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Former Fremont Teacher Proposes Charter
The next few months aren’t just going to be about teacher evaluation, removal of sexual predators, and budget items. The charter application, review, and approval process will continue — including those that will be discussed at tomorrow’s Board meeting. At tomorrow’s Board meeting, items 16-20 are renewals or amendments to existing charters. But there are also new charters...
By Alexander Russo | December 10, 2012
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No Gates Grant for LAUSD
On Wednesday, the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $25 million in grants to seven cities where charter schools and districts are working together in new and potentially effective ways. Though LAUSD was one of the first districts to sign up for the Gates “compact” in December 2010, the district and its charter schools were...
By Alexander Russo | December 6, 2012
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One Thing: Charter Scrutiny In Sacto.
While changes in district policies governing charter school oversight seem to be off the table for now, today’s SI&A Cabinet Report reminds us that the state may well take up the issue on its own. New legislation likely to be considered in the near future would require authorizers like LAUSD to consider charter schools’ performance in...
By Alexander Russo | November 29, 2012
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One Thing: Focus On Charter Quality
It’s just an announcement, and there are lots of things that could prevent any real action from taking place, but kudos to the California Charter Schools Association for being one of two state charter groups to join the National Association of Charter School Authorizers this morning in Washington to call for a renewed focus on...
By Alexander Russo | November 28, 2012
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Number One (In Charters)
You might be surprised to learn that Los Angeles isn’t one of the top five districts when it comes to the percentage of kids who attend charter schools. The top five according to a new report from the National Association of Public Charter Schools are New Orleans, Detroit, Washington D.C., Kansas City (Missouri), Flint, Gary, and St. Louis. But...
By LA School Report | November 15, 2012
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Board Restores 10 Days, Rejects Charter Proposal
Inside the meeting room at Tuesday’s LAUSD school board meeting, four television camera crews were present to watch the board vote unanimously to rescind 10 furlough days (five of which are instructional), thanks to the passage of Proposition 30. The board also voted to adopt a “Good Food Purchasing Policy.” But the healthy food vote and...
By Hillel Aron | November 14, 2012
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Diverse Charter Schools Spread
They don’t usually get much attention but here and there in LA and elsewhere, parents and teachers frustrated with the existing options are creating their own new, different kind of charter schools that try to balance learning with accountability and mix kids from a wide variety of backgrounds. (In Los Angeles, Citizens of the World...
By LA School Report | November 13, 2012
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Questions About Kayser Plan
Board member Bennett Kayser’s recently announced proposal to have Board members recuse themselves from certain votes is brief – only 85 words — and appealingly vague. Board members would “automatically recuse themselves from voting on a charter contract if they have received campaign contributions six months prior to the vote.” But already it has generated some...
By Hillel Aron | November 13, 2012
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Charter Ad Blasts Zimmer
Not taking any chances with tomorrow’s Board meeting, the advocacy arm of the California Charter Schools Association has been airing a radio ad blasting Steve Zimmer for his proposals to strengthen oversight for charter schools. Airing on KNX, KFI and KOST, the ad highlights the waiting lists for charters and decries Zimmer’s proposal for creating...
By Hillel Aron | November 12, 2012