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Welcome to the NEWS for January 5, 2024
Happy New Year from your friends at the League!
Explore the excellence of Colorado's public charter schools highlighted by League President Dan Schaller in a guest column from the Denver Gazette. Delve into a New York City network of small public high schools experimenting with artificial intelligence to revolutionize teacher feedback. Get an overview of the tumultuous year in higher education news and K–12's biggest stories from 2023. Stay informed on the seven artificial intelligence trends set to reshape education in 2024, including the profound impact of ChatGPT on generative AI.
Don't miss your chance to secure your spot! Register for the 2024 Annual Charter School Conference before attendee prices increase mid-January.
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
Housing is so expensive in Colorado that school districts are becoming landlords to attract teachers
The Denver Post | December 28, 2023
Leaders in Colorado school districts are trying to solve a big problem: They want to attract and retain teachers, bus drivers and other educators, but the state’s high cost of living keeps outpacing employees’ wages even after administrators dole out raises. Read more [paywall].
Salida Montessori School Receives Nearly $14 Million for New School
Heart of Rockies Radio | December 27, 2023
The Salida Montessori School has received almost $14 million to build a new school. The grant comes from Building Excellent Schools Today. Read more.
New AI in education steering committee to release policy recommendations for Colorado schools in 6 months
KOAA | December 20, 2023
The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) is working to bring educators and the tech industry together to create guidance for how schools can address the growing popularity of artificial intelligence. Read more.
National
When school becomes optional
Fordham Institute | January 4, 2024
“Truancy” may no longer be the right word for it, maybe not even “absenteeism,” for both imply being missing from a place where one is supposed to be. Read more.
One-on-One Tutoring Program Bets Big on Teaching Kindergartners to Read
The 74 | January 3, 2024
High-dosage tutoring is one of the most effective tools to help students recover from lost learning, including in subjects like reading, where many are far behind. Read more.
New Analysis Finds Charter School Sector Still Has Plenty of Room to Grow
The 74 | January 3, 2024
The conventional wisdom in some quarters is that the charter school movement has run its course. Read more.
New Report Shows Millions of Rural Students Facing Multiple Crises after COVID
The 74 | January 2, 2024
While the entire United States is still reeling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery process has not been even nationwide. Read more.
How Principals Can Grow Professionally This Year
EdWeek | January 2, 2024
For most people, January is the only time of the year that they stop to consider the past year’s triumphs and challenges and make resolutions for a new year. Read more [paywall].
3 Tips for School Leaders to Nurture Teachers’ Well-Being
EdWeek | December 20, 2023
Teachers are more stressed and burned out at work than other working adults. Read more [paywall].
Best Education Articles of 2023: Our 23 Most Important Stories About Students, Schools & Learning Recovery
The 74 | December 19, 2023
Now three years since COVID’s first classroom closures and a year before districts start to feel the true impact of the fiscal cliff, 2023 marked a pivotal moment for students and schools across America. Read more.
New Report: Charter Schools Gained 300,000 Students in 40 States from 2019-23
The 74 | December 18, 2023
Since 2021, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has released an annual enrollment report to better understand where families are choosing to send their children to school, at both the national and state-by-state levels. Read more.
Schools Could Lose 136,000 Teaching Jobs When Federal COVID Funds Run Out
The 74 | October 25, 2023
Objectively speaking, it’s a weird time to be talking about layoffs in schools. Read more.
Community Announcements
Learning Opportunities
Last Call: Nominate Outstanding Leaders for the 2024 Hall of Fame by 1/13!
Final Week to Nominate! Don't miss the chance to nominate outstanding school leaders for The Colorado League of Charter Schools' 2024 Hall of Fame. Nominations close on 1/13. Join us in celebrating and honoring those who contribute significantly to the charter community. Your nominations play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community within the charter school movement. Nominate someone today! Nominate someone today!
CC-LIVE Partners with Top Schools: Mountain Middle School Achieves 2023 Distinction Rating!
CC-LIVE is partnering with top accredited schools in Colorado! Mountain Middle School Announces the State’s Top 2023 Accreditation Rating of Performance with Distinction. Mrs. Tabola enjoys every moment of working with the 8th graders at Mountain Middle School. Thanks to the warmth from the students and the administration we feel through the screen we are not surprised they have received this honor and we want to say, Congratulations! A well-deserved recognition of your dedication to your students.
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.
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.
Professional Learning & Exploration Program with Educational Tours
Join fellow district leaders from around the country in Japan and South Korea during July ‘24 to build global competency, explore educational innovation, connect with community and take part in professional networking in an international setting. Scholarships are available - applications are due by January 19, 2024. Apply here. For more information reach out to Heather Keeton.
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
Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado Survey coordinator training on Jan. 10
In preparation for the TLCC survey launch on Wednesday, Jan. 24, CDE and Panorama Education will host an optional survey coordinator training session. The hourlong session will include resources and best practices designed to ensure all districts and schools are prepared to support strong response rates and leverage results. Register here for the Zoom training at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10. A recording and the presentation slides will be shared on the TLCC Survey website.
Exceptional Children’s Educational Act High-Cost Reimbursement applications
Applications and instructions are available for reimbursement of special ed high-cost student expenditures for the 2022-23 fiscal year. In Administrative Unit and Out of District applications are due Friday, March 1.
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.
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 15, 2023)
- MOVE (December 8, 2023)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (December 18, 2023)
- CONNECT COHORT (December 7, 2023)
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| © 2024 Colorado League of Charter Schools |