Two exciting new pre-conference programs have been added to the agenda for the National Charter Schools Conference in Washington D.C. on June 21. Teachers may attend the free all-day National Charter Schools Teacher Institute hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Attendance is limited to 500, so sign up now. School Leaders, particularly board members, are invited to attend the half-day Charter Trustees Boot Camp sponsored by the National Charter Schools Institute. For more information and to register for the National Charter Schools Conference in Washington D.C. June 21-24, visit the conference Web site.
America's Promise Alliance
OAPCS has recently joined the America’s Promise Alliance - an organization dedicated to seeing that children experience the fundamental resources they need to succeed – the Five Promises (caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others) – at home, in school and out in the community. This alliance, headed by Colin Powell, was born of the recognition that when too many children are at risk, we are a nation at risk. With less than one-third of America’s young people receiving the essential resources they need for success, we’re witnessing today an increased risk of substance abuse, crime and school drop outs. We can’t afford this loss of human potential and reversing this tide must be a national priority. They have a wealth of information and resources on their website and in their newsletters. Publications include: Grad Nation: A Guidebook to Help Communities Tackle The Dropout Crisis.
Contact Us
Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
33 N. Third Street,
Suite 600
Office: (614) 744-2266
Fax: (614) 744-2255 www.oapcs.org
The charter school community will not be intimidated by people who do not like what we are (charter schools), what we stand for (school choice), or who feel threatened by our presence on the field of education reform.
The past two weeks have been busy at the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Organizing and supporting those individuals wanting testify at the House hearings around the state, testifying ourselves at the Capitol, managing our grassroots advocacy campaign and sponsoring a well attended panel-discussion event on behalf of community charter schools in the Statehouse Atrium were some of the week’s activities.
Meetings this past week with the Governor’s top policy staff and Senate President Pro Tempore Tom Niehaus were also beneficial to our advocacy goals. Our strategy in these regards is simple, to use with great determination, a fact-based approach to counter the Governor’s “evidenced-based” attack on charter schools.
Of particular note was the reaction by charter school opponents of the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee to my characterization (see testimony) of the Governor’s proposed budget and education plan as an attempt to segregate charters into “separate and unequal” status. Yes, it is discrimination.
Twenty percent cuts across the board to charter school funding totaling $140 million, seventy percent cuts to e-schools, exclusion from the Ohio Instructional Quality Index, and the removal of charters from the state school foundation funding formula to a separate line item in the budget amount to nothing less than attempts to weaken charter school quality and operations to the point of incapacitation.
The Alliance strongly encourages all charter schools stakeholders to join our email advocacy initiative to write to your legislators and let your voices be heard. We have been very gratified by your efforts so far. In less than two weeks, over 6,000 messages have been sent to state legislators. Be assured, legislative staff are taking note. Our goal is to double these numbers by the end of the month.
Calling all writers, visual artists, photographers and lovers of charter schools! The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools would like to start the year off ‘write’ by having a contest centered around charter school students.
Who? All charter school students, K-12, interested in promoting their charter school are encouraged to participate. Essay writers, poets, visual artists and photographers will compete with their peers from across the state in their respective category and grade division (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12).
What? The theme for the contest is “What my charter school means to me,” which can be expressed in an essay, poetry, visual art or photography. The student’s work should outline their achievement (personal and academic) and the path that led them to the school. Students must also identify how their life would be affected if they didn’t have a choice for education in Ohio.
When? Submissions for the contest can be sent in as early as Feb. 2, 2009, but entries must be received no later than April 1, 2009, for consideration. Award winners will be recognized at the statehouse during National Charter School Week in May 2009. Visual art and photography submissions will be on display. Essay writers and poets will be asked to read their submissions.
Where? Submit your student’s work to:
Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
33 N. Third Street, Suite 600
Columbus, Ohio 43215
E-mail: events@oapcs.org
Why? The purpose of this contest is to bring recognition to charter school students. This also serves as an opportunity to express, in their own way, how important school choice is in the state of Ohio. The contest entries will serve as a resource for grassroots initiatives in meeting with legislators, visual display at the annual conference and possibly in future marketing campaigns.
Complete information, including forms and rules, are availabe on our Web site.
Charter school leaders and teachers have proven to be innovative. Look for ways to incorporate this contest in your school. Encourage your students to share their story with others, gain community awareness by hosting an open house to share your students’ submissions with the neighborhood and ask the community to vote on their favorites. The sky is the limit with what can be done with this contest theme.
FY2009 AP Fee Grant Assistance for Low-Income Students
The Ohio Department of Education, Office of CTE, received notification on March 6 of receipt of a $244,766 discretionary grant to waive fees for low-income (free-or reduced-price lunch eligible) students to take Advanced Placement (AP) tests. The grant is designed to increase AP course and test access for students who might otherwise be discouraged by financial requirements. AP offerings are aligned with Ohio Core and STEM initiatives. Test waive funds are also available to Ohio International Baccalaureate (IB) programs within economically disadvantaged schools.
The cost for AP tests is $86 per test. In 2008, 3,397 exams were completed by low-income students in Ohio. In 2009, the participation is expected to be up 25 percent with 4,371 exams completed by low-income students in the state. The Ohio Department of Education has received notification from USDOE that we are receiving our Test Fee Waiver Grant funds.
Risk Profiles Allow Districts to Analyze Student Risk Indicator Data
School administrators with access to the Ohio Department of Education's (ODE's) Secure Data Center may view district-specific reports related to high risk for student academic difficulty. These reports, derived from the Education Management Information System data, present dashboard displays of three key risk indicators that correlate negatively with students’ academic achievement: discipline days, unexcused absences and mobility.
What Can Districts Do with the Risk Profiles report?
• See five-year trends;
• View comparisons among student sub-groups defined by race, gender, economic disadvantagement and disability;
• Compare the percentile rankings of their buildings to each other and to state averages;
• Use the report’s questions to stimulate district and building leadership team discussions; and
• Develop ideas for additional analyses that lead to new policies and strategies for supporting student learning.
How To Access the Risk Profiles Report (Available on March 2, 2009)
District administrators must have a SAFE account and have a Secured Data Center (SDC) role assigned to them by their district Ohio Educational Directory (OEDs)/SAFE administrator in order to access the Risk Profiles.
To get started, click on the "SAFE Sign-in" text at the top of any ODE Web page and login. See "Applications" and click on SDC (Secure Data Center).
Then click on the folder named “Risk Profiles.” There are two reports with the same information: a) Risk Profiles Dashboard is designed for interactive use on the Web, and b) Risk Profiles Report is designed for printing as an Adobe PDF file.
For further information on the SDC, also see the “Documentation and Resources” link, which provides access to a comprehensive SDC User Guide and a shorter Quick Reference Guide.
For more information, contact:
risk.profiles@ode.state.oh.us
