National Charter Schools Week

Opportunities Under Siege – National Charter Schools Week 2019: An Open Letter from Jeanne Allen


National Charter Schools Week 2019In the 28+ years since the founding of the charter school movement, tremendous progress has been made in the number of schools established, and in the wealth of innovative opportunities they offer to children, families, teachers and communities. In the 26 years CER has been leading the fight for innovation and…

Keys to Success for Charter Schools Include Strong Legislators & Strong Laws

National Charter Schools Week 2019 Day 2Each year National Charter Schools Week gives charter advocates an opportunity not only to bring further attention to chartering and the myriad benefits it offers our children but to the elements critical for success. Let’s start the week with one major one – legislators.Having the dedicated support of legislators as charter…

The UNIONS, and their impact on Teachers

National Charter Schools Week 2019 Day 3The National Education Association and the exceptionally hostile American Federation of Teachers (AFT) continue to stand in the way of progress.It’s no secret these two groups have always opposed and spread falsehoods about charters, working hard to convince teachers that they don’t serve kids. That has largely failed, but lately,…

"But You’ve Got to Have FRIENDS"

National Charter Schools Week 2019 Day 4Some of the earliest founded charter school advocacy groups had friends in their name, and for good reason. They wanted to be what most of us aspire to be in all walks of like – great friends to the new kid on the block.Friends of Choice in Urban Schools was the…

A Movement of Diversity & Equity

National Charter Schools Week 2019 Day 5The charter school movement, and many of its greatest initial and on-going successes, is rooted in its commitment to serving students who for whatever the reason have not been well-served by traditional public education. It’s greatest strength, in fact, is being able to serve students from fragile communities, in…

Opportunities + Innovation = Results

National Charter Schools Week 2019 Day 6This is a country built on innovation, but when it comes to education we are far too cautious. We do not need a thousand flowers to bloom, as the saying goes. What we need is to have a thousand (or tens of thousands) of seeds planted. Those that are watered…

Opportunities + Innovation = Results

National Charter Schools Week 2018 Day 6 This is a country built on innovation, but when it comes to education we are far too cautious. We do not need a thousand flowers to bloom, as the saying goes. What we need is to have a thousand (or tens of thousands) of seeds planted. Those that…

A Movement of Diversity & Equity

National Charter Schools Week 2018 Day 5 The charter school movement, and many of its greatest initial and on-going successes, is rooted in its commitment to serving students who for whatever the reason have not been well-served by traditional public education. It’s greatest strength, in fact, is being able to serve students from fragile communities, in…

"But You’ve Got to Have FRIENDS"

National Charter Schools Week 2018 Day 4 Some of the earliest founded charter school advocacy groups had friends in their name, and for good reason. They wanted to be what most of us aspire to be in all walks of like – great friends to the new kid on the block. Friends of Choice in…

The UNIONS, and their impact on Teachers

National Charter Schools Week 2018 Day 3 Recognizing charter schools as well as those who enable their progress on this #TeachersDay 2018 must include a recognition of those that stand in the way of yet more progress- the National Education Association and the exceptionally hostile American Federation of Teachers (AFT). It’s no secret these two…