Episodes

  • Charter Schools: What You Need to Know

    Charter Schools: What You Need to Know
    Dec 19 2024
    Our Dear New Leaders Series continues with a conversation featuring our President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Starlee Coleman. In this episode, Starlee shares the pivotal moments that inspired her 25-year advocacy journey and why public education is essential for a thriving democracy. Hear her personal story as a parent, her vision for educational equity, and what’s ahead for charter schools in 2025 and the opportunities under a new administration.

    Featured Guest
    • Starlee Coleman, President and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
    Key Takeaways
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Public education is foundational to a strong economy.
    • Access to a high-quality public education should not depend on a student’s zip code or their family’s financial status.
    • Charter schools help equalize opportunities by providing high-quality, public, and tuition-free education to all students.
    • Policymakers can help increase the impact of the Charter Schools Program for students and families by increasing the flexibility of the program to ensure funding can be fully utilized.
    Quotes
    • Starlee Coleman, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
      • "Every child deserves an environment where they can thrive, not just survive."
      • "The strength of our economy is built on the foundation of a well-educated workforce."
    Chapters

    00:00 - Introduction
    01:53 - The Role of Education in Democracy, Economy, Health, and Equity
    05:20 - How Charter Schools Meet the Needs of Diverse Students
    08:45 - Enhancing Charter Schools with a Supportive Administration
    09:44 - Challenges of Grant Programs and the Need for Flexibility
    10:15 - Outro
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    10 mins
  • Charter Schools: Strengthening Accountability in Public Education

    Charter Schools: Strengthening Accountability in Public Education
    Dec 5 2024
    In our Dear New Leaders Series, we’re educating elected officials, policymakers, and the general public on critical topics in public education. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we discuss accountability in charter schools and the vital role of authorizers. The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is the sole authorizer of all public charter schools in Washington D.C. Hear directly from the DC PCSBs’ Director of Data and Accountability, Kirsten J. Floyd and Chief School Performance Officer, Melodi Sampson, as well as the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Senior Director of Policy, Katie Burke.

    Featured Guest
    • Kirsten J. Floyd, Director of Data and Accountability, DC Public Charter School Board
    • Melodi Sampson, Chief School Performance Officer, DC Public Charter School Board
    • Katie Burke, Senior Director, Policy, National Alliance’s for Public Charter Schools
    Key Takeaways
    • Charter schools are public schools with increased autonomy to innovate and meet students' needs. In exchange, they are held accountable for meeting performance expectations set by their authorizers.
    • Authorizers oversee academic, financial, and operational performance through charter agreements, which outline specific goals and accountability measures.
    • Charter schools are required to make key information, such as budgets, tax forms, and annual reports publicly available. This transparency enables families and the public to understand school performance and operations.
    • Effective legislation should empower local decision-makers to adapt to unique contexts to support tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of students and communities.
    Quotes
    • Kirsten J. Floyd, Director of Data and Accountability, DC Public Charter School Board
      • “In a school's charter agreement, there are specific charter goals and academic achievement expectations that are outlined that tell how they will show their impact on student academic outcomes.”
    • Melodi Sampson, Chief School Performance Officer, DC Public Charter School Board
      • “Charter school authorizers are really critical in terms of holding schools accountable, and we do this by doing public reporting on school performance on an annual basis, even throughout a school year.”
    • Katie Burke, Senior Director of Policy, National Alliance’s for Public Charter Schools
      • "Charter schools are public schools that are independently operated, which means they have the autonomy to meet the needs of their students.”
    Chapters

    00:00 - Introduction
    01:04 - Charter Schools: Autonomy in Public Education
    03:27 - Tools for Oversight: Compliance, Audits, and Financial Accountability
    07:34 - Tailoring Education Policies through Local Decision-Making
    08:17 - Outro
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    9 mins
  • Charter Schools Program: Empowering Schools and Students

    Charter Schools Program: Empowering Schools and Students
    Nov 27 2024
    The Charter Schools Program (CSP) is the only source of federal funding that supports the growth of charter schools to meet the needs of students and families. In our Dear New Leader Series geared toward educating elected officials on important charter school topics, we break down the CSP and discuss its impact on schools and students. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Director of Policy, Fiona Sheridan-McIver and the President & CEO of Helix Community Schools in Louisiana, Preston Castille, share more about this vital program on the Get Schooled on Public Education podcast.


    Featured Guest:
    • Fiona Sheridan-McIver, Director of Policy, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
    • Preston Castille, President & CEO of Helix Community Schools in Louisiana

    Key Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • The Charter Schools Program (CSP) is the nation's only source of dedicated federal funding to support the creation, expansion, and replication of public charter schools.
    • Charter schools face significant hurdles when it comes to securing facilities.
      • A proposed federal bill, The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, would expand facilities support programs for charter schools.
      • A proposed federal bill, The Empowering Charter School Educators to Lead Act would provide more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a charter school.
    • Helix Aviation Academy is a K-12 public charter school located in Louisiana and features a curriculum focused on careers in aviation, space exploration, and cyber technology.
      • Helix Aviation Academy is a 2023 CSP grant recipient and has been able to provide more resources for students with the funds.
    • Policymakers can help increase the impact of the CSP for students and families by increasing funds and the flexibility of the program.

    Quotes:
    • Fiona Sheridan-McIver, Director of Policy, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
      • “The Charter Schools Program exists to help expand opportunities for students…by providing critical funding to address the challenges of opening and operating new charter schools around the country”
    • Preston Castille, President & CEO of Helix Community Schools in Louisiana
      • “We teach the core courses, but we add something extra, we create an opportunity for children to be exposed to and learn about the aviation profession.”
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    10 mins
  • Charter Schools: How Funding Works

    Charter Schools: How Funding Works
    Nov 21 2024
    The Dear New Leaders Series aims to educate elected officials, policymakers, and the general public about important topics in public education. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we discuss how charter schools are funded, and the role federal policies play in shaping this process. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Senior Director of Government Relations, Ron Rice, joined the conversation.


    Featured Guest
    • Ron Rice, Senior Director of Government Relations, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

    Key Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Charter schools are innovative public schools designed to meet the needs of students, families, and communities.
    • The Charter Schools Program (CSP) is the nation's only source of dedicated federal funding to support the creation, expansion, and replication of public charter schools.
    • Charter schools face significant hurdles when it comes to securing facilities.
    • A proposed federal bill, The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, would expand facilities support programs for charter schools.

    Quote:

    “Charter schools are all publicly funded.” - Ron Rice


    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    01:29 - Navigating Unique Funding Opportunities
    02:58 - Relying on Philanthropy for Building and Facilities
    04:47 - The KIPP Success Story and Community Empowerment
    05:26 - Bridging Community Gaps through Charter Education
    06:29 - Supporting education bill for equitable school facilities
    08:44 - Outro
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    9 mins
  • Charter Schools: Students Finding an Educational Home

    Charter Schools: Students Finding an Educational Home
    Nov 14 2024
    The Dear New Leaders Series is designed to educate elected officials, policymakers, and the general public about key issues in public education. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we discuss findings from a new report, Do You Know Where The Children Are? A Five Year Analysis of Public School Enrollment Trends. We explore enrollment shifts, significant growth amongst different student populations, and how the trends align with overall population changes. We also discuss the vital role policymakers play in supporting the growth of high-quality public school options. Hear directly from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools,’ Senior Director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation, Drew Jacobs, who co-authored the report.


    Featured Guests

    Drew L. Jacobs

    Senior Director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewljacobs/


    Episode Takeaways
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Over the past five years, nearly 400,000 new students have enrolled in charter schools.
    • There’s growing parental demand for more public education options that meet the evolving needs of students and families.
    • Charter school enrollment has increased amongst White, Black, and Hispanic student populations.
    • Eighty-four percent of states showing charter school enrollment growth outpaced school-aged (5-17) population growth.
    • Policymakers are instrumental in supporting the growth of high-quality public school options.

    Quotes

    "We see a 400.000 student enrollment gain in charter schools, which is about a 12% gain" - Drew L. Jacobs


    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    01:27 - Charter School Gains Amid District Losses: Unveiling the New Normal
    05:03 - Hispanic Enrollment Surges as White Student District Numbers Decline
    09:03 - Varied Charter School Enrollment Trends Among States
    10:34 - Enhancing Availability of Quality Public Education Choices
    11:32 - Outro
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    12 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Creating Education Environments for Student Success

    Charter School Innovation Series: Creating Education Environments for Student Success
    Aug 22 2024
    In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we focus on strategies charter schools have implemented to create educational environments to improve student outcomes. We talked to Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, the executive director at Legacy Prep in Alabama and Zak Dominello, the executive director from Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Colorado. They discussed their leadership styles, approach to student learning, parent and community engagement, and intentional practices that have helped them thrive in the public education space. Learn more about their challenges, successes, and the specific steps they’ve taken to enhance their school culture and boost student achievement by fostering a positive learning environment.

    Guests
    • Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, Executive Director/Head of Schools at Legacy Prep in Birmingham, Alabama.
    • Zak Dominello, Executive Director/Head of School at Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Denver, Colorado.
    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Intentional leadership and setting examples are instrumental in creating and maintaining a positive school culture.
    • Data-driven instruction and providing targeted support for teachers and students help boost student achievement.
    • Engage and consider the voices of teachers, students, parents, and the community in school decision making.
    Quotes:
    • Dr. Reneta C. Johnson
      • “We are very intentional about providing individual learning for our scholars.”
    • Zak Dominello
      • “When we as a community feel passionate about something, we get together, and we make it happen.”

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Introduction
    01:27 - Charter school innovation and student success explored.
    03:16 - Cultivating Buy-In: Merging Visions in Established Cultures
    03:49 - Overcoming leadership change, focusing on culture.
    06:38 - Improving reading skills through teacher support and training
    08:27 - Tailoring Plans for Academic and Emotional Growth
    10:08 - College camp work, neuroscience graduate, science educator
    11:53 - Continued Support: Pushing Success and Addressing Needs
    16:57 - Charters teach importance of community involvement.
    20:31 - Understanding Cultural Impacts in Education
    22:08 - Embracing Migration as a Celebration of Diversity
    24:28 - The Role of Charter Schools in Education
    25:44 - Outro
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    24 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Supporting Student Mental Health

    Charter School Innovation Series: Supporting Student Mental Health
    Aug 15 2024
    When it comes to students’ ability to learn, mental health plays a pivotal role in their academic success and personal development. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we learn more about two charter schools and how their teams work together to ensure students receive mental health support to better meet their needs. We hear from the outgoing executive director Carol Bowar and the director of mental health and wellness at Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado. And we chat with the cofounder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington. Listen to learn more about their schools’ approach to integrating wellness into their curriculums and the positive impact for teachers, students, and families.GuestsCarol Bowar, Executive Director (Feb. 2016–Aug.2024), Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in ColoradoYolanda Dandridge, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) in Denver, ColoradoAmanda Gardner, Co-founder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington

    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • A holistic approach to student development creates a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.
    • Integrating mental health support, while balancing high academic standards is key to improving student outcomes.
    • Effective mental health integration requires a strong leadership and collaborative approach.

    Episode Timestamps:

    00:00 – Introduction
    01:01 - A Parent's Journey to Advocate for Dyslexic Individuals
    03:43 - Gal's School Embracing Movement-based Learning
    08:38 - The Genesis of Catalyst and Educational Transition
    12:36 - Inclusive Education: Infusing Justice-oriented Themes in the Curriculum
    14:05 - Prioritizing Student Mental Health: Implementing Additional Support Staff
    17:17 - Fostering Wellness: A Focus on Mental Health Support in Educational Settings
    18:15 - Outro

    Quotes:
    • Carol Bowar
      • Executive Director (Feb. 2016–Aug.2024), Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado
        • “They (parents) want a place where their children can figure out who they really are, find their voice, use it for good, and be part of a community that holds them and loves them.”
    • Yolanda Dandridge,
      • Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado
        • “I'm here creating what that looks like to have mental health in conversations in the educational process to be able to support students, adults, and families.”
    • Amanda Gardner
      • Co-founder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington
        • “A lot of the model that we use is really rooted in social emotional learning and a culture of belonging.”
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    18 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Nurturing Future Healthcare Heroes

    Charter School Innovation Series: Nurturing Future Healthcare Heroes
    Aug 8 2024
    This episode of the Get Schooled on Public Education podcast spotlights two schools dedicated to preparing nurses to enter rewarding careers in the medical field. Amidst a national shortage of healthcare workers, including nurses, these schools are nurturing the healthcare heroes of tomorrow. In our public charter school innovation series, we interviewed two school leaders to learn more about their nursing programs. We talked to Dr. Pamela McCue, a registered nurse and the CEO of Nurses Middle College (NursesMC), a network of nursing charter high schools. Their flagship school is the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College. We also talked to Dr. Casey Sacks, President at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, where the Workforce Initiative for Nurses (WIN) Academy is located in West Virginia. Listen to learn more about their journeys in educational leadership, the unique features of their school models, and how students and families continue to be positively impacted.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Equipping nurses to join the workforce is critical in today’s healthcare environment.
    • Partnerships and community support have a huge impact on the success of nursing programs and allow students to gain hands-on experience.
    • When recruiting teachers for nursing programs, it’s best practice to select an educator who has experience in the field and passion for improving healthcare.
    Guests:
    • Dr. Pamela L. McCue, RN, CEO, Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) - Network of Nursing Charter High Schools
      • Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School
    • Dr. Casey Sacks, President, BridgeValley Community and Technical College
      • Workforce Initiative for Nurses (WIN) Academy in West Virginia

    Quotes

    "Charter Schools are public schools. We will enroll any student who wants to come to us." - Dr. Casey Sacks

    Families are choosing our Charter School. because of our culture. we’re delivering education through a lens of health and our culture is holistic. - Dr. Pamela L. McCue, RN

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    01:10 - Advocacy for Diverse Nursing Workforce and Education
    04:55 - Crucial Role of 100% Internship Experience in Student Development
    07:01 - Community Colleges' Impact on Tomorrow's Workforce
    08:44 - Bridging Skills Gap and Connecting Students to Jobs
    9:59 - Transitioning Beyond Traditional Education"
    12:29 - Challenging Perceptions and Embracing Growth
    13:54 - Focus on Student Support and Innovation in Nursing Program

    15:31 - Expansion Plan of Winn Academy and Search for Partnerships16:39 - Outro
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    17 mins