Education Program
This Week in Education
November 21 - November 28, 2007
Rep. James Clyburn, House Majority Whip, Applauds Charter Schools in
NYC Visit
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the highest-ranking African American member of the House of Representatives, declared he is a supporter of public charter schools during a recent visit to
Harlem Success Academy, a New York City charter school. Clyburn spoke with parents about
why he supports charter schools and said "there are few things that are more vital than
ensuring that all of our children have access to a meaningful and productive education."
Also See: http://www.dfer.org/posts/blog/
Charter Conversions Increasing in California Districts
Traditionally, many school districts have viewed charter schools as competition, but in California some districts are moving to convert their own schools to charters. More than one-third of the charter schools in Santa Clara County, including all of the charters in the Cambrian and Campbell Union school districts, are conversions. "Statewide, start-ups still outnumber conversions by three
to one," said Caprice Young of the California Charter Schools Association. "But we are seeing
more conversions because superintendents are saying, 'Wait, we can do this, too.'" District
officials say they are moving to convert more schools to charters so they can attract additional students and take advantage of more flexible state funding. "There's more flexibility in state
funding, and fewer rules that bind us," said Campbell Union Superintendent Johanna VanderMolen.
"I don't care if it's called a charter or not. What I care about is student achievement."
Pennsylvania Court Rules Charters Subject to "Right-to-Know" Law
Last week, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that, like school districts, charter schools
must make available information requested under the state's Right-to-Know law. The decision requires the Chester Community Charter School to hand over its management contract and other financial documents to a local newspaper. In 2005, a reporter for the Delaware County Daily Times filed a Right-to-Know law request with Vahan Gureghian, head of the management company that
operates the school. The reporter requested an auditor's report, financial statements, and the school's management agreement with the corporation that had managed the charter before 2002. The request was denied by Danielle Gureghian, Vahan Gureghian's wife and a lawyer for
his management company. She said the management firm was a private company and not
subject to the Right-to-Know law. The Court rejected that argument and said "charter schools
are not exempt from the statutes that are applicable to public schools." Timothy Daniels of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools said that the decision "may have an impact on one
school but most charters are already well in compliance with that ruling. . . .It's not a concern."
Miami-Dade School Board to Challenge Independent Charter Commission
in Court
The Miami-Dade School Board will file a lawsuit against the state of Florida, claiming the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission violates the state constitution. Board attorneys say the law creating the commission contradicts a provision that grants local school boards power over all
public schools. Before the commission was created, charter school authorization rested solely
with school boards. At least 20 new Miami-Dade charter schools have applied for contracts with
the commission. School districts in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin counties also plan to sue.
New National Charter School Report to be Released December 5
"Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2007" will be
released on December 5 at the National Press Club. This is the third annual report from the
National Charter School Research Project at the University of Washington's Center on
Reinventing Public Education. Edited by Robin Lake, this year's report explores safety and
order in charter and traditional public schools, charter school experimentation with merit
pay, and new evidence on charter school growth and innovation nationwide.
Presentations at the report's release include: "Under New Management: Are Charter Schools
Making the Most of New Governance Options?" by Priscilla Wohlstetter, University of Southern California; "Developing a Pipeline of New School Leaders," by Jon Schnur, New Leaders for New Schools; "Smart Charter School Caps," by Andrew Rotherham, Education Sector; and,
commentary from Ben Wildavsky, Kauffman Foundation.
National Charter Schools Conference to be Held in New Orleans, June
22-25
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will host the 2008 National Charter Schools Conference from June 22-25 in New Orleans, LA. The conference is the largest gathering
of charter school operators and proponents in the nation. Attendees will learn and share
best practices, discuss national and state policy issues, have the opportunity to volunteer
at local charter schools, and enjoy special events featuring New
Orleans traditions, food and music!
Reports reveal online learning's successes, needs
NACOL sheds light on virtual schooling's phenomenal growth ... and
need for regulation
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