NJCPSA is forming a Members Council composed of charter school leaders and other stakeholders to promote communication and support our mission to advance educational choice through quality public charter schools. Key areas of focus will include promoting school quality and engaging school communities in advocacy. As the association's Board of Trustees transitions from its make up of primarily school representatives to now include philanthropic, corporate, political and other community leaders, the Members Council will serve a critical role in serving as the collective voice of the schools. We urge ALL schools to have a voice right from the start in the formation of this council! If you are a school leader, please plan to attend one of these two meetings to have input into the planning process: May 27 in Newark at 6 p.m. at Robert Treat Academy Charter School or June 2 in Camden at noon at LEAP Academy University Charter School. RSVP to Debra Wachspress at dwachspress@njcharters.org or (609) 989-9700, ext. 4411, with the session you plan to attend.

Join Us In D.C. for the National Charter Schools Conference, June 21-24

 

The National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC) is your chance to hear from education policy and movement leaders, learn new ways to reach students and improve academic achievement, and network with charter school professionals from across the nation. In addition, you will learn how charter schools will be able to benefit from new funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Keynote speakers include Arne Duncan, U.S. Education Secretary; Michelle Rhee, chancellor of the DC Public Schools; Joel Klein, chancellor of the NYC Department of Education; and Allan Golston, president of U.S. Programs for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Huddle with the NJ Contingent on June 23
We invite all New Jersey attendees to join us for an informal gathering on Tuesday, June 23, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Convention Center to network and share ideas generated at the conference. The room number for our meeting place will be forthcoming and also printed in the conference program.

 

Meet Your National Legislators on June 24
Be a part of the largest national charter school advocacy effort ever held! Join us for Federal Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill the last day of the conference, Wednesday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will meet with our national legislators to encourage them to increase federal support for charter schools. To participate in this Advocacy Day, contact Debra Wachspress at dwachspress@njcharters.org or call (609) 989-9700, ext. 4411.

 

How To Register
To register for the conference and make hotel reservations, click here. To access the main conference website for program updates, click here or call 800-280-6218.

 

Is There Funding to Attend the Conference?
Charter schools with planning and implementation grants may be allowed to use their funding for the conference. To inquire about the possibility, contact Maria Casale, NJDOE, at 609-292-5850.

SMARTer Charter Applications Due June 1

 

The 2009 spring round of SMARTer Charter grant funds (funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation) is now available to support your school projects. Schools are encouraged to submit applications in the following areas, which will receive priority review:

 

The state Senate and Assembly Budget Committees held hearings on April 29 and 30 on the education portion of the state budget proposal. NJ Department of Education Commissioner Lucille Davy and her staff testified and were asked several questions about charter school funding, including why 12 schools were getting an overall cut on a budget basis, despite the governor's promise to hold every school level to last year's aid amount, and why 25 schools were getting significant per child cuts (more than 4 percent). While total charter school funding will increase by $35 million, per child funding will decrease because enrollments are increasing disproportionately. More than 3,500 more students will be attending charters in the fall in response to strong parent demand.

 

NJCPSA has launched an advocacy campaign to restore $3.5 million in funding to minimize the cuts to not more than 4 percent per child. The association has been meeting one on one with legislators to discuss the funding inequity and how the new school funding formula is not providing a true 90 percent per child compared to the districts, as established in the original charter school enabling legislation.

 

Schools have received advocacy action packets from NJCPSA with a letter template and postcard mailing campaign. All school leaders who received this information are asked to mobilize their school communities around this important budget issue and make sure to be heard by the budget committee chairs, their local legislators and Governor Corzine.

Federal Stimulus Funds

 

Governor Corzine announced that New Jersey has received $609 million for additional Title I and IDEA funds under the federal stimulus package known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The state allocations are set by formulas in federal statutes, and the uses of the funds are also determined by federal statutes, regulations and guidance. As required by the US Department of Education, all districts and charter schools will be required to submit applications for the Title I and IDEA funds and receive approval from NJDOE before the money is disbursed.

 

Applications will be made available in the summer for money to be used between September 2009 and September 2011. There also will be a streamlined application for charter schools and districts that plan to use the money for student programs or staff professional development during the summer of 2009 or preschool for 2009-10. By mid-May, NJDOE will distribute the application form for schools to apply to use funds during the summer. In addition, the ARRA includes a number of competitive grant opportunities. Details on these opportunities will be made available by the US Department of Education. As information becomes available, it will be posted on the state's ARRA website and the DOE's website.

Commissioner Davy announced that school districts have until May 15 to apply for the Personalized Student Learning Plan pilot program the department plans to launch during the 2009-2010 school year.  Personalized student learning plans are a component of the department's high school redesign to prepare students for the workforce and college. The plans utilize adult mentors, including parents, teachers and counselors, to help students recognize and achieve their goals.

 

An opinion piece by Jessani Gordon, executive director of NJCPSA, ran in the May 14 Star-Ledger. Titled "State continues shortchanging charter school children," the piece addresses the funding scenario confronting charter schools in the proposed state budget for FY2010. An accompanying photo includes teacher Patrick Fisher instructing a student at Discovery Charter School (Newark).

 

McKinsey Report Sheds Light on Achievement Gap
The new McKinsey & Company report, "Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America's Schools," brings together a set of analyses that shed light on the price of the education achievement gap. This study builds on excellent work done by many researchers in the field, while also adding the expertise of McKinsey's Social Sector Office, which serves school systems in the United States and around the world. While we have known for years about the achievement gap, this study documents large variations in the achievement gap that often co-exist at the local level. This clearly demonstrates that a wide variety of factors including district, school and classroom performance are important to closing the gap.

 

The Accountability Report: Charter Schools
Nearly 18 years after the first charter school opened, individual state data indicates that charter schools are outpacing their conventional public school peers with fewer resources and tremendous obstacles, according to The Accountability Report: Charter Schools from the Center for Education Reform. The report provides an analysis of all 40 states and the District of Columbia that have charter laws, as well as the history of accountability over time, to determine whether charter schools are reforming public education. The report found that those states with multiple and independent authorizers provided stronger, more objective oversight to ensure that successful charter schools remained open and those that failed to perform were closed.

 

President Obama Signs Proclamation for National Charter Schools Week
President Obama issued a proclamation on May 4 in honor of National Charter Schools Week. It states, "The best public charter schools and their students are thriving in States that have adopted a rigorous selection and review process to ensure that autonomy is coupled with greater accountability. The growth of effective public charter schools benefits our children, and States have an important role to play in their expansion."

 

On May 5, charter school associations from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with their national representatives and urge their support of federal charter school funding and programs. NJCPSA Executive Director Jessani Gordon and North Star Academy's Chief Operating Officer Michael Ambriz met with four key members of Congress to localize charter school successes and issues and encourage their support of increased charter school funding.

 

Voters Support Obama's Call to Lift Charter School Caps
President Barack Obama's call on states to lift the limits restricting the growth of public charter schools is supported by nearly three out of four voters (74 percent), according to a national opinion poll recently conducted for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. The poll also found strong support for the President's overall plan to reform education (81 percent) and specific elements of that plan, such as rewarding good teachers with more money for improved student performance (87 percent), funding programs to replicate successful charter schools (82 percent), and creating "Promise Neighborhoods" that use charter schools as the centerpiece of integrated services ensuring safe and healthy student development (83 percent).

 

President Obama Proposes $52 Million Increase for Public Charter Schools
President Obama has taken a strong first step toward fulfilling his campaign promise to double federal funding for public charter schools. His budget calls for $52 million in new funds for the Charter Schools Program, the State Facilities Incentive Grants, and the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program. This increased funding, a 25 percent  increase over FY2009, will provide new resources to start up high-quality public charter schools and help them deal with the difficulties of accessing capital support at the state level.

 

PSEG Environmental Education Grants Available for Teachers of Grades K-9
PSEG has announced its 2009-2010 Environmental Education Grants Program. The program is open to educators of grades K-9 who teach in:

• PSEG's electric or gas service areas;
• New Jersey schools within PSEG's Estuary Enhancement Program Areas; and
• Schools in New Jersey and Delaware located within PSEG's Emergency Planning Zone.

Grants are available to teachers of Grades K-9 who can successfully link their students' understanding of science, mathematics, computer science, and/or technology concepts with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment. A total of $25,000 is available through the program this year. Grants will be made in amounts of up to $3,500 each, and may be used to purchase materials and equipment, take field trips, and develop curriculum-related activities. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 5. Visit www.pseg.com/eegrants for more information and an application.

 

Rally in Washington on May 16 for Education Equality Day
On Saturday, May 16, join education activists, charter school leaders, parents and other community members for a rally in Washington, DC for Education Equality Day, a call to action on the 55th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

 

NJ After 3 Sponsors Event on June 4 to Share Ideas about After School Programs
NJ After 3 is sponsoring an event to share the innovative ideas and strategies utilized by New Jersey After 3 programs, children and staff from around the state. The event will be held on Thursday, June 4, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Township. RSVP by May 22nd to Kiran Gaudioso at events@njafter3.org.

 

National Charter Schools Teacher Institute
On Sunday, June 21, the National Charter Schools Teacher Institute will offer classroom teachers an opportunity to participate in high-quality professional development designed to provide the classroom support, technical assistance, and increased collaboration needed to assure academic success for all students. Prominent teachers and leaders from around the country will provide training sessions and share research-based practices they have successfully applied in their classrooms and schools. The National Charter Schools Teacher Institute is offered as a FREE conference and is held prior to the 9th Annual National Charter Schools Conference. The National Charter Schools Conference is the only national gathering of the entire charter school community and will be held June 21-24 in Washington, D.C. To register, visit http://www.nationalcharterconference.org or call 800- 280-6218.

 

National Charter Schools Boot Camp for School Board Members
A school board boot camp is being offered through the National Charter Schools Institute on June 21. The session will be 1 - 4 p.m. and is limited to 150 attendees. The registration fee is $175 and reservations may be made in advance.

 

Building Excellent Schools Programs and Services
For schools and aspiring leaders aligned to the core beliefs of Building Excellent Schools (BES), the School Leadership Crash Course is the ultimate in fine tuning and crafting successful culture and school design. The Weekend Warrior Series is unique in offering, for short money, strong and focused practice-based training in a quick and deep three-day setting. BES is looking for its inaugural class of outside-the-Fellowship leaders, either sitting, getting a make-over or contemplating replication. To learn more please contact Linda Brown, Executive Director, at (617) 290-0505 or via e-mail. Space is limited.

Trenton Community Charter School will be holding its 2nd Annual Future Business Leaders Showcase on Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to noon in the school's gymnasium at 363 West State Street, Trenton.

 

Discovery Charter School (Newark) has announced the launch of its "Chocolate Express" and the "Newark Fleet" of canoes built by students at four Newark schools with the help of Project U.S.E. The launch will take place on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at Riverbank Park (Raymond Boulevard and Somme Street, Newark). The public is invited to join in this celebration of the students' work.

 

Marion P. Thomas Charter School (Newark) is sponsoring its annual Fathers for Our Children, an inspiring presentation from the students to men who serve as role models in the community. The event and reception will take place on June 18 at the NJ Performing Arts Center. Proceeds will provide scholarships for the graduating 8th grade students, who go on to top-ranked high schools that require tuition support. Honorees this year will include: Justice James H. Coleman (NJ Supreme Court Justice), Rodney Dickens (PSE&G, V.P. Asset Mgt and Centralized Services), Brian Keenan (President, Real Estate Advisory Development Services), Councilman Donald M. Payne Jr. (Newark Councilman-at-Large), and Dr. Clement Price (Professor and renowned historian, Rutgers University). For corporate sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, contact Michele Griffin at 908-874-0976 or michelepg@aol.com.