School Choice

Schaffer’s ‘unsafe school choice’ policy gets new life under Trump

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When the Trump administration urged states to use a little-known provision in federal education law to boost school choice, the congressman who helped author the language 24 years ago had an immediate reaction.

“It’s about time,” said former Congressman Bob Schaffer.

In a May 7 letter, Acting Assistant Education Secretary Hayley B. Sanon urged states to ease their criteria for labeling schools as “persistently dangerous”—a designation that legally comes with an obligation to offer families an option to transfer to another public school.

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Ganahl: Smears and fearmongering—The fight for John Adams Academy and school choice in Douglas County

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In Douglas County, Colorado, a battle over education choice is brewing as efforts to open a new classical charter school, the John Adams Academy, face fierce opposition. Spearheading the initiative is Ellie Reynolds, a Sterling Ranch resident and mom, and Kim Gilmartin, a seasoned advocate for school choice, who has helped launch multiple classical charter schools across the state.  

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“Education desert” bill would let charters open without school board approval in underperforming areas

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New charter schools authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute would be allowed to open in communities with low-performing schools — possibly without approval from local school boards — under legislation that Colorado Senate President James Coleman is considering introducing at the Capitol this year.

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Douglas County School District narrowly approves charter school release amid heated debate

Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice / / , ,

In a pivotal 4-3 vote on Tuesday night, the Douglas County School District board approved the release of the John Adams Academy charter school to apply for authorization through the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI).

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COLUMN: As school performance slumps, parents opt out | Jimmy Sengenberger

State, Approved, gazette.com / / ,

In the pandemic’s aftermath, Colorado’s public PreK-12 school system faces deteriorating enrollment. Contrary to the narrative spun by politicians, educrats and teachers union bosses — that the slump is simply due to demographic shifts, unaffordable housing and COVID-19 — it’s far from the full story.

COLUMN: As school performance slumps, parents opt out | Jimmy Sengenberger Read More »