CER Press Release
Washington, DC
March 12, 2014
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Center for Education Reform (CER) announced the election of Jonathan Hage, founder, chairman, president and CEO of Charter Schools USA, Inc. to its Board of Directors. From his service in the U.S. Army to his creation of Charter Schools USA, Hage’s personal life and professional career have been dedicated to service, leadership and creating systemic change.
“It’s an honor to join The Center for Education Reform’s Board of Directors, who for over two decades have tirelessly fought for the positive reforms we have seen take hold all across the country,” said Hage. “I look forward to advancing CER’s mission in giving parents the fundamental power to access better educational opportunities for their children and most importantly working with leaders across the country to put students first.”
In 1997, Hage founded Charter Schools USA, which has since become one of the premier charter management entities in the country, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to student achievement and parental involvement. Prior to Charter Schools USA, Hage worked to improve education as director of research at the Foundation for Florida’s Future.
Hage was named “Floridian of the Year” by Florida Trend Magazine in 2012, and recently founded The Giving Tree Foundation, dedicated to providing learning tools to low-income students and their families.
“The contributions of Jonathan Hage to bring positive change to our nation’s schools cannot be overstated, and we are thrilled he is joining our already distinguished and diverse board of directors,” said Kara Kerwin, president of The Center for Education Reform. “Jon’s leadership and experience in facilitating quality schools across the country will be an integral asset to the strategic priorities of the organization.”
For more information on The Center for Education Reform’s leadership and Board of Directors visit https://staging.edreform.com/about/people/board-of-directors/.
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About CER
Founded in 1993, to bridge the gap between policy and practice, The Center for Education Reform is the pioneer and leading voice for substantive change that transforms learning opportunities and outcomes for America’s children. Additional information about CER and its activities can be found at www.staging.edreform.com.
About CSUSA:
Charter Schools USA is the first education management company in the nation to receive district accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is one of the nation’s leading charter school management companies. In the fall of 2014, the company will manage 58 schools in seven states serving more than 50,000 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. CSUSA educational advantages include integrated technology, parental involvement contracts, student uniforms, enforced discipline policies, highly qualified and motivated staff, community focus and high academic performance.
The Renaissance Kids: First Fridays Washington Latin School Visit
A Renaissance man is defined as someone who has expertise in a number of different subject areas and uses that knowledge in order to problem-solve. The faculty and teachers at the Washington Latin School are molding the next generation of Renaissance men; but since this is the 21st century and more than just men can master many different areas of academia, I shall call these students “The Renaissance Kids”.
Washington Latin School, located at 5200 2nd St., NW, offers a classical education curriculum to an extremely diverse population of students. From 5th to 8th grade, all students study Latin. By 9th grade, the students begin to take another language, French, Arabic or Chinese. The students learn through drill and memorization and are taught to be fluid writers. They have Socratic seminars, which involve the study of public speaking and debate. They study dance and drama and are required to play sports.
It was amazing seeing the Renaissance kids in action. We visited a 6th grade history class, where they were learning how to pass a bill in the American political system. They already knew that it started in the House, moved the Senate, went to the desk of the President and even the role the Supreme Court played. They were asking questions about Executive Order; something I did not fully understand until my freshman year of college. They were extremely engaged and the teacher used Lego animated figures in his PowerPoint. In a 9th grade Chinese 1 class, the teacher only spoke Chinese and they recited their vocabulary words with precision, while at the same time having fun with a game of Simon Says.
As I saw the Renaissance Kids in the hallway, they were happy, greeting their teachers with respect yet with a sense of familiarity. The teachers care and that is truly the driving force behind this amazingly rigorous curriculum. Next to the students and teachers in the hallways are huge murals with quotes from some of the world’s great thinkers. My personal favorite was by J.W. Von Goethe.
“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”
It does not matter what ward these students are from, what race or what socio-economic background; The Renaissance kids know what they can be and the teachers treat them thus. Washington Latin School is a prime example of a successful and unique public charter school and I hope they continue to see success.
Sahara Lake, CER Intern