Congratulations CER Honoree Deborah McGriff!
I’m thrilled to congratulate NewSchools Managing Director Deborah McGriff on being honored with an Edreformie at the Center For Education Reform’s 20th Anniversary Conference and Gala.
Where an Education Fund Sees Promise
A nonprofit turns its attention to tools for teachers and direct-to-student content. Click here to read the article on WSJ.com
NewSchools Invests $1.6m In Three Boston-Area Charter Schools: Organization’s Boston Fund Supports Growing CMOs in Mass.
Boston — September 30, 2013 — NewSchools Venture Fund’s Boston Charter School Replication Fund (“Boston Fund”) announces its investment of $1.6 million in three charter management organizations (CMOs): City on a Hill, Match Education and Unlocking Potential. These investments demonstrate the Boston Fund’s continued commitment to expand high-performing charter schools in Massachusetts.
Education Companies Invest Time, Money in Startups
Click here to read the article on EdWeek.org
The Changing Boston Charter Cap Scene
The political dynamic in the city is about to change, however, as long-serving Mayor Thomas Menino moves toward retirement at the end of 2013. Menino opposes charter school growth. Boston is a Mayoral control city, where the Mayor gets to appoint the school committee, which in turn appoints and oversees the schools superintendent. Boston’s superintendent Carol Johnson stepped down this summer, so the new Mayor will be instrumental in appointing a new superintendent at the outset of his or her first term. A strongly pro-charter Mayor could also wield significant influence over the state legislature in lifting the charter cap, at least in Boston.
Charter Restarts: Enforcing Charter School Accountability
In its nine years, Harlem Day Charter School had seen nine principals at the helm. Despite these principals’ efforts, only a quarter of the students scored proficient on the state math exam, and even fewer on the reading. In a honorable and necessary move, Harlem Day’s Board Chair, Ben Lambert, called the state authorizer with a plan to heed his commitment and obligation of providing a quality school choice to Harlem Day’s students. His plan: replace the entire board (himself included) and turn the school over to a high performing charter operator, Democracy Prep. Harlem Day’s authorizer, The State University of New York (SUNY), agreed, and Harlem Day soon became Harlem Prep.
The Role of Charter Restarts in School Reform
This report explores a variation on school closure — charter school “restarts.” Charter school restarts represent a relatively new strategy for intervening in charter schools when performance does not meet expectations — not just as a last-ditch effort to avoid closure, but as a proactive strategy that responsible boards and authorizers can initiate when the conditions are right. In a charter school restart, the school’s operator and governance (board) changes, while the school continues to serve the same students.
Nine Questions for Evaluating Education Innovation
Defining a rubric to set clear expectations for educators and entrepreneurs alike “Alive in the Swamp” sounds like a cheesy survival horror flick. But it’s also an apt description for those entrepreneurs and educators slogging their way through edtech jungle, trying to figure out how to best build, deploy and assess technology for the classroom. […]
New Index Assesses Digital Innovations In Education
LONDON & OAKLAND, California, July 23, 2013 – A new Innovation Index released today puts teaching and learning ahead of ‘technology and excitement’ when it comes to digital innovations for the classroom. The Innovation Index, developed by Michael Fullan and Pearson’s Katelyn Donnelly, is outlined in their new report, “Alive in the Swamp”, which looks at how to evaluate the impact of technology on learning. “Alive in the Swamp” is published by UK-based Nesta and U.S.-based NewSchools Venture Fund.
Alive in the Swamp
A new Innovation Index puts teaching and learning ahead of ‘technology and excitement’ when it comes to digital innovations for the classroom. The Innovation Index, developed by Michael Fullan and Pearson’s Katelyn Donnelly, is outlined in their new report, “Alive in the Swamp”, which looks at how to evaluate the impact of technology on learning. “Alive in the Swamp” is published by UK-based Nesta and U.S.-based NewSchools Venture Fund.