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Welcome to the March MOVE!
The snow arrived this week despite thoughts of Spring Break and a hot and heavy legislative session. The League is busy playing defense at the Capitol in various ways, including our work on HB24-1363, which is especially damaging to charter schools. Please join us for an important Town Hall this morning, March 15, 2024, at 9 AM, as we discuss the bill titled “Charter School Accountability." Denver School Leaders, don't forget to join us on March 19 for our Regional Gathering.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
One-on-One or Zone? Defense in Today’s Charter Landscape
By Dan Schaller
I’m not a fan of the saying “defense wins championships.” I could be wrong, but I don’t know of a team in any sport that scored zero goals, runs, or points and won a championship (with the possible exception of golf, I guess).
It’s for this reason that the League regularly pushes a proactive agenda focused on such topics as fairness and funding equity for our schools. At the same time, however, we’re always prepared to mount a vigorous defense when necessary, and now is shaping up to be one of those moments.
Zone Defense Today
As many of you know by now, a very harmful piece of legislation (HB24-1363) was introduced at the Capitol late last week that seeks to undermine some of the most fundamental aspects of public charter schools. At a whopping 55 pages in length, there isn’t enough space in this newsletter to outline all the needlessly negative things the bill would do, but some of the most glaring include:
- Enabling districts to adopt a moratorium on the further expansion of charter schools under certain circumstances;
- Allowing local districts to revoke or close charter schools simply on the basis of declining enrollment in the district;
- Empowering individual community members to appeal local school board decisions on charter applications to the State Board, thereby authorizing anyone with an ideological bent against charter schools to challenge local school board decisions about them;
- Removing the State Board’s final say on second appeals, basically eliminating the core checks-and-balances function against local board decisions that the State Board has fulfilled for the last 30 years;
- Entirely eliminating the use of automatic waivers; and
- Suppressing information about vacant or underused school district buildings and land.
When situations like this have come up in the past, we’ve done our best when we’ve played solid zone defense as a sector—sticking together, all playing our part, recognizing that the collective strategy is the one that will most likely bring success. Now is another one of those moments that calls for a strong zone defense, and we’re asking for each of you to chip in and do your part today.
IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE TO THOSE SPEAKING OUT IN OPPOSITION TO THIS HARMFUL PROPOSAL
| Take Action Today |
Please also consider informing your families to help them take action. CLICK HERE for a sample letter we created to assist in these efforts.
At more than 135,000 students and families, the Colorado charter school sector has proven that it is a force to be reckoned with when we speak with one voice. Let’s make sure this is one of those moments.
One-on-One Defense Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
But zone defense isn’t the only type of defense we’re capable of playing. The League is also constantly working behind the scenes, often one-on-one, to ensure that our space is defended and secure.
These efforts generally garner less headlines, but they are often no less important to our schools and the value we can bring to them, so I wanted to highlight just a few of those from this legislative cycle alone here:
- As more and more legislators seek to add language to their bills to make them permanently unwaivable, the League has successfully fended off inclusion of this provision on multiple occasions so far this legislative cycle.
- The League has been a leading voice in pushing back against PERA for trying to implement a policy that would require the inclusion in their pool of substitute teachers employed by third-party contractors.
- Recognizing the vulnerability unlicensed teachers and administrators faced by having their evaluations unfairly exposed to CORA, the League brought proactive legislation this session (SB24-132) to ensure these individuals were protected.
All of this emphasizes the ongoing, year-round efforts of the League’s Policy and Advocacy Team. We’re six members strong and about to grow to seven, and we want to assure you that, at the same time, we know how to play offense; we’re also regularly playing strong defense and have consistently done so to the benefit of our schools and their students.
Sincerely,
Dan Schaller, President
Colorado League of Charter Schools
Annual Charter School Conference Recap & Event Gallery Now Available!
We deeply appreciate your enthusiastic participation in the Annual Charter School Conference. Your presence and engagement have truly enriched the event, making it a resounding success.
The conference was an enriching experience, filled with memorable moments that celebrated our community's outstanding achievements, including the recognition of Charter Champions and Hall of Fame recipients. Check out the full Hall of Fame acceptance speeches here. Steve Pemberton's keynote, 'The Lighthouse Effect,' resonated deeply, offering profound insights into the successes within the charter school realm.
Throughout the event, attendees engaged in thought-provoking workshops covering diverse topics, from the science of leadership to decoding Gen Z. A panel discussion on fostering civility provided invaluable perspectives for navigating complex situations.
The conference culminated in a dynamic finale, featuring Pat Yongpradit's keynote on the transformative power of AI in education and a comprehensive state-of-the-charter-schools address by League President Dan Schaller.
In addition to the enlightening sessions, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the nominees for the upcoming 2024 Board election. If you're a board member or leader, we encourage you to participate by casting your vote here.
In addition, our workshops covered a spectrum of crucial topics, from School Finance Changes to Retaining Staff with Employee Relations and crafting an All-Star Strategy for your School, just to provide a few examples of valuable insights to enhance educational practices.
We also wanted to share with you a gallery full of images captured throughout the event, showcasing the energy and enthusiasm that permeated every moment.
| View Gallery Here |
Thanks again for participating and contributing to the conference's success.
A Nod to this Year’s Hall of Fame Leader Recipients
Every year, League staff and members proudly nominate and recognize outstanding charter school leaders and educators around the state for their outstanding contributions to the sector. While most of our categories are awarded annually, sometimes, we encounter a situation for which a special award is warranted. This year, in addition to recognizing two Charter School Leaders of the Year, we also salute a Lifetime Leader.
Read more here about Bill Kurtz, Carol Bowar, and Shane Voss.
Wrapping up the School Year with Intention
With spring break just around the corner, charter schools and staff across the state are beginning their end-of-year sprint. While you should always stop and smell the spring flowers, we suggest you take a few moments in the coming weeks to capitalize on the following opportunities. After all, the school year isn’t over yet.
- Stand up for charter schools. Halfway through the 2024 legislative session our top priority is stopping HB24-1363. The bill was introduced in the legislature late last week. This proposal poses a significant threat to public charter schools' core functions and principles. At 55 pages, the bill is extensive and contains a number of damaging provisions. Take action now.
- Develop a Committee to Address Compliance with HB21-1110. In 2021, Colorado became the first state to require both state and local governments to meet web and technology accessibility standards. Passed during the regular legislative session, it applies to all technology, software, and hardware that is public- and internal-facing. This includes websites, PDFs, third-party apps, video, and even the TV screens in your building. Compliance will be a heavy lift even for schools that use a district-managed web platform. Now is the time to look into evaluation, assessment, and solutions, including developing SOPs and conducting staff training. Start here.
- Overcome that stubborn hurdle. Did you encounter a challenge this year that you haven’t yet been able to address? We’re here to help. We have an array of experienced professionals with charter school backgrounds who are ready and able to assist you in developing, refining, or implementing new best practices across a number of functional areas. This includes Academic Services, Board and Governance, Enrollment and Communications, Exceptional Education for Diverse Learners, Facilities and Finance, Health and Wellness, HR and Talent Development, School Quality Reviews, and New School Development. Reach out today and start the conversation.
- Make a new friend. Our online Learning Communities are the easiest way to connect regularly with peers while learning about and discussing timely topics of interest. With fourteen learning communities to choose from, there’s a peer group for everyone. Stay on top of important trends and get answers to your questions from the professionals who know. Simply login to the website and join one or two that will be most helpful to you.
- Celebrate National Charter School Week. Save the date and raise your voice May 12-18. Sponsored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, this annual celebration is an opportunity to engage your staff, students, families, and community partners. The Alliance makes it easy to participate with templated memos, press releases, social media graphics, event ideas, and more. Simply pick and choose what works best for your team, your campus, your community, and your time constraints. See what’s coming soon.
Community Announcements
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 School Applications: Do Authorizer Evaluations Predict the Success of New Charter Schools?
Join us next week at Third Thursdays as NACSA presents the forthcoming report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute: "Do Authorizer Evaluations Predict New Charter School Success? Evidence From North Carolina." Featuring speakers Alex Quigley, Executive Director of Durham Charter School; Adam Kho, Assistant Professor at USC's Rossier School of Education; and David Griffith, Associate Director of Research at the Thomas B Fordham Institute. Engage in focused dialogue, ask questions, and delve into the report's implications for your work. Register now!
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 highlighted 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!
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 October 10th through 14th, 2024! Applications are due by Friday, April 5th, 2024. For more information, reach out to Heather Keeton, Educational Partnerships Manager for EF: [email protected] or 720.903.8639.
Get Your School in its A-GAME
Over the past five years, a bold group of charter school authorizers from across the country have been reflecting on better ways to measure school quality. We have embraced the slogan: Measure What Matters, When It Matters. We now know we can only go so far without YOU at the table. Join these upcoming conversations as we get on our A-GAME together.
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].
New Collaborative to Funds 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.
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.
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
Engage, Learn, Connect with CDE
On April 4th, an in-person Charter Development Summit at the Daniel’s Fund Offices in Denver, CO, from 9am-3pm, will cover essential topics for new, replicating, and expanding charter schools, focusing on Community Engagement, Governance, Finance, and Inclusive School Culture. Secure your spot now!
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].
Informational CMAS Science & AEC Performance Framework Results Now Live
The 2023 informational performance framework reports containing 2023 CMAS Science for all districts and attendance/truancy results for Alternative Education Campuses have been provided to district accountability contacts via Syncplicity. For questions related to Syncplicity, training or support, email [email protected].
Prevention Science Professional Development
This spring, the Colorado State University Prevention Research Center, in partnership with CDE, will offer one-day, in-person regional training sessions on prevention science to support evidence-based prevention programs, practices and policies in schools. Afterward, participants can join remote learning communities to share their successes and challenges. The training dates and locations will be determined with interested district and school staff. Email Aubrie Radford at [email protected] if you’re interested in participating. For more information contact Chauncey Stephens at [email protected] or 720-355-3026.
League News & Events
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Top News
Local Headlines
Compass Academy: Trusting students to own their learning
Boardhawk | March 13, 2024
Last month, students from Compass Academy, a public charter middle school in southwest Denver, flooded RTD trains and interviewed community members and college students at Union Station and Auraria Campus trying to answer the question “how do people’s lived experiences in Denver differ, and why?” Read more.
Students at a Brighton school have to show ID to use the bathroom, some want to change that
CPR | March 13, 2024
Typically, when you’re in a high school class and have to go to the bathroom, you get a slip of paper from the teacher – like a hall pass – and off you go. At Eagle Ridge Academy, a charter school in Brighton, things are a little different. Read more.
Jefferson Academy will open in Coal Creek after parents raised nearly half a million dollars
Chalkbeat | March 12, 2024
Parents in a far corner of Jefferson County celebrated Tuesday night after helping to raise nearly half a million dollars to secure the opening of a charter school in their community. Read more.
Cherry Creek Approves Colorado Skies to Move to CSI
Sentinel | March 12, 2024
The school board unanimously approved all the consent agenda, including a measure allowing Colorado Skies Academy to submit a conversion agreement with Colorado Charter Institute, a state-wide charter school authorizer. This means that Colorado Skies Academy may become a CSI charter school beginning next school year. After the conversion, the academy also cannot expand the school within the boundaries of the district. Read more.
Bill to overhaul Colorado’s child care subsidy program clears first legislative hurdle
Chalkbeat | March 12, 2024
The price tag of a bill to overhaul a Colorado program that helps low-income families pay for child care shocked some lawmakers Tuesday, but that didn’t stop a legislative committee from giving it initial approval. Read more.
EDITORIAL: Another attack on Colorado’s charter schools
The Gazette | March 11, 2024
Try as they might to smother our state’s innovative, flourishing and wildly popular public charter schools, teachers unions and their minions in the Legislature can’t seem to get the job done. It is, perhaps, a testament to the incompetence of anti-charter special interests — but also to the depth and breadth of genuine support for charters among parents. Read more.
Social media: Denver school board considering policy about when members can block people
Chalkbeat | March 7, 2024
Amid ongoing court cases about public officials’ use of social media, the Denver school board is considering a policy about when board members can and cannot delete comments or block people from commenting on their posts. Read more.
Colorado lawmakers hope these nine bills will bolster workforce education
Chalkbeat | March 7, 2024
Colorado lawmakers hope a package of bills this year will help connect more residents to training that helps them land in-demand jobs with good wages. Read more.
National Views
AI Support Can Prevent College Students from Failing STEM Classes, Study Shows
The 74 | March 13, 2024
Researchers have found a new way to improve academic scores for college students studying the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field. Read more.
On-The-Job Training Prevails as Students’ Disinterest in College Grows
The 74 | March 13, 2024
A new study has found more than 80 percent of high schoolers value on-the-job training over other postsecondary options, including a four-year degree — laying bare students’ interest in immediate employment and disdain for a college education. Read more.
Interactive Map: Inside U.S. School Segregation by Race & Class
The 74 | March 12, 2024
Plopped in the middle of the school district in Dallas, Texas, is an island that has existed unto itself for decades. Read more.
President Biden’s FY2025 Budget Proposes Historic Cut to Federal Charter Schools Program
NPCSA | March 11, 2024
The President’s FY 2025 budget falls disappointingly short of prioritizing public charter schools and public educational options for the parents who are looking for something better. Read more.
Americans Have Yet to Accept COVID’s Tragedy — And Are Taking It Out On Schools
The 74 | March 11, 2024
In my District of Columbia neighborhood, everything pretty much ground to a halt on Friday, March 13, 2020. My kid won the school’s bilingual spelling bee in a crowded auditorium buzzing with speculation that the school probably wasn’t reopening next week. Read more.
Keeping Learning Recovery Going When Federal Pandemic Funds Dry Up
The 74 | March 10, 2024
Education equity advocates are sounding the alarm at a crucial time for America’s public school system — but is anyone listening? Read more.
Health & Wellness
Professional Development
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Funding Opportunities
EPA Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution
Closes: March 19, 2024
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R-OAR-APS-24-02. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity and Q&A documents. For more information: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-scho
2024-2027 Colorado Student Wellness Grant
Closes: March 20, 2024
This grant program exists to support evidence-based practices and the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC) as a strategy to improve the health and well-being of children and youth in Colorado to:
- Increase coordination of policies, practices, and programs to support students' physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.
- Expand local student wellness policies (C.R.S. 22-32-136 (5.5))
- Connect school health and wellness efforts to comprehensive health education standards and skills.
- Identify and address barriers related to learning and health.
Applications for the Colorado Student Wellness Grant must be submitted through GAINS. More information about GAINS is available on CDE’s website. If you have any questions, please email Liz at [email protected].
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 Service
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
| Charter School Job listings |
Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (February 15, 2024)
- NEWS (March 8, 2024)
- MOVE (February 16, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (March 11, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (March 12, 2024)
Upcoming TrainingsThe League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools. |
Our MarketplaceVendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories. |
Health & WellnessThe Healthy Schools Hub: Join the League at a new One-Stop Location for Health & Wellness Resources. |
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