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Charter Schools

Charter schools are tuition-free, tax-funded public schools that have been given more flexibility and autonomy than district-operated schools. In California, most are run by nonprofit boards of directors. As of the fall of 2016, California’s 1,254 charter schools enrolled 602,837 students — for the first time serving 1 in 10 of California’s public school students.
November 8, 2019

Oakland school board closes meeting to public, citing protests

No protesters showed up, prompting some critics to allege the board violated open meeting laws in its attempt to prevent disruptions.

Theresa Harrington
November 4, 2019

Oakland Unified moves forward with school closures despite protests

District officials offer to meet with protesters as Oakland and state teachers' unions echo demands for school closure moratorium until 2022.

Theresa Harrington
October 16, 2019

Four lessons I learned from California’s Hollister prep on closing learning gaps

Improving student learning requires both academic rigor and flexibility in working with students based on their individual needs.

Lauren Schwartze
October 4, 2019

Charter school reform in California: what state leaders had to say

Gov. Newsom, key legislators and charter school advocates and skeptics pledged to build on the collaboration that made compromise possible.

John Fensterwald
October 3, 2019

New era for charter schools: Newsom signs bill after intensive negotiations

For the first time, school districts will be able to consider a proposed charter school’s financial impact.

John Fensterwald
September 10, 2019

California’s charter schools soon to enter an uneasy era

School districts will be able to cite an adverse fiscal impact to deny a charter school application, but not without making a strong case.

John Fensterwald
September 4, 2019

Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree on certification for all charter school teachers

California charter school teachers may soon have to get the same background checks and credentials as teachers in regular public schools.

Diana Lambert
August 29, 2019

Governor, lawmakers agree on new controls on California charter schools

School districts could consider the need for a new charter school and its financial impact; charters will keep their right of appeal.

John Fensterwald
August 20, 2019

Amid tensions statewide, an embattled California charter school's quest ends badly

Promise Academy had a partnership with the Tech Museum; its fight with San Jose Unified mirrors conflicts statewide over charter schools.

John Fensterwald
August 19, 2019

Support grows nationwide for paying teachers more

A poll by the journal Education Next finds most people favor more federal spending on education and free college tuition.

John Fensterwald
August 5, 2019

Donations help teachers’ dreams come true in Oakland, across the country

DonorsChoose.org matches donors, foundations and businesses to teachers throughout the country to provide supplies and other needed resources.

Theresa Harrington
July 25, 2019

Dissent within statewide task force adds tension to California’s charter school debate

There's full agreement on 4 proposals but anger among some task force members over 7 proposals passed by a narrow majority as a package.

John Fensterwald
July 12, 2019

New charter schools to open this fall despite efforts to curb growth

Four charter schools will open after each was initially denied by its local school board, forcing the schools to turn to county boards.

Michael Burke
July 9, 2019

Governor's team jumps into fray over contested charter school bill

Senate hearing indicates that further changes will be needed to reach a deal on a bill charter school leaders fear would cripple growth.

John Fensterwald
July 2, 2019

Charter school movement in a "battle for survival," charter school leader says

National gathering of charter educators and supporters comes at a time of slowing growth and increasing resistance by teachers unions and in state Legislatures.

Louis Freedberg