Extractions: Issues in Education Report says some California charter schools fall short (01/11/99) While charter school reform can be exhilarating and rewarding for those who participate in it, charter schools in California have not lived up to expectations, according to a report issued by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in December. "Beyond the Rhetoric of Charter School Reform" notes that in particular, these schools have not been successful in aiding students historically under-served by the traditional public education system. New York State passed a law authorizing the creation of 100 charter schools. The New York State School Boards Association strongly opposed the bill, but will now work to help school boards with charter schools under the new law. The UCLA report bases its conclusions on 17 charter school case studies as well as numerous interviews with educators, charter school founders, public school officials and parents who have had experience with these schools on a day-to-day basis. More than 1,000 charter schools nationwide have been established by educators, parents and entrepreneurs. Charter schools receive public funds, but are unfettered by many state and local regulations that serve to limit other public schools. While advocates argue that charter schools provide more accountability than other public schools and operate with greater efficiency and autonomy, a lack of reliable data has made it difficult for the educational community to gauge the success of charters in meeting these claims.
AFT: AFT On The Issues: Charter Schools A 1998 UCLA study of california charter schools found that charter schools rarelyhad clearly defined goals or standards and none was doing more with less http://www.aft.org/issues/charterschools.html
Extractions: Charter schools are supposed to allow parents and teachers to develop publicly funded schools with the flexibility to be innovative and free of rules and regulations that stifle creativity. The charter school movement has grown from one school in Minnesota in 1992 to about 1,100 charter schools across the country today. Currently, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legislation authorizing the creation of charter schools. The notion of what constitutes a charter school continues to evolve. The original idea for charter schools envisioned a group of teachers, perhaps with the help of parents, developing a plan for a school and applying for a charter from the local school board. Charter schools might have a specific academic focus (e.g., math and science or the arts) or employ specific teaching techniques or target a specific group of students (e.g., at-risk). These charter schools would operate as part of the local public school district, supported by public education funds. However, many charter schools depart from this original vision. If the goal is improved student achievement, students in some charter schools are not faring very well. Studies of charter schools in Texas and Arizona show that there has been no evidence of improved student performance among charter school students. A 1998 UCLA study of California charter schools found that charter schools rarely had clearly defined goals or standards and none was "doing more with less" money. In addition, the charter schools exerted considerable control over the types of students they serve. Unlike other public schools, theyre not taking all comers. In Michigan, researchers found that because of weak monitoring efforts, poorly performing charter schools are not likely to be closed.
Charter Schools And Students With Disabilities: Accountability A study of california charter schools by SRI International (Powell et al., 1997)provided data related to the accountability issue that has interesting http://www.ed.gov/pubs/chartdisab/account.html
Extractions: Charter Schools and Students with Disabilities: Review of Existing Data - November 1998 A 1996 report by the American Federation of Teachers noted with concern that only 17 of 25 states with charter school legislation required that charter schools use the same tests as other public schools to document student learning and called for all states to require that charter schools participate in state accountability systems. According to the report, the absence of comparison data in some states is "highly problematic" because charter schools promise greater accountability for results in exchange for increased autonomy. In contrast, charter school directors in Colorado expressed concern to researchers that state standards and assessments could result in curriculum uniformity and limit charter schools' flexibility to innovate (McLaughlin, Henderson, & Ullah, 1996). A study of California charter schools by SRI International (Powell et al.
Extractions: Legislative Update* Charter School Legislation. Charter schools are a growing phenomenon in American education. The first charter school law was passed in Minnesota in 1991; the second, by California in 1992. By June 1998, 33 states and the District of Columbia had passed charter school legislation. (See Figures 1 and 2.) Four of these states (Idaho, Missouri, Virginia and Utah) passed charter school laws during the 1997-98 legislative session. Puerto Rico also has charter school legislation. The purpose of this legislative update is to provide information on the four states that enacted charter school laws during the 1998 legislative session, as well as to provide information on legislative changes occurring in other states with charter school legislation. The report updates information in A National Study of Charter Schools (1998), which provides details on charter school legislation passed through the 1997 legislative session.
Extractions: ACCOUNTABILITY BACK to Accountability Main Page California Charter School Accreditation Program The California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) has announced what it is calling the first recognized accreditation program designed specifically to measure charter school quality to be launched by a state charter school association. The program, a partnership between CANEC and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), aims to raise the standards for charter schools operating throughout the state. The new WASC-CANEC Accreditation Program which emphasizes rigorous self-study, self-evaluation, and on-site visits by external review teams will provide school faculty, families, and community leaders with reliable verification of charter school quality. More importantly, the program will encourage improvement in the overall effectiveness of Californias charter schools. WASC is one of the six regional organizations charged with accrediting public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States. CANEC believes that the new Accreditation Program will give charter schools the guidance and support they need to succeed, while bringing assurance to key stakeholders. By holding charter school operators to the highest levels of performance, this program aims to boost the academic quality and financial stability of charter schools operating in California.
Charter Schools Calendar March 2729, 2003 Tenth Annual california charter schools Conference Anaheim Sponsored by California Network of Educational Charters Contact http://www.charterfriends.org/events.html
Extractions: Charter Schools Calendar January 23-24, 2003 Second Annual Small Schools Conference Denver Sponsored by Colorado Childrens Campaign Contact: January 23-25, 2003 Choices Strengthening Student Achievement Annual Arizona Charter Schools Conference Sedona Sponsored by Arizona Charter Schools Association Contact: 928-779-2761 or go to www.azcharters.org February 21, 2003 Arkansas Charter School Conference Little Rock Sponsored by Arkansas Department of Education Contact: March 14-15, 2003 First Annual Georgia Charter Schools Conference Atlanta Sponsored by Georgia Charter Schools Association Contact: March 16-19, 2003 Annual Wisconsin Charter Schools Conference Madison Sponsored by Wisconsin Charter Schools Association Contact: March 22, 2003 Annual New York Charter Schools Conference and Marketplace New York City Sponsored by New York Charter Schools Association and New York Charter School Resource Center Contact: March 27-29, 2003 Tenth Annual California Charter Schools Conference Anaheim Sponsored by California Network of Educational Charters Contact: April 28-May 2, 2003
Extractions: Related Links A Sad Charter School Story. (12/3) In the case of K12's California charter schools and the Indio Charter School, these California attendance regulations defeat the spirit of the charter-school movement. The point of a charter-school contract is that school operators have the flexibility to try something different in exchange for accountability. Full text. Workplace Charter Schools: Florida Blazes the Trail. Examines the progress made by the nation's first satellite charter school and explores recent developments. Full Text News Release Satellite Charter Schools: Addressing The School-Facilities Crunch Through Public-Private Partnerships. Reveals how public-private partenerships are helping overcome school-facilities shortages and helping foster the charter school reform revolution. Full Text News Release More Info Charter School Innovations: Keys to Effective Charter Reform.
RPP International | Charter Related Websites Alaska Department of Education Arizona Charter Schools Information Arizona Departmentof Education california charter schools - California Department of http://www.rppintl.com/divisions/education/charter_links.html
Extractions: In this section ... Divisions Education Research and Action Projects and Approach High Performance Learning Communities State Education Partnerships (Oregon) (IPAR site) External Evaluator National Study of Charter Schools Schools Serving Language Minority Students Sustainable Development Projects and Approach Sustainable New Towns Chinese Site Workforce and Community Development Overview School to Work Support and Services (IPAR site) Charter Related Websites Charter Resource Sites US Charter Schools - Advocacy organization. Works closely with US Department of Education. Website includes profiles of many charter schools and links to the schools' websites.
Charter Schools Process for Approval of a School Charter. california charter schools Lawof 19992 (AB544) California Education Code Sections 4760047616.5. http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/iss/charter/howto.html
Extractions: California Education Code Sections 47612.5 and 51747.3 Charter schools provide one opportunity to implement school-level reform and to support innovations which improve student learning and enable students to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners. These schools shall operate under the provisions of their charters, specific state and/or federal laws, Title 5, California Code of Regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, and general oversight of the chartering authority. Purpose Improve pupil learning. Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving. Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods. Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the schoolsite. Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.
NEA: Questions And Answers A 1997 evaluation of california charter schools revealed that the charter schoolsexamined had measurable academic goals included in their charters. http://www.nea.org/issues/charter/accnt98.html
Extractions: For and About Members Help for Parents Press Center Legislative Action Center ... Vouchers Updated: Dec 10, 2002 Charter Schools Research NEA Resources Other Resources April 1998 Accountability in charter schools is a bottom line concern in this new experiment in public schooling. Charter schools receive freedom and autonomy in exchange for improvements in learning and climate. Are charter schools indeed accountable to their constituencies: students, their parents, and the taxpaying public at large? This paper looks at the issue of accountability in three broad categories: student learning; equity concerns, and public accountability. In each category, the goal is to raise points that can, in the long run, lead to the weakening of this experiment. Policymakers owe it to students, their parents, educators and the public to ensure that charter laws and the oversight of charter implementation will lead to strong performance and equitable outcomes for all involved. I. Student Learning II. Equity Concerns III. Public Accountability IV. Resources Standards Not Clear.
Charter Schools CANEC currently represents about 70% of california charter schools. For more informationabout CANEC and charter schools in California, go to www.canec.org. http://www.edsource.org/edu_chart_cal.cfm
Extractions: In 1992 California was one of the first states to authorize the formation of charter schools. Charter schools are public institutions, planned and organized by groups of educators, community members, parents, or others. They were initially conceived as laboratories for reform, meant to instill competition and choice in the public school system. To that end, charter schools were given more flexibility in exchange for greater accountability. Some charters begin as public schools that convert to charter status and others are "start-up" schools. They may be operated by nonprofit or for-profit organizations, universities, and other agencies. A charter school's educational program and goals are spelled out in an agreement with a sponsoring agency, usually a school district or county office of education (COE). The school must be nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory, with enrollment by lottery in cases where the demand for pupil slots exceeds the supply. Although affecting only 2% of all schools in the state, charter school legislation warrants close attention because of its precedent-setting nature. Charter schools raise complex and provocative education policy questions for California. From 1998 through 2001, lawmakers passed a series of laws and voters passed a proposition that affected both the funding and governance of charter schools. Most recently, lawmakers passed
Education Week - Registration - Access Restricted Academic performance is improving at a faster rate in california charter schoolsthat serve mainly poor children than it is in regular public schools serving a http://www.edweek.org/ew/ew_printstory.cfm?slug=26calchart.h21
SCOE Schools Department of Education contains an overview of california charter schools includinglegislation, laws, and links to charter resources and other references. http://www.sonoma.k12.ca.us/schools/facts/charter.html
Extractions: Charter schools are independent, nonsectarian public schools that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Created, designed, and operated by a group of teachers, parents, and community leaders, charter schools are authorized by a local public school district board or county board of education, are paid for with tax dollars, and are open to all who wish to attend them. For more information: Charter schools in Sonoma County (pdf) lists schools chartered by districts in Sonoma County and includes two schools with sites in Sonoma County that were chartered in other counties. Charter School home page at the California Department of Education contains an overview of California Charter Schools including legislation, laws, and links to charter resources and other references. Lists of state-numbered charter schools in California (by number, name, district, or county) may be downloaded at this site. California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) Charter Schools Development Center is an excellent user-friendly one-stop shop for resources on charter schools; charter school profiles; studies and research; publications; schedules of workshops and "boot camps" for people who are planning and starting charter schools, for operators, and granting agencies.
Charter Info. An online version of the original california charter schools Act of 1992, as wellas other California charter school codes, are available from the California http://www2.visalia.k12.ca.us/packwood/charter_info.htm
Extractions: C alifornia originally passed its charter school law in 1992 and now has 234 Charter Schools operating in the state. For a complete list of schools, see the California Department of Education's List of Charter Schools . In May 1998, and then again in 1999, California's charter school laws were revised. Legislative Summary: P assed in 1992 and amended in both 1998 and 1999, California's charter school law allows for an unlimited number of charters to be granted by local school districts and county boards, but set a statewide cap of 250 in 1998-99, with 100 additional charters allowed per year. Charter terms are up to 5 years. General purpose and categorical funding for charter schools is comparable with other public schools, and charter schools may receive funds directly from the state. Charter school students are required to take state assessments, including the upcoming high school exit exam. The charter school is exempt from state and local education rules and regulations, except as specified in the legislation. T he CSU Institute for Education Reform has posted a California's Revised Charter School Laws page, which contains general documentation of the recent legislative changes in California's charter school law, as well as a
The Heartland Institute Author Pamela A. Riley State CA, Country United States From 1997 to 1998, PRIconducted three surveys, covering all california charter schools that had been http://www.schoolreformers.com/resources/bycategory/in-depth/T17.4/
Center On Educational Governance Charters Includes information about california charter schools and state legislationas well as a discussion group focused on charter school issues. http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/cegov/charterschoolslinks.html
Welcome To Total Education Solutions Arizona Charter Schools Association (ACSA); california charter schoolsDevelopment Center; California Department of Education (CDE http://www.educationsolutions.com/resources.asp
PRESS RELEASES The 7th Annual california charter schools Conference. March 2326,2000 Burlingame, California. Conference Overview. The California http://www.charterschools.ca/prrl/prrl8.html
Extractions: Burlingame, California The California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) invites charter school supporters from around the country to join them at the 7th Annual California Charter Schools Conference, the nation's largest and oldest statewide school conference. The conference will take place March 23-26, 2000 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott, just south of San Fancisco in Burlingame. Members of the state and national charter school community will come together to share ideas, consider future development plans, and receive technical assistance or practical advice from others involved in charter schools movement. For additional information, including the registration forms and draft program, visit the CANEC website at www.canec.org or call the CANEC office at 650.654.6003. Also, please reserve your guest rooms at the San Fancisco Marriott by February 28 by calling the hotel at 650.692.9100. Mention the CANEC conference to get the special room rates of $99 per night single, $109 double. About the Centre Research Reports Charters USA Starting a Charter School ... Press Releases