Charter Schools in Colorado

Law:   Passed in 1993

Rank:   9th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws

CER Grade:   B

Schools:   93

Students:   25,512

October 9-10, 2003, Denver, CO: Tenth Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference, sponsored by the Colorado League of Charter Schools, offers information, networking, and learning opportunities for charter school staff, board members and individuals interested in charter schools and the charter school movement. For more information contact the Colorado League of Charter Schools at 303-989-5356, website: http://www.coloradoleague.org/.

GOOD INVESTMENT: In 1999 the Core Knowledge Charter School, located outside Denver, became what many experts say is the first charter school in the country to be rated by Standard and Poor's, a stamp of approval of sorts for investors. CER Newswire, July 14, 1999
MONEY MATTERS: In 1998, Colorado expanded the list of eligible beneficiaries of the new Colorado Education and Cultural Facilities Authority to include organizations with "an educational program pursuant to a charter from a school district." In 1999 Colorado also gave charter schools direct access to bonds at a public rate by defining charters as a "governmental agency." The Colorado Department of Education has also recommended that the legislature provide institutions of higher education specific authority to construct associated charter schools with their capital funds. Solving the Charter School Financing Conundrum

DO THE MATH: Four of the top scoring schools on the 8^th grade math portion of the Colorado State Assessment Program were charter schools and the highest scoring was a charter called Horizons K-8 Alternative in Boulder. Bear Creek Elementary achieved the highest math scores in Jefferson County, with 41% of its 8^th graders scoring at the advanced level. The next runner up was at only 20% advanced proficiency. CER Monthly Letter, September 2000.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Recent scores on the Colorado's Student Assessment program were highest among the state's charter schools. Two thirds to three quarters of charters outperformed average test scores of their home school districts and schools with similar demographics. 77% of third grade students in charter schools tested proficient or above in reading, compared to the state average of 67%. CER Monthly Letter, May 2000

EXCELLENT: Charter schools made up six of the 19 public schools in the state honored as 2000 John J. Irwin Colorado Schools of Excellence, recognized for outstanding accomplishments, assessments of student performance, community satisfaction and effective school practices. CER Newswire, May 31, 2000

Links to Colorado Charter School Websites .

Colorado League of Charter Schools 1601 Vine Street Denver, CO 80206	Contact: James W. Griffin Phone: 303-989-5356 Fax: 303-984-9345 E-mail: jim@coloradoleague.org
Website: www.coloradoleague.org
Colorado League of Charter Schools is a non-profit membership organization that serves and supports Colorado charter schools by providing networking and advocacy, conferences and workshops, and technical assistance to members of its charter school association. CLCS works to support and build Colorado's charter school movement in an effort to improve public education in the state.

Unified Grants / Charter Schools Office Colorado Department of Education 201 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80203	Contact: Ryan DeHerrera Tel: 303-866-6700 Fax: 303-866-6637
Website: http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_charter.htm