Contributor Columns - CharterFolk

CharterFolk Contributor John Armbrust – Austin Achieve: Celebrating a Decade and Learning From Our Scholars and Families How to Best Serve the Community

August 4, 2022

Austin Achieve Public Schools, founded by John Armbrust in 2012, aims to provide equitable, college-ready education for students in Northeast Austin. Over the past decade, it has expanded to serve over 2,500 scholars, emphasizing community engagement, social-emotional learning, and innovative practices, including Restorative Justice and college support programs.

CharterFolk Contributor Dean Johnson – Charter School Funding Equity in Missouri (Finally!)

July 21, 2022

Dean Johnson’s article highlights the significant victory for charter schools in Missouri with the passage of House Bill 1552, which brings funding equity by allocating state funds equal to local school districts. This change, driven by persistent advocacy, corrects longstanding funding disparities affecting over 26,000 charter students, adding $62 million annually.

CharterFolk Contributor Jay Artis–Wright – Take 60 Seconds Tomorrow to Support Philadelphia Charters, the AACSC, and FCCS

June 22, 2022

Jay Artis-Wright, Executive Director of the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools, emphasizes the urgent need to support Black and Brown charter schools facing closure in Philadelphia. Highlighting systemic issues affecting these schools, she calls for advocacy and participation in a Twitter storm to demand a pause on charter renewals amid ongoing racial bias concerns in education.

CharterFolk Contributor Renita K. Thukral – It’s Time to Flip the Script. Are You Ready to Litigate?

June 15, 2022

Renita K. Thukral, Senior Advisor for Legal Affairs at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, highlights the importance of proactive litigation for charter communities. She emphasizes identifying specific claims, collaborating with experienced counsel, building coalitions, gaining community support, and fostering creativity in legal strategies to protect and advance charter students’ rights effectively.

CharterFolk Contributor Anthony D. Wilson, II – The Five Power Moves Every Advocacy-Forward CMO Must Make

June 9, 2022

Anthony D. Wilson discusses the urgent need for equitable education in Atlanta, highlighting systemic inequities impacting Black children. He emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and voter turnout among families to influence local school boards. By mobilizing the charter school community, he believes they can shift political conditions to improve educational outcomes.

CharterFolk Contributor Andrew Broy – Busting the Myth: Charter Schools Can Secure Major Policy Wins in Deep Blue States

June 2, 2022

Andrew Broy, President of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), discusses the organization’s significant successes in advancing charter school policy in Illinois. Key achievements include a state-funded facilities fund, increased operational funding, and supportive legislation. INCS emphasizes strategic advocacy, building coalitions, and maintaining consistent political presence to navigate challenges and drive future victories.

CharterFolk Contributor Dr. John Eick – The Role of the Leader in Preparing a School Climate for Disruptive Change

May 26, 2022

John Eick, Executive Director of Westlake Charter School, shares insights from his 20-plus years in education and his recent dissertation on fostering a change-receptive school climate. He emphasizes the importance of organizational culture and leadership in preparing schools for disruptive changes, proposing systematic approaches to enhance relational trust and adaptability within educational settings.

CharterFolk Contributor Josh Phillips – Leveraging the Summer Months for Social and Emotional Learning

May 19, 2022

Change Summer, founded by Josh Phillips in 2018, offers enriching summer camps focused on social and emotional learning for under-resourced students. Operating four camps on the East Coast, they aim to empower campers through safe, supportive environments encouraging personal growth. By 2025, they plan to expand to 10 camps serving roughly 7,500 students.

CharterFolk Contributor Amanda Aragon – Never More Concerned About the State of Public Education, Never More Convicted that Change is Possible, and More Dedicated than Ever to Make that Change a Reality

April 14, 2022

In a contributor column, Amanda Aragon discusses her journey from a first-generation college graduate to the Executive Director of NewMexicoKidsCAN. Drawing from her experiences in Albuquerque, she emphasizes the need for equitable educational opportunities for all students, particularly those of color, while highlighting successful charter schools that embody these values.

CharterFolk Contributors Sarah Kollman and Lee Rosenberg – Charter School Lawyers Sound the Alarm for Public Comment by April 13 on Proposed U.S. Department of Education Regulations

April 9, 2022

CharterFolk shares a Contributor Column by legal experts Sarah J. Kollman and Lee J. Rosenberg, urging comments on proposed federal regulations affecting charter schools before the April 13 deadline. These regulations threaten the existence and growth of high-quality charter schools, particularly for low-income and marginalized students, undermining educational equity and flexibility.