March 23, 2010
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Articles of Interest...
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Funding Opportunity:
The Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination (AEMDD)
For the full article click here
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Funding Opportunity:
Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program
For the full article click here
Winning Back Homeschoolers
With the defection of local families causing a steep dip in its enrollment, a rural Ohio district goes virtual to stem the tide. For the full article click here
New Appropriations for Charters
For the full article click here
Congress Ties Federal Charter School Spending to Quality Controls
For the full article click here
Horizon Science Academy Cleveland Named Best High School by U.S. News & World Report
For the full article click here
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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
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Notes from CEO Bill Sims
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While health care reform has succeeded in crowding out almost all other news these past few weeks, there was something else lurking betwixt and between news reports, blogs and twitters that is of huge consequence for American education, the reauthorization of ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act), known most recently as No Child Left Behind.
The concern about the state of education in America has catalyzed interest in the reauthorization of ESEA. Sam Dillon of the New York Times wrote recently that “America’s educational advantage, unrivaled in the years after WWII, is eroding quickly as a greater proportion of students in more and more countries graduate from high school and college and score higher on achievement tests than students in the United States.” Dillon went on to quote a Business Roundtable CEO, Charles Butt, of a Texas supermarket chain who said that, “The blame for America’s sagging academic achievement does not lie solely with public schools but also with dysfunctional families and a culture that undervalues education. Schools are inheriting an over-entertained, distracted student.”
To this growing chorus of concern, last week Secretary of Education Arne Duncan went before the Senate and House Education Committees to answer questions about the department’s recently released “blueprint” for reauthorizing ESEA. So far the reaction has been guarded while people try to get their heads around the blueprint and try to imagine the implications of a fully-fleshed piece of legislation. We are of course interested in any implications there might be for charter schools.
Here are five key changes:
1. Student proficiency in reading and math by 2014 would be replaced by “college and career readiness” for all students by 2020. What does “college and career ready” really mean, how will it be measured, and what does the transition from one to the other look like? AYP would go away but reading and math tests would remain in grades 3-8 and high school aligned now with college and career-ready standards.
2. A new and less penalizing multi-tiered system for evaluating schools would be put in place but, is it for “all that fall”, the bottom 5%, or the bottom 10%?
3. There will be rewards for schools that are successful in meeting performance targets: “The schools, districts and states that are successful in reaching their performance targets… will be recognized… (and) rewards may include financial rewards for the staff and students.”
4. A transition from formula-based federal funding to more competitive-based grants like the Race-to-the-Top model.
5. No longer would there be a requirement that schools failing to meet the performance targets would have to provide school options for students to transfer to more successful schools.
For the most part it seems that states would be given more leeway in how they deal with failing schools (not necessarily the four turnaround models) but rewards for success from the feds would become increasingly competitive. To the victors go the spoils. It will be interesting to see whether this approach makes it through the legislative process.
Charter schools, especially in Ohio, are accustomed to taut performance and accountability regulations. In the charter school world in Ohio, and in other states as well, schools either improve or get shut down. The net effect is revolutionary in public education: leaving higher-quality education options for parents. Charter leaders do not fear accountability standards as long as those standards are reasonable and clear. A competitive framework for student achievement and school success is part of our birth right.
Hopefully in these tough economic times states and the USDoE will come to realize that charter schools offer not only a very cost-effective framework but also the institutional plasticity that must be a part of 21st century schools. Having said that, our cost-effective model and competitive character still require a fair allocation of resources.
We have no fear of the death penalty if our schools fail in their promise of performance and innovation; but, as entrepreneurs at the vanguard of the education reform movement in America it is important we be allowed to maintain our “autonomy for accountability” license and for our successes to be fairly and adequately financed, allowed to grow and to replicate. As the reauthorization of ESEA moves through the legislative gauntlet, this flexible-autonomous-competitive framework with reward incentives for hard work and success will be the things that we hope will survive the process. As the new ESEA emerges, be assured that we at the Alliance will be keeping you informed.
– Bill Sims
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Congratulations to Columbus Collegiate Academy - National EPIC Winner
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Columbus Collegiate Academy was recently named a Silver winner in the prestigious Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) competition. EPIC is administered through New Leaders for New Schools and uses a value-added model to analyze performance data from high-need charter schools across the country. Twenty-two schools that have made the most dramatic gains in student achievement during the 2008-2009 school year were identified. Individual principals, assistant principals, teachers and instructional aides at these schools were given awards totaling an estimated $2,300,000. “These states and charter schools are fantastic examples of strong direction and sound strategies leading to the implementation of innovative and effective practices that positively impact student achievement,” said Jon Schnur, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Leaders for New Schools. “The student gains realized in these schools prove that effective institutions can and do have a dramatic impact on student achievement no matter their students’ backgrounds or prior schooling.”
The power of EPIC lies in the opportunity for educators to learn from one another about practices that contribute to achievement gains. Winning schools contribute to the EPIC Knowledge System, online professional development modules that include video, school artifacts and related documents and interviews. More information can be found on the EPIC Website, www.nlns.org/epic. EPIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), school district and charter school partners, and private philanthropic funders. If your school is interested in participating in the Spring 2010 competition, please contact Laina Vlasnik at 646-792-7868 or email lvlasnik@nlns.org.
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Two Graduate Credits for Teachers at The Maritime Academy of Toledo
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The Maritime Academy of Toledo has organized the “Great Lakes Maritime Transportation Teacher Institute” to help your teachers earn two graduate credits. The course is going to be held on Monday, June 21-Friday, June 25th, 2010 at The Maritime Academy of Toledo. The cost is $240.00 (includes 5 lunches and 2 credits) or $540.00 (includes 4 nights of lodging and meals).
This program will explore the historical, economical and environmental aspects of Great Lakes shipping at the Port of Toledo, one of the busiest and most diverse transportation centers on the Great Lakes. You will visit port facilities, get instruction on navigation and radar simulators, tour the historic SS Boyer and lighthouses, enjoy excursions on the Maumee River, investigate invasive species, monitor Great Lakes water quality, and hear about maritime careers and other learning opportunities. You will also explore all facets of the shipping industry from the arrival of goods by rail to port safety, and the shipping of goods to other Great Lakes ports and global destinations.
Application deadline is Friday, May 14th, 2010. To register contact Joan Chadde at 105 Dillman Hall-Michigan Tech 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Phone: (906) 487-3341 or at jchadde@mtu.edu
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High Quality Workshop Series 7: Know Your Accountability Data 2010 - register now!
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Know Your Accountability Data 2010 will be presented July 1, 2010, at the State Library of Ohio. At this interactive workshop, Marianne Mottley, from the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Accountability, will walk participants through the Secure Data Center (SDC) to view the accountability calculations that make up the Local Report Card. The timing of this session allows School Leaders to view how their end of year EMIS data (including high stakes test scores) creates the Preliminary Report Card rating. If you find data errors or omissions during this work session, you will still have time to correct them before the final EMIS processing on July 16th. Karlyn Geis, Office of Community Schools, will also be on hand to answer questions about the school closure provisions. See the event section on www.oapcs.org to register. Participants should bring an internet accessible laptop, and their SDC log on information. Don’t delay – this session has limited seating!
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School Improvement Grant Workshop: Learn About Possible $500,000 for Three Years
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A workshop for charter school leaders eligible to apply for the School Improvement Grants (SIG) will be held Monday, April 12 at the State Library of Ohio from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop is designed to allow charter school Leaders to ask questions related to completing the competitive SIG application on the CCIP. Office of Community Schools staff will be on hand to answer questions, and Kathy Harper, Ohio Department of Education, will be available by phone. Workshop registration is available through the OAPCS website – at www.oapcs.org.
The SIG grant is an unprecedented opportunity for substantial funding (up to $500,000 a year, renewable for two additional years) to effect positive change in targeted schools. The application requires schools to directly tie grant goals and activities to the school’s Ohio Improvement Plan and to operate a Schoolwide Title 1 Program. Join us for an informative and helpful session to ready your school’s application.
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Crystal Bowersox, Toledo School of the Arts alum, wows American Idol
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The soulful, dreadlocked Crystal Bowersox is a top contender in the 2010 American Idol competition. Crystal was bullied for being poor and different at Oak Harbor High School, and found refuge at Toledo School for the Arts. Crystal’s story is a great example of why we need mission-centered schools and educational choice. Her folk rock and blues style makes the competition interesting this year, providing a level of authenticity and talent often missing from the show. Congrats to the TSA staff for being a part of this young woman’s quest to live her dream. Check out Crystal on American Idol and cheer on our own Ohio charter school hero - Vote for Crystal!
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OAEP Conference April 25-27, 2010
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OAPCS strongly recommends attendance at the 2010 Spring Ohio Association of EMIS Professionals (OAEP) Conference. The Conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, and registration is available at the OAEP website – www.oaep.net. This conference provides the opportunity to learn invaluable information about EMIS processing requirements and to network with peers. Sessions specific to Community Schools are included.
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School Specialty partners with OAPCS
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OAPCS and School Specialty are working together to offer a discount when ordering products. All member schools of OAPCS will receive 5% off the Educator Net Price in the following School Specialty catalogs with free shipping on orders over $69:
• School Specialty Education Catalog
• School Specialty Art Education Catalog
• School Specialty Physical Education Catalog
• School Specialty Early Education Catalog
• School Specialty Special Needs Catalog
Help outfit your school through their Projects by Design group also!
Contact Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org or at (614) 744-2266 ext. 205 for more details.
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Parent Membership Program - "Be A Brick"
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The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) firmly believes that quality performance is the key to the healthy growth and sustainability of the community charter school movement in Ohio.
Quality performance cannot be achieved without parental engagement. Parents deserve to be able to choose the best school for their child, and they need to be involved, informed and active with organization that can help with school choice. So it stands to reason that we want charter-school parents to be knowledgeable and engaged on matters that relate to their children’s schools. So parents: “Be a Brick.” If every parent becomes a “brick,” we can build strong walls that stand firmly for charter schools.
OAPCS is now offering a Parent Membership program that allows individuals to join our organization. Benefits of being an individual member:
• An association of quality values
• Legislative “Updates” and “Alerts”
• Bi-monthly newsletter
• Content-rich website
• Parent Networking/Newsletter
• Discount on products at all Staples Stores
• E-mail bulletins
• Access to OAPCS Community Boards
Please contact Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org or at 614-744-2266 ext. 205 to become a Parent Member.
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