WHAT'S NEW: Updates from the National Alliance

• Last week, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, which would offer pre-planning grants to educators interested in opening charter schools. 
  • See below for more details. 
• Outgoing President and CEO Nina Rees reflects on her time leading the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools with The 74. 
  
  • Read key quotes from the piece. 

BREAKING: Federal Bill Introduced to Empower Charter School Educators to Lead

A new bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) will strengthen the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) by providing more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a new school. 

Here's what you should know:

• The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act would allow CSP grant funding to be used for pre-planning grants to school leaders and educators looking to start high-quality public charter schools.
  • The funds in this bill are intended to equalize opportunity for educators and school leaders who want to open a charter school but lack access to resources needed to navigate the complex process and planning costs required to submit a high-quality charter school application.
• Pre-planning funds help leaders design their school and establish a leadership team prior to submitting a charter application to an authorizer.
  • This type of support targeted to educators is difficult to provide under the CSP, yet research shows this financial assistance correlates with a strong charter school application and school opening.
  • This public support may be especially valuable to educators of color, from low-income backgrounds, or in rural areas who may have less access to philanthropic support. 

Thank you to Senators Cassidy, Cornyn, and Booker for their leadership in introducing this bill and Senators Scott (R-SC), Bennet (D-CO), Braun (R-IN), Hassan (D-NH), and Schatz (D-HI) for signing on as original cosponsors of the bill and their lifelong support for greater educational opportunities for all kids and families.

READ: Nina Rees Reflects on 11 Years at the Helm in The 74

President and CEO Nina Rees reflected on her time as the leader of the National Alliance and the growth the charter school movement has experienced in an interview with The 74.

• "Post-pandemic, we have some huge opportunities to seize because so many families continue to want options. Charter schools have a role to play in meeting that demand."
• "The education reform debates are no longer as central as they used to be, with the pandemic shifting attention to other priorities. The Democratic and Republican parties are fraying and the opposite ends are getting more airtime, but the reality is that the center still holds. It’s in the center where policy is made."
• In reference to ESAs, "This is an opportunity for charter schools. When you notice that people have an affinity or an interest in smaller settings that are offering a more customized education, this means charter management organizations can create some of these and see how it works without letting go of all the other things that we need to do as public schools."

Thank you again to Nina for her leadership these past 10+ years! 

ENGAGE: Resources and Opportunities

National Voices Fellowship

• Who: 50CAN 
• What: This fellowship aims to identify the next generation of education advocates who are willing to work across political divides to empower families and build a K-12 system that allows students to be their best selves.  
• When: Applications due November 8.

Charter Schools Program CMO Grants

• Who: The U.S. Department of Education
• What: Applications are now open for the Fiscal Year 2024 Charter Schools Program Grants to Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools competition. 
• When: Applications are due January 5. A pre-application webinar will be held October 24 at 3 p.m. ET

Parent Perspectives: What Indianapolis parents and residents want from their public schools

• Who: The Mind Trust and EmpowerED Families
• What: In the 2022-23 school year, 58.3% of public school students within IPS boundaries attended a charter or innovation school. The “Parent Perspectives” report provides a look into: What charter and innovation network parents love about their schools and what they would improve; Marion County parent and resident views on public education in the city; and Recommendations on how charter and innovation school parent views can shape the public school system.

ATTEND: Upcoming Events

Join these conferences and activities to connect with fellow charter school advocates!

• Oct. 23-26: NACSA Leadership Conference -- Oakland, CA
• Oct. 26-28: Tennessee Charter School Center Conference -- Memphis, TN
• Nov. 2: Arizona Charter Conference -- Phoenix, AZ 

See more upcoming events. 

READ: What We're Reading

• ACLU points to one Delaware charter school to spotlight lessons in inclusive culture | Delaware Online

• Student-led mental health club gaining steam at Success Academy | CBS New York

• New all-girls STEM charter school opening next year has found a home | Indianapolis Star 

That's all for this week! 

We ❤️ your partnership. Please support our work by:

• Making a tax-deductible gift
• Getting involved

Thank you!