This feature of NCSC News brings you current state news.
We welcome newsworthy contributions from our readers for this section.
Please send your state news to info@ncsc.info.

(Please note: Links were available at the time the newsletter was written; as organizations sometimes change links or enable access to articles for a limited time period, some links may no longer be accessible.

MINNESOTA
New Requirements for Charter Schools
Minnesota’s Department of Education will now require charter school applicants to receive extensive training before they can apply for a charter. The agency will also expand training and oversight for current charters. Charter school directors see the state’s proactive measures as another safeguard against charters failing. Many schools fail financially because of eroding enrollment and inexperienced board management. The department will review the school’s opening enrollment plan and ensure there is a clear understanding of the funding, especially grants. In addition, the agency will review a school’s enrollment and financial standing at mid-year. Other efforts will assist established charter schools. “The department will push a bill in the Legislature to allow charters to have sponsors that are solely focused on charter schools,” said Morgan Brown, director of the department’s division of School Choice and Innovation. Winona Daily News (January 2, 2005).

Harvest Prep Exceeds District Scores
Recent test scores from North MinneapolisHarvest Preparatory School with its 100% Black enrollment, show that through adult participation, positive school culture and a belief in their students, there is no gap between Black and White students at Harvest. In both reading and math students made a year or better progress, exceeding the district and performing better or at national averages. Eric Mahmoud, the president and CEO of Harvest Preparatory School, says “Higher academic achievement in school provides a person with a wider range of economic, political and educational choices in this country. Our children’s performance determines the economic, political and social viability of our communities.” Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (December 22, 2004).

Charters Score High at Student Summit
Even though there is much controversy over charter schools’ performance, Minnesota’s first Charter School Summit, a diverse group of 100 charter school students, gave the state’s charters high marks. The students discussed “student life in a charter school,” the draw of the charter curriculum and whether the schools are for everyone. The students agreed the intense and often independent learning style is not for everyone. But, on the other side, charters often gear their curriculum to one focus, such as the arts, or to a specific segment of the student population, such a minority or special needs. One student was excited to be learning again instead of just going through the motions. St. Paul Pioneer Press (December 8, 2004).

- Top of Page -

NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe Approves Bilingual Charter School
The Santa Fe Public School Board has approved the application of Charter School 37, a dual language immersion, expeditionary learning high school to open in 2006. The school will teach both Spanish and English speaking students, promoting fluency in both languages. The charter’s founders are now in the planning stages for securing funding and construction grants and recruiting potential students. The school of 200 freshmen will be housed on a temporary site until the funds have been secured for a permanent facility on acreage that was donated to the school. Albuquerque Journal (January 5, 2005).

- Top of Page -

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Charter School Requests State Aid
Franklin Career Academy has requested a share of the excess monies recently transferred to city schools. School officials say that the money is not up for grabs and is needed for programs and teacher salaries. Bill Grimm, founder of the academy, had not previously requested the school’s share of over $100,000 as the city had not reached budget solutions. A charter school advisory committee has been authorized by the state to analyze charter financing as well as other issues. TheChamplainChannel.com (January 7, 2005).

- Top of Page -

NEW YORK
Niagara Falls School District Forms Alliance With Charter School
Niagara Charter School and the Niagara Falls School District have announced an alliance that will allow the charter school to open under the supervision of the district. The district will be the chartering entity, giving it the authority to revoke the charter if the school does not meet academic standards. The K-4 school will open in September with an enrollment of 242 students. Charter school administrators, facing the challenge of academic standards say, “We can do some things that the district can’t do.” Towanda News (January 8, 2005).

- Top of Page -

OREGON
Charter Schools Provide Alternative for Tribal Students
Charter schools offer more alternatives to Native American students who have dropped out and/or have not been successful in the traditional public school. Currently, there 30 tribal schools in the country, with most of them located in Arizona and California. Educational results are mixed, some have had financial concerns and have had difficulty meeting federal requirements, while The San Diego county Barona Indian Charter School has shown outstanding improvement on the standardized tests. Despite the few schools in trouble, many more charter schools are in the planning stages, most with an emphasis on native culture and traditional skills and language. One such school started this fall in Oregon is the Nixyaawii Charter School on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Tribal leaders see the school as the answer for the 48 teenagers enrolled, many of whom come from very poor families with alcohol and drug problems. These teenagers are emerging as leaders, recognizing that the school is their last chance to graduate from high school and get responsible jobs. Students and teachers begin and end their day together, discussing “today and tomorrow.” Principal Annie Tester said “Nixyaawii's first year is a work-in-progress. Boston Globe (December 21, 2004). See also Desert Sun (December 11, 2004) and Canku Ota (December 29, 2001).

- Top of Page -

PENNSYLVANIA
Chinatown Group Proposes Opening Charter School
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission heard a proposal from Asian Americans United to approve a charter school in the Chinatown neighborhood. Folk Arts-Community Treasures School (FACTS) plans an enrollment of 280 serving kindergarten through fifth grade with a dual language (English and Mandarin) curriculum. "There needs to be a school that has the needs of immigrant children in mind," said Helen Gym, of Asian Americans United, the group proposing the school. "It's a service gap that the school district has." The commission will vote on the proposal next month, along with several others. Philadelphia Journal (January 14, 2005).

Global Focused Charter School Proposed
Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania, a K-5^th grade charter school, is being proposed by a group parents, graduate students and Penn State educators. The school will have an international focus targeting both English speaking students and students whose primary language is not English. Each student would be taught two foreign languages. The school will use technology in the teaching of languages and will allow parents to choose the languages of study. English as a Second Language students will be provided with a special transition program. Wendy Whitesell, board member for the proposed school, said that “research has shown that learning a second language increases children’s brain development.” She says the school will provide an excellent opportunity to offer this innovative program to State College’s global community. The State College Area School District is expected to hear the proposal later in the month and has up to 75 days to make a decision. The Centre Daily (December 16, 2004).

- Top of Page -

TEXAS
Stronger Measures for Texas Charter Schools
The Texas Education Agency will now have authority to close charters that have been rated “academically unacceptable” for two years. Prior laws allowed for too many loopholes and the agency has been criticized for not monitoring charter school’s progress. Over 20 schools could be impacted by the new rules which take place in March. Texas Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley will also have the authority to close schools which are not fiscally responsible with the tax payer dollar and those that do not hold a child’s welfare a priority. Washington Times (January 14, 2005). See also Dallas News [Free registration] (January 14, 2005).

New Charter School for Immigrants in Houston
Newcomers Charter School, with an enrollment of 125, has opened in Houston and will offer a yearlong intensive English program and accelerated courses towards high school graduation. Immigrant children are likely to drop out of school as many have limited English skills and are lacking previous education. "These young people came to America with hopes to make a better life for themselves and were then forced to make a devastating choice: make a living and support their family or study. Now, they can do both," said Steve Amstutz, the school principal. The average student is 19-20 years old, has been in the United States less than three years and works full-time. Star-Telegram (January 11, 2005).

Charter School Growth Causing DISD Low Enrollment
The number of publicly financed charter schools in southern Dallas has tripled since 1999, a contrast to Dallas Independent School District’s enrollment which has dropped by over 5000 students in the last two years. One school, Life Charter School has drawn more than 600 students from the closest district schools and even has a problem with too rapid of an enrollment growth. Houston and San Antonio have seen similar enrollment trends with district enrollment falling since 1999. ”The growth of charter schools is one factor that is forcing administrators to consider closing public schools where enrollments are in decline, said Dr. Larry Groppel, DISD interim Superintendent. Charter schools in Texas have an overall enrollment of 61,000 attending 300 campuses. Dallas Morning News (January 9, 2005).

TEA Held Accountable for Charter Schools
The Sunset Advisory Commission, established to review the policies and programs of state organizations, will be presenting its findings on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with respect to charter schools to the legislature. The concern comes from recent reports that 10 percent of charter schools in Texas have a rating of “academically unacceptable.” It was noted that the TEA has had legal roadblocks in closing charter schools and has never failed to renew a school’s charter. The Sunset Advisory Commission concluded that TEA “cannot ensure charter schools effectively educate students or properly use state funds." The TEA, despite funding challenges, needs to be accountable for the management of the state’s charter schools and the lawmakers need to give them the tools to do so. Star-Telegram (January 2, 2005).

Legislators Question Charter Schools Academics and Finances
Legislators are asking for more financial and academic accountability from the state’s charter schools, to meet the same requirements as traditional public schools. Many of the schools’ applications are up for renewal and State Representative Jim Dunnam of Waco says, “I think it's a disgrace to renew an application or charter who has shown no success whatsoever. This is public, taxpayer money.” Education commissioner Shirley Neeley said the renewal process is working and that the commission is now developing an accountability system that will be put in place this year. Legislators will review the proposal for annual financial reviews for charter schools next month. Kcentv.com (December 17, 2004).

- Top of Page -

UTAH
Utah State Board of Charters Asks for Elimination of Cap
The Utah State Charter School Board has asked to lift the annual cap of charter schools allowed in the state as well as removing the requirement that the board act on applications within 60 days. This would allow the board to review the applicants in a timelier manner, and promotes the perception that parental choice in education is important in the state. The board also requested additional funding for increased staffing. Casper Star Tribune (December 17, 2004).

- Top of Page -

WISCONSIN
Early Intervention Charter High School Approved
Both the Menasha and the Appleton School Boards have approved setting up Chance II Charter School, a joint venture aimed at failing high school freshmen and sophomores. The school, which is planning on opening in the fall of 2005, has received a $10,000 planning grant from the U. S. Department of Education. Menasha Superintendent, Mike Thompson, said, “…it’s the first time since there has been charter legislation that the Department of Public Instruction has approved a collaborative effort between two districts.” The school with an enrollment of 40 to 60 students will be housed at the YouthFutures’ Valley Fair Mall, a nonprofit teen mall in Menasha. Both districts will share fiscal responsibility with Menasha as the fiscal agent supporting payroll. The students will split their day between Chance II and their home school. Ron Schreier, Appleton West High School assistant principal, said “The idea is to get to kids as quickly as possible after they’ve blown a class and transplant them at a neutral site for part of their school day so they can earn back the credit.” News Record (December 22, 2004). See also: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Charter Schools Not a Cure-All, Rather a Reform
Wings Academy student base has learning issues; many students are dyslexic and have not done well in other school settings. Wings’ small classes, phonetic based reading curriculum and martial arts instruction are making a difference. The students are generally below grade level, but have made wide gains in the past three years of the academy’s operation and have a record of good attendance and high morale. The school’s accomplishments, like those of the charter school movement in general, indicate that while charters add value they are not an educational panacea for low SES and minority students. The charter school movement is a reform offering an educational system that provides successes for those students who have been left behind by the traditional school system. Recent studies by the American Federation of Teachers and the U.S. Department of Education indicate lower achievement in charter schools than public schools. However, former Milwaukee superintendent Howard Fuller, a proponent of charter schools, says …”most of the data I have seen, the longer kids stay in these programs the better their achievement levels become.” Other studies by the University of the Wisconsin and Harvard agree. Fuller defends charter schools’ academic performance, “We have just a significant, significant, significant (education) problem and we've had it for a long time," Fuller says. "What's absolutely clear to me is there is no way in the world that MPS will be able to solve this problem (alone)... What we really ought to be doing is trying to embrace all of the various options and working together on quality." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (December 13, 2004).

- Top of Page -

OTHER NEWS OF NOTE
NACSA Authorizer Brief No. 7 Now Available
"Square Pegs: Charter School Authorizers in Non-Charter Agencies" explores the challenges that most charter school authorizers face as a result of their placement within large, bureaucratic institutions that do much more than approve and oversee charter schools. It highlights strategies authorizers have adopted to make the most of their situation without compromising the mission of their work. Read the brief online at: http://www.charterauthorizers.org/files/nacsa/BECSA/IssueBriefNo7.pdf.

National Education Technology Plan Released
The report focuses on the current status of educational technology, examines how technology and the No Child Left Behind law can help improve academic achievement, and makes seven recommendations for further improvements. It also profiles today's students and includes a sampling of the views and recommendations of more than 200,000 students in all 50 states. ED Press Release (January 7, 2005).

Education Week’s “Quality Counts 2005” Now Available
"Quality Counts 2005: No Small Change, Targeting Money Toward Student Performance" Education Week's ninth annual report on the nation's education system is now available online. The report describes the problems haunting school financing systems and the strategies being employed to deal with the situation. Due to the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act there is a growing tendency to link funding to academic achievement. Updates are provided from previous reports on topics including student achievement, standards and accountability, school climate, teacher quality, and more. View the report at: http://www.edweek.org/QC05.

Fordham Foundation releases "State of State Standards 2005"
This review examines states' progress in clearly defining academic goals for each grade level. Eleven states received "F's" in math and 4 received F's in English. Read the studies online at: http://www.edexcellence.net/foundation/global/page.cfm?id=304. Fordham Foundation (January 5, 2005).

NCLB Regional Advisory Committees Appointed
U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige has appointed ten Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) to advise the U.S. Department of Education on the technical assistance needs of States, school districts, and schools as they implement the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The ten committees - made up of state education agency representatives, parents, local education agency representatives, educators, business executives, and researchers - are charged with conducting regional education needs assessments and recommending technical assistance priorities in their region. You and your colleagues can ensure that your input is considered by registering on the RAC Web site at http://www.rac-ed.org/ and posting your comments, in the public discussion area designated for your region. More information.

NACSA’S 6TH Authorizer Issue Brief
"School Districts Choosing to Charter" explores the reasons why urban, suburban, and rural school districts across the nation have chosen to charter schools as part of an overall strategy for school improvement. This brief also offers suggestions for districts interested in pursuing the charter option.

- Top of Page -