 🎓 Capping off the year From federal budget proposals and bipartisan legislation to legal battles at the Supreme Court, this week’s top headlines reflect the shifting landscape of charter school policy and funding. Colorado remains at the center of the conversation, with Senator Bennet playing a key role and mental health concerns adding urgency to state-level action. Join us this morning for our last Town Hall of the year at 10 AM for a panel discussion of the impending Supreme Court case. As the school year wraps up, let’s celebrate your impact! Share your graduation or continuation photos with us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and on social media. 📲 Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS. 
| 15th May 2025 |
| The Fight for Public Schools for All |
CharterFolk
That question is at the center of nearly every education policy fight today, from school board meetings to state legislatures. And Denver is no exception.* |
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| 14th May 2025 |
| Charters, church, and the Court with Starlee Coleman |
Fordham Institute
On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Starlee Coleman, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, joins Mike and David to discuss the religious charter schools case currently before the U. S. Supreme Court. |
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| 13th May 2025 |
| Chair Cassidy, Bennet Introduce Legislation Supporting Charter School Students |
Senate
Today, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced the Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, legislation that ensures charter schools can access public property and provide federal grants to states for charter school facilities. |
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 Charter schools in Durango provide valuable choices for students and families
Durango Herald | May 14
When I moved to Southwest Colorado five years ago, I had some concerns about charter schools. I had accepted an AmeriCorps position to serve at Pagosa Peak Open School, a K-eight charter school that emphasizes project-based learning.  Exclusive Data Highlights Paradox: As Enrollment Falls, Fewer Schools Close
The 74 | May 12
Districts with plans to close schools often meet stiff community resistance. School leaders, in the words of one expert, are ‘so bad at this.’ Three charter schools pitch Castle Rock campuses
CCM | May 12
Three new charter school applications currently under review by the Douglas County School District share something in common: they all want to open in Castle Rock.   ‘A True Game Changer:’ Unprecedented School Choice Tax Credit Part of GOP Bill
The 74 | May 14
A historic bill creating a first-of-its-kind, nationwide tax credit scholarship program to expand private school choice is part of a sweeping Republican tax bill approved by the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday. Boys Outperform Girls in Middle School STEM, Reversing Gender Gap, Study Finds
The 74 | May 13
Boys are surpassing girls in middle school math and science achievement, according to new research comparing three of the nation’s top academic assessments.  30 years later, charter schools are strong — but Congress can make them better
The Hill | May 13
Thirty years ago, Congress created a radical new idea: fund initiatives for public schools that operated with more flexibility, community control, and strong accountability. Five Ways High-Performing Schools Use Data to Help Students Succeed
The 74 | May 11
Across the country, most teachers do not have the resources or the training to make informed decisions driven by data.  To fill ‘education deserts,’ more states want community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees
Hechinger Report | May 7
The suspect moved menacingly toward her, but Elexiana Oliva stood her ground, gun drawn and in a half crouch as she calmly tried to talk him down.    Thank You for Sharing Your Voice on our Member Survey
A big thank-you to all who participated in our recent member survey—your feedback is invaluable in helping us better serve Colorado’s charter school community. Thank you's to school leaders and business managers have been sent out via email, and congratulations to our two random $25 gift card winners: Adrienne Ferradino and Lawrence Rugar!
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. 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
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.  Find a Learning Cohort
Advance your professional growth through our ten specialized Learning Communities. Whether you’re a board chair, marketing professional, or another charter school leader, these cohorts offer a chance to collaborate, learn, and build a stronger charter school community together.
RESOURCES & GRANTS
 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! 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
 Upcoming Title I Allocations for FY 2025
The U.S. Department of Education is finalizing preliminary Title I state allocations, expected to be released within the next two weeks. Funds will be distributed in two phases — on July 1 and October 1 — as originally planned. Senate Votes to Overturn FCC Hotspot Rule
On May 8, the Senate passed a measure to overturn the FCC rule allowing E-Rate funds for off-campus Wi-Fi hotspots for students. The House has not yet acted. If enacted, the rule change would block current and future use of E-Rate funds for hotspots.  Updates and the Latest News Our latest updates on the New Grant have been posted here. And our latest newsletter is here. Please read both of these to get up-to-date information from the Great Schools Team. Required Policies + Procedures – June 10  Don’t miss our next session on Tuesday, June 10 from 5–6 p.m., where the topic is Required Policies and Procedures. We’ll cover the essential documents you’ll need to have in place — from board governance and conflict of interest policies to enrollment procedures, academic performance expectations, and more. Attendees will have time to ask questions, bring draft documents, and engage in peer learning.
Not receiving Great Schools Colorado newsletters? Join our mailing list to stay connected. The Great Schools newsletter archive is here.
| 9th May 2025 |
| Black Iron Photography |
| From mountaintop proposals, elopements and stunning weddings to preschool, school and sports photography, we truly love what we do! |
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