

On November 5, Global Village Academy Douglas County (GVA DC) partnered with Parker Arts Center to celebrate Dìa de los Muertos, bringing the Hispanic celebration’s culture, tradition, and creativity to life. With over 500 families and community members in attendance, the evening was “truly a vibrant showcase of culture and community connection,” says Christine Toulouse, Director of Marketing & Communications.

The school's thoughtfully constructed altar of offerings — known as an ofrenda — served as a centerpiece. “Our 5th-grade student ambassadors shared their knowledge of the rituals and significance of the ofrenda, "shares Toulouse. They explained “the traditions in both Spanish and English to provide a deeper cultural connection.” Read the full article here.

Waitlist Survey 2024

Complete a flash poll on waitlists at your school to help us as we head to the legislative session

As the League continues to advocate for the interests of charter schools at the Capitol and beyond, it is essential to understand how many charter schools currently have waitlists. These waitlist data (in aggregate) are an important indicator of unmet parent demand for additional seats at innovative and high-quality public charter schools. Please take a few minutes to answer this very brief survey about the current number of students on a waitlist at your charter school. Up to ten respondents to this survey will receive gift cards for their school.

Complete the Survey

Expansion Opportunity: 801 Yosemite for Sale in Lowry
Attention Charter School Board Members! A 46,000 SF school property at 801 Yosemite in Lowry is available for purchase, with occupancy possible in Fall 2027. Currently leased to a charter school through June 2027, this K-8 campus offers a unique opportunity for schools planning future expansions, allowing rental income to support cash flow until occupancy. For additional details or to schedule a tour, view the property information here.

Get Involved

Register for Denver School Choice Expo 2025
Transform Education Now invites schools to the Denver School Choice Expo on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Infinity Park Event Center. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, families will explore school options, meet school representatives, and get on-site enrollment assistance. This fun, free event features music and food, offering schools a great chance to connect with families. Space is limited to the first 65 schools—register early to secure your school's spot!

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 Pueblo on November 21. 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 cohorts tailored for board chairs, marketing professionals, school founders, and more to impactful training sessions covering Title IX, and community engagement, there's something for everyone. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow!

Grants & Resources

Positive School Environments
The Daniels Fund is excited to announce a funding opportunity from the Colorado Department of Law (DOL) to enhance school and community belonging, empower trusted adults, and promote positive school climates. Applications are open to programs focused on youth connectedness and resilience. For details and the Request for Applications, visit here. A Notice of Intent to Apply is due TODAY, November 15th, with final applications due by January 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Seminars Abroad Program
The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad program is now accepting applications for the summer 2025 session, with a deadline of January 7, 2025. This program offers U.S. educators in the arts, social sciences, and humanities the opportunity to participate in short-term seminars in Uruguay, Peru, India, Greece, and Türkiye. Each thematic seminar includes educational lectures and interactive cultural activities, such as visits to local schools and meetings with education officials and students. Participants will use their experiences to create or enhance cross-cultural curricula for their U.S. classrooms. The program covers airfare, room and board, and other costs, while participants are responsible for a cost-share of $750.

Open Education Resources (OER)
OERColorado provides free PK-12+ learning materials to Colorado educators. 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.

Learning Opportunities

UCCS/RING K12 Cybersecurity 2-Day Workshop
Participants are invited to join the UCCS/RING K12 Cybersecurity 2-Day Workshop for an engaging, hands-on professional development experience. This workshop will focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity, allowing attendees to work independently and collaboratively on projects related to RING cybersecurity applications and supplemental materials. To receive access to the RING cybersecurity curriculum prior to the scheduled workshop, participants should complete the registration form.

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 will host monthly live informational webinars to provide updates on the training requirements for teachers and school administrators.

Enhance Your Understanding of Islam
Secondary social studies teachers eager to deepen their understanding of Islam can enroll in the Islam Across SSEWA online course from January to March 2025. This 8-week introductory course explores the history, customs, and contemporary topics of Islam in South, Southeast, and West Asia, featuring both synchronous and asynchronous sessions led by faculty. Participants will complete assigned readings, weekly assignments, and a final project, receiving a $100 stipend and a certificate for professional development hours upon completion. Your input is valuable in developing the course schedule—please share your preferences by completing this survey.

CDE Updates

SBOE hears details of Accountability Task Force recommendations
DENVER -- During its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, the State Board of Education heard recommendations from the 1241 Task Force, which was created to make improvements to the accountability and accreditation system and released its final report last week. [Read more]

Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Grant Application Deadlines
December 15, 2024: Deadline for all potential applicants to notify CDE of their intent to apply for a BEST grant in the upcoming FY2025-26 grant round. New this year, only those who complete the notice of intent by the deadline will be able to apply. Please complete the Intent to Apply form.

January 2025: Required match percentages will be posted.

A silver lining for blue state education reform?
Fordham | November 14
It’s hard to be optimistic about education reform in the wake of the election. This is nothing new; as Tim Daly wrote recently, we’ve been in an “education depression” for over a decade, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

At my School, Early College Is for all Students. It Should be at Your School, Too
The 74 | November 13
One of the ninth graders at my school, Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts, was struggling.

Colorado Accountability Task Force recommends overhaul of state education accountability systems
The Pagosa Spring | November 13
A task force created to examine the state’s education accountability system is recommending a major overhaul — including adjustments to ratings for schools and districts — to better reflect the achievement of different student groups and to provide parents, guardians and family members with a clearer understanding of how well schools prepare students for life after high school.

Why Teachers Don’t Use the High-Quality Instructional Materials They’re Given
The 74 | November 12
An increasing number of districts across America are rightly procuring so-called high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for use in their schools.

EDITORIAL: Colorado’s charter schools get a reprieve
Denver Gazette | November 12
Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo wasn’t the only incumbent to lose her seat to a turnover in the 8th Congressional District last week.

Colorado needs a new system for grading schools, according to task force
CPR News | November 12
It took 26 educators, administrators, parents, school board members and other education-minded folks 150 hours of extensive study into the state’s system for grading schools — including interviewing school and district leaders, teachers and families — to come to a conclusion: It’s time for an overhaul.

SHIFT Chronicles: What makes a great leader?
Boardhawk | November 12
“What makes a great leader?” A great leader demonstrates courage, embraces vulnerability, and exhibits perseverance.

‘It is heartbreaking:’ Parents, teachers meet with Denver school board about possible closures
Chalkboard | November 11
In school libraries and cavernous auditoriums, the Denver school board on Monday began a week of listening to students, parents, and teachers in 10 schools facing possible closure.

State Board of Education keeps pro-charter school bent after Republican wins 8th District race
The Colorado Sun | November 10
Republican Yazmin Navarro, a substitute teacher from Johnstown, defeated incumbent Democrat Rhonda Solis in the race for the seat on the State Board of Education representing Colorado’s highly competitive 8th Congressional District.

Perspective: Charter schools deliver
Denver Gazette | November 10
Public school choice is a core part of Colorado’s educational fabric. It empowers families, improves educational outcomes and strengthens our communities.

Big-City Districts Are Beset by Financial Dysfunction — and Kids Pay the Price
The 74 | November 7
Financial dysfunction is plaguing many city school districts. Chicago is the most concerning.

Can Trump Really Dismantle the Department of Education?
EdWeek | November 7
Plans to abolish the U.S. Department of Education—a key part of President-elect Donald Trump’s platform and a priority for his political allies—are a key concern for schools as he prepares to retake the White House in January.

Are the competitive effects of charter schools muted or magnified by private schools?
Fordham | November 7
One of the most interesting and significant findings about charter schools in the last decade—outside of the fact that they tend to outperform traditional public schools (TPS)—is that growing charter enrollment is tied to significant increases, on average, in the achievement of poor, Black, and Hispanic students across entire metro areas (particularly larger ones).

What a Second Trump Presidency Could Mean for Education in the U.S.
The 74 | November 7
Former President Donald Trump may have pulled off an unthinkable upset, becoming the first previous commander-in-chief since 1892 to skip a term.

24th October 2024

School Nurse Workforce Retention Grant: Boost Retention with Bonuses

Help retain your school nurses with bonuses up to $2,500! Apply for the retention grant by November 21, 2024.

14th November 2024

Preventing School Violence Grant Program

The Preventing School Violence Grant program is pursuant to the Bureau of Justice Assistance's STOP School Violence Program to support enhanced safety planning. This includes improving school climate, implementing violence prevention strategies, and engaging a multi-disciplinary team to enhance district safety plans. Applications are due on November 21, 2024 at 4pm.

14th November 2024

School Food System Transformation Grant Available

Deadline: December 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new School Food System Transformation Grant that will provide up to $8.5 million in total funding to foster partnerships that improve school food systems and food options available to students. Applications are due on December 13, 2024. See more information here.

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