Volume II, Issue 12, May 18, 2006

Charter Leader News

 

This issue of the Charter Leader News features information on . . .

 

Advocacy

Service Provider Marketplace

NCLB Requirements

Culture Training

Project SAVE Requirements

ATS Training 

 

 

CAP LIFT UPDATE 

 

 

There were a number of developments over the past week related to our work to lift the cap on public charter schools.

 

The Assembly Democratic Conference met twice this week to discuss the issue behind closed doors. While no concrete reports of what transpired are available, it is fair to assume that, as typically happens in these conferences, both supporters and opponents of the issue aired their beliefs concerning the merits of charter schools and the impact that lifting the cap will have on districts, parents, students, unions, and public education in general.

 

We are confident that those in support of lifting the cap put forth solid arguments on our behalf, bolstered by fact sheets the Charter Center and the New York State Charter Schools Association developed for them.

 

The Assembly had planned to conference the issue again on Wednesday, but time constraints did not allow it.  The Assembly is expected to conference the issue again next week.

 

While the debate rages in the Assembly, the State Senate and Governor continue to talk about strategies for moving the cap lift forward.  Charter advocates and the NYC Department of Education have made positive contributions to this dialogue.

 

Also this week, a group of charter school parents and other charter advocates ran radio ads in the Capitol District in support of lifting the cap.  The ads also criticized Assemblyman Ron Canestrari (D-Cohoes/Albany) for publicly opposing charter schools, which resulted in heated discussion among friends and foes alike in the Assembly concerning this new element in the debate and how it might help -- or hurt -- the prospects for a cap lift.  Indications are that these ads may continue, though even legislators that support lifting the cap disagree on the impact they will have.

 

In an effort to address a key concern of upstate districts - particularly Buffalo and Syracuse - regarding the fiscal impact on a school district when significant numbers of students leave traditional public schools to enroll in charter schools, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo), along with Buffalo and Albany colleagues, introduced a bill (A.4510-A) this month to provide these districts with transition aid. This approach -- whereby the funding lost by a local district is phased in over a three-year period -- helps districts manage the loss of funds, thus addressing a key concern of charter school opponents.  It is the hope of Assemblyman Hoyt and others that this bill will become part of a final cap lift package.

 

Finally, the Charter Center is grateful for the many responses submitted by charter school supporters objecting to the tone and substance of last week's New York Times editorial ("Reining in Charter Schools," May 10). We continue to request a meeting with the Times' editorial board to present some facts and perspectives on New York State charter schools, which was inexplicably ignored in the editorial. Our goal is to make sure any future editorials by the paper on charter schools acknowledge the positive impact charters are having on public education reform efforts in New York.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

OPERATIONS NEWS

 

Save the Date!  Service Provider Marketplace - June 15, 2006:

 

This is a not to be missed one-day event where school leaders and operations managers will have the opportunity to connect with more than 60 highly qualified service providers that have been recommended and vetted by the charter school community.  Vendors have already been confirmed in the following service areas:

 

• Technology Infrastructure and Support
• Facilities Maintenance, Management and Development
• Operations Support

The event will take place at or near the Charter Center's offices in Lower Manhattan.  Stay tuned for complete details about the time and location for this event.  If you would like more information about the service providers/categories that will be in attendance contact Florence Adu, Director of Real Estate and Facilities, at 212-437-8309, or email fadu@nycchartercenter.org.

 

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

 

NCLB/Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements -- June 5, 9 - noon:

 

Dr. Nancy Willie-Schiff leads the State Education Department's implementation of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements for teachers and professionals.  She will present the latest information about what those requirements are and what they mean for all public schools, school districts and BOCES in New York State on June 5, from 9 am to noon, at the Charter Center.

 

Following an interactive presentation school leaders will be given an opportunity to ask questions. Dr. Schiff will be assisted by Bruce Robinson of the Office of Teaching Initiatives, and Caryl Cohen, certification consultant for the Charter Center.

 

Building, Maintaining and Shifting School Culture - Training Session for New Charter Schools, June 8, 4-6 pm:

 

The Charter Center is hosting a June 8 training session (4-6 pm) on how to build the culture of a school, and once the foundation is built, how to maintain it.  We will also examine the signs of poor culture and how to make a culture shift. Participants will hear from a panel of charter school principals who have both struggled and excelled at establishing the right culture in their schools.

 

New charter school leaders and any current school leaders are welcome to attend this session.  Panel participants include Doug McCurry (Achievement First), Marc Waxman (Future Leaders Institute), Marc Etienne (Bronx Charter School for Excellence), Melanie Bryon (Community Partnership), and Gwen Stephens (Harriet Tubman).  The panelists represent a broad spectrum of school cultures that range from "No Excuses and Standards Driven," to "Progressive," to schools trying to figure it out on the go.  If you are interested in attending please RSVP Glenn Liebeck at gliebeck@nycchartercenter.org

 

Project SAVE Training - June 14, 9am - noon, at Charter Center offices:

 

This presentation will assist schools in complying with Project SAVE requirements. For more information contact Jessica Nauiokas at 212-437-8307, or email jnauiokas@nycchartercenter.org

 

ATS Training for New Charter Schools - June 16, 9 am - noon:

 

Charter school leaders as well as business managers and administrative staff are encouraged to attend this training conducted by Paul Weiner, a DOE consultant. The training, which will take place on June 16 (9am - noon) at 131 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Room 207), will include: ATS overview, student enrollment, discharging, biographical info, transportation entry, basic report features, attendance (all ATS access codes will be provided prior to training).

 

MISSION

 

The mission of the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence is to stimulate the supply of high-quality charter schools and support ongoing student excellence in all NYC charter schools, impacting the effectiveness of public education. As an independent nonprofit, the Charter Center is an advocate, bridge and catalyst for the achievement of academic and operational success and sustainability of all NYC charter schools for each young person.