Update CDE Data by July 15 to Ensure Full Funding in 2011-12
The California Department of Education (CDE) is still accepting updates to schools' socioeconomic data used to make funding determinations for Economic Impact Aid (EIA), Title 1, and other categorical funding programs for the 2010-11 school year. EIA funding can be rectified as far back as 2009-10. One of our members recently updated their socioeconomic data at no charge and received an EIA boost to the tune of nearly $200,000!
What's Happening This Week in Sacramento
An update on what's happening in the state capitol during the week of May 30.
Scenes from Schools: ACEL Fresno Charter High School
"Scenes from Schools" is an occasional piece on the CCSA News Blog that offers a glimpse at the tremendous work taking place on charter school campuses across California. In today's "Scenes," we learn about students from Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL Fresno), who recently met with and testified before state legislators.
5/27/11 Charter News Round-Up
Charter school news for the week ending May 27, 2011.
CCSA Statement on the Los Angeles Superior Court Decision on CCSA vs. LAUSD Proposition 39 Lawsuit
For immediate release Contact: Vicky Waters vwaters@calcharters.org (415) 505-7575 LOS ANGELES, California (May 24, 2011).-- Statement from Jed Wallace, President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA), on the Los Angeles Superior Court Decision on CCSA vs. LAUSD...
What Works: A Charter Teacher Shares Best Practices from Granada Hills
On May 15, a couple dozen charter school teachers from Los Angeles participated in a Teacher Town Hall meeting broadcast live on NBC. The panelists included Meridith Dadigan, CCSA's Charter Teacher of the Year. Janie M. Holm, a teacher at...
5/20/11 Charter News Round-Up
Charter school news for the week ending May 20, 2011.
CCSA Statement on Passage of Anti-Charter Legislation Intended to Cap Number of Charters in California
The State Assembly passed AB 401 (Ammiano-D) in a vote of 43-29. The bill would cap the number of charter schools at 1,450 for the next five years, limiting growth and impacting families and students statewide. Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the CCSA, released this statement on the anti-charter bill.
CCSA Statement on LAUSD's Prop. 39 Offers
The Los Angeles Unified School District released a list of final offers for Prop. 39 facilities. Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association, issued this statement responding to the increase in the number of offers, and sharing his concerns on the quality of the offers.
What Teachers Should be Talking About
On May 15, a couple dozen charter school teachers from Los Angeles participated in a Teacher Town Hall meeting broadcast live on NBC. The panelists included Meridith Dadigan, CCSA's Charter Teacher of the Year, who teaches at Aspire Titan, as...
CCSA Statement on Governor Brown's May Revise
Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association, released this following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown's May Revise.
5/13/11 Charter News Round-Up
Charter school news for the week ending May 13, 2011.
CCSA Works with Lending Community to Provide Emergency Loan Program
California's budget problems are creating an unsustainable cash flow situation for public schools, which have been forced to cope with multiple payment deferrals. While districts can reliably access Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs) to address most of their cash flow concerns, charter schools have far fewer options. CCSA, together with financial partners Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), Enterprise Community Partners and Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), launched an Emergency Loan Program in response to Spring 2011 state delays. The program provided approximately $2.2 million in loans at a competitive rate.
Families That Can Honors Parents for Their Participation in Public School Choice
On May 2, Families That Can hosted a celebratory luncheon honoring 55 parents who led grassroots organizing around Public School Choice (PSC), the Los Angeles Unified School District's initiative to create excellent new schools and turn around the lowest performing...
Looking For Solutions to Charter Schools Funding Inequity and Access to Financing
In California, there is a persistent and clear pattern of funding inequity for charter schools. It is an issue that has been exacerbated by the tough economic times the state has gone through for the past decade. CCSA continues to work on increasing charter access to working capital options that allow schools to address their financial needs so they can focus on educating students.
National Charter Schools Week: California Student Spotlight
To commemorate National Charter Schools Week, the California Charter Schools Association is highlighting success stories in the charter movement. This is a "Spotlight" of an exemplary student in Sacramento Charter High School.
Assembly Education Committee Rejects Anti-Charter School Measure Intended to Limit Growth and Choice
Assembly Education Committee Rejects Anti-Charter Bill AB 1172; Bill Intended to Limit Charter Growth and Due Process
Senate Education Committee Approves Higher Accountability Criteria For California's Charter Schools
The Senate Education Committee today approved SB 645, a bill sponsored by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) that calls for the increase of accountability criteria for charter schools at the time of their renewal.
Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Today, during our annual commemoration of National Charter Schools Week, the California Charter Schools Association is also holding our annual Advocacy Day. On Advocacy Day, we invite charter school leaders, teachers and students to the Capitol to talk to their elected representatives, to find out how powerful their voice, and their stories, can be as legislation is being decided.
Getting to Know: Senator Gary K. Hart, Author of the California Charter Schools Act
While serving as state senator, Gary K. Hart sponsored the legislation that established California charter schools. The California Charter Schools Act was one of many education-related bills Hart, who was voted most ethical California legislator by his peers, authored. In honor of National Charter Schools Week, we sat down with Senator Hart to get the story behind the Charter Schools Act, as well as his thoughts on everything from the state of the movement to critical issues facing public education to Waiting for "Superman."
National Charter Schools Week: A Time to Celebrate and a Time to Act
"The state of education in California is something I think about on a daily basis. Not only is it part of my job as president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association, it's also my duty as a parent and school choice advocate," writes CCSA President and CEO Jed Wallace.
Presidential Proclamation--National Charter Schools Week
On April 29, 2011, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring National Charter Schools Week 2011.
