Charter Schools
Personalized Learning
A Parent Revolution brewing in LA
Great summary of new choice policy in this EdWeek blog. Â Here’s a portion: In what may be a first-of-its-kind reform, the nation’s second-largest…
Personalized Learning
Restarts beat turnarouns
We just don’t know how to turnaround failing schools, but we do know how to start good new schools.  We should do what we know works.  That’s the message from Andy Smarick in his important EdNext article, The Turnaround Fallacy. I’ve been involved with the development of 1200 new…
Personalized Learning
Charter applications tougher but better?
As the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) prepares to meet in Salt Lake City next week, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the art of authorizing. I’ve had the opportunity to observe four charter school applications over the last year and a half–that’s how long it takes…
Personalized Learning
Progress in Georgia on charters & dropouts
Georgia wins Most Improved charter policy set this year. But the new law creating room for more charters and funding parity is already under attack. While visiting with Tony Roberts and the Georgia Charter School Association, we discussed the need for restart capacity. I think charter restarts…
Personalized Learning
State charter associations can play key role
I think charter associations can/must play an important role.  The best associations eliminate caps and barriers advocate for equitable funding and access to public facilities promote charter quality provide value added services I think there’s more opportunity for charter associations to provide ‘freemium’ services with fee based premium services for application support,…
Personalized Learning
Portfolio Strategy goes mainstream: CRPE report
I think Jim Shelton and I coined the phrase “portfolio strategy” in reference to cities developing a managed choice/multiple operators educational strategy. Â More important than where the term came from, a bunch of us landed on this idea 7 or 8 years ago as the charter and accountability movements simultaneously…
Personalized Learning
Another interesting day at EdReformer.com
Here’s a quick summary of a couple of today’s conversations: 1. Parent Revolution plans to support full implementation of Yolie’s initiative in LA and the intent to send all new schools and school in need of improvement for 5 or more years out to bid. Â Their work is/will…
Personalized Learning
Rocketship takes off
Rocketship Education was a prize winner at CSGF‘s Innovation Competition last month (I served as ajudge).  My friend Gisele Huff has been trying to get me to visit them for years because of their interesting blended model that incorporates online learning.  The first school of San Jose nonprofit is in the…
Personalized Learning
Bloomberg lays out exciting charter vision
Bloomberg’s Plan lays out an exciting vision for 100 more NYC charters including new Children’s Zones in Brookly and the South Bronx. He asks for chancellor chartering authority (and having recently completed the NYC DOE review, I can vouch for the rigor of the process). He also…
Personalized Learning
Common Core will help charters & elearning
National Journal‘s question this week is on the common core. Â A number of commentators address the standards themselves. Â My response points to the benefits for charter networks and content developers. National standards will end the unintended race-to-the-bottom which disproportionately impacts college and career preparation for low income…