K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
Featured Stories
New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association Releases 2023 Statewide Fact Sheet: "Get the Facts: New Jersey's Public Charter Schools"
HAMILTON, New Jersey, Sept. 30 -- The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association issued the following news release:
The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) announced the release of its 2023 statewide fact sheet, "Get the Facts: New Jersey's Public Charter Schools". This fact sheet underscores the importance of charter schools in New Jersey's public education landscape, particularly in our most economically challenged communities where educational opportunities and safe and secure school buildings for students must be prioritized. Currently, public charter and renaissance
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HAMILTON, New Jersey, Sept. 30 -- The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association issued the following news release:
The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) announced the release of its 2023 statewide fact sheet, "Get the Facts: New Jersey's Public Charter Schools". This fact sheet underscores the importance of charter schools in New Jersey's public education landscape, particularly in our most economically challenged communities where educational opportunities and safe and secure school buildings for students must be prioritized. Currently, public charter and renaissanceschools serve one in five students in our 31 former Abbott/SDA districts.
This fact sheet should serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, parents, and the broader community seeking to understand their positive contributions public charter schools are making in the Garden State, as well as the challenges they continue to face.
Harry Lee, President and CEO of NJPCSA, summarized: "This fact sheet highlights the tremendous contributions our schools are making, as well as the funding inequities that exist.
With over 60,000 students attending public charter schools throughout the Garden State, we must ensure that every child has access to a safe, secure and welcoming school building so that they have the tools and resources to reach their full potential. Charters continue to lead the way by closing equity gaps, providing a great education, and empowering students and staff from diverse backgrounds. As we work to ensure every child receives an excellent education, public charter schools will continue to play a vital role in the overall landscape of New Jersey's public education system."
T.J. Best, Senior Advisor for NJPCSA, added, "Public charter schools are proud to be the most accountable schools in New Jersey. Sharing our yearly data in an easy-to-understand manner is yet another way we are putting our students' educational outcomes at the forefront. It is also a way to keep parents in the driver's seat of their children's education, which we know leads to better outcomes. The more information at their disposal, the easier it is for parents to advocate for their children, families, and communities."
Key Findings from the Fact Sheet:
About Public Charter Schools: Charter schools are free, nonprofit public schools open to all students. They operate with increased flexibility to meet the diverse needs of students and families, while adhering to rigorous financial, academic, and operational standards.
Statewide Presence: New Jersey boasts 85 charter schools in 44 cities and 18 counties, serving over 60,000 students. And as parents continue to select the public school that best meets their child's needs, there are still 28,000 students on charter school waitlists, underscoring demand for high quality public school options.
Academic Excellence: Black, Latino, and low-income students in New Jersey's public charter schools consistently outperform their district and statewide counterparts. On average, they achieve 15 percentage points higher in English Language Arts and 9 points higher in Math, compared to their district peers. Overall, public charter school students in New Jersey are 43% more likely to read at grade level and 49% more likely to perform at grade level in math.
Underfunding Challenge: Public charter schools in New Jersey receive less per pupil funding compared to traditional district schools, and they have also been excluded from nearly all state funding for school facilities, forcing them to spend approximately $1,500 per student on their buildings, dollars that could better serve teachers and students in the classroom.
Exceptional Student Gains: Newark boasts one of the top charter school sectors in the nation, and Newark public charter school students consistently outpace the state average, gaining 48 additional instructional days per year in reading instruction and 73 additional days per year in math when accounting for individual student characteristics.
Autonomy and Diversity: Public charter schools enjoy more autonomy over budgets, curriculum, and personnel, allowing for creative approaches to meet individual student needs. A wide array of learning models showcase the diversity within the charter school landscape, including:
* Hoboken Dual Language Charter School, which provides an exceptional education in Spanish and English to develop engaged, well-rounded bilingual citizens with a global and multicultural perspective.
* College Achieve (CAPS) Greater Asbury Park Charter School, which serves 95% Black and Latino students, and had the third largest gains in the state last year in English Language Arts (ELA), significantly outperforming peers throughout the state.
* Unity Charter School in Morristown, which infuses Education for Sustainability throughout its school culture. Student agency drives critical thinking and inspires advocacy through a constructivist learning approach so that students graduate ready to change the world for the better.
To access the full fact sheet and learn more about New Jersey's public charter schools, please visit http://www.njcharters.org.
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Original text here: https://njcharters.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/133/NJPCSA-Statewide-Fact-Sheet-Release-9-28-23.pdf
[Category: Education]
Albemarle County Public Schools: Katrina Callsen Resigning From School Board
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 29 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
Katrina Callsen, who was first elected to the Albemarle County School Board in November 2017 and re-elected four years later as the representative for the Rio Magisterial District, said she is resigning from the board. Callsen is a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in this November's election.
Callsen served this year, from January to August, as Chair of the School Board and previously was Vice-Chair. She made her resignation announcement during the board's business meeting on September
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 29 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
Katrina Callsen, who was first elected to the Albemarle County School Board in November 2017 and re-elected four years later as the representative for the Rio Magisterial District, said she is resigning from the board. Callsen is a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in this November's election.
Callsen served this year, from January to August, as Chair of the School Board and previously was Vice-Chair. She made her resignation announcement during the board's business meeting on September14. Callsen acknowledged the time constraints of a state election and said that allowing someone else to serve the Rio District is the best step for the community.
"I hope many apply for this position," Callsen urged, pointing out that service on the school board is "a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community and to effect positive change as an advocate for public education." She added, "The more people invest in education, the better for all."
In addition to serving the school board as Chair, Callsen is a member of the CATEC governing board and serves on the school board committees for state legislative affairs and environmental sustainability.
The current School Board Chair, Judy Le, said applications to represent the Rio District are being accepted through Friday, October 13. School board members will interview candidates at a special public meeting later in the month and will hold a public hearing on the appointment of Callsen's successor at their November 9 meeting. Following the public hearing, board members are expected to make an appointment, also on November 9. The first meeting in which the new representative will be seated will be on December 14.
In accordance with state law, the Rio seat will be on the ballot during the next general election on November 5, 2024, and the winner of that election will serve the remainder of Callsen's second term, which expires on December 31, 2025.
A candidate for the school board is required by state code to be a qualified voter and a bona fide resident of the magisterial district they are seeking to represent, in this case the Rio District. An employee of the school division can apply for appointment or run for election to the school board, provided that, if selected or elected, the employee resigns their position with the school division before being seated as a member of the school board.
The Rio Magisterial District School Board Member Application is available on the School Board homepage. Applications should be emailed to Clerk of the School Board, Ms. Christine Thompson, at cthompson@k12albemarle.org or mailed to the Clerk at 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 13.
"On behalf of our entire board," Le said, "I want to offer our deepest appreciation to Ms. Callsen for her strong support throughout her tenure of equal educational opportunities for all students; the exceptionally high-performance standards and accountability for which she was such a consistent advocate; and, as a school parent as well as school board member, for her focus on meaningful family engagement with schools and teachers."
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Original text here: https://www.k12albemarle.org/our-departments/communications/news-board/~board/newsroom/post/katrina-callsen-resigning-from-school-board-board-accepting-applications-forone-year-appointment-to-rio-magisterial-district-seat
Broward County School Board Earns National Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, Sept. 28 -- Broward County Public Schools issued the following news release:
The School Board of Broward County, Florida is being recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with its prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award, which is for the 2022 fiscal year, marks the 27th time the School Board and the District's Finance Department have earned the recognition.
The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. As part of the award selection process, the
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, Sept. 28 -- Broward County Public Schools issued the following news release:
The School Board of Broward County, Florida is being recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with its prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award, which is for the 2022 fiscal year, marks the 27th time the School Board and the District's Finance Department have earned the recognition.
The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. As part of the award selection process, theDistrict's annual financial report has been judged by an impartial panel to ensure it meets the highest standards of the GFOA, including demonstrating a spirit of full disclosure in communicating the District's financial story to the community.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment that demonstrates the commitment of our School Board and District to being good stewards of our taxpayers' dollars," said Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter B. Licata. "It is imperative that our stakeholders understand our budget process and how we prioritize spending to support student learning and the safe and efficient operations of our District."
The GFOA is dedicated to advancing excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 21,000 members.
To learn more about the District's annual budget, visit browardschools.com/budgetresources.
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Original text here: https://www.browardschools.com/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=14019&ModuleInstanceID=60855&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=306399&PageID=39081
Albemarle County Public Schools: School Board Attorney Ross Holden to Retire in December
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 27 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
Ross Holden, who joined Albemarle County Public Schools in the fall of 2018 as the attorney for the school board, said today he will be retiring from his position at the end of this calendar year. Holden was the first full-time school board attorney for the division. Previously, the division's legal affairs were the responsibility of a member of the county attorney staff on a part-time basis.
As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, Holden is a senior advisor to the school board, Superintendent
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 27 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
Ross Holden, who joined Albemarle County Public Schools in the fall of 2018 as the attorney for the school board, said today he will be retiring from his position at the end of this calendar year. Holden was the first full-time school board attorney for the division. Previously, the division's legal affairs were the responsibility of a member of the county attorney staff on a part-time basis.
As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, Holden is a senior advisor to the school board, SuperintendentDr. Matthew Haas, and the division's leadership team on policy; litigation; legal documents; real estate transactions; compliance with county, state and federal regulations; human resource matters; and the hiring, when necessary, of outside counsel.
Prior to joining the school division, Holden was Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the New York City School Construction Authority, where he directed and managed an organization with a five-year capital budget of $17.5 billion, supporting the city's 1,500 public school buildings. Twice during his tenure, Holden was appointed by the Authority's board of trustees to serve as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.
"As our first full-time school board attorney, Ross built a strong legal foundation and helped steer our division through some very consequential and complex legal challenges." said Haas. "These challenges include the adoption of one of the first anti-racism policies by a public school division in the country, a pandemic, student safety and security through the negotiation of a new memorandum of understanding with the Albemarle County Police Department, as well as a policy to protect transgender students, the expansion of student centers, and the establishment of a non-profit educational foundation to fund learning innovation," the superintendent added.
A passionate alum of the University of Virginia (UVA), from which he earned his undergraduate degree with Highest Distinction, Holden and his wife, Ricki, read about the school division's search for full-time legal counsel during a trip to Charlottesville in 2018.
"For most of my professional career with the School Construction Authority, my focus was on the construction of new school buildings and the rehabilitation of existing facilities to create educational environments that facilitated student learning. Here, in Albemarle County, I had the benefit of visiting schools and seeing first-hand what happens inside of schools. The excitement and passion around the learning process has been a fulfilling experience," Holden said. "I am grateful to the school division and my colleagues for providing me the opportunity to continue my career in public education in a place I truly love," he said.
In addition to his undergraduate degree from UVA, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, Holden graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University Law School, where he was an editor of The Georgetown Law Journal.
Haas said the division will begin a search for Holden's successor with a goal of having a new school board attorney appointed before December 31 of this year.
"Ross will be missed. Every day, in the legal advice he provided to our school board, Cabinet, and staff, he demonstrated why a full-time school board attorney--an outstanding one at that--is so invaluable to meeting our educational mission," Haas said.
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Original text here: https://www.k12albemarle.org/our-departments/communications/news-board/~board/newsroom/post/school-board-attorney-ross-holden-to-retire-in-december
Massachusetts Charter Public School Association on the Release of Spring 2023 MCAS Scores
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 26 -- The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association issued the following news release:
Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) Executive Director Tim Nicolette issued the following statement today in response to the release of statewide MCAS scores by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"Spring 2023 MCAS data, released today, indicate that while the impact of disrupted learning as a result of the pandemic is still evident, declines in student performance have slowed and in many cases halted or reversed, and recovery is beginning.
While
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 26 -- The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association issued the following news release:
Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) Executive Director Tim Nicolette issued the following statement today in response to the release of statewide MCAS scores by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"Spring 2023 MCAS data, released today, indicate that while the impact of disrupted learning as a result of the pandemic is still evident, declines in student performance have slowed and in many cases halted or reversed, and recovery is beginning.
Whilewe are encouraged by the initial signs of recovery, we recognize that there is continued work to be done across the Commonwealth to ensure that every child is thriving. The journey ahead will require ongoing intensive efforts to accelerate academic growth and address the social-emotional needs of our students. Charter public schools across the Commonwealth are utilizing their flexibilities and autonomies to implement strategies designed to support continued academic growth among all students. Strategies currently being implemented in Massachusetts charter public schools include, but are not limited to, extended learning time for math and ELA, with a focus on literacy across the curriculum; authentic project-based and play-based learning; frequent assessments and intentional use of data to inform interventions and enrichment; expanded professional development and coaching for educators; and enhanced programming for students with special needs and English Language Learners.
Massachusetts' charter public schools remain fiercely committed to ensuring each and every student has the high quality academic experiences needed to fulfill their potential."
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Original text here: https://masscharterschools.org/media/press/assachusetts-charter-public-school-association-on-the-release-of-spring-2023-mcas-scores/
[Category: Education]
Albemarle County Public Schools: Expansive Adoption Committee Brings Together Teachers, Administrators, Parents to Select a New Reading Curriculum for 2024-25 School Year
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
More than 60 teachers, administrators, academic coaches, parents, and community partners from across the school division have come together as an adoption committee to lead the way to the selection of the division's next K-5 reading curriculum. A 2022 state law required all school divisions in the Commonwealth to improve literacy outcomes for students, beginning with a newly-adopted curriculum for the 2024-25 school year.
"In our division, we want the selection process to be transparent to our staff,
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
More than 60 teachers, administrators, academic coaches, parents, and community partners from across the school division have come together as an adoption committee to lead the way to the selection of the division's next K-5 reading curriculum. A 2022 state law required all school divisions in the Commonwealth to improve literacy outcomes for students, beginning with a newly-adopted curriculum for the 2024-25 school year.
"In our division, we want the selection process to be transparent to our staff,families, and community partners," said Michele Castner, the Executive Director of Elementary Education. "It's important that we hear as many voices as possible, that we are thoughtful in our approach, and that there's a premium on attention to details."
Castner said that beyond the adoption committee, every stakeholder in the division will have the opportunity to be involved in the analysis of the curricula approved by the state's department of education. The emphasis, she said, will be on a rigorous evaluation of each program's evidence-based track record.
Programs will be judged on how effectively they can be utilized by teachers to develop such skills as language comprehension, including vocabulary, language structure and verbal reasoning, and word recognition, involving phonological awareness, decoding (spelling-sound connections), and sight recognition of familiar words.
The six programs approved by the state are Benchmark Advance; Bookworms Reading and Writing; Core Knowledge Language Arts 2e; HMH Into Reading Virginia; Imagine Learning EL Education; and Open Court Reading. (Click on the name of each program to access a snapshot and overall rating from the Virginia Department of Education.)
An adoption committee will vet each program according to its quality, relevance and fit, and by the end of October, it is expected that two programs will be semi-finalists. The materials for these two programs will be sent to all 15 of the division's elementary schools for further review by teachers, staff, families, and community partners. A set of materials will also be housed at the division's Center I facility. Representatives from the semi-finalists will meet with the committee to make a presentation and respond to questions.
"Our timetable includes having our Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Dr. Chandra Hayes, make a presentation on January 11 to our school board on the program we are recommending, with a school board decision the following month," Castner said. "That will allow for us to put in place the professional development and training programs our teachers will need prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year next August," she added.
Prior to the school board's approval of a reading curriculum for next school year, program information and materials will be available for public review and comment for 30 days.
The move to a new reading curriculum is gaining momentum at a highly relevant time for the division. The results from the state's most recent Standards of Learning (SOL) tests showed that the overall pass rate in reading for the division was 74%, slightly above the state average. Pass rates, however, for Black and Hispanic students, students with disabilities, students from economically disadvantaged homes, and English Learners were much lower.
"There's no question that, overall, reading scores across the division are off the mark when it comes to ensuring that all of our students are learning at their highest level," Hayes said.
The assistant superintendent said the results reinforce the importance of a recent audit of the division's instructional practices and policies, especially as they impact students of color. The audit, initiated by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matthew Haas, and endorsed by the Albemarle County School Board in the fall of 2022, was conducted by an outside education consultancy nonprofit and detailed five recommendations for closing the achievement gaps that were again revealed in the SOL test results.
Hayes especially underscored the significance of third-grade reading skills to the future academic success of students throughout their K-12 education. "Third grade is when comprehension becomes essential to understanding and mastering content in all subject areas. Reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a crucial marker in a child's educational development. Failure to read proficiently is linked to higher rates of school dropout," she said.
"That's why the selection process of a new reading curriculum for our elementary school students needs to be as open, inclusive, and deeply researched as ever," Castner insisted. "The best decisions start at the grassroots and work their way up. We have exceptionally talented and knowledgeable educators who care about students. They will be invaluable to our success in meeting the three goals of our division--thriving students, empowered communities, and equitable and transformative resources," Castner said.
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Original text here: https://www.k12albemarle.org/our-departments/communications/news-board/~board/newsroom/post/expansive-adoption-committee-brings-together-teachers-administrators-parents-to-select-a-new-reading-curriculum-for-the-2024-25-school-year
26 Fulton County Schools Recognized for Exemplary PBIS Programs
ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 26 -- Fulton County Schools issued the following news release:
Fulton County Schools continues to receive recognition from the state of Georgia's Positive Behavioral Interventions Supports (PBIS) recognition program. PBIS is designed to improve conditions for learning and promote the well-being of all students.
PBIS is an evidenced-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase school safety, and improve academic outcomes, according to the Georgia Department of Education website. More than 1,400 Georgia schools have been trained in PBIS.
"Many
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 26 -- Fulton County Schools issued the following news release:
Fulton County Schools continues to receive recognition from the state of Georgia's Positive Behavioral Interventions Supports (PBIS) recognition program. PBIS is designed to improve conditions for learning and promote the well-being of all students.
PBIS is an evidenced-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase school safety, and improve academic outcomes, according to the Georgia Department of Education website. More than 1,400 Georgia schools have been trained in PBIS.
"Manyof our schools continue to move up in state PBIS recognition level which is very exciting to see," said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Christopher Matthews. "We are especially excited to share that we now have 24 Distinguished schools, up from 16 last school year. This is a result of the district's team support and our school leadership teams actively building positive climates and cultures for students and staff, a culture that positively impacts student achievement."
Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins agrees: "PBIS is a framework that is sustainable, not leader dependent," Gaskins said. "The most promising component of PBIS is that it focuses on positive climate and culture and recognizing and rewarding students for positive behavior."
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Original text here: https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/27808
