This new 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.

Minnesota
The Minnesota Charter School Resource Center has released a research project "Consumer's Guide to Minnesota Charter School Consultants." The guide has three sections: case studies by Humphrey Institute graduate students, ratings of consultants used by charter schools, and “Lessons from Successes, Disappointments, and Disasters.” 21st Century Project Bulletin: Vol. 4, No. 9 (May 4, 2004).

"Ripples of Innovation: Charter Schooling in Minnesota, the Nation's First Charter School State," a new report written by Jon Schroeder, coordinator of Education/Evolving, traces the origins, evolution and impact of Minnesota's charter school law. This report details the experience, assets, and perspectives Minnesota has gained and can use to combat resistance to the charter school movement and to help provide leadership for new policy initiatives and ideas. The report also makes broad recommendations regarding the rationale for chartering, student achievement, innovations, accountability, authorization, and finances. Progressive Policy Institute Policy Report (May 3, 2004).

Missouri
In danger of closure five years ago, Westport High School became Westport Community Secondary Charter School, which comprises the high school and the former Westport Middle School. What once offered hope to save a troubled school, increase test scores and re-establish the school as a community center for midtown Kansas City is now fraught with numerous problems. After opening as a conversion charter school sponsored by the Kansas City School District and managed by for-profit Edison Schools Inc., enrollment has declined about 25 percent and the district and Edison are in litigation and arbitration. Observers attribute the failure to three primary causes: lack of guidance and oversight; conflicts between Edison and the charter board regarding attendance figures and corresponding funding; and the frequent change in leadership. The district wants to reclaim the Westport as a district school while Westport’s board is contesting this attempt in court. Kansas City Star [free registration] (June 1, 2004).

Nevada
Tennis star Andre Agassi has founded the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, which he hopes will serve as a model for charter schools nationwide by employing its method of combining public and funding. Here, students attend school for eight hours daily, wear uniforms, repeat a "code of respect" daily, and sign "commitment to excellence" contracts. One goal is frequently emphasized: a 100 percent graduation rate. Agassi says "We expect a lot from our children. And when you expect a lot from a child, it means that you think a lot of that child. I think that our standard of expectations teaches these children that they should expect a lot from themselves." When the school opened in August 2001, none of the 150 children enrolled were at grade level in math, reading or writing. Nine months later, 86 percent tested at grade level. Last year all students placed at or above the national average on the standardized Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Current enrollment stands at 250 students in grades three through seven, with more than 300 children on the waiting list. New students are selected by lottery. The school intends to add a grade level every year, planning to serve 650 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. New York Times (April 21, 2004).

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New Hampshire
The State Board of Education unanimously approved the applications for two new charter schools, Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy in Dover and the Laurent Clerc Academy in Concord; rejected Concord Academy’s application due to concerns regarding one of its administrators; and delayed action on Three Governors Charter School’s application to seek clarification on whether a public school could be operated on the grounds of a religious institution. Cocheco plans to open in the fall of 2004 with about 40 students. Local education officials wrote letters of support for Cocheco praising the effort as it will ease the pressure of increasing enrollment at Dover High School. Laurent Clerc also plans to open in fall, serving between 10 and 15 deaf or hearing impaired students. Susan Wolf-Downes, executive director of Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, said 70 profoundly deaf students in New Hampshire and 500 who are mildly hearing impaired. There are now six approved charter schools in the state. The Union Leader (May 20, 2004).

SB 421 which establishes criteria for the evaluation of charter school applications submitted directly to the state board of education and revises the general application requirements for charter schools passed the House and awaits Senate approval. The New Hampshire Center for School Reform says that the revisions to the bill keep its original intent of providing mission-driven, results-oriented choice public schools. New Hampshire Center for School Reform
Newsletter Update (May 10, 2004).

New Jersey
Charter schools stand to lose approximately $2 million in state funding according to Jennifer Langer, executive director of the New Jersey Charter Public Schools Association. The problem is due to the formula for determining state aid to charter schools and the state statutes that apply to that formula. State aid to charter schools is based on the "thorough and efficient" (T&E) budget or the "program" budget - whichever is higher. Typically the program budget exceeds the T&E budget. However, due to unforeseen circumstances in some schools the T&E budget has surpassed the program budget. State law, which did not allow for the possibility of the T&E budget exceeding the program budget, only requires school districts to turn over 90 percent of the program budget money on a per pupil basis to the charter schools in the district. Although state officials say they are aware of the problem, they have not implemented a permanent solution due to overlapping state laws but have added revenue to the state budget to compensate for the shortfall. Jersey Journal (May 4, 2004).

By a vote of 33-20, teachers at Camden’s first charter school, the LEAP Academy University Charter School, voted to unionize. Tammy McGinley, art teacher and leader of the union drive said LEAP teachers work more days each year and earn less money than those at other city schools. Social studies teacher Pete Law does not think unionize is a positive outcome and states that "If you get a union, you get a union mentality." The school’s founder, Rutgers University professor Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago feels that the school board could better represent the teachers, but respects their decision. Several of the parents contacted oppose unionization fearing that the decision threatens the school's high standards. The school board has five days to challenge the vote, after which the union would begin negotiating its first contract. Bonilla-Santiago said the board had not decided whether to challenge the vote but "looks forward to working with the NJEA." Philadelphia Inquirer [free registration required] (April 22, 2004).

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New York
Joel Klein, chancellor of New York City schools, in his keynote address at the New York Charter Schools Association annual conference, applauds the successes of charter schools viewing them as a “tremendous opportunity” and discusses their role in the city’s school system. “At their core, charter schools embody the three ingredients that are necessary for any successful school—leadership, autonomy, and accountability.” Klein, a strong charter school advocate, sees them as an integral component of the city’s school system “because they embody a different culture. Charters recognize the need for strong leadership, and charters are willing to be accountable for their students’ achievement. I want charters as part of our efforts so that they can influence the things that are going on in our system.” He places charter schools at the head of New York City’s education reform movement because “our reform is about values; it’s about culture. It’s about bringing change to a system that has for far too long disserved our children and especially our children who most need an outstanding education.” Eduwonk.com (May 21, 2004).

Buffalo’s election of six new board members threatens the city’s innovative plan to license a network of district-sponsored charter schools. Four of the six board members were endorsed by the Buffalo Teachers Federation and several other school district unions and like their supporters are opposed to the charter school initiative, a crucial component of the city’s educational reform effort. The plan, the Renaissance Project Schools Initiative, was passed unanimously by the board last December. A board committee met recently to review preliminary proposals from 20 groups to open new charter schools in 2005. Board member elect Ralph R. Hernandez said that he will challenge the initiative and several new members have stated that they will support this challenge. Board president Jack Coyle said it could be "devastating" to the board's larger reform agenda if the charter school plan is reversed and intends to educate the incoming board members about the goals and rationale of the charter school effort. Buffalo News (May 6, 2004).

Councilwoman Eva S. Moskowitz joined parents of children attending the soon to be closed John A. Reisenbach Charter School in Harlem in complaining that the City Department of Education had not done enough to help place Reisenbach students in new schools. While Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein said that space is available in nearby schools, Councilwoman Moskowitz said that parents were not being offered a choice of “reasonably good” schools. Parent Beverly Patoir said that about 70 percent of students had not found new schools. The school’s charter was revoked by the trustees of the State University of New York due to academic failure and financial mismanagement. Nevertheless, parents had lobbied to keep Reisenbach open arguing that it was better than surrounding public. New York Times [free registration] (May 5, 2004).

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North Carolina
Charter school supporters urged the Senate to consider the bill passed by the House last year that would increase the cap on charter schools from 100 to 110. Representative Steve Wood, co-chairman of the House Education Committee pointed out that charter schools provide parents and taxpayers with options that weren’t previously available. Senator A.B. Swindell, a co-chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said the panel hasn't determined which bills will be considered this session. News and Observer (May 13, 2004).

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Ohio
The State Department of Education wants to expand charter schools to the college level by creating teacher preparation schools. Receiving $800,000 in federal funding, they hope to get started in the fall and are seeking proposals. Officials want charter colleges to focus on preparing teachers to work in schools that have the most difficulty increasing student achievement—generally urban schools serving low income and minority populations. The department expects to award two grants with the money, according to Marilyn B. Troyer, the state’s associate superintendent for the Center for the Teaching Profession. Proposals for the projects are due June 14. Education Week (April 28, 2004).

H.B. 447, proposed by three republicans and 11 Democrats would create a two-year moratorium on new community (charter) schools in the state. Additionally, this legislation would also increase the financial penalty for failure to properly report performance data to the state database from $100 per violation to $1,000 per violation. The motivating force behind the bill is to stop the movement of funds from public schools to community schools. Community schools currently receive funding for each student enrolled from the student's home public school. Currently, the amount is set at $5,058, but is adjusted by each school district according to its unique situation relevant to operational expenses and the provision of special services. Wealthier districts redirect more funding than they receive from the state because the base funding level is an expense to which both local taxpayers and state taxpayers contribute. An additional concern is the fact that the promised a five-year review of community schools has not yet been received by the legislature. This Week (April 15, 2004).

Enrollment in Cincinnati’s charter schools has increased from 250 in 1998 to 5500 in 2004. Parents seeking a safer environment and improved student outcomes are choosing charter schools. The Enquirer (April 18, 2004).

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Oregon
Language immersion is popular with the parents and students of West Salem Language Academy, a Spanish-language immersion charter school at Harritt Elementary School. Here students speak, read and write primarily Spanish to become bilingual and biliterate. Jonathan Penhollow’s second graders participating in a pen pal project with Peruvian students are learning about Peruvian culture in addition to improving their Spanish writing skills. Research indicates that initially skills lag, but that by the third or fourth grades students are generally at or above grade level in both languages Principal Bill Wittman said that dozens of families are on a lottery list for spots in next year’s kindergarten through third-grade classes. Statesman Journal (June 1, 2004).

The Hillsboro School Board will determine the future of Cascade Education Corps Charter School. If approved, Cascade will be a cooperative between the Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD), Northwest Outdoor Science School and Hillsboro School District. An intergovernmental agreement will enable the NWRESD to arrange grants and funding, while HSD would operate the school. The school’s organizers planned programs that would coordinate with HSD's curriculum as well as teaching and learning philosophies. Organizers hope that the school will replace Cascade Education Corps which focused on general education and included community service projects. District leaders say the school is an important alternative for Hillsboro students. A Board decision is scheduled for May 25, 2004. The Oregonian (May 25, 2004).

Paisley, a school faced with closure due to declining enrollment and $286,000 in budget cuts, managed to remain open by becoming a charter district. Citizens in this small rural town have been fighting to save their school since the closure of the lumber mill in the 1990s and even passed a bond to build a dormitory for foreign students to increase enrollment. Nevertheless in 2002, it was necessary to close the school's cafeteria and library, drop the foreign language and the business programs and fire the janitor. If the school closed, students would need to endure a 50-mile bus ride on a two-lane road that ices over in the winter months. Converting to charter status meant the infusion of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding and enabled the school to remain open. The conversion process is becoming increasingly popular in rural areas of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Arizona Republic (April 24, 2004).

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Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers failed in its efforts to unionize the staff at Northside Urban Pathways Charter School but remain determined to unionize charter school employees in the state. John Tarka, executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers, said the union has seen problems with pay equity, lack of due process and availability of benefits at some charter schools. To date, only three of the state’s approximately 100 charter schools have unionized. Linda Clautti, CEO for Northside Urban Pathways, said good communication makes all the red tape that accompanies unionization unnecessary. The state’s charter school legislation allows for collective bargaining; however the staff cannot be part of another bargaining unit. Post-Gazette (May 29, 2004).

Four of the Pittsburgh public school district’s six charter schools failed to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) by the beginning of the school year - Manchester Academic Charter School on the North Side, Northside Urban Pathways, Urban League of Pittsburgh Charter School, and Career Connections Charter High School in Lawrenceville. The Career Connections Charter High School, however demonstrated significant gains on state tests. The number of African-American students earning proficient reading scores increased from 0 percent to 60 percent between 2001-02 and 2002-03, while white students’ proficiency rankings rose from 19 percent to 58 percent. In math, African-American students’ proficiency scores increased from 0 percent to 55 percent, and white students from 6 percent to 56 percent. Despite such impressive results, Career Connections was placed on the AYP warning list because only about 85 percent of students, rather than the 95 percent required by the No Child Left Behind legislation took the tests. Two of the six district charter schools, City Charter High School, Downtown, and Renaissance Academy of Pittsburgh Alternative of Hope in East Liberty, have not been open long enough to be assessed. Pittsburgh Post Gazette (April 15, 2004).

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South Carolina
A bill facilitating the opening of charter schools was sent to the Senate on May 19, 2004. The legislation would create a statewide school district to oversee the creation of the schools. Now only the local school district in which a charter school wants to open can approve schools. Supporters of charter schools say the legislation would provide the state with increased educational options by enabling the creation of more charter schools. The State (May 21, 2004).

Dennis Bakke, president and chief executive of Imagine Schools, has pledged $20 million for the state’s charter schools if the legislature approves a bill making it easier to open them. The bill would create a statewide charter school district to facilitate the charter school approval process. Senator Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville who voted against the bill has concerns that the bill will undermine the authority of the state Department of Education. While the Education Department does not oppose the bill, said legislative liaison Molly Spearman, the department proposed amendments to clarify that transportation to charter or magnet schools is not provided by the state and to require the Education Department to verify financial data with the charter school before it opens. Imagine Schools is a K-12 education service provider operating public charter and independent schools nationwide in partnership with parents and local school governing boards with the goal of providing "each student in our schools with a challenging, effective program of study, strong moral development, in a nurturing and orderly learning environment." Sarasota Herald Tribune (May 12, 2004).

To celebrate Public Charter School Day Governor Mark Sanford, Rep. Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg over two dozen charter school teachers and students, joined together to urge lawmakers to support legislation setting up a statewide charter school district. Schools in the district will receive only state, federal, and private funding leaving local funds with the local district. The special school district would help more charter schools get started providing additional choices for students who do not learn well in traditional school settings. The charter school bill has passed the House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. The State.com (May 6, 2004).

Governor Mark Sanford commended the House for its passage of H. 5080 and encourages the senate to do the same. This legislation (S. 1111) will strengthen the state’s charter school movement by creating a Statewide Public Charter School District providing the state with multiple authorizers. Benefits of this legislation cited by Sanford included having parents more actively engaged in and accountable for the education of their children; more educational options for families; and financial incentives through federal and private funding sources. Historically, states with multiple authorizers are more successful in the creation of charter schools—contrast South Carolina with 19 charter schools with neighboring North Carolina which has opened nearly 100 charter schools in the same time period. Office of the Governor (May 5, 2004).

Greenville Tech's Charter High School helped turn a trouble teen’s life around. Prior to enrollment in Greenville, David Ross was a drug addict who had been placed at the Boys Home of the South by the Anderson County Department of Social Services. The Boys Home arranged for David to interview with principal Fred Crawford who was impressed by Ross, but told him that if he came to Charter High he'd only get one chance, one disciplinary problem would cost him enrollment at the school. David promised Crawford that he would be a model student and has lived up to that promise. Currently, he is a foster child with the family of the school’s attendance clerk, is the captain of the school’s baseball team, has a grade point average of 4.43, and was recently accepted to Presbyterian College. Greenville News (April 27, 2004).

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Tennessee
A bill under consideration by the Senate Education Committee would enable at-risk students to enroll in charter schools even if their current school did not receive a ranking of “low performing.” Charter school advocates said the change in eligibility rules will enable the opening of more charter schools and allow students to continue attending them even if their regular school improves its performance. Approximately 450 students are currently enrolled in the state’s charter schools; eligibility figures under the new bill have not yet been determined. Don Craighead, executive director of Project Reflect Inc., which sponsors Smithson-Craighead Academy, states that the present eligibility rules are more about schools than individual students. Senate minority leader, Ben Atchley said the bill has bipartisan support and has received a positive reception. Bruce Opie, spokesperson for the state Department of Education, said the department is taking a neutral position on the bill, but is concerned about the level of failure a student must attain to qualify for enrollment in a charter school. said. The Tennessean (April 14, 2004).

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Utah
The success of the state’s charter schools is supported by their increasing numbers in addition to the fact that all made adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind testing regulations. Next year seven new charter schools will open, bring the number of charter schools in operation up to twenty six. New legislation under which Governor Olene Walker will appoint a seven-member State Charter School Board to serve as a liaison to the state school board should simplify the application process. Previously, charters schools that that were turned down by the districts could then apply to the State Board of Education, frequently a time-consuming process. The new board would have two business and three charter school representatives, plus two members nominated by the state school board. Deseret Morning News (May 3, 2004).

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Virginia
In April, Governor Mark R. Warner signed the Charter School Excellence and Accountability bill into law. The new legislation allows charter applicants to have their proposals reviewed by the state Board of Education. The board can make recommendations or other comments, which the applicant can use to strengthen the application before submitting it to the local school board. The law also increases the term of a charter school from three to five years. Additionally, the law directs school boards to give priority to applications designed to benefit students served by schools that are not fully accredited based on their Standards of Learning test pass rates. Richmond Times Dispatch (April 21, 2004).

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Washington
The Federal Way School Board has passed a resolution supporting charter schools by a 3-1 vote. Superintendent Tom Murphy Superintendent was scheduled to meet with representatives of the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) a national network of 31 charter schools serving largely low-income minority students through a rigorous academic curriculum, to determine what charter schools can do for Washington’s students. Additionally, some board members planned to attend the Washington charter school conference to meet with other charter school groups. The Seattle Times (April 15, 2004).

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Wisconsin
On May 24th, 2004 the Sauk Prairie School District board will decide whether to apply for a $10,000 grant for the purpose of developing a vision and plan for a charter school in the district. The board is investigating the charter school concept in an effort to increase student enrollment at the under utilized Merrimac School. The new charter school will provide an educational environment in which parents will want to enroll their children. The school could have an emphasis on reading and the environment, could include parent involvement, a focus on technology, science and the arts, partnerships with the National Park Service, Department of Natural Resources and a day camp, and developmental assets. Sauk Prairie Superintendent Tom Andres said the district would need a year to plan a charter school and hopes to attract 90 to 100 students. "I just want it to be solid and make a difference for kids," Andres said. "If it can do other things, great. If it can keep Merrimac open and let us develop creative teaching things to apply throughout the district, good." The Sauk Prairie Eagle (May 20, 2004).

Fifteen of Wisconsin’s public charter schools received dissemination grants totaling about $1 million to share their experiences with other schools in the state. The dissemination grant money is to encourage schools to learn from one another and share such best practices as charter school operation, improved student achievement, and parental involvement. The grants are awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). iEdx Eye on Education (May 2004).

Governor Jim Doyle vetoed SB 253 which would have enabled additional public universities to authorize five charter schools each. The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and Racine are already allowed to sponsor charter schools within their jurisdictions. Reasons cited by Doyle for the veto were that the legislation would "dilute program goals of improving educational opportunities for students living in Milwaukee and Racine" and "drain state funds from existing public schools and increase property taxes" in those jurisdictions. Senator Darling, the bill’s main author, says its purpose is to encourage and enable the creation of effective schools that will initiate change and improvement in all public schools. She cites Milwaukee as an example of such improvement, which she attributes partially to the fact that the university, technical college, as well as the school board has the ability to authorize charter schools. Wisconsin Charter School Association (April 21, 2004).

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Other News of Note
NACSA Adopts Guidance For Charter School Authorizers
On May 14, 2004 the membership of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) adopted guidance for charter school authorizers. The document, "Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing," addresses fundamental areas of responsibility, including designing and overseeing the application process, negotiating contracts, providing oversight and evaluation, and determining contract renewal. The guidance emphasizes the need for the use of fair procedures and rigorous criteria in evaluating charter school applications. The guidance also calls for clearly defined contracts that specify the responsibilities of each party regarding autonomy, outcomes, evaluation procedures, the conditions under which the authorizer may revoke a contract or intervene in the school’s management, and the terms for renewal. Education Week (May 26, 2004).

Brand Name' Charter School Networks Advocated by Harvard Scholar
Steven F. Wilson, a senior fellow at the Center for Business and Government at Harvard University, in a paper commissioned by the Brookings Institute, writes that changes in charter school regulations and funding formulas could enable the expansion of "brand name" networks of charter schools. According to Wilson, these systems overseen by organizations such as the for-profit Edison Schools Inc. and by nonprofit models like the KIPP Academies, show promise in increasing student outcomes. These networks, due to their private oversight, strong educational leadership, and shared school design should hold the equation to the creation of effective schools. However, challenges such as finding affordable facilities, political hostility, and multi-state regulations often divert administrators' attention away from their primary purpose of educating students and improving their academic performance. Wilson believes that allowing these organizations to hold charters directly would result in significant gains in student achievement, especially in urban areas with a high number of at-risk students. Education Week [free registration] (May 19, 2004).

ED Recognizes Mosaica as "Education Innovator"
Mosaica Education, Inc. is one of America's fastest-growing urban businesses, ranking third on the “Inner City 100” list according to the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). Mosaica manages 43 charter schools educating 11,000 students throughout the country mainly in inner city neighborhoods. In 2003, Mosaica was recognized as an "Education Innovator" by the U.S. Department of Education noting that "On average, a Mosaica student's performance improved annually at a rate approximately 25% faster than the national average." PR Newswire (April 20, 2004).

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