See Also:
WHAT'S NEW HOME PAGE
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 2001
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 2000
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 1999
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES: Visit CER's Job Watch Page
for information on positions available right now in education
and education reform around the country, including: Instructor, Littleton
Preparatory Charter School, CO; Director of Development, Massachusetts
Department of Education Charter School Office; Principal, Thomas Jefferson
Charter School, IL; Teach for America instructors; and much more.
CER'S
ANNUAL RANKING AND ANALYSIS OF CHARTER LAWS AND
LEGISLATION: California Jumps into the Top Ten, Mississippi
Still Weakest in Nation, Four New States Join the Charter Ranks. The full
report includes CER's ranking of each of the 34 state charter laws,
based on 10 criteria to establish what is strong (effective) legislation
versus weak (ineffective) legislation, as well as individual Charter Law
Profiles of every state's law, providing a more detailed examination of each law
according to over 30 key aspects of legislation and policy.
NEWS AND ANALYSIS: A look at
legislative developments in the charter movement, in New
York and in the nation's capital; the
latest in student achievement, as the
downward spiral continues; and CER's Journalism
Award Winners, making education issues front page news. Link to CER News
Alerts and Editorial and Analysis.
President Jeanne Allen's Monthly
Letter to Friends of The Center for Education Reform, November 1998:
A look at some of education's problems and reform's answers. Rest assured, you’ll
find something here that makes you want to stand up and make your voice to
heard: An Election Sleeper · The Return of the
Jedi… · …and The Empire Strikes Back ·
*Why We Call it the Blob · In the Trenches ·
Advise and Consent · Happy Birthday to Us ·
The Annual Fund Drive!!!! (sort of)
IN THE NEWS:
Hot Topic: From the Supreme Court to the
elections…education reform is everywhere! On newsstands
this week, three of the main newsmagazines -- Time, U.S. News and World
Report and Business Week -- covered critical education issues in
their own unique ways, and all three turned to CER as a definitive source on
the subject. Magazines from Readers Digest to Working Woman
have also turned to CER for articles coming out in the next few months, as have
the broadcast media from the Fox News Channel and ABC's 20/20 to major
metropolitan radio outlets.
ELECTION DAY ANALYSIS: CER
finds that education reform counts, but so does
having a clear message. The public wants high standards,
strong accountability systems in place for teachers, schools and students, more
choices, and consequences for all of the above. Newly elected officials and
aspiring candidates would do well to ensure that they A) understand the issues
and B) don’t underestimate the positive power of reform. Link to CER's
6-point analysis.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION UPDATE: American
Education: The Next 15 Years, The Center for Education Reform’s
first national conference, was a wonderful success, thanks to all who took time
out of their busy schedules to join other reformers to address issues important
to us all. Attendees heard from leading grass roots activists, choice and
charter school authorities from around the country, and CER was privileged to be
able to provide the forum for them to share their wisdom and expertise. For
those who were unable to attend, or attendees who would like to review what they
heard, audio tapes are available. SALUTE:
In conjunction with the conference and anniversary celebration, CER also honored
six of the nation's unsung education reform
heroes, whose efforts have led to successful reform progress in hundreds of
communities across the country.
RESOURCE: Alternative
Professional Organizations for Educators: Contact information and
weblinks to two dozen national and state organizations created for and by
professional educators seeking alternatives to the two national teacher unions.
CER's
new report Charter School Success
Stories: New Evidence of Achievement demonstrates that, since the
first charter opened its doors in 1992, the positive effect these new schools
have had on thousands of children is
overwhelming. This progress report is the first in a new CER series examining
recent success and struggles experienced by charters.
President Jeanne Allen's Monthly
Letter to Friends of The Center for Education Reform, October 1998
Reflection on the Education Reform Movement, its diverse champions and
entrenched opponents: Incandescent Education ·
Hip-Hip Hooray · From Rhetoric to Reality: The Blob
Strikes Back · Reform’s Ripple Effect ·
The Vast Blob-Wing Conspiracy · National School
Boards Association · More Reactions Worth Noting ·
A Special Poem
NEW PAGES: Two new pages on the
CER Website bring you quick, convenient and comprehensive access to even more
information and organizations.
Academic Standards and Curriculum
provides an overview, research and resources on what's happening in national and
state efforts to improve school standards and return rigor to the curriculum.
Includes: Standards Resources and Evaluations
· State Standards of Note
· Curriculum Resources and Vendors
· Now This is a Test!
CER's Weblinks to
Education Policy and Reform Organizations puts on one page links to
over 50 groups with pages and information on the World Wide Web -- one stop
shopping to get you where you want to go.
October 1993 - October 1998: This
month The
Center for Education Reform proudly celebrates its Fifth
Anniversary of providing support and guidance to those working
to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. In that tradition, on
October 28, CER hosts "American
Education: The Next 15 Years," a national reform conference to look at
what we can do during the next fifteen years to regain the post-Sputnik
educational excellence that so captured and motivated a generation. You're
invited: come hear from the nation's leading grass roots activists, choice and
charter schools authorities, and other experts. Click
here for registration information. For a sobering look at the past 15 years,
see EDUCATION
MANIFESTO: A Nation Still At Risk, as well as Fifteen
Years after "A Nation At Risk": That Was Then And This Is Now.
Charter
School Highlights and Statistics: The latest charter school numbers:
state-by-state breakdown of the 1129 charter schools serving 250,000 students in
26 states and the District of Columbia.
THE
SCHOOL REFORM HANDBOOK: How to Improve Your Schools ONLINE
Excerpts now available on the CER Website: Section II: Who's In Charge: The
Education Establishment -- a breakdown of the players and the politics shaping
today's public schools, including teachers unions, school boards, legislators,
parent and civil liberties associations and more; Section III: Working For
Reform -- a "how to" to help parents and interested citizens work and
organize effectively to make a real difference in the direction of each school
and the entire American education system.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PARENTS'
ALERT:
HOW TO REALLY GET READY FOR A NEW SCHOOL
YEAR: Advice from an Expert (who also doubles as a parent of 4 young
school-aged children): Find out how to: get informed, learn who's in
charge, set some standards, shake that "I'm just a parent" feeling,
and truly get involved to make a difference! Includes links to helpful
information throughout the CER Website and the entire World Wide Web, as well as
on-line excerpts from CER's SCHOOL REFORM HANDBOOK: How To Improve Your
Schools (see above).
President Jeanne Allen's Monthly
Letter to Friends of The Center for Education Reform, Back-to-School 1998:
On The Rise and Fall of a Teacher Union Merger · From
the Trenches: Reform Activities -- and Hostilities -- Across the States
· In The News: On Teacher
Certification · On Charters and Change ·
On Charters and Choice · On the Union Merger ·
On Academic Standards and Testing · On
Teacher Contracts
NEW PUBLICATIONS
ONLINE:
CER AMICUS BRIEF: Amicus
Brief Filed in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin In Support of Milwaukee School
Choice Program, December 17, 1997, Case No. 97-0270
CER AMICUS BRIEF: 1997
Amicus Brief Filed in the Supreme Court of Ohio In Support of Hope for
Cleveland's Children, December 8, 1997 Case No. 97-1117
ACTION PAPER: Creating A Revolution,
exploring public-private partnerships in American education. Updated July 1998.
President Jeanne Allen's Monthly
Letter to Friends of The Center for Education Reform, June 1998
The Decision that Made Milwaukee Famous · Voice of
Reason · Reluctant Debutante or Courageous Soul? ·
Taking a "Paige" From a Choice-minded District Superintendent ·
Pressure-Points · Penny-Wise... ·
...And Pound Foolish · While we’re on the
subject of choice... · Top Ten Ways to Spend Your
Budget Surplus
AND
June 1998 Monthly Letter
Special Charter School Supplement: Just When You Thought It Was Safe...
North Carolina · Arizona ·
New York · New Jersey ·
Virginia · Ohio ·
Illinois · Michigan ·
California · Minnesota ·
Texas · Ohio (again) ·
Pennsylvania · North Carolina
(again) · Arizona (again)
SEARCH THE CER WEBSITE:
Use our new Website search engine to find exactly the information you need.
CER Action Papers Updates, June 1998: Three
New Action Papers Unveiled by CER: A Nationwide Guide to Private
Scholarships; Student Achievement Data; and, Facts on School
Spending Addressed:
NEWS
ALERT: We Win!: Court Says Yes! To Milwaukee
School Choice! And Privately-funded Efforts Thrive, Too, June 10,
1998
BRAG
SHEET: CER Website Receives Top Honors,
May 8, 1998
President Jeanne Allen's Monthly
Letter to Friends of The Center for Education Reform, May 1998: From
the States · Resources:
Things to know, things you may need, things we may need
· Great
Expectations... · ...And
a lack thereof · We're Sorry ·
And finally...
NEW AREA on the CER
Website:
Answers to
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Education Reform
Topics include: School choice ·
Private Scholarship Programs ·
Tuition Tax Credits and Deductions ·
Charter Schools · School
Financing · Standards ·
Teacher Quality
EDUCATION
MANIFESTO: A Nation Still At Risk
Fifteen years ago this month, the National Commission on
Excellence in Education declared the United States a nation at risk. A decade
and a half later, the risk posed by inadequate education has changed. To be
sure, there have been gains during this past 15 years. Dropout rates declined
and college attendance rose. But contrary to what so many seem to think, this is
no time for complacency. Intellectually and morally, America's educational
system is failing far too many people.
The signatories of this Manifesto urge two main renewal strategies, working in tandem: standards, assessments and accountability; and pluralism, competition and choice. And we urge the achievement of those strategies through ten break-through changes for the 21st Century. The stakes could not be higher. In the last decade of this American Century, we must not be content with anything less than the best for all our children. Click here to read the entire Manifesto.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION, April 29, 1998
SCHOOL CHOICE, Washington DC: Today the
U.S. House of Representatives passed the District of Columbia Student
Opportunity Scholarship Act which provides tuition scholarships to up to 2,000
children from low-income families to attend the public or private school of
their choice. The bill had already been passed by the Senate, and now goes to
the President. "Please, Bill, sign it for the kids." For more on the
bill and the politics behind it, see our page About
School Choice.
CHARTER SCHOOLS, California: CER
News Alert: charter law expansion passes. A charter bill that
expands and strengthens the state's current law was passed today 29-3 by the
House and 60-8 by the Senate, and now goes to the Governor for signature. The
high-speed action by the legislature was in response to efforts to get a charter
initiative on the ballot this fall. Bill highlights include: cap of 100 schools
per year (up from 100 schools total); expanded appeals and renewal processes;
improved funding and facilities provisions. For more on the state's legislators'
action, May 1, 1998. Click
here to go to an annotated version of the new law.
CHARTER STORY
The Center for Education Reform has serious concerns about errors and
mischaracterizations in US News and World Report's April 27 cover story
on charter schools. "Weeks of reporting in two states" and visits to a
handful of schools is not enough to tell the story of a movement that started in
1991 and has resulted in nearly 800 schools in 23 states and the District of
Columbia.
· CER's 16 Point
Response to USN&WR's "The Great School Experiment."
· Forum Area:
CER Invites Your Input.
· CER President
Jeanne Allen's Letter to the Editor.
NEW ONLINE
Charter
School Myths and Realities: Answering the Critics, excerpted from The
Charter School Workbook: Your Roadmap to the Charter School Movement, looks
at common misconceptions and misinformation surrounding charter schools.
See Also:
WHAT'S NEW HOME PAGE
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 2001
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 2000
WHAT'S NEW ARCHIVE 1999
CER Home Page
E-Mail CER CER
Publications
THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION REFORM
1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 204
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 521-2118
http://edreform.com
cer@edreform.com