dec2000

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Link to: December 2000 Issue pdf. file format (best for printing)

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T                  he Center for Education Reform spent the year 2000
                 engaged deeply in reform efforts throughout the
                 country. Whether in attendance at meetings, organiz-
ing conferences, growing and nurturing the “troops” through
materials or technical assistance or engaging the media, CER
is proud to note the following accomplishments: Where We’ve Been… ….With Our Activities on Behalf of Reform February “Charter Schools Today: Changing the Face of American
Education” is released. March “Twenty Questions for School Board Members,” released for
local leaders and press in anticipation of the National School
Boards Association convention. Upon Florida judge ruling Florida’s A+ Opportunity
Scholarship program unconstitutional, CER swings into
action: Filing Amicus brief opposing judicial ruling,
Publishing op-ed pieces supporting the A+ Plan, Organizing
grass-roots advocates for the A+ Plan, Conducting an advoca-
cy tour of Haitian, African-American, and Jewish communi-
ties, and contributing to an extensive report on the positive
effects of the A+ Plan on public schools. April Filed an Amicus brief supporting the Cleveland, OH choice
program. May CER leads the way in promoting “National Charter Week” in
Washington, DC with busloads of officials and press touring
charters throughout the nation’s capital. “Charter School Laws Across the States” released analyzing
strengths and weaknesses of all state charter laws. Sixth Edition of the “National Charter School Directory,”
issued, with more than 2,000 charter schools listed. June Parent Power!, Helping You Make Sense of Schooling Today reaches more than 7,000 paid subscribers, and readership of 100,000. August CER issues four weekly “Back to School” reports
to news media, providing critical questions about
the state of American education. September CER issues third edition of “Nine Lies About School Choice:
Answering the Critics.” Annual CER “Leaders Forum” looks at how “Business
Delivers Better Schools.” 5th Annual Education Leader’s Council draws a record 400
education reformers. October Released “The New Generation of Testing,” explaining impor-
tance of new standardized tests for increased academic
achievement. PBS premiere of “Charter Schools That Work,” produced
with CER assistance. CER hosts “Dinner and a Movie” show-
ings with charter school advocates in Maryland. “Candidates Education Meter” offers 14 hard-hitting
questions voters should ask their candidates. November CER responds to charter opponents with release of “What the
Research Says About Charter Schools,” analyzing more than
50 charter school studies showing the schools’ positive results. …at Meetings throughout
the nation January 12: Children’s Scholarship Foundation Conference,
New York, NY January 18: Public/Private Partnerships, Scottsdale, AZ February 11: The Center for Market Based Education,
Charter School Research Conference, Scottsdale, AZ February 18: Arizona Charter School Conference, Tucson February 24: University of Southern California, Miller
Forum for Public Policy, Los Angeles, CA February 25 – 26: Texas Charter School Conference March 1: Georgia Public Policy Institute, Charter School
Luncheon, Atlanta, GA March 8: Harvard University, Kennedy School of Public
Policy, “Charter Schools and Vouchers: An Overview”,
Cambridge, MA March 10: Michigan School Board Leader’s Association 1st
Anniversary Banquet, Lansing, MI March 22: Hearing on school reform, Trenton, NJ The Year 2000 at CER Highlights continued on page 11 2