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Welcome to the NEWS for April 5, 2024
Charter school legislation dominates headlines: Gov. Polis opposes the anti-charter bill, Colorado lawmakers consider changes, and a religious charter school's fate hangs in the balance. A survey reveals concerns about teachers and preparing high schoolers' job preparedness in poverty-stricken areas.
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 Headlines
Colorado needs to strengthen college and career connections for students, report says
Chalkbeat | April 2, 2024
While more Colorado students are taking college-level and career education classes in high school, a new report says that trend hasn’t correlated to many more students going to college. Read more.
Who’s playing ‘oppression olympics’ on the Denver school board?
Boardhawk | April 2, 2024
Yesterday was April Fools Day, but you would be forgiven for thinking it was Groundhog Day. Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Board of Education is once again asking the community to engage in redistricting. Read more.
Community changes from within: Moonshot’s new Innovation Space
Boardhawk | April 1, 2024
Moonshot has led six cohorts of 100 historically marginalized leaders and leaders of color through the Moonshot Fellowship, launching over 40 innovative learning environments since 2017. Read more.
‘Highest award of AVID schools’: Windsor Charter Academy named AVID National Demonstration School
Greeley Tribune | March 31, 2024
Windsor Charter Academy will now serve as one of five national demonstration schools in Colorado for an educational model that’s been shown to increase graduation rates and college enrollment. Read more [paywall].
A colorful path less traveled: My journey as a professional creative after DPS
Boardhawk | March 29, 2024
Last December I had the honor of being recognized as Ednium: The Alumni Collective’s artist of the year, or as they call it, The Creator Award. Read more.
Colorado budget would boost funding for higher education, end maneuver that shortchanged schools
Chalkbeat | March 26, 2024
Next year’s $40.6 billion Colorado state budget proposal unveiled on Tuesday aims to provide a big boost to K-12 schools and colleges and universities across the state. Read more.
National Views
We’ve made teaching impossible or: What I learned talking to 200 teachers
Fordham Institute | April 4, 2024
Last week, I did something unorthodox. I asked teachers to message me directly via X (formerly known as Twitter) to vent their frustrations. Within hours, I received almost 200 messages expressing not only frustration, but also hope, humor, fatalism, and quite a bit of hesitancy to converse with a complete stranger on the internet. Read more.
School choice need not mean an expensive windfall for the rich
Fordham Institute | April 4, 2024
The school choice movement continues to rack up dramatic wins in states nationwide, with particular strength this year in the Old Confederacy. Read more.
Leadership Is Key, Autonomy Matters: Lessons in Why Tutoring Programs Work
The 74 | April 3, 2024
Jackson Elementary School in Louisiana’s East Feliciana Parish District sits on a quiet street just outside the town of Jackson, population 4,130. Read more.
National Alliance Stands with Oklahoma Attorney General on Protecting Public Education
NAPCS | April 2, 2024
Todd Ziebarth, Senior Vice President for State Advocacy and Support at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, released the following statement regarding today’s Oklahoma Supreme Court hearing for oral arguments to stop the Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s attempt to open the nation’s first religious public school. Read more.
‘Are We Being Used as a Test Case?’: Oklahoma Justices Question Catholic Charter
The 74 | April 2, 2024
“On July 1, we will violate the law,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told the state Supreme Court Tuesday, laying out the stakes in a closely watched case that tests the separation of church and state in education. Read more.
Starting Earlier Will Create Better Student Pipelines into STEM Fields
The 74 | April 1, 2024
A student in an elementary school drops an egg wrapped tightly in paper straws and tape to test whether it can survive a high fall. Next door, students engineer a solar oven out of pizza boxes, construction paper and aluminum foil. Read more.
74 Interview: USC’s Morgan Polikoff on New Poll Data & the ‘Purple Classroom’
The 74 | April 1, 2024
A recent poll from a pair of University of Southern California researchers found broad agreement among Americans about the value of public education but partisan divides regarding what schools should teach and at what grade levels. Read more.
Community Announcements
The League and Partners Release Joint Statement on HB24-1363
Colorado House Bill 24-1363, introduced on March 6th, targets students benefiting from the state's charter school system, jeopardizing their access to diverse educational opportunities. Sponsored by Rep. Lorena Garcia, Rep. Tammy Story, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, the bill prioritizes politics over the needs of thousands of students. The League ACT Network has sent over 40,000 emails opposing HB1363, emphasizing the detrimental impact it would have on Colorado's 260+ charter schools and the 135,000+ students they serve. Read the full statement here and take action here.
League Pursues Federal Charter Schools Program Grant: Enhancing Education in Colorado
We're excited to announce our pursuit of the Federal Charter Schools Program Grant. If awarded, this grant will provide vital support to charter schools in Colorado, fostering growth and excellence in education. Learn more about this opportunity to advance educational excellence for all students.
Stargate Charter School Receives Gold Star Award from Safe2Tell
Congratulations to Stargate Charter School for earning the Gold Star Award from Safe2Tell, making it the first school in Colorado to achieve this recognition. Safe2Tell commends the school's dedication to promoting safety through education and outreach. The award was presented by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, alongside representatives from Safe2Tell, the Adams 12 Board of Education, Thornton Police, Stargate Board, and community members. AG Weiser also engaged with students in an AP Government class, offering insights and answering questions. This achievement reflects the collaborative effort of all involved in prioritizing student safety.
Save The Date and Celebrate National Charter Schools Week!
Join us in celebrating National Charter Schools Week! From May 12-17, 2024, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will highlight the incredible impact of charter schools on students, families, and communities across the nation. Explore success stories, learn about innovative programs, and join the conversation on social media using #CharterSchoolsWeek. Together, let's celebrate the diversity, excellence, and opportunity that charter schools provide. Visit the link to discover more and join the celebration!
Casey McComsey Secures Board of Director Spot for the League
In a resounding victory, Casey McComsey has been elected to the coveted Board of Director spot for the League. With an impressive track record spanning from his roles as a charter school parent, teacher, principal, and network leader, McComsey's commitment to educational equity and school choice has propelled him into this influential position. With McComsey's appointment to the Board of Directors, the League is poised to strengthen its role in addressing charter school quality and advocating for educational equity. Read more about Casey and his fellow nominees.
Participate in the Colorado League of Charter Schools 2023-24 Member Survey
As valued members of our community, input from school leaders is crucial in shaping the future direction of the League. Therefore, we invite senior leaders at schools to participate in the Colorado League of Charter Schools 2023-24 Member Survey. The survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will close on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 5:00 PM. As an added incentive, participants can enter a random drawing for one of ten $50 gift cards by including their email address at the end of the survey. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kevin Hesla at [email protected].
ALERT: Potential Phishing Attempt Alert sent as if from the League
It has come to our attention that some individuals may encounter a phishing attempt falsely associated with our organization. This unauthorized communication bears the subject line "Colorado League Of Charter Schools Information Update" and requests personal information. We urge you to ignore and delete any such emails immediately. We have attached an image of the fraudulent email with the Colorado League of Charter Schools logo for your reference. Please remain vigilant and do not disclose any personal information in response to suspicious communications claiming to be from our organization. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Exciting Opportunity for Charter School Leaders: Fall Global Professional Learning Tour with EF Tours!
The Colorado League of Charter Schools is proud to partner with EF Educational Tours to offer school and network leadership (administrators, executive directors, CEOs, etc.) this unique professional development opportunity. APPLY NOW for a full scholarship to participate in travel-based learning in Panama from October 10th through 14th, 2024! Applications are due TODAY, Friday, April 5th, 2024. For more information, contact Heather Keeton, Educational Partnerships Manager for EF: [email protected] or 720.903.8639.
Making Sense of 2024: A Presentation for High School Students
The current political context is daunting and discouraging for everyone, but perhaps most of all for young Americans. What is happening in our country’s politics, how did we get here, and what is our role within it? Drawing on history, political science, original research, and popular culture, Stephen Hawkins, Global Director of Research for More in Common, seeks to answer these questions in a way that is grounded, yet inspiring, all in a 35-minute presentation. Developed for students in grades 9-12, the presentation is 35 minutes followed by Q&A. For more information, contact [email protected].
OERColorado: Where Colorado Learns Through Shared Knowledge!
Budgets eating up curriculum funds? The OERColorado Project is a statewide initiative, funded through state and federal grants and administered by the Colorado River BOCES, to provide access to digital collections of free, openly licensed curriculum resources for PK-12+ educators. OERColorado is a digital library of Open Educational Resources (OER), textbooks, and classroom materials across subject areas, CTE, and communities of practice. Think “Teachers pay Teachers” but Free! For more information on how to use OERColorado resources in classrooms and with students, visit the “OERColorado” channel on YouTube or email [email protected].
New Collaborative to Fund Charter Research
MIT Blueprint Labs recently launched a Charter School Research Collaborative to make charter research more actionable, rigorous, and efficient. The Collaborative will fund research proposals on long-term student outcomes, non-test score measures of school quality, the determinants of school quality, charter governance practices, and more (the full research agenda is here). The first request for proposals is now open, and Blueprint seeks proposals of various sizes, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 based on research scope and stage. Apply here by April 17, 2024.
Funding Opportunities
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.
CDE Updates
Explore Future Collaborative Opportunities with CDE Schools of Choice Unit
With the recent adoption of changes to the Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act, the CDE Schools of Choice Unit, Office of Online and Blended Learning, is eager to engage in collaborative efforts with the education community. These rule changes, providing increased flexibility in funding alternative instructional models like blended learning, prompt the exploration of innovative designs for the 2024-25 school year. As educators embark on this journey, they seek valuable feedback and input on potential next steps. Join in expanding awareness, sharing best practices, and fostering a Learning Community dedicated to implementing flexible learning models. Educators are encouraged to complete the Planning Survey to help shape the future of education. For more details on these rule changes and additional resources, individuals are directed to visit the provided links or contact the School Auditing Office (training and office hours webpage) directly. Let's work together to create dynamic learning environments for all students.
Nominate an Exceptional Teacher for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Do you know an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 teacher? Nominate him or her to apply for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year award by Monday, May 20. The selected teacher will represent the entire profession in the state and automatically become Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program. For more information contact Patty Gleason at [email protected] or 303-910-5721.
UIP Template Roll Over April 15: New Streamlined Template Option for 2024-25
The UIP template will roll over on Monday, April 15, changing from the 2023-24 template to the 2024-25 template. Once the template rolls over, school users will only have access to the 2024-25 template; previous UIPs and feedback will be view-only. District users can still access, edit, and post 2023-24 UIPs, if needed.
For the 2024-25 school year, schools and districts have the option to use the new streamlined Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Template beginning on April 15. This template will be accessed by district staff in the online portal, and school users can be given access by district LAM assignment. For more information visit the online system website.
Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer data collection due Tuesday, April 30
The mandatory Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer data collection will be open from Monday, April 1, to Tuesday, April 30. Household income information may be collected from families through free and reduced lunch applications, a combo form or the Family Economic Data Survey form. CDE will host an S-EBT webinar training at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. and will also provide updates on the data collection during the Data Pipeline Town Hall every Thursday in March from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. For more information and to access an informational flyer for families in English and Spanish, visit the Summer EBT webpage. For questions, contact Madeleine Breza at [email protected] or 720-471-7049.
Math instruction professional development
Elementary, middle school and high school teachers are invited to register for free online professional development in math instruction. The virtual asynchronous sessions will begin in June and will provide participants with practical tools and techniques to engage students, foster deeper understanding and cultivate an engaging learning environment around math. For more information contact Rachel Moore at [email protected].
Colorado Educator Loan Forgiveness Program opens March 15
Colorado educators can apply for student loan forgiveness beginning Friday, March 15. The program is designed for Colorado educators who are later in their career. Disbursement of payments will begin in July. This program is limited and not all who apply can be awarded. First preference will be given to applicants in approved rural schools/districts, followed by applicants in content-shortage area in non-rural schools/districts. Learn more about program qualifications on the Colorado Department of Higher Education website. For more information contact April Gonzalez at [email protected].
League News & Events
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Health & Wellness
Professional Development
Improving Student Health & Wellness for Educators
May 9
The Colorado Healthy Schools Collaborative is excited to announce the upcoming
hybrid meeting on May 9 th, 2024! The meeting will be held in person in Colorado Springs and hosted virtually. In addition to the meeting, we have a variety of professional development opportunities available in the afternoon. Review the May 9 event schedule and register!
Empowerment Through Education: Stewards of Children Training - April 24, 2024
April 24 | 2 PM MT
Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed, award-winning training designed to empower adults with practical actions to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in organizations, families, and communities. By participating, you'll acquire valuable insights, skills, and resources to recognize, respond to, and contribute to creating a safer environment for youth. Register here.
The Impact of Stress on Learning and Behavior
April 15-16 | 8 AM - 4:30 PM MT
Hosted By: Mountain Plains MHTTC
Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024
Register here.
Prioritizing Well-Being Among School and District Staff, Educators & Administrators
April 11 | 2 PM MT
Health and well-being are fundamental to our success in educating youth, engaging families, collaborating with colleagues, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 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. Register here.
Free Health Equity Training
On-Demand
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! Register here.
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.
Register here.
Resources
Study: Overscheduling Harms Students' Well-being
A recent data analysis by economists from the University of Georgia and the Federal Reserve Board highlights the psychological costs of overscheduling for students, particularly during high-school years. The study reveals that excessive homework and extracurricular activities can harm mental well-being, making students more anxious, depressed or angry. Read more in The Hechinger Report.
Recess for Adults
You are, let’s say, eight years old, sitting at your school desk. Yes, that desk: the one that confines you in your chair, the one sitting in orderly roles, where you are supposed to do, well, whatever, with self-control and, above all, without causing trouble. Getting things done, under the teacher’s gaze. The bell rings. You are overcome with adrenaline-fueled excitement. It’s recess. Let’s go out to the playground. Doing something else. Read more.
Educator Residency Improves Teacher Diversity, Well-being
PEBC's pilot program, supported by a $1.5 million, 2-year grant from Kaiser Permanente, aims to rebuild the educator workforce in Colorado by recruiting teachers from historically underserved populations. The Teacher Residency program, aligned with the Thriving Schools initiative, focuses on integrating social and emotional well-being into classrooms to address burnout and retention challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, during the 2022-2023 school year, 9% of teaching positions in Colorado remained unfilled. Since the grant, the program has seen a 32% increase in participants from historically underrepresented groups, with retention rates 25% higher than the national average for program graduates. Learn more about the impactful PEBC Teacher Residency program.
Free Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services offers free, confidential support 24/7. Call 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Walk-ins are welcome for all Colorado residents, regardless of ability to pay. Visit the website for mental health, substance use, or emotional concerns.
Jobs
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Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (March 21, 2024)
- NEWS (March 29, 2024)
- MOVE (March 15, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (April 1, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (March 28, 2024)
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