NATIONAL

Charter Schools Already Help Students Race to the Top
PR Newswire, November 23, 2009
At a time when states are scrambling to compete in President Obama’s signature ‘Race to the Top’ effort, they really only need to look in their own backyards to see one reform that continues to make a difference in the lives of millions of kids. Today, 5,043 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia are providing nearly 2 million families the option to break away from schools that are failing students and into schools that are serving them.

Stimulus Rules on ‘Turnarounds’ Shift
Education Week, MD, November 24, 2009
$4 billion Race to the Top competition give states and districts more leeway in how they intervene in chronically underperforming schools, a subtle but important change that raises new questions about whether the push to turn around struggling campuses will succeed in rehabilitating large numbers of schools.

FROM THE STATES

Alabama

Byrne Says He’ll Support Charter School Bill
Montgomery Advertiser, AL, November 24, 2009
Bradley Byrne, former two-year college chancellor turned Republican candidate for governor, said he would work to pass charter school legislation if he is elected governor and that he already has a commitment of help from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Rep. Phil Williams Pushing for Charter Schools in Alabama
WAFF, AL, November 23, 2009
The debate over charter schools is heating up in Alabama and one state representatives is taking a public stance in favor of them.

District of Columbia

Catholic Schools Look at Closing
Washington Post, DC, November 24, 2009
Pastors at 14 churches in the Washington Archdiocese have warned that their schools could close or be reconfigured if enrollments continue to decline. The schools are split evenly between the District and Maryland, and all serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Kentucky

Grass Roots Movement For Charter Schools Growing in Kentucky
WAVE3, KY, November 23, 2009
It’s the public alternative to education as we know it - charter schools. In early 2010, you will hear more about them as Kentucky lawmakers have filed bills in favor of the education reform. We took a trip to Indianapolis to look at two charter schools that are making the grade.

Louisiana

Race to the Top Opportunity for La.
The Advocate, LA, November 24, 2009
If the New Orleans Saints have kept you on the edge of your seat this fall, have I got a competition for you. There are no rings involved, unless you count school bells. But Louisiana’s a heavy favorite to win, the prize money is in the millions and the stakes are high.

Massachusetts

Shunning Ed Reform Approval An Embarrassment Move By Lawmakers
Gloucester Daily Times, MA, November 24, 2009
For all the unfinished business, however, none may prove more critical than the House’s failure to act on a critical education reform bill - a shameful walkoff that could very well cost Massachusetts some $250 million in federal education assistance.

Missouri

State Seeks a Share of $4.35 Billion Stimulus
News Tribune, MO, November 24, 2009
And about 250 Missouri education, political and business leaders spent nearly six hours Monday discussing ways the Show Me State can compete and win in the “Race to the Top” challenge.

New Jersey

Form of Public School Choice Approved By Senate Committee
New Jersey Newsroom, NJ, November 23, 2009
Legislation that would allow some students to enroll in public schools outside their school district was unanimously approved Monday by the state Senate Education Committee.

New York

As Charter Slots Dwindle, Competition Increases
New York Times Blog, NY, November 23, 2009
In Albany, issues tend to get shunted aside until the last possible moment. The challenges facing charter schools are no different. As advocates have pressed lawmakers to raise the cap - that is, the maximum number allowed, now 200 - many have said that the state is years away from reaching it, so no immediate action is needed.

New York’s School-Funding Disparities Worst in Nation
Buffalo News, NY, November 23, 2009
In light of The News’ editorial cartoon of Oct. 23 attacking educational funding growth for all school districts in New York State, we suggest some homework: Based upon the most recent study by the nationally recognized Educational Trust, while education funding in New York is high, the funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts here is the worst in the United States.

Rhode Island

Mayoral Academies Group Receives Grants
Providence Journal, RI, November 24, 2009
Rhode Island Mayoral Academies, an umbrella organization that launched a charter school in Cumberland this fall, has received three grants that will help the organization grow.

Washington

On to Round Two
Seattle Times, WA, November 24, 2009
Gov. Chris Gregoire says Washington must sit out the first round of competition for a $4 billion federal education-reform fund. This state simply wasn’t ready.