This presentation is by Whitney Tilson who is a successful investor and education reform advocate. The presentation is meant to be a collection of data and arguments that forcefully advocates for an urgent school reform agenda. You can view Mr. Tilson presentation online here, here and here or download the PowerPoint below.
Two years ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Center for American Progress, and Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute came together to grade the states on school performance. In that first Leaders and Laggards report, they found much to applaud but even more that requires urgent improvement. In this follow-up report, they turn their attention to the future, looking not at how states are performing today, but at what they are doing to prepare themselves for the challenges that lie ahead. Below is the report on West Virginia, and although it shows we have some positive marks the need for change is clear.
Charter schools in rural communities have been a part of the charter landscape since the earliest stages of the movement. Similar to the charter movement as a whole, the success of these schools has been varied. Rural charter schools face several challenges not realized by schools in urban settings, largely due to the small size of rural communities. On the other hand, rural communities have several characteristics that make them a ripe setting for charter schools, such as their strong history of community cooperation, support, and inclusiveness. This is an exciting memo from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Fifteen years after the first public charter school opened in St. Paul, Minn., charter schools remain a powerful educational innovation. Charter schooling expands choices for students within the public system and provides more customized teaching and learning opportunities for teachers and students by allowing for greater variation in the kinds of schools that are available. At the same time, charter schools maintain core public education ideals, such as providing universal access for students and public oversight and accountability. This report from Education Sector provides insight into how states can teach other states about charter schooling and laws.
The Center for Education Reform's 2009 Accountability Report summarizes the charter school laws in the 40 states and the District of Columbia that have charter laws. This report gives insight into what a charter school bill in West Virginia needs to look like in order to insure accountability.
