Happy Valentine's Day! Valentine's Day is a time to share love and appreciation with the entire charter school community. Tell a charter school advocate you love them!
We continue our Black History Month celebration by elevating a student voice! Rising Leader Nathan Duguid wrote an insightful blog answering the question, "What does Black History Month mean to you?"
ON-THE-GROUND: Update from the GA, IA, and WA State Legislatures.
We saw a huge bipartisan win in Georgia last week when the General Assembly passed HB 318. Representative Scott Hilton and Senator Shelly Echols championed this legislation, which increases transparency, improves oversight of the state’s charter schools and authorizers, protects charter school autonomy, and ensures public charter schools receive the funding to which they are entitles under state law. This bill now awaits approval from Gov. Kemp.
In Iowa, SSB3157 and HSB 673 have been introduced in the legislature. These bills increase the per-pupil amount of funding for charter school students andallow charter schools the first right of refusal for unused buildings owned by the local school district.
APPLY OR SHARE: Rising Leaders Initiative Class of 2024-2025
The Rising Leaders Initiative is a one-year advocacy training program for high school students who attend charter schools. It is designed to inspire student engagement in education advocacy and cultivate the next generation of young leaders who will shape education policies in their local communities and states. Here's who we're looking for:
High school students enrolled at a U.S. charter school.
Good academic standing.
Demonstrated commitment to service through volunteering and contributing to their school and community.
Every year, The National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC), organized by the National Alliance, serves as a pivotal gathering for networking, sharing resources, and gaining insights from industry experts.
What: All4Ed is sharing equity-centered model legislation through its State Policy Center. This open resource was developed through collaboration with policymakers, advocates, and practitioners to provide policies needed in classrooms and legislatures across the country. The State Policy Center focuses on three policy priorities: college and career pathways, digital equity, and next generation accountability.
What: The $1 million Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless (STOP) education is considered the Pulitzer of Education Innovation. This year, 50 organizations will be chosen as Semifinalists for the Yass Prize, each earning a minimum of $200,000, and we will also welcome every applicant and awardee into our bold and entrepreneurial community of members.
What: SchoolHouse Connection’s scholarship application for students who have experienced homelessness and are beginning their postsecondary education are now open. Scholarship recipients will receive a $2,500 award, opportunities to engage in state and federal policy and advocacy, and much more.
What: Join PPI and NACSA to discuss how HBCUs can use their experience and ability to grow access to quality schools for Black families while giving HBCUs access to a pipeline of students and future teachers necessary for our future.