The Color of Success: Black Student Achievement in Public Charter Schools

 
by Gerard Robinson and Edwin Change, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, June 2008

In numerous communities throughout the nation, innovative, charter schools are making notable strides in advancing Black student achievement. This brief profiles seven charter schools having success in working with African American students. Leaders of these successful charter schools describe how providing a safe learning environment, having high expectations of all students, hiring high-quality staff who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, and involving parents and the surrounding community in the life of the school have translated to student success.
 
 
 

Signs of Promise: Hispanic Student Achievement in Charter Schools

 
by Todd Ziebarth, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, November 2006

Latino children are the fastest growing and largest minority group in the United States. Alarmingly, only half of all Latino students graduate from high school. Charter schools have the potential to significantly improve Latino student academic achievement. This publication highlights four charter schools that have successfully worked with Latino students and communities. Several examples of best practices and recommendation are provided for building teacher, leader, and organizational capacity in working with Latino communities.
 
 
 

The Role of Interim Assessments in a Comprehensive Assessment System: A Policy Brief

 
Marianne Perie, Scott Marion, et al. Achieve Inc. 2007
Too often schools end-of-year standardized tests do not provide instructional information about students. Therefore, schools are increasingly implementing interim assessments. Interim assessments enable teachers and administrators to track students' progress as well as course correct throughout the school year. This brief provides
 
 
 

Digital Learning and Technology: Federal Policy Recommendations to Seize the Opportunity-and Promising Practices That Inspire Them

 
Alliance for Excellent Education, July 2011
Digital learning has the potential to create more equity and access within the public education system. Furthermore, technological developments can help teachers and administrators become more effective in the classroom, thus impact student achievement. This practice guide offers real world examples of how schools are using digital learning and technology to improve student learning.
 
 
 

Charter schools: Threat or opportunity?

 
Jonathan Rollins Counseling Today, August 2006
With the growing focus on college readiness, independent charter schools are in a unique position to provide tailored college counseling services to their students. This article explores the experiences of school counselors in two independent charter schools.
 
 
 

Teach UNICEF: Lesson Plans

 
This website offers lesson plan suggestions for independent charter school teachers interested in global education studies. The lesson plans, sorted by grade level, address a number of topics such as water and sanitation, climate change, and gender equality.
 
 
 

Green Schools Initiative: Resources for Educators

 
The Green Schools Initiative strives to improve the "environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools." This link provides independent charter schools with access to an array of resources including, lesson plans, information on other green school programs, and funding sources.
 
 
 

Common Core Publications for Teachers of English

 
The National Council of Teachers of English released four publications to help classroom teachers with lesson planning for the common core standards. Additionally, the publications offer advice and stories from other classroom teachers on how they implemented the standards. Independent charter school English teachers may find the sections dedicated to addressing frequently asked questions about the new state standards helpful. Lastly, the organization also hosts webinars and other events to help prepare teachers for the transition to the common core.
 
 
 

Math Common Core Coalition

 
The Math Common Core Coalition works to help educators understand how implement the common core standards in their states. There are numerous resources available on the website for teachers, administrators, and parents. Independent charter schools may find it beneficial to consult this website and the listed resources.
 
 
 

Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources

 
Independent charter school teachers should familiarize themselves with the expectations, requirements, and motivations behind the common core standards. This report offers teachers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the common core standards. Indie charter school leaders and teachers can benefit from the myriad of resources listed in this guide.
 
 
 

Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers: Content Frameworks

 
PARCC is one of the two state test-design group for the common core standards. This website provides independent charter school leaders and teachers with numerous digital resources for implementing the common core standards. The website is useful for indie charters located in states that will be using the PARCC assessments.
 
 
 

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium: Common Core State Standards Tools & Resources

 
The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium is one of two state test-design groups. Independent charter school educators can access a bevy of resources aimed at helping educators prepare for the transition to the common core. The website is useful for indie charters located in states that will be using the SMARTER Balanced assessments.
 
 
 

Asia Society: Resources for Schools

 
This website provides resources for schools interested in incorporating a global perspective into their curriculum. Independent charter schools can become members of the Partnership for Global Learning. The focus of the Partnership is to increase the number of schools offering rigorous international studies curriculum. Lesson plans sorted by grade levels are available for independent charter school teachers.
 
 
 


Network of Independent Charter Schools, A Project of the Center for Educational Innovation - Public Education Association (CEI-PEA)
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The information, resources, guidance and advice of the Network of Independent Charter Schools do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.