Good day, CharterFolk. I start today with news out of Minnesota about beating–the–odds schools – campuses that generate high levels of learning while serving high percentages of low-income students. No surprise: A large percentage are charter schools, including Global Academy in New Brighton … … and Jie Ming Mandarin Dual Language Academy in St. Paul.
This week, we profile the extraordinary Steven Bartholomew, the executive director of New Legacy Charter School in Aurora, Colorado. Steven Bartholomew watched his own son struggle in a traditional school system and then thrive when given a choice for something different. That transformation shaped not only his entire educational career but also his life’s work. For Steven, this approach is more
The post discusses recent updates on educational reform, including support for a federal tax credit program by notable figures and reflections on school board elections in Denver. It critiques the declining effectiveness of traditional school districts while highlighting the need for governance restructuring to sustain improvements in education. The author emphasizes lessons from past reform efforts and looks forward to innovative proposals in Houston.
Good day, CharterFolk. Let’s start at the state level, where things are more positive. In New Jersey … … sure, a Ciattarelli win would have put even more support behind charter schools, but Mikie Sherrill overcame a $40M investment from the New Jersey Education Association to advance their own president through the primary. And throughout
In a recent podcast, Andy and the author interviewed Mike Kirst, Professor Emeritus at Stanford and former California State Board of Education President. They discussed education policy evolution, including career-long teacher development and charter school challenges. Kirst also highlighted California’s Local Control Funding Formula and ongoing educational research initiatives shaping future policies.
This week, we are excited to profile the extraordinary Chamomile Nusz, charter school program consultant for the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS) and owner and educational consultant for Circle Education LLC. Living in a small rural community in central Wisconsin, Chamomile Nusz began her journey into charter schools because she was looking for a
The post discusses the struggles facing charter schools amidst growing opposition from school board members, as highlighted by recent data from Fordham. The author emphasizes the importance of reliable data in assessing school performance and calls for a stronger advocacy structure for charter schools to combat emerging challenges and misconceptions.
Good day, CharterFolk. Today, we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Dr. Harry Patrinos, Head of the Department of Education Reform and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. We provide a bio for Harry below. Harry Anthony Patrinos is Head of the Department of Education Reform and
LISA Academy, Arkansas’s largest charter school district, led by Dr. Fatih Bogrek, has grown substantially since its 2004 founding, serving over 4,500 students across multiple campuses. Focusing on STEM education, it emphasizes a supportive, community-driven approach. Committed to academic excellence, LISA prepares students for college and life, fostering leadership and innovation.
The post discusses the contrasting attitudes towards AI-driven education in Beijing and the U.S., highlighting Alpha school’s claims of accelerated learning and innovative incentives for students. While there’s a push for such models in affluent areas, many districts resist change. The potential for charter schools to improve education for all is emphasized.