Colorado charter schools, once again, showed impressive performance on a variety of measures in 2011, including Colorado Growth Model, Adequate Yearly Growth and CSAP Results. For example:

Colorado Growth Model
The state average growth for Colorado public schools in 2011 was the 50th percentile. More Colorado charter middle schools achieved median growth percentiles (MGP) at or above the state median for growth in math (52.1%), reading (64.4%) and writing (64.6%), when compared to Colorado's traditional public schools. Likewise, when looking at the performance of Colorado's non-alternative education campus (non-AEC) charter high schools, a higher percentage meet or exceed the state median for growth in all three subject areas (62.5%, 63.6%, 72.7%, respectively), when compared to Colorado's traditional public schools. 

Click here to see how charter schools fared on Adequate Yearly Growth and CSAPs.

Charter Schools must have Bully Prevention Policies in Place by October 1. 

Just a reminder, this year a law was passed in Colorado (HB 11-1254) that requires each charter school to adopt and implement a policy concerning bullying prevention and education on or before October 1, 2011. Each charter school policy must, at a minimum, set forth appropriate disciplinary consequences for students who bully other students, and for any person who takes any retaliatory action against a student who reports a bullying incident. Click here for additional information and guidance.
 
If your charter school has not yet created a written policy around bully prevention and education, please be sure to do so before October 1, in order to be in compliance with this new law. Click here to see a sample of a bully prevention policy from High Point Academy in Aurora.

If you have any questions, need additional sample policies, or have a policy to share with other schools, email charter411@coloradoleague.org.

To learn more about 2011 legislative changes that impact charter schools, click here to access recorded legislative update webinars.

Got Questions? Get Answers!
Introducing Charter411

Where can I find charter school best practices? What are the requirements for highly qualified teachers? Where can I find a sample principal evaluation form? What formative assessments are charter schools using?

Charter411 is a new information resource for members of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. Charter411 is here to answer your questions about any issues related to running a charter school, including sound practices, legislative changes, sample resources, and much more.

Simply email your charter school-related question to charter411@coloradoleague.org and get a response fast!

The Colorado Charter Schools Conference is the largest annual gathering of charter school leaders, business managers, board members, teachers, parents and community members from new and veteran charter schools across Colorado.

This year's theme "Lead. Innovate. Educate.," will be woven throughout the conference. Participants will learn best practices in all areas of a charter school, from the classroom, to the business office, to the board room, and more.

Facilities Design and Construction

Prudential: Spirit of Community Awards    

Writing Across the Curriculum using The Write Tools-Overview and Demonstration
Hosted by Twin Peaks Charter Academy
Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Cost: $25
Location: Twin Peaks Charter Academy, 350 South Sunset Street, Longmont, CO 80501
Description: As a learning organization, Twin Peaks staff has been in practice and training applying the Write Tools strategies at the classroom level for the past two years. Twin Peaks staff has built a collective understanding & improved capacity to support the following: Implementing the writing process for all grade levels over multiple time periods in the day, Implementing specific writing instructional strategies in all content areas, Building common writing vocabulary and writing strategies for both students & teachers across the grade levels, Understanding the progression of writing skills that can be taught from one grade level to the next in order for students to reach their highest levels of achievement.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: September 30.
 

Administrator Mentoring Cohort Meeting
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education
Date: Friday, October 7
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $20 Per Person (No cash - No shows will be billed!)
Location: Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool, 6857 South Spruce Street, Centennial, CO 80112
Description: Designed to pair new charter school administrators with proven veterans who can mentor and come alongside new administrators during the difficult startup years of a new charter school.
Registration: Click here to register.
 

Warriors Poker Run 125
Hosted by Eagle Ridge Academy
Date: Saturday, October 8
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Location: Starts at Jordinelli's Sports Bar and Restaurant, 25 North Main Street, Brighton
Description: The "Warriors Poker Run 125" is a 125 mile ride organized to benefit the Brighton Eagle Ridge Academy Charter High School sports programs. These kids have been tasked with raising money to be able to keep their sports programs funded for the 2011/2012 school year. 
Registration: Click here for more information (Facebook Event Page).
 

The Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented Conference
Hosted by The Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented
Date: Monday, October 10 - Tuesday October 11
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Marriott Denver Tech Center, 4900 South Syracuse Street, Denver, CO
Cost: $270 two-days | $170 one-day
Description: The Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented (CAGT) is currently planning their 35th Annual Conference, "Connections: Building the Future for Gifted Students." The event will feature three nationally known keynoters, as well as over fifty breakout sessions. Over 400 teachers from around the state converge on Denver to train in the latest classroom techniques. These teaching techniques are good practices for all students, but are essential for gifted students.
Registration: Click here for more information and to register. 

Using the UIP as a Tool for School Improvement Planning: Decision-Making for Results
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Tuesday, October 11
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Colorado League of Charter Schools, 725 S. Broadway, Denver, CO
Cost: League members: $50 per person  | Non-members: $100 per person
Audience: School Leaders
Description: Gain a deeper understanding of the UIP template and research-based practices in school improvement planning. During these workshops, school leaders will engage in meaningful school improvement planning, aligned to research in best practice and state reporting requirements.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 7.
  

Post-Secondary Summit
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Friday, October 14
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool, 6857 South Spruce Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112
Cost: League Members: $175 per person  | Non-members: $225 per person.
Audience: School leaders, teachers, counselors
Description: The Post-Secondary Summit focuses on youth development and supports participants in creating a college-going culture. Training contingent upon 15 attendees minimum. 
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 7.
 

Regional Board Training
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education
Date: Friday, October 14
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: No cost
Location: Adams 12 Training Center, 1500 E. 128th Avenue, Thornton, CO 80241
Description: Meets to discuss topics such as vision and mission, board relationships, board self-assessment, legal issues, program assessment and accountability, strategic planning, and pitfalls to avoid.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 12
 

Five Part Guided Discipline Institute (Part One of Five)
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Monday, October 17
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Mile High United Way, 2505 18th Street, Denver, CO
Cost: League members: $175 per person per training | Non-members: $225 per person per training.
Audience: School leaders, teachers, counselors
Description: Educators for Social Responsibility's (ESRs) 5-Part Guided Discipline Institute is focused on Climate, Discipline and Behavior Supports and allows participants to gain the skills and understandings to be able to build a cohesive, high-performing group of learners by norming the classroom; implementing disciplinary practices to reduce classroom disruptions; modeling, teaching, practicing and assessing habits of learning self-discipline in the classroom, implementing accountable consequences and interventions using "workout sessions," restorative actions, and weekly progress cards; using value-added feedback and group recognitions to support positive behaviors; and creating a classroom management, discipline and support plan that aligns with the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) framework. Training contingent upon 15 attendees minimum.
Registration: Click here for more information and to register. Deadline: October 10. 
 

Galileo K-12 Online IIS and its Comprehensive Assessment System: Supporting Colorado Educational Initiatives  
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Tuesday, October 18
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Rose Community Foundation, 600 South Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Denver, CO
Cost:  FREE
Description: Learn about the expanded and integrated array of assessment tools which comprise Assessment Technology Incorporated's (ATI) next generation comprehensive assessment system. The system is a part of the Galileo K-12 Online Instructional Improvement System (IIS). The seminar will provide an overview of Galileo's next generation comprehensive assessments including locally customized interim benchmark assessments, formative assessments, standards-aligned pretests and posttests, final course and summative assessments, test arrays, dialogic assessments, computerized multi-stage adaptive tests, and ASK technology for using assessments initially built outside Galileo.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 11.
 

Bond Covenant Compliance Seminar for Moral Obligation Borrowers
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools and CECFA
Date: Tuesday, October 18
Time: 12:00PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Colorado League of Charter Schools Offices, 725 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
Cost: No cost.
Audience: School Executives, Chief Financial Officers/Business Managers, Treasurers and Board Members
Description: Every charter school that has borrowed through the State's Moral Obligation Bond Program has a special responsibility to understand and comply with the various covenants of the bond documents. The League and CECFA are teaming up to provide an important training session especially designed for moral obligation borrowers. Lawyers, trustees and your colleagues will walk you through the bond requirements - and practical ways to set up the systems you need to meet your responsibilities. Each school should send at least one individual to this important compliance/training session.
Registration: RSVP via email to mlong@cecfa.org. Deadline: September 30.
 

Colorado Safe Schools Regional Training
Hosted by the Colorado School Safety Resource Center for the Colorado Safe Schools Regional Training
Dates and Times:
Pre-conference: Wednesday, October 19, from 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Workshops: Thursday, October 20, from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Cost: No cost for Colorado participants. Lunch provided on October 20.
Location: Fort Collins Marriott, 350 Horsetooth Rd., Fort Collins
Description: Pre-conference and workshops include information on bully and violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, social and emotional development, and healthy relationships.  These are all topics included in the new Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Standards.
Registration: Click here for additional information and registration.
Information: Linda Kanan, Colorado School Safety Resource Center, 303-239-4391, linda.kanan@cdps.state.co.us
 

Colorado NWEA-MAP Conference
Presented by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Friday, October 21
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Pueblo County High School, 1050 35th Lane, Pueblo, CO 81006
Audience: Principals, data/assessment leaders, counselors, teachers, information systems administrators
Cost: $150
Description: Join MAP users from all over the state for this one of a kind user group event. The conference will feature multiple breakout sessions in a variety of topics designed for advanced, intermediate and beginner users.
Registration: Click here to register.
 

Board President's Council (Regional)
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education
Date: Friday, October 21
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: No cost
Location: Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool, 6857 South Spruce Street, Centennial
Description: Provides a venue for troubleshooting, networking, technical assistance, and discussion.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 19.
 

2011 NACSA Leadership Conference
Hosted by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers
Date: Monday, October 24 - Thursday, October 27
Location: Amelia Islands, Florida
Description: Through three days of networking and discussion, attendees will explore the actions necessary to redesign public education to ensure a brighter future for our children and our country.
Registration: Click here for more information.
 

Parent Encouraging  Parents (PEP) Conferences
Hosted by Colorado Department of Education
Date: Thursday, October 27 - Saturday, October 29
Time: TBD
Description: Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Conferences are family-centered events designed to offer support, information and education to both parents and professionals who work with children with disabilities across Colorado. PEP promotes the partnerships between parents and professionals that are essential in supporting and including children with disabilities in schools and communities.
Registration: For more information about PEP and to complete the preliminary application, please visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/PEP.asp. You may also call 303-866-6846 or 1-877-834-0588 toll-free for general information.
 

Effective Grading Practices
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Friday, October 28
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Pioneer Charter School, 3230 East 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
Cost: $175 per person for League member schools; $225 per person, non-member schools. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $300/person.)
Audience: School Leaders & teachers
Description: In this one-day seminar, The Leadership and Learning Center will share new research on how changes in grading policies will help your entire school by reducing failures and disciplinary problems while increasing faculty morale and student engagement.
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: October 25.