The State of Charter Schools in Colorado

1. The State of Charter Schools in Colorado

2. 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

3. Charter Schools in Colorado 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Characteristics of Colorado Charter Schools 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

7. Characteristics of Colorado Charter Schools 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

8. Characteristics of Colorado Charter Schools 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%)

9. Characteristics of Colorado Charter Schools 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)

10. Teacher Earnings in Charter Schools in Colorado

11. Administrator Earnings in Charter Schools in Colorado

12. Colorado Charter School Performance Sample size in ParenthesesSample size in Parentheses

13. Colorado Charter School Performance Sample size in ParenthesesSample size in Parentheses

14. Colorado Charter School Performance Sample size in ParenthesisSample size in Parenthesis

15. 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

16. Colorado Charter School Performance �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

17. Colorado Charter School Cameos West Denver Preparatory Charter School Rated: 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

18. Colorado Charter School Cameos 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

19. Colorado Charter School Cameos Georgetown Community School Rated: �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 volunteers www.georgetownschool.org

20. Colorado Charter School Cameos Ridgeview Classical Schools Rated: �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

21. Colorado Charter School Cameos 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

22. Colorado Charter School Cameos James Irwin Elementary Rated: �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

23. Colorado Charter School Cameos 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

24. Colorado Charter School Cameos Life Skills Center of Colorado Springs Alternative 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

25. Colorado Charter School Cameos 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.�

26. Colorado Charter School Cameos 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

27. Charter Schools in Colorado �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.