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CER in the News

City charters right to sue over funding

It does not come as a shock that more charter schools have joined the legal battle for equitable funding ("More charter schools join funding lawsuit, as City Council plans to probe issue," Oct. 7).

Indiana earns 'B' grade on state education tax credit scorecard

Tribune Star  September 30, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Indiana ranks fifth-strongest of the 16 states that have education tax credit programs, earning a "B" grade according to the second edition of "School Choice Today: Education Tax Credit Laws Across the States, Ranking and Scorecard 2015," released by the Center for Education Reform. In all, two states earn…

Does Your State Offer Tax Credits To Education Donors?

By Jason Russell Washington Examiner September 21, 2015 More than 200,000 students benefit from education tax credit scholarships in 16 states. Education tax credits allow individuals or businesses to claim a tax credit in exchange for donations to scholarship organizations. The organizations then use the donations to fund scholarships for eligible students to attend participating…

Desperate families losing education options in Washington state

"He was just getting angry and frustrated. Crying every day. Stomach aches. Chronically ill. Biting his fingernails until his fingers bled," Deanne Hilburn told the Washington Examiner about her son Austin's experience in a public school in Washington state. "He was very stressed." Then Austin got the opportunity to attend Excel Public Charter School, in…

WA charter schools ruled unconstitutional by state Supremes

In a 6-3 decision on September 4, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that the voter-approved referendum to allow charter schools, proposition I-1240, was unconstitutional.

Teachers at Grand Center Arts Academy move to unionize

Teachers at Grand Center Arts Academy gathered at an undisclosed location Tuesday and started down a road that staff at only one other charter school in the city has attempted in more than 15 years. They moved to unionize.

Baltimore needs school choice

by Frank A. Bonsal III Baltimore Sun August 30, 2015 Nearly a half-century after local and national uprisings around the passing of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., what is the one aspect of the urban condition in Baltimore that has changed too little but can transform a person's life and livelihood, and ultimately his or…

Choice and Accountability

Letter to the Editor Tampa Bay Times August 28, 2015 Parents don't back Bush's test emphasis | Aug. 25, column Choice and accountability As is evident in the annual PDK/Gallup poll, parents increasingly want school choices and are skeptical about the need for all the tests their kids are seemingly forced to take. Those two…

It shouldn't take a hurricane to create all-choice school districts

by Jason Russell Washington Examiner August 28, 2015 About a decade ago, Louisiana officials decided to take over all but a few of New Orleans public schools in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. From the start, then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, was determined to turn the city into an all-choice school district. Blanco wanted open…

Philanthropy makes up small portion of D.C. charter schools budget

By Moriah Costa Watchdog August 17, 2015 Only six percent of funding for D.C. charter schools comes from private contributions, disproving claims that significant philanthropic contributions gives charter schools an advantage over traditional public schools. A report released by the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute earlier this month found the majority of funding for charter schools…