the state of charter schools in colorado

The State of Charter Schools in Colorado

Charter Schools in Colorado

Overview• Colorado charter schools have increased in number

and type since they were first authorized 16 years ago. Meeting a variety of needs across the state, they differ considerably in their pedagogical methods, student population, curricula, and academic achievement.

• An outgrowth of choice in education, charters enjoy continued and increasing success as outlined in the “State of Charter Schools in Colorado” report.

Full document available at the following link:

• http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/publications.htm


Overview

“Charter schools clearly meet a wide variety of needs for parents and students and I am pleased to see the charter movement thriving.

I encourage school districts and all charter school authorizers to listen closely to the desires of charter school parents and students. Many charter schools are shining examples of both student achievement and parent satisfaction and certainly we are obligated to understand what they have learned and apply the lessons as broadly as possible.”

- Commissioner of Education, Dwight D. Jones

Charter Schools in Colorado 2007-2008

Fast Facts

141 charter schools in operation 56,188 students served 6.9 percent of total public school

enrollment

If all of the charter schools were combined into an imaginary district, the enrollment of that district would be the fourth largest in the state.

Characteristics of Colorado Charter Schools

Size 47% of charter schools enroll less than

300 students. Enrollment ranges from 6 to 3,341

students. Enrollment averages at 398 students. Largest brick and mortar school

enrolls 1,860 students.


Grade Level Configuration

Sixty percent of charter schools configure grade levels non-traditionally, offering continuous service across traditional boundaries

13.5% elementary only 41.1% elementary and middle school 6.4% middle school only 4.3% middle and high school 19.9% high school only 14.2% elementary, middle and high school


Waiting List/Lottery Pools

Sixty-six percent of charter schools have waiting list/lottery pools for enrollment (of 133 survey responses)

Average waiting list size - 462 students

Range of size of waiting lists - 2-7,500

Statewide total of students on waiting lists - 38,374


Ethnic Minorities, Free and Reduced Lunch and Disability Statistics

37% - number of ethnic minority students served

(state average 39%) 25% - number of students eligible for Free and

Reduced Lunch (state average 35%)

7% - number of students with disabilities (state average 10%)


Teacher and Administrator Salaries

$34,657 - average teacher salary ($45,950 average district teacher salary)

$18,318 to $53,115 - teacher salary range

$68,094 - average administrator salary ($79,847 average district administrator salary)

$23,053 – $123,969 administrator salary range

(of 136 schools reporting; including staff)

Teacher Earnings in Charter Schools

in Colorado

Administrator Earnings in Charter Schools in Colorado

Colorado Charter School Performance


School Accountability Reports

SAR rating breakdown for 2007-2008 23% - “Excellent” rating 33% - “High” rating 29% - “Average” rating 13% - “Low” rating 2% - “Unsatisfactory” rating

School Performance results using Colorado Growth Model

23% - “High” growth 63% - “Typical” growth 14% - “Low” growth


“Beating the Odds” Schools

These schools demonstrated superior performance in 2007-2008 on either the overall performance score or the growth score, while serving a significant percentage of students commonly classified as at-risk. Each of these seven schools* serves student populations of greater than 50% low income and often greater than 50% minority. They achieved an overall performance rating of at least excellent or demonstrated high growth.

*GLOBE Charter School, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy, Roosevelt Edison Charter School, West Denver Preparatory Charter School, Alta Vista Charter School, Cesar Chavez Academy, Pueblo Charter School for the Arts and Sciences

Colorado Charter School Cameos

West Denver Preparatory Charter SchoolRated: High Growth by CDE

Mission To prepare middle school students for educational success into

college through high standards, structure and accountability STRIVE – Scholarship, Teamwork, Respect, Intelligence, Virtue, and Effort “All about college all of the time”

Population 300 students 90% Free and Reduced Lunch


Unique Characteristics (West Denver Prep)

Longer schools days (to catch up and excel) Extended class time (for math and literacy) Nightly homework Access to tutor Uniforms Firm code of conduct (emphasizing behavior, attendance &

respect including a family contract) Positive school culture (learning and achieving are celebrated) Regular morning and weekly meetings to address education,

public speaking and self advocacy skills

www.westdenverprep.org/index.asp


Georgetown Community SchoolRated: “High” on SAR

Mission “It’s All About the Kids.”

Population 119 students, kindergarten-6th grade

Unique Characteristics Community rallied to save failing school and convert to

charter Saxon Math, Open Court Literacy and Core Knowledge

Sequence Longer school days - 8:00 to 3:00 with enrichment until 4:00 Mountain charm and an abundance of community volunteerswww.georgetownschool.org


Ridgeview Classical SchoolsRated: “Excellent” by CDE (3rd in state) & 15th in

the country by U.S. News & World Report

Mission To develop the academic potential and personal character

of each student through academically rigorous, content-rich, educational programs.

“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” – Goethe

Population >700 kindergarten - 12th grade


Unique Characteristics (Ridgeview)

Core Knowledge Curriculum (grades k-8) Classical Liberal Arts Curriculum (grades 9-12) Students who enter behind get the support they need to

catch up Emphasis on growth (proficiency rates peak in high school) Emphasis on character (“thoroughness, the willingness to

work, and the perseverance to complete difficult tasks”)

www.ridgeviewclassical.com


James Irwin ElementaryRated: “High” on SAR

Mission To help guide and motivate students in the development

of their character and academic potential through academically rigorous, content-rich educational programs.

Learning is first priority: “Bell to bell, wall to wall, every name, every day, every class.”

Population 407 students – kindergarten – 6th grade


Unique Characteristics (James Irwin)

Direct Instruction Flexible grouping in reading, math and spelling Appropriately challenging and individualized Weekly professional development, observation and coaching

www.jamesirwin.org/elementary/default.asp


Life Skills Center of Colorado SpringsAlternative High School

Mission To empower youth to generate new possibilities for their

lives through personal accountability, empathy and leadership that shape positive social behaviors

Population Students who have or are at risk of dropping out of

traditional public school Educationally challenged, low-income, adjudicated,

pregnant or parenting, homeless or facing other personal difficulties


Unique Characteristics (Life Skills)

“Fit the school to the kids, not the kid to the school.” Students attend class five days a week – one four-hour

session per day. Sessions are held at three different times to fit student

schedule. Instruction is primarily computer-based. Qualified teachers act as facilitators to help guide student

learning. Every student is required to have a job or provide community

service.


Unique Characteristics (Life Skills)

Every student receives an individual academic and career plan, which serves as his/her academic and life skills guide.

A vocational specialist helps students find jobs, develop career readiness skills and secure higher education scholarships.

Upon graduation, the student earns an actual state-recognized high school diploma-NOT A GED-and valuable job experience.

A family advocate assists to locate agencies to provide health care, housing and other services.

Currently investigating ways to support parenting students on-site.

www.lifeskillscenters.com/viewschool.php?school id=15


“The State of Charter Schools in Colorado” report is required by Colorado Revised Statute 22-30.5-113. This report presents data and descriptive information about charter schools from the 2007-2008 school year. A report of this nature will be generated every three years in compliance with this statute.

the state of charter schools in colorado

Documents

state of charter schools

charter school authorizers

fast facts141 charter

schools reporting

coloradocharter schools

jonescharter schools

charter movement thriving

students served6