Congratulations to Starlee Coleman on being named the new President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools!
Starlee brings more than two decades of experience in state and federal politics, advocacy, and communications to the role, and will start in August 2024.
Maya Maliakal spoke to the Dallas Morning News about her experience as part of the 2023-24 Rising Leaders Initiative. Read more about this impressive student!
NCSC24 is filling up quickly! Get your ticketsto join us in Boston June 30-July 3!
LEADERSHIP UPDATE: National AllianceNames Starlee Coleman as President and CEO
The Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has selected Starlee Coleman to be the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Coleman is currently CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association.
At the National Alliance, Coleman will advance a strategy that focuses on enabling high-quality growth of the charter sector, securing equitable public funding, guaranteeing access to facilities, and promoting operational freedom and innovation.
Coleman’s advocacy and communications career spans K-12 education, health care, and patients’ rights, international trade and manufacturing, and community development, including a prior stint at the National Alliance.
“I am honored to lead the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and to work alongside our dedicated team and partners to ensure every child has access to an excellent public education," Coleman said in a National Alliance announcement.
RAISE YOUR VOICE: Celebrating National Charter Schools Week
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will celebrate the annual National Charter Schools Week during the week of May 12-18, 2024 to honor the 8,000 public charter schools, 251,000 dedicated teachers, and thousands of local, state, and national advocates who raise their voices for the nearly 4 million—and growing—charter school students each day.
Sunday, May 12: Prepare to celebrate National Charter Schools Week all week long–and share a special recognition for the moms of the movement on Mother’s Day.
Monday, May 13: Raise your voice with our seven 2024 Charter School Changemakers, including two parent advocates from Alabama and New Mexico, a student advocate from New Mexico, a community advocate from Washington State, and three charter school leader advocates from Colorado, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. These individuals are recognized for raising their voices for charter schools and the students and communities they serve.
Tuesday, May 14: Learn more about the critical Charter Schools Program (CSP) with the release of the 2024 CSP Impact Report, highlighting how charter schools are succeeding for students with these funds and why this federal funding program is vital to growing and replicating high-quality charter schools across the country.
Wednesday, May 15: Join the National Alliance’s 2024 Charter School Changemakers as they take to Capitol Hill to speak on why they raise their voices for public education.
Thursday, May 16: Tune in to the latest in public education as the National Alliance launches Season 2 of the Get Schooled in Public Education Podcast. Check out Season 1 now!
Friday, May 17: This is your chance for you and your community to share far and wide why you raise your voice for charter schools with #CharterLove, #CharterSchoolsWeek, and #WeAreCharter on social media.
RANKED: Charter High Schools Take the Top Two Spots in U.S. News Ranking
U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News) released the 2023-2024 rankings of the best public high schools in the country. Nineteen charter schools are recognized in the top 100 schools, including the top two spots going to BASIS Peoria in Peoria, Arizona (#1) and Signature School in Evansville, Indiana (#2). Although charter schools make up only about 8% of the nation’s public schools, they account for about 1 in 5 of the nation’s top 100 high schools.
Here are the charter schools in U.S. News Top 100 Best Public High Schools:
#1: BASIS Peoria in Peoria, AZ
#2: Signature School in Evansville, IN
#15: Haas Hall Bentonville in Bentonville, AR
#17: BASIS Oro Valley in Oro Valley, AZ
#20: Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science in Albuquerque, NM
STUDENT ADVOCACY IN ACTION: Maya is Honing Her Voice to Create Change
At just 16, Maya Maliakal joins the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Rising Leaders Initiative (RLI), showcasing her dedication to advocacy and leadership beyond her years. Active in Harmony Science Academy - Carrolton's Service Leadership Society, she amplifies her impact by engaging in civic duties on local and state platforms. With rising leaders like Maya, the future is bright.
RLI, launched in 2021, aims to nurture and inspire the next generation of advocates for choices in education:
Monthly virtual training sessions led by experts instill confidence and provide tools to drive change.
Rising Leaders have hosted voter registration drives, letter-writing campaigns to Congress, and collaborated with media platforms to promote public education awareness.
The creation of student-led advocacy clubs broadens RLI's reach, engaging over 400 high schoolers nationwide.
As the current cohort's time draws to a close, they're working on an advocacy guide to educate and dispel myths about charter schools.
What: Presenters will discuss strategies and best practices for connecting students experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter and wrap-around supports.
What: During the webinar the Department will review the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. The Department will also review the steps required to complete the Grants.gov registration process and and answer participants' questions.
What: During the webinar, the Department will review the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, application requirements, and assurances. Also, the Department will review what is new in this year’s competition and the steps required to complete the Grants.gov registration process and answer participants’ questions.
What: During the webinar, the Department will provide information to help potential applicants develop a comprehensive budget that aligns with and supports their proposed project.
What: This month, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CT SDE) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new public charter schools. Connecticut is an expanding sector with a robust amount of local support and parental demand. The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation has opened its own funding opportunity to support interested parties. Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded to applicants – schools, operators, community groups, and others – who commit to responding to the new RFP.
Where: If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, email kimr@pclbfoundation.org.
ATTEND: Upcoming Events
Join these conferences and activities to connect with fellow charter school advocates!