Teachers are arguably the most essential component of our education system. It’s time we listened to them—and our new Listen to Your Teacher report on a national public school teacher survey is a great place to start.
The Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas released a new report last week, Charter School Funding: Little Progress Towards Equity in the City. The study helps to better understand the funding disparities between district and charter schools and serves as a reminder that charter school students ARE public school students.
In 2019-20, charter schools across 18 cities in 16 states, on average, received $7,147 less funding per pupil than "traditional public schools"—nearly 30% less per pupil.
Check out Washington Times for a look at both these reports and the insights they have to share on charter schools.
Our hearts are with the families in Hawaii affected by the Maui wildfires. You can support Maui residents affected by the wildfires by donating to the Maui Strong Fund.
NEW RELEASE: Listen to Your Teacher Poll Report
Last week, the National Alliance released a new analysis of findings from a Harris Poll-commissioned survey of 1,200 public school teachers—both charter and district. We examined what teachers are thinking and experiencing in today's public education system.
Top Takeaways:
Something Has to Change: Ninety-nine percent of public school teachers report that something needs to change in order to recruit and retain teachers.
There’s Something Special About the Experience of Charter School Teachers: Eighty percent of charter school teachers say they are as or more motivated than when they initially entered the profession (vs. 34% among district teachers).
Keep Politics Out of the Classroom: Teachers say they just want to teach (94%) and report feeling like they are caught in the crossfire of a culture war (91%).
Choice is a Good Thing: Ninety-seven percent of public school teachers agree one size doesn’t fit all, and 87% agree public school choice is important for families and teachers.
Teachers are the backbone of our education system. All we ask is that you listen to them. What they have to say may surprise you.
EXPLORE: Alternative Education Charter High Schools
The Goodwill Excel Center Adult Charter High School, the only adult charter in Washington, D.C. that awards a real high school diploma rather than a GED, is the most recent addition to The 74's series on America's innovative high schools. After seven years in operation, it boasts about 500 graduates, all of them searching for a second chance to prove to the world—and themselves—that they can succeed in school.
Why this matters:
The Goodwill Excel Center is one of 555 charter schools considered to be an Alternative Education Campus (AEC), or a school that exists to serve students who are the most likely to drop out of school, such as students who are pregnant or parenting, adult students, students who have criminal records or are experiencing homelessness, etc.
Nearly all AEC students (95%) are enrolled in grades 9-12, 74% are students of color and 47% are Hispanic or Latino, and 68% are economically disadvantaged.
Despite the odds being stacked against many students, the average proficiency rates among charter school AEC students are slightly higher than those of their district school counterparts in both English language arts and math.
Charter schools, which serve slightly more than 7% of public school students, make up 20% of AECs and serve 42% of students enrolled in AECs
Take a deeper look at how AEC charter schools are able to leverage the nimbleness of the charter school model to create unique educational opportunities in our full overview of charter school AECs.
LEARN: Charter School Networks Show Results and Ability to Replicate Quality
The Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University recently released the results from their latest study of student outcomes at charter schools.
Here are some key takeaways the report found from charter school networks:
Both charter school networks and stand-alone charter schools are serving students well, but charter school networks are doing a bit better, especially when it comes to students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.
Students attending charter network schools gained 27 days in reading and 23 days in math compared to their district school peers.
Students in stand-alone charter schools gained 10 more days in reading and had similar days of learning in math when compared to their district school peers.
Charter school networks are demonstrating a strong ability to replicate high-quality charter schools at scale.
What: A webinar discussion on teacher recruitment and retention, highlighting experts who are studying ways to implement change to create stronger school communities.
When: Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. ET
ATTEND: Upcoming Events
Join these conferences and activities to connect with fellow charter school advocates!
%20(600%20%C3%97%20100%20px)%20(1).png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Email%20Header%20(600x200)%20(600%20%C3%97%20100%20px)%20(1).png)
%20(60)-1.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Email%20Graphic%20(1200px%20%C3%97%20600px)%20(60)-1.png)
%20(39)-3-1.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=General%20Graphic%20(1200%C3%97600)%20(39)-3-1.png)
