This week, we dive into how two public charter schools create environments to foster student success.
Learn about greater flexibility coming to the Charter Schools Program. New report language as part of the FY25 appropriations process will bring improvements for many aspects of the program.
MEET: The 2024-2025 Class of Rising Leaders has been Announced!
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is thrilled to welcome the 2024-2025 class of Rising Leaders, the program’s third cohort. The program is designed to further develop students committed to service, scholarship, and improving their schools and communities through intensive programming, team building, and opportunities outside their classrooms.
The 2024-2025 Rising Leaders are:
Hannah Massey – Senior at Legion Collegiate Academy in South Carolina
Siobhán Bass-Adams – Senior at Brooklyn Prospect Charter High School in New York
Victor Soberanis – Senior at Harmony Science Academy in Texas
Saanvi Kumar – Junior at Foxborough Regional Charter School in Massachusetts
Ashanti Nurse – Sophomore at Kairos Academies High School in Missouri
Jonah Cohen – Junior at Washington Latin Public Charter School in D.C.
Miller Millea – Junior at East Mountain High School in New Mexico
Rochelle Jefferies – Senior at Why Not You Academy in Washington
Nancy Magaly Carrillo Diaz – Freshman at Wonderful College Prep Academy in California
Jordan Heath – Senior at College Park Academy in Maryland
Learn more about this spectacular group of students!
LISTEN: New Podcast Episode on Creating Education Environments for Student Success
In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we focus on strategies charter schools use implemented to create educational environments that improve student outcomes. We talked to Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, the executive director at Legacy Prep in Alabama, and Zak Dominello, the executive director at Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Colorado.
The guests discussed their leadership styles, approach to student learning, parent and community engagement, and intentional practices that have helped them thrive in the public education space.
Listen in to learn more about their challenges, successes, and the specific steps they’ve taken to enhance their school culture and boost student achievement by fostering a positive learning environment. Subscribe today!
CELEBRATE: Charter School FY25 Appropriations Wins
The FY 2025 appropriations process is moving forward, with the National Alliance working hard to secure key bipartisan support to enhance the Charter Schools Program (CSP). The House bill proposed a total of $20 million increase in CSP funding, while the Senate's version maintains current levels but includes crucial language to improve the CSP's impact.
Here's what this new proposal does for the charter school community:
Maintains flexibilities provided by the final FY 2024 spending package.
Supports and evaluates Technical Assistance.
Directs Department to focus on quality, not micromanagement of budgets.
When questions arise regarding uses of funds, the Department should expedite decisions and maximize flexibility.
Removes bureaucratic hurdles to spending full grant.
Declines Administration request to place more requirements on charter school contracts.
What: The American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) provides one-time funds that can be used during this back-to-school season to identify and support students experiencing homelessness. Check out how charter schools can specifically benefit by watching the webinar hosted by SchoolHouse Connection in partnership with the National Alliance.
When: Funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024
What: The program seeks to improve the academic and developmental outcomes of children and youth living in underserved communities, including ensuring school readiness. The program serves neighborhoods with high concentrations of individuals with low incomes and multiple signs of distress, which may include high rates of poverty and academic challenges. The Department of Education is holding a series of Pre-Application Webinars.
What: The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for primary and secondary school front office staff to help test question wording on a national school survey. Public and charter front office school staff who are knowledgeable about their school’s policies and curriculum are all welcome! Some examples of staff we are looking for include principals, assistant principals, deans of students, and administrative officers. Interviews will be 90 minutes and will take place by computer. Participants will receive $75. Federal employees are not eligible to participate, but family and friends are.
What: As DCSC looks ahead to the next school year, our theme is Choosing Diversity, Practicing Justice. And as school starts, we are looking for justice oriented leaders to join our UnifiED Explorerprogram. UnifiED Explorers are current and future leaders of excellent, intentionally diverse schools who spend a half year with DCSC, learning together and visiting member schools to identify the key elements of leading an excellent, diverse school. Explorers bring their learning home, imbuing diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of their school.
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