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HAPPY NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK! Join us in celebrating the most impactful innovation in public education delivery since the country centralized schooling. Why should you? Read on and find out.

SQUARE 1 - The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has provided a road map  to get you started on your journey to learn and expand great opportunities for kids. It won’t talk to you like Google Maps - but it will get you where you - and your kids - want to go.

SQUARE 2 - CER’s annual landing page is chock full of context, history and stories about what makes charter schools work and why millions of parents happily, when they have the option, choose charters.

VOX POPULI.  A new poll of Democrat voters shows the unsurprising result that parents on the front lines of fighting for quality education choices for their kids strongly support charters.  58% of Black Democrats and 52% of Hispanic Democrats view charters favorably, vs. 31% and 30% viewing them unfavorably. Those most impacted by failing schools know the truth and speak it loud and clear. Hope that computes for our policymakers everywhere!

HALF A LOAF. The good news from the Volunteer State is that the Tennessee Legislature passed and Governor Bill Lee signed both a new choice and charter law. While modest, the legislation clears the path for more charters in the state.  We would have much preferred including university in the mix, but CER gladly takes this half-loaf and promises to work with Governor Lee – whose strong support of charters last year played a major part in his victory- to fully authorize charters and choice at all levels.

CER, TEACHERS, PARENTS & UNIONS AGREE.  A San Francisco teacher on leave fighting breast cancer might have to pay $203.16  per day to cover the cost of her replacement. That’s current California law, a statute that Mr. Bumble  in Oliver Twist must have had in mind when he said “The law is an ass.” All sides in the charter - choice debate agree with Mr. Bumble.

WHERE AMERICA’S DAY BEGINS. A new day for charters, parents and students is also beginning in Guam. A proposal for 7 new charter schools in the territory would bring the total to 10. With a total population of 162,000, if passed as expected the new legislation would put Guam near the top of charter schools per-capita.

WHAT A GOOD IDEA.  We previously reported on the success of the IDEA charter school in Austin, Texas sending 100% of its graduates to college. Just down the road in the heart of the Rio Grande valley,  McAllen Texas IDEA schools have another big idea - democratizing higher education – to make it routine for the area’s low-income Hispanic families to send their kids to college. Once again – freedom for educational innovation pays dividends for some of our most disadvantaged students.

THE MORE THE MERRIER.  Charters in Beantown – that would be Boston for you non-East Coasters – have doubled the number of students they serve but continue to raise test scores and college entrance rates. The unofficial motto, and teaching method, of Boston charters is “no excuses”. With results like these none are needed.

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME, applies to charter schools as well as fictional baseball parks. Flint, Michigan’s Cultural Center Academy which will focus on arts and sciences and will be located adjacent to the Flint Institute of Arts, Sloan Museum and Flint Institute of Music, has received more than twice as many applications as they have openings.

Do you like baseball? Education shouldn’t be a spectator sport. Get your news hits daily at The Media Bullpen, powered by CER.

Speaking of power, it’s time to join the most powerful education network in the world! Think Linkedin meets Uber meets Airbnb - for education!  Check out CER’s latest new partnership - and connect with the millions who are working to accelerate innovation and make exponential impact in education.

Please reach out, we welcome your questions and suggestions on news that should be covered.