 Welcome to the NEWS for December 6, 2024 Charter schools leverage autonomy to close gaps for students with disabilities, while Colorado's literacy tracking model inspires other states. See staff and board authors* who write on integration and accountability. Hall of Fame nominations close on December 15, and Annual Conference ticket prices increase on December 8, so be sure to register now to secure the current rate. Workshop titles have been announced—check them out here! We also value your input—please take a moment to complete our waitlist survey to help us advocate for charter school growth and access. Sign up for the Great Schools Colorado monthly newsletter to get updates and information on the Charter School Program. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.    New teachers and vets: To make progress, we need uncomfortable, productive conversations
Boardhawk | December 3
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately listening, questioning, and discussing what new teachers believe about education. As Trump’s second term draws near, Colorado colleges reaffirm their support of immigrant students on campus
Chalkbeat | December 3
Colorado public university leaders say they’re better prepared now to support the immigrant students on their campuses than they were during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term.  *A Conversation about CSP Grants with Dawna Taylor from the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Lumen Impact Group | November 27
Congratulations to our partners at the Colorado League of Charter Schools who received a $68 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Charter Schools Program (CSP) this year! We sat down with Dawna Taylor from the League to talk about this significant accomplishment for their organization and their plans for distributing these funds to schools and expanding opportunities for students in Colorado. SkyView Academy sweeps Colorado Parent Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards, named family favorite across multiple categories
Denver Post | November 25
SkyView Academy is honored to announce its selection as Colorado Parent Magazine’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Family Favorite across multiple categories, including Favorite Preschool Program, Favorite BASE Program, Favorite Charter Elementary School, Favorite Charter Middle School, and Favorite Charter High School.  Debbie Veney – Putting ‘Points on the Board’ for High-Quality Choice in Public Education
CharterFolk | November 22
Debbie Veney lived with her grandmother in Mississippi until it was time to go to elementary school. Cool Schools: Charter school helps teen parents balance their high school education
9News | November 22
The New Legacy Charter School is helping students balance their education with the responsibilities of being a teen parent.  ‘How Far Will RFK Go?’ 2 Experts Talk Kennedy’s Potential Impact on Child Health
The 74 | December 5
Amid a flurry of controversial cabinet appointments and nominations, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., still stands out for his unconventional medical and scientific beliefs and a history of spreading conspiracy theories, including around vaccinations.  Four Insights into U.S. Students’ Drop in Math & Science on International Test
The 74 | December 4
International testing data released Wednesday offered the latest evidence of U.S. learning loss since the pandemic, with American students falling behind some of their European peers and a gender gap re-emerging between boys and girls in STEM disciplines. Native American students missed more school during the pandemic. Here’s how schools responded.
Chalkbeat | December 2
Bernalillo Public Schools had attendance struggles before. But not like this.  School Closures Are Way Down, but Delaying These Hard Choices Makes Things Worse
The 74 | December 2
After reports that Chicago Public Schools might need to close up to 100 schools, its board voted in September to impose a moratorium on any such discussion until at least 2027. FTC: AI ‘Weapons Detection’ Co. Evolv Misled Schools About its Safety Abilities
The 74 | November 26
The Federal Trade Commission has accused a company that makes AI-powered security screening systems for some 800 schools across 40 states of promoting false claims about its ability to detect weapons and keep kids safe.  Survey: For Most Parents, Grades Have Lost Ground as Measure of Student Progress
The 74 | November 25
Parents have traditionally relied on grades to gauge how their children are performing in school. But new data suggests that’s changing. Judge Rebuffs Family’s Bid to Change Grade in AI Cheating Case
The 74 | November 22
A federal judge in Massachusetts has rejected a request by the parents of a Boston-area high school senior who wanted to raise a key grade this fall after teachers accused him of cheating for using artificial intelligence on a class project.  Feds Charge Once-Lauded AllHere AI Founder in $10M Scheme to Defraud Investors
The 74 | November 20
Federal prosecutors have indicted the founder and former CEO of the once-celebrated education technology company AllHere, accusing her of defrauding investors of nearly $10 million as the startup that made AI chatbots for schools fell into bankruptcy. A silver lining for blue state education reform?
Fordham Institute | 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. *Featuring League staff, consultant, or board member    Celebrate Excellence: 2025 Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open
The Colorado League of Charter Schools' annual Hall of Fame honors outstanding members, leaders, and supporters of the charter school movement. Each year, nominees are celebrated at a special ceremony during our annual conference, spotlighting the incredible contributions of our community. Submit your nominations for the 2025 Hall of Fame by December 15! Share your Waitlist Numbers
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.
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 West Denver on January 14. 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 specialized cohorts for board chairs, marketing professionals, and school founders to impactful training sessions on community engagement, there’s something to benefit everyone. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow!
GRANTS & RESOURCES
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.  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
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.
CDE UPDATES
$1.6M Annual Grant to Strengthen School-based Mental Health Services
The Colorado Department of Education has received a $1.6 million annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand school-based mental health services from 2025 to 2029. The funding will address the shortage of mental health professionals in schools, provide stipends and training, and create pathways for clinic-based professionals to transition to school roles. Commissioner Susana Córdova emphasized the grant’s role in supporting student wellness and engagement. For details, contact [email protected]. Read the full article here. Accepting Applications for Purple Star Schools Program
The Colorado Department of Education is now accepting applications for the Purple Star Schools Program, which recognizes schools that support military-connected students and families. The program, created through House Bill 24-1076, honors schools addressing the unique challenges military students face, such as frequent relocations and parental deployments. Schools selected for recognition will receive a certificate and participate in a ceremony in April 2025. Read the full article here. Guidance for Supporting Immigrant Students
The Colorado Department of Education shared guidance for superintendents and BOCES directors on fostering safe, welcoming schools for immigrant students. Key points include:
- Schools cannot deny enrollment based on immigration status (Plyler v. Doe).
- Laws prohibit discrimination based on national origin, race, or color.
- Schools are protected spaces, restricting immigration enforcement.
Districts are encouraged to remind families of their rights, anti-discrimination policies, and commitment to belonging for all students. For more information, contact them directly.  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. 
| 19th November 2024 |
| Staples Business Advantage |
| We are your schoolwide solution: one source for supplies, technology, facilities, printing, promotional products and furniture. |
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| 13 December 2024 |
| League Policy Agenda Webinar |
| MEMBERS ONLY: Join us for the League Policy Agenda Webinar to explore key legislative priorities and their impact on charter schools. Stay informed and learn how you can get involved. |
| Policy Calls |
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| 14 January 2025 |
| Regional Gathering: Denver West |
| Join your Denver West Charter School leaders for a League Hosted Happy Hour. |
| Regional Gatherings, Lakewood |
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| 17 January 2025 |
| Town Hall January 2025 |
| A virtual meeting for the charter school community featuring timely topics. |
| Town Hall |
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| 28 January 2025 |
| Advocacy Day |
| Join us January 28, 2025, for Advocacy Day, uniting charter leaders, educators, parents, and students in impactful conversations. |
| Major events, Denver |
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| 27 – 28 February 2025 |
| Annual Conference 2025 |
| Experience the 2025 Annual Conference—where educators, leaders, and visionaries shape the future of charter education. |
| Major events |
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  SUBSCRIBE NOW TO OUR NEW CHARTER SENSE NEWSLETTER ON LINKEDIN ACT (October 23, 2024) NEWS (November 22, 2024) MOVE (November 15, 2024) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (December 5, 2024) CONNECT COHORT (November 21, 2024)
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