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Newswire: October 25, 2016 — Take Action for Education Before You Vote this Election — Strong Charter Laws Mean Strong Schools — Global Education Innovation Festival in New York

CHILDREN DESERVE A GREAT EDUCATION… Make sure they get it. Take action before heading to the polls this November 8th and make sure your friends and neighbors understand what is at stake in this election. CER’s Voter Education guide will be available this week and other initiatives require your attention. For example, if you live in Massachusetts or know anyone who does, you will want to give them this link to activate their involvement in ensuring that the more than 30,000 students get off charter school waiting lists and into schools they need.

IT’S BIPARTISAN. Hats off to leaders who are putting aside politics in order to do right by kids, like Speaker DeLeo in MA & Ed Sec John King, who says charter caps like the one in MA are “arbitrary” and a “mistake.”

SPEAKING OF OPPORTUNITY… “District’s shouldn’t be forced to oversee charter schools,” CER’s Jeanne Allen tells the Los Angeles Times. California’s experience shows the critical importance of multiple authorizers and strong charter laws that do not depend on traditional education agencies. The key to more opportunity is ensuring that we enable more institutions to approve and oversee charter schools.

STRONG LAWS. Charter schools have become the single most effective public school reform, however the majority of charter school laws in the US are inadequate to address the needs of students and parental demands. Strong laws mean strong schools. The Next Generation Charter Schools Act –- a collaboration between The Center for Education Reform, informed state legislators and leaders working in education – provides a blueprint for paving the way for greater opportunities for kids. The Center has been grading and analyzing charter school laws since 1996, and our 17th edition is in the works right now!

GLOBAL ED FESTIVAL. The must-attend event in December for the edtech community is New York EdTech Week! This global education innovation festival offers connections, capital, culture, and more – focusing on how edtech can drive and advance learning. It’s produced by StartED (of which CER’s Jeanne Allen is a managing director), and provides access to the industry’s largest and most influential network of leaders in education and technology. The Center is a partner and sponsor and we’re looking for more!

SUSPENSE BUILDING. Who will win the Back Off My Charter School Video Contest? Only the Shadow knows.