2023

How We Overcome The Educational Pickleball Challenge

A wealthy San Francisco woman opposes public pickleball courts for noise pollution despite having one in her mansion, raising questions about hypocrisy. Similarly, the head of a teachers’ union sends her child to private school while denouncing school choice supporters. This reflects a broader issue where NIMBYism blocks educational opportunities for many.

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CharterFolk Contributors Khalique Rogers and Joe Nathan – Two Specific Suggestions to Help Students and Communities

Khalique Rogers and Joe Nathan propose integrating service-learning into K-12 education to enhance student engagement and community involvement. They highlight the benefits of combining classroom learning with real-world problem solving, citing successful programs in Minnesota. Their recommendations aim to empower students and foster collaboration across educational and community sectors to address pressing social issues.

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The 401-Level – When Free, Public and Open to All Becomes Our Agenda

CharterFolk expresses gratitude for community support and outlines the “401-Level” of their mission: transforming public education to become genuinely Free, Public, and Open to All. This level emphasizes the importance of developing a united force and successful representative advocacy to overcome historical reform failures and achieve meaningful progress in charter schools nationwide.

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WonkyFolk Vol 8 – The Home Base Episode

In this week’s podcast, Andy and Jed discuss education challenges with Lakisha Young and Heather Harding. They explore the impact of proposed book bans and curriculum changes on student learning, emphasizing the importance of a clear policy priority “home base” for advocates amidst a polarized political landscape affecting urban education.

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Community Update – 11 New Board Members; More Org Subscribers; Even More Contributor Columnists; and a New 501c4 Organization

CharterFolk’s recent board meeting revealed significant updates: 11 new nationally recognized board members joined, enhancing the organization’s leadership. Additionally, 12 organizations became subscribers, expanding CharterFolk’s outreach. Upcoming contributor columns will feature various leaders sharing insights, while plans for a new 501c4 organization to address partisan issues are underway.

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Signs of the Even More Greatly Disconnected Times

The content discusses the widening disconnect between parents’ expectations and traditional public education, termed “The Great Disconnect.” Parents are increasingly seeking alternatives, such as homeschooling and micro-schooling, due to bureaucratic constraints. Despite traditional schools’ resistance, charter schools represent a potential force for leadership in achieving equity and excellence in education.

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CharterFolk Contributor Chris Reynolds – The Facilities Affordability Gap

Chris Reynolds, Senior Advisor for New Schools for Alabama, discusses the significant funding inequities faced by public charter schools in Alabama. Unlike district schools, charters lack access to local tax dollars, forcing them to allocate operational funds for facilities. This affordability gap, coupled with structural challenges, hampers their efforts to provide quality education.

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FREE to Achieve Our Why’s; PUBLIC Because We’re Chartered; OPEN TO ALL Makes Us Even More Public

The post addresses the integration of 201, 301, and 401 levels of charter school operations under the theme “Free, Public, and Open to All.” It emphasizes internal discussions about the unique purpose of charter schools, advocating that their freedom enables innovative educational opportunities, contrasting with the constraints of traditional public schools. Future posts will explore further levels.

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CharterFolk on the Move – August 2023 by Mollie Mitchell

Mollie Mitchell, President and Founder of The K12 Search Group, highlights the first edition of CharterFolk on the Move, showcasing recent leadership transitions in charter schools across the nation. Notable appointments include new executives at Bright Star Schools, Ingenium Schools, and Freedom Preparatory Academy, among others, reflecting ongoing changes in educational leadership.

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