Charter Schools
Personalized Learning
Learn from All Successful Schools, Not Just Charters
Few would argue with the notion that public education in America needs to improve to ensure that our country remains prosperous in the coming years. And we should look wherever we can for ideas on how we can increase student achievement for each child in the nation.
Personalized Learning
Where Arts & Earth Collide: Rethinking School Structures
For twelve years, Redding School of the Arts (RSA), a charter school in Redding, CA, has been known for its fine arts and musical dramas. Today it has a new feather—a platinum LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
EdTech
Charters, Common Core & EdTech Headline Education Nation
Mayor Bloomberg kicked off the morning with a growling defense of Chicago mayor Rahm Emauel. He said, "We should evaluate and pay teachers as skilled professionals." He announced expanded access to full day K next year and the first Eeducare school an early childhool leadership institute thanks to Susan Buffet.
Leadership
Good Work with a Loudspeaker
The Harlem and Williamsburg (Brooklyn) film festivals featured a trio of TEACHED shorts from Loudspeaker Films. Kelly Amis is former TFA teacher with serious edreform credentials now using film to build support for transformation and education equality.
EdTech
Book Review: Born to Rise
From the minute you pick up Deborah Kenny's book wrapped in star endorsements from the likes of John Legend and Hugh Jackman, you know she must be doing something right. Kenny is Founder and CEO of the successful network of public charter schools known as Harlem Village Academies.
Personalized Learning
A Tale of 5 Cities: Portfolio Strategy Revisited
Neerav Kingsland considered reforms in Memphis, New Orleans, Newark, Philadelphia, and Washington DC and concluded cities that develop charter districts, devote significant resources to human capital, and thoughtfully regulate charter authorization will outperform everyone else. He's right
EdTech
Hastings: Human History Defined by Technology
Hastings believes we will soon "rely on technology to teach the corpus of knowledge" (stuff with right and wrong answers). For younger students this will often include games. It will always include constant feedback. New learning technology "will free up teachers to teach humanity" including the ability to create and collaborate. “Our task is to inspire,” said Hastings.
EdTech
California Reports Charter Schools Deliver Positive Impact for Low-Income Students
The California Charter School Association (CCSA) released today its second annual Portrait of the Movement: How Charters are Transforming California Education report, detailing academic performance of California's charter schools. The report finds that low-income students continue to be well-served by charters; and confirms that charters are having a positive impact on delivering high student achievement.
Personalized Learning
Digital Learning Day–A Great Day to Expand Access in Michigan
The Digital Learning Now report card on Michigan specifically calls on the state to remove the cap on its cyber charter schools. Michigan policymakers should celebrate Digital Learning day by lifting the cap on its cyber charter schools.
Personalized Learning
Strategic Collaboration Yields Great Options for All Students
School district and charter collaboration is obviously a good idea. When collaboration leads to strategic coordination, it has the potential to create a single portfolio of quality educational options. Jim Shelton and I wrote about this in a 2004 paper—Good Urban Schools: A Portfolio Approach—that still holds up pretty well.