Thread by @RachelAnneLevy

I support the new regulations of the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). They were WAY past due.
#IsupportCSPreform

Thread 🧵

First, here a good article about what the CSP is, how it works, and why more robust regulations are needed.

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washingtonpost.com/education/2022…

And here's a really good--clear and concise--summary and analysis of the CSP, proposed regulations, and why they're needed from @palan57.

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curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2022/03/feds-p…

$4 billion so far has been spent via the CSP.

@Network4pubEd found that roughly 1 out of 4 of those dollars, so about $1 billion, was spent on fraud and waste, for example on schools that shut down within 1 year or never opened in the first place.

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Priority 1 of the new CSP regulations says that to qualify, the charter schools must have "meaningful and ongoing engagement" with current and former educators and community members in decisions about getting established, governance, curriculum, instruction, and operations.

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Priority 2 of the new CSP regulations says that grantees must collaborate with (versus compete with) a traditional public school or school district in some way that benefits students at both schools.

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Another change is that to qualify for grants, charter schools must be run by nonprofit entities *and* can no longer outsource entire operations or control to for-profit companies, just a few discrete tasks can be outsourced to them.

No more sweeps contracts & shell games!

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Applicants must also submit a community impact analysis demonstrating there's "sufficient demand” and a proven need in the community for the new charter school.

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Finally, the applicants would have to demonstrate that they are not creating segregation academies, and that they are creating staff and student bodies that are racially/socioeconomically diverse and in line with the community's demographics.

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These are good ideas! Unfortunately charter school scams are rampant.

See: networkforpubliceducation.org/charter-scanda…

But they don't have to be.

Sensible regulations & good governance can stop the scams. Charter & public schools can collaborate to benefit students, families, communities.

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Thank you @SecCardona & @POTUS for proposing sensible CSP reforms, such as submitting enrollment data, collaborating with the community & public schools, avoiding segregation, and gauging community impact.

Thank you. #IsupportCSPreform @usedgov

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Now that you've read my thread, please offer your own comments in support of CSP reforms.

On this website, you should be able to find the full proposal and you can add your own feedback.

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federalregister.gov/documents/2022…

Here's a good review and clarification of what the new CSP regulations actually say and don't say.

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washingtonpost.com/education/2022…