 ☕️ Welcome back, let's catch up This week’s roundup highlights big moves and tough news across Colorado’s charter school landscape from this week and this past summer. From ABC News’ feature on 5280 High School to AXIS International Academy’s plans for a permanent campus, there’s no shortage of momentum. At the same time, sudden leadership changes and the abrupt closure of Colorado Skies Academy are sending shockwaves just weeks before the new school year begins. On the national front, we’re watching key developments with federal education funding, legal challenges to policy shifts, and a fresh look at how school spending correlates with student outcomes. Plus, catch up on major summer headlines, including the ongoing impact of federal department downsizing and the growing role of AI in classrooms. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.   Tricia Noyola resigns as CEO of Denver-based charter school network Rocky Mountain Prep
Chalkbeat | July 23
Denver-based charter school network Rocky Mountain Prep announced Wednesday that CEO Tricia Noyola has resigned.  Governor signs mandate requiring Colorado schools to teach Black history curriculum
Colorado Springs Gazette | July 21
Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill last month requiring the state’s Department of Education to develop a statewide K-12 curriculum on Black history and cultural studies. New charter school John Adams Academy sparks debate in Colorado's Sterling Ranch community
CBS News | July 17
A fast-growing Colorado community will soon be home to two new schools that are set to open in the next two years.  Jared Polis and governors association release plan to improve education and workforce outcomes
Chalkbeat | July 30
Governors should expand their approach to education by preparing students not just for work, but civic life and personal well-being too. And they should track and publish people’s progress towards key education-related goals. Penny Schwinn Drops Out of the Running for Ed Department’s Deputy Role
The 74 | July 31
Penny Schwinn, in line to serve as second in command of the U.S. Department of Education, has withdrawn from the nomination, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Thursday.  Education Dept. Lifts Freeze on Remaining Federal Funds
The 74 | July 25
A freeze on federal education funding that prompted two lawsuits has been lifted, and states will be able to access the money next week, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. ICYMI:
 The Last Reformer: Houston Schools Chief Mike Miles on the Case for Going Bold
The 74 | July 23
After years of underperformance, Texas appointed an unapologetic reformer to take over its biggest district. Huge improvements followed. In Ruling’s Aftermath, Some See Beginning of the End for Department of Education
The 74 | July 15
The day after the Supreme Court allowed the department to fire half its staff, Secretary Linda McMahon went ahead with plans to move key programs. ICYMI:
- Legal Scorecard: How is the Trump Education Juggernaut Faring in Court? (July 13)
- Big Tax Bill Passes: With Less ‘Beautiful’ Plan for National School Choice (July 1)
- ‘Going for Blood’: With Half of its Staff Cut, Many Wonder How Ed Dept. Will Function (March 12)
 As DOE and Title IX Are Dismantled, The Promise of Equal Opportunity Is at Risk
The 74 | July 10
As Secretary Linda McMahon works to shutter the U.S. Department of Education and the Trump administration returns to its 2020 Title IX regulations, gender equity in education could suffer a permanent and detrimental blow. Survey: 60% of Teachers Used AI This Year and Saved up to 6 Hours of Work a Week
The 74 | July 8
Nearly two-thirds of teachers utilized artificial intelligence this past school year, and weekly users saved almost six hours of work per week, according to a recently released Gallup survey.  Trump, McMahon Claim to Support Education. Funding Cuts Tell a Different Story
The 17 | July 7
The Trump administration and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon present a troubling paradox regarding the federal role in education The Push for a $60K Minimum Salary for Teachers Has Reached Congress—Again
EdWeek | July 28
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Edward Markey, D-Mass., have reintroduced education bills that would increase minimum salaries for teachers to $60,000 and the minimum wage for support staff to $45,000 or $30 per hour.   Membership Renewals: The League is in the middle of renewal season. Thank you to all who have so far renewed their membership. If you're still in the middle of the process, this is the perfect month to take care of the details. Log in to the League's website (as a "finance contact"), view "My Account" in the upper right, then "Organizational Invoices" to view whether your invoices are paid or open. Your connection to the League and to all the schools in the network helps us all move Forward Together. Thank you! Liberty Common Educator Contributes to Math Standards
Liberty Common High School mathematics instructor and department chair Mr. Torgun Lovely, was invited in October 2024 to serve on an expert committee tasked with reviewing and refining the standards. According to NAS Director of Research David Randall, “After Jon Gregg (who drafted it), Torgun had the most input—large bits of it are him.” “It was an absolute honor and joy to play a meaningful role in their [the standards] development,” said Lovely. The standards are named after the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, a figure emblematic of both the practical and philosophical power of mathematics. Read more.
GET INVOLVED
 Share Your Expertise at the 2026 Annual Conference
Request for Propsals open August 15, 2025 for the Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference. Submit a session proposal to inspire, educate, and connect with the charter school community. Learn more and apply August 15.
RESOURCES & GRANTS
 Tools for Multilingual Learners
CDE released a new resource to support linguistically responsive, data-based instruction for multilingual learners. The webpage walks teams through Like-Peer Comparisons to support RTI, reading interventions, and more.
CDE UPDATES
 Free trianings for K-12 science teachers
The Colorado Department of Education is offering free Science at its Peak trainings for K–12 science teachers this fall, both in-person and online. These sessions support standards-based, real-world science instruction and offer license renewal credit. Trainings run through October in locations across the state. Learn more and register. 
| 31st July 2025 |
| Abstract Insights, LLC |
| Abstract Insights helps Colorado charter schools thrive by delivering expert financial management and technology solutions that streamline operations and drive long-term success. |
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| 5 August 2025 |
| Title IX Training: Investigator |
| A one-day, six-hour training, including new regulations that went into effect August 1, 2024. |
| Title IX, Hybrid |
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| 6 August 2025 |
| Title IX Training: Decision Maker |
| Updated training for effective decisions associated with Title IX complaints. |
| Title IX, Hybrid |
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| 6 August 2025 |
| Title IX Training: Equity Compliance for Boards & School Leaders |
| A single, two-hour training for anyone involved in Title IX processes. |
| Title IX, Hybrid |
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| 13 – 14 August 2025 |
| Title IX Training: Coordinator |
| A two-day, nine-hour training, including the new regulations that went into effect August 1, 2024. |
| Title IX, Hybrid |
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| Free Oral Health Screening Program for Schools |
| A no-cost dental screening for kindergarten and 3rd-grade students offered by CDPHE to help prevent tooth decay. Participating schools receive screenings during the 2025–2026 school year. Interested schools can complete this interest forminterest form. |
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| Preventing School Violence Virtual Training Series |
| Offering free, expert-led sessions for K–12 educators, staff, and partners to strengthen school safety, support mental health, and build positive school climates. |
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| MyTime to Lead |
| MyTime to Lead is a free, six-week virtual leadership program for emerging Colorado leaders. Participants engage in self-paced learning, weekly live sessions, leadership assessments, and a real-world Leadership Challenge focused on advancing health equity. |
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