• • Notes from CEO Bill Sims - Important Deadlines:
• • OAPCS Welcomes Two New Members!
• • TECHie Camp 2010: Educating, Exciting and Empowering students with technology!
• • Call for Practices!
• • SLIYS '10: Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars Deadline extended
• • Help for our Schools - The National Teacher Registry
• • K-12 Teachers, Educators, Administrators
• • Charter School Student Leadership Government Association
• • New Program at Harvard: Closing the Achievement Gap
• • 10th Annual National Charter Schools Conference
• • My Idea Grants launched to recognize and support young people
• • Attention All E-Schools!!! Join the E-School Consortium.
• • National Charter School Resource Center
• • OAPCS Workshop 7:  Know Your Accountability Data
• • Parent Membership Program - "Be A Brick"

Duncan Urges New Aid to Save Education Jobs
April 14, 2010 
by Alyson Klein
The education secretary testifies that Congress should act to help states and districts avoid massive layoffs. For the full article click here

Three Different Charter Schools with One Common Goal
ideastream®’s Ida Lieszkovszky reports on three of Cleveland's highest performing charter schools that may share the same management umbrella, but have very different approaches to educating students.
For the full article click here

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

Advocacy

Events

Quality Values and Principles

I. Race-to-the-Top MOUs
The Race-to-the-Top MOU (memorandum of understanding) submission deadline,  required for participation in Ohio’s share (~$400 million) of the federal $4.3 billion dollar grant program, has been extended to May 14, 2010 for all schools.

The MOU simply says that if you participate (receive R2T funds) you will abide by the guidelines of the MOU to use the funds for student achievement improvement, closing achievement gaps, longitudinal data strategies for student achievement improvement, linking student data to teacher compensation, turning around poorly performing schools, among other things. 

Charter schools need to have their school head sign the MOU and the chairperson of their board of directors. If you filled out the MOU for Phase 1 you still must fill out the new MOU for Phase 2. Phase 1 MOUs are no longer valid.

The Race-to-the-Top MOU can be downloaded HERE on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) web site. Every charter school should get on board to take advantage of this opportunity for school improvement development, especially if state budgets are likely to be cut in the next budget round. The Ohio Department of education has indicated that IF the state wins approval for Phase 2 that there will be a guaranteed “floor” allowance for participating schools. If all 323 charters participate, that floor would be approximately $25,000 per school. If fewer participate, then the floor could exceed $25,000. Go HERE to see a list of what your school stands to gain financially by participation. Don’t leave any financial opportunities on the table!

II. State Conference Workshop Session Proposals – They are due by Wednesday May 12th!
This fall’s state charter school conference (November 11-12) promises to be the biggest ever, at the downtown Columbus Conference Center!  We are looking for great workshop session proposals! For information on how to submit a workshop proposal go HERE on the Alliance web site for complete information on how to submit.

III. National Charter School Week
This week was “National Charter School Week” and I spent time in Washington D.C. reminding our Ohio congressional delegation of how important it is to think inclusively of charter schools when it comes to federal public education policy, e.g., the re-authorization of NCLB (ESEA), the federal Charter School Program for which the President has asked for a $55 million increase this year, among others. 
There’s a palpable shift among those I spoke with including the staffs of representatives Fudge, Kaptur, Kucinich, Ryan, Minority Leader Boehner and senators Voinovich and Brown. This year I sensed a genuine interest, the kind of listening and questioning that suggests real engagement, not a sense, frankly, that I have come away with in the past.

IV. We warmly welcome the Summit Academies and Akron Digital Academy as new members to the OAPCS. See the story immediately below this one. OAPCS now has 153 school members and 35 associate members. We are an ever expanding community!


– Bill Sims

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OAPCS would like to welcome Summit Academy Schools and their 26 charter schools in Ohio, as our newest school members starting this May. With reaching out to 14 different Ohio communities, serving grades K-12, Summit Academy Schools have approximately 2,100 students and are growing each and every day. Many of their students have Asperger’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, High-functioning Autism and other related disorders. Summit Academy schools keep their student-teacher ratio low within the classroom in order to keep their instruction interactive and engaging for all their students.

Their Therapeutic Martial Arts program is a key component to helping students control and coordinates their action of both the mind and body, thus improving social behavior and enhanced academic performance. It promotes a viable value system, belief in self, positive attitudes and physical wellness.

If you are interested in visiting a Summit Academy School to learn more about their program please feel free to contact them directly, or contact Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org (614) 744-2266 ext. 205. We look forward to working with the Summit Academy and all their 26 schools.



OAPCS would also like to welcome Akron Digital Academy (ADA) as school members. Akron Digital Academy (ADA) is an online school sponsored by the Akron Public School District. Like many other online schools in Ohio, ADA can offer advantages and opportunities, enrolled students receive a computer provided to student by the academy, state-of-the-art digital curriculum & instruction by certified staff technical support and expertise and receipt of an Ohio high school diploma upon completion of graduation requirements. ADA also is a great alternative for children in families who prefer the home schooling environment, enrollment in the Akron Digital Academy can enhance what is being provided at home. It will also fill the special needs of students who want to take classes from home due to illness or disability. The Akron Digital Academy provides a safe and stimulating alternative for students in a number of different sitations.

If you are interested in visiting ADA to learn more about their program please feel free to contact them directly, or contact Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org  (614) 744-2266 ext. 205.

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TECH CORPS has partnered with Ohio State to offer TECHie Camp on campus between June 7, 2010 and August 20, 2010. TECHie Camp is a full day, week long summer program designed to engage rising 3rd – 5th and 6th – 8th grade students in hands-on, interactive activities focused on Robotics, Web Development, Programming, and Android App Development. TECHie Camp puts students in the role of creating and designing with technology – not just using and consuming it. The overarching goal of TECHie Camp is to engage students in activities that can stimulate a deeper interest in and understanding of technology; as well as provide opportunities for them to express their creativity. TECHie Camp is a program of TECH CORPS Ohio. To register visit www.techiecamp.org.

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In this time of unprecedented attention to education reform, we invite you to add to the national dialogue.

The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Ohio Grantmakers Forum, KnowledgeWorks, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and KidsOhio, with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, are seeking

Best Cooperative Practices between Charter and Traditional Public Schools.

Fifty best practices will be selected for publication and wide dissemination throughout the education community and to national and state opinion leaders and policymakers.  

In order to find these transcendent cooperative practices, we have issued a national Call for Practices. If your organization has a good example of charters and traditional schools working together, please contact Amy Black, National Conference Manager at ablack@oapcs.org or visit www.oapcs.org/call-for-papers, for information on how to submit your best practice by June 18, 2010.

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The OSU Department of Linguistics will be holding a Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars (SLIYS, pronounced "slice") for high school students. This is a week-long summer event designed for students interested in the study of language.  There will be two sessions held on OSU's main campus during July 2010. SLIYS '10 is open to high school students from entering sophomores to seniors who are interested in foreign languages. An exciting program has been developed filled with activities aimed at helping participants become better students of language. They will learn, among many other things: how to make "exotic" sounds from other languages; why people speak with a foreign accent; how to avoid typical errors that may make their speech sound non-native; the various ways that cultural differences are expressed in language; and how languages differ in terms of sounds, writing systems, and the meaning and structure of words/sentences. The deadline for applications has been extended. For more information, visit the SLIYS website at http://linguistics.osu.edu/SLIYS/ or contact Dr. Julia McGory at mcgory.1@osu.edu.

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Please help spread the word!

Severe nationwide education budget cuts have resulted in many teachers and schools not receiving enough money to purchase the supplies they need for their classrooms.

To address this growing problem the National Teacher Registry announces a new No Cost service for teachers and schools, public and private, pre-school through college.

The National Teacher Registry helps teachers get items they need for their classroom when there is no budget to purchase them. On the National Teacher Registry website a teacher or school can create a list of the items that they need and want for their classroom. There are currently over 40,000 items from multiple suppliers on the site and many more products are in the process of being added.

Once a registry is created, a direct link to the registry can be sent by the teacher or school to parents and friends. Parents and friends can access the list on the Internet, purchase items from the list, and have the items delivered directly to the teacher or school. In many cases this is a charitable donation which can be deducted on the purchaser's tax return.

You can review the website at:  www.nationalteacherregistry.com.

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Registration is now open for ASEE's workshop, “Discovering Engineering in the Classroom!” Register now and learn fun ways to get students excited about math and science. This energizing, highly informative event will introduce you to innovative, effective engineering education lessons, best practices, and take-away tools. Teachers will also get a certificate (EILA) for securing Continuing Professional Education credits through their state authorities.

When: Saturday, June 19, 2010, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  

Where: Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 South 4th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2903  

Free to all who register by June 4. For details and to register, click here.

You may also contact Libby Martin by email: k12workshop@asee.org

K-12 Meeting | American Society for Engineering Education | 1818 N Street NW | Washington DC 20036

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The Public Charter School Student Leadership Government Associations seeks to become a National organization among a number of Charter Schools in the USA. They are inviting participation from secondary and high school grades 6 thru 12th.

Rev. Charles Paige of New Jersey started PCS/S.L.G.A. He discovered that there is needed for an organization strictly devoted to Charter School Student Governments, by providing them with networking, research, and training resources among other students also attending charter schools. The idea for PC/SLGA came out of some meetings on Charter School conversations, and how to students together nationally to lobby about their own Charter education. The goal is to provide a platform for the voices of Charter students, to hear each other while being guided by administrators, parents, and advisors. A major goals would be to develop leaders in the schools they attend.

PCSSLGA would like to form a National Ad-Hoc Committee to further implement the idea. Please contact charterschoolgov@gmail.com or phone (908) 998-1305 for more information.

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Closing the Achievement Gap: Strategies for Excellence with Equity will help you to understand the the key elements for raising achievement and closing gaps — and to create a coherent strategy for doing so. When you return to your school or district you will be able to organize key stakeholders around a vision that is manageable and makes sense. We invite you to apply online today and join our community of learners.

Application deadline: May 14, 2010   Click here for more details

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The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools invites you to attend the 10th Annual National Charter Schools Conference

Innovators in Education: Leading the Race to the Top

June 28 – July 1, 2010
Lakeside Center/McCormick Place Lakeside Convention Center, Chicago, IL.

Each year, the National Charter Schools Conference provides the sole opportunity for the entire movement to gather – leaders, teachers, and board members of charter schools; authorizers and legislators; and supporters in business and philanthropy. The 2010 theme is "Innovators in Education: Leading the Race to the Top" -- chosen because the charter school sector is truly at the cutting edge of education reform. Now serving more than 1.5 million students in 4,900 schools, public charter schools provide outstanding examples of innovation and quality. The National Charter Schools Conference is a time to recognize these achievements while rededicating ourselves to pushing toward even higher goals. With states scrambling to create far-reaching Race to the Top plans, and teams of educators hoping to scale their innovations, we are putting out a big welcome mat so all can see what innovative charter schools can offer.

The conference will be divided into eleven strands including Law and Policy; Finance; the role of Charter Support Organizations; Quality Innovation, Student Achievement; and Governance. We're inviting the industry's most distinguished policy gurus, practitioners, advocates, and school representatives to join us - so stay tuned this site for news of sessions and speakers.

This year, Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will provide keynote remarks at the opening general session on June 29, 2010. On June 30, Reed Hastings, Founder and CEO of Netflix will provide keynote remarks.

Growing from a single school 17 years ago, the public charter school movement is a testament to the dedication and skill of thousands of teachers, leaders, trustees, and those in the wider community who make their work possible. Our national conference is a time to share what we know, learn from one another and celebrate our successes.

Your support of the conference in attendance and participation is integral to the Charter School Movement. Not only is it important in gaining the attention of policy makers and funders but also in drawing attention NATIONWIDE to the amazing advances Charter Schools are making in improving the quality of education in our country.

The annual conference will include Breakfast, General Sessions, Breakout Sessions, Lunch, Snacks, and Happy Hour/Networking Reception.

For more information, please visit the conference website at: www.nationalcharterconference.org

For general conference questions:
Email: nationalconference@publiccharters.org
Call: 1-800-280-6218

Registration Questions?
Email: natlcharterconf@continue.uoregon.edu
Call: 1-800-280-6218 between 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Coast Time

Registration:
Click here to register online

To register by phone: Call 800-280-6218 between 9 am and 5 pm Pacific Coast Time

To register by fax: Click here to download a Conference Registration Form to pay by Credit Card or Purchase order. Fill out the form and fax it to 541-346-3545

To register by mail:
Click here  to download a Conference Registration Form.
Make checks payable to: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Fill out the form and mail registration form with check payment to:
2010 National Charter Schools Conference Registration
There are lower Affiliate Group Discount Rates for groups of 20 or more.

There are a limited number of rooms at low group rates at the official conference hotel Hyatt Regency Chicago (complimentary shuttles will be provided frequently to & from the convention center). Click here to reserve your hotel room now!

Also, on June 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education's 2010 Charter School Facilities Institute is a free, full-day event in partnership with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and is being by conducted the National Charter School Resource Center at Learning Point Associates. This pre-conference session will complement the facilities strand at the 2010 National Charter Schools Conference. It will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Learn from charter school leaders and national experts about the facilities planning process and financing as you engage in interactive conference sessions. Each session will provide meaningful step-by-step assistance in one phase of the planning process. Featured topics include:

• Conceptualizing your school facility needs
• Predevelopment planning: Creating high quality spaces
• Finding short-term leased space
• Construction planning and management
• Politics and fundraising
• Indicators for quality loans

Click here for FREE Registration

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My Idea Grants launched to recognize and support young people and their projects to increase graduation rates. America's Promise Alliance and AT&T are looking for the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to help make this country a Grad Nation through the My Idea grants program. "My Idea" will empower young people to examine the high school dropout crisis and take action to help more of their peers to graduate on time, improving outcomes for themselves and their community.

National grants of $10,000 – $20,000 will be awarded to 20 – 25 youth for the best of the submitted ideas to help increase a community's graduation rate anywhere in the United States. Additional opportunities are available for young people living in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland, and Washington, D.C with grants of $500 – $1500 to support targeted local projects.

If you're a teen concerned about the dropout crisis, consider, plan and propose an idea to help increase the graduation rate in your community. With the help of a supporting non-profit organization or school, you or you and a group of your peers, will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community! If you're a youth service provider, this is a great opportunity to share with the high school-aged youth that you work with each day.

Young people, AT&T representatives and Alliance partners will review and select the local and national ideas that win the "My Idea" grants. The money will be administered by supporting non-profit or school, so you'll get plenty of help and support as you help bring an end to the dropout crisis.

Applications must be submitted by June 11, 2010.

What to Expect:

• You will be asked to complete an America's Promise Alliance web site registration if you don't already have one.
• Then you will Login and complete the Getting Started checklist to start the application.
• Once you start your application, you will receive an email with contact information for further assistance.
• Please complete all sections of the application. You can save your application as a draft and return to it.
• When you have completed your application, click Submit Application. You will receive an email to let you know that we have received your application. Once you submit the Application, you will no longer be able to edit it.
• Your application will be reviewed by a grant panel.
• You will be contacted by the grant panel when they have decided whether or not your project will be funded.

Click here to begin the My Idea Grant application process!

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OAPCS E-School Consortium was created to provide a forum for e-school operators to discuss common advocacy, operational, technical and academic issues. It is also a forum for sharing best practices and virtual school innovation.

OAPCS E-School Consortium is an informal gathering of e-school professionals. Its agenda is the product of its members. The OAPCS provides meeting facilities and a conference bridge for those interested in participating by phone. The OAPCS also provides an e-school community board through its website to enable and encourage ongoing discussion between consortium meetings. 

If you are interested in joining, please email Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org or contact her at (614) 744-2266 ext. 205 

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Are you searching for a school building that will make the educational vision of your charter come to life? Is your school currently housed in a space that doesn't meet your needs? Are you overwhelmed by the process of constructing a new school? Not sure how to access financing?

Join us at the U.S. Department of Education's 2010 Charter School Facilities Institute. This full-day event, presented in partnership with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, is conducted by the National Charter School Resource Center at Learning Point Associates. This preconference event will complement the facilities strand at the 2010 National Charter Schools Conference.

Charter School Facilities Institute
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL

Whether you are applying for a charter, opening your first school, or planning to construct a new building, we invite you to learn from charter school leaders and national experts about the facilities planning process as you engage in interactive conference sessions on the following topics:

• Conceptualizing Your School Facility Needs
• Predevelopment Planning: Creating High-Quality Spaces
• Finding Short-Term Space
• Construction Planning and Management
• Politics and Fundraising
• Financing 101

There is no registration fee to attend, but space is limited. Register now.

For questions or additional information, please call Peggie Garcia by telephone (312) 288-7642 or e-mail peggie.garcia@learningpt.org.

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OAPCS is repeating its highly acclaimed "Know Your Accountability Data" workshop July 1, 2010. At this workshop, participants will review their submitted end of year EMIS data and preview how their Local Report Card rating will be determined. Marianne Mottley, of the Ohio Department of Education, will be the key presenter, and Karlyn Geis, from the Office of Community Schools will be on hand to answer questions about the school closure provisions. The workshop is scheduled for 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
 
Goals of the workshop are:
1. Use the Secure Data Center to access the Accountability Workbook
2. View your Preliminary Local Report Card
3. Understand Where Kids Count and the Accountability IRN
4. Drill down into data to illuminate areas that affect your school rating
5. Calculate your Performance Index, AYP subgroups, and Safe Harbor
6. Understand the School Closure provisions
7. Know how to show key data to teachers and board members
 
To register, please go to the OAPCS website at www.oapcs.org, and click on the events link. The cost of the workshop is $100 for members and $200 for nonmembers.

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