Florida: A failing charter school cuts its principal a $500,000 check as it was closing its doors (Orlando Sentinel). Charter school supporters are also angered (redefinED).
Louisiana: State Superintendent John White is accused of lying to lawmakers about the state’s new voucher program (theadvertiser.com). White is also summoned to court in a lawsuit filed by a school district that says the voucher program will interfere with its ability to comply with court-ordered desegregation orders (Associated Press). Debate ensues over whether proposed rules are stringent enough for schools wanting to participate in the program (Shreveport Times).
California: A record-setting 109 new charter schools opened in the state this year, lifting the total number of charter schools to 1,065 and enrollment to 484,000 (Associated Press).
Washington D.C.: Enrollment is up 1 percent in the district’s traditional schools, and 11 percent in its charters (Associated Press).
Washington: A former charter school opponent is now a leading supporter of the state’s charter ballot initiative (Seattle Times). School choice is a leading issue in a debate between state senate candidates (Tacoma News Tribune).
Wisconsin: Academy proficiency rates fall for both voucher students in Milwaukee private schools and students in traditional public schools under a tougher yardstick (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Virtual charter schools are chipping away at enrollment in the Milwaukee area’s traditional public schools (Marquette Tribune).
Maine: The state is taking a cautious approach to approving new charter schools, says the head of the state’s new charter school commission (Bangor Daily News).
Georgia: The state PTA says it supports charter schools, but won’t back the proposed charter school amendment because it is “about money and power and it will adversely affect public education” (Macon Telegraph). A handful of out-of-state donors is funding most of the pro-amendment effort (Florida Times Union).
Texas: School vouchers will be a dominant issue in the next legislative session, says the chair of the Senate education committee (mywesttexas.com).
(Image from tofugu.com)
