January 25, 2024 Hearing in House Ed EW 41 9:00 AM

As members of our vibrant educational community, your voice is pivotal in shaping the future of our children's education. We are at a critical juncture where your advocacy can make a substantial difference. We urge you to support the Accelerating Public Charter Schools Act, a legislation pivotal for the advancement of charter schools in Idaho.

Since 1998, Idaho's charter schools have made significant strides, currently serving 30,000 students with many more eagerly waiting for opportunities. It's time for a substantial upgrade to our charter school laws, to reflect the lessons learned over the past 26 years and to bolster the success of our charter schools.

How Can You Help?

1. Contact Education Committee Legislators: Reach out to the members of the education committee (emails below). Share with them the importance of Accelerating Charter Schools Act,  highlighting how it:

• Is written in a collaborative effort with the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families, the Governor's Office, Charter School Commission, BLUUM, Stride/K12, the Charter School Network, the Association of Charter School Leaders, ISBA, IEA, and the Idaho Board of Education 

• Strengthens and promotes successful charter schools across Idaho.

• Encourages innovative and effective teaching approaches.

• Reduces bureaucratic hurdles, focusing on teaching.

• Expands educational choices for parents.

  2. Attend and Testify at the Thursday Hearing: Your presence and voice at the Capitol during the hearing will demonstrate our collective commitment to educational excellence. (9 AM MT Thursday, 1/25/24, EW 41, State Capitol)

  3. Watch and Testify Online: If you're unable to attend in person, you can still make an impact by watching the hearing online and signing up to testify remotely. (Signup 24 Hours in Advance)

The key highlights of the bill include the introduction of new legislative language to support charter schools, streamlining authorization processes, establishing pilot charters for innovative models, and providing longer renewal terms for high-performing schools.

Your involvement can be a game-changer in this pivotal moment. Let's come together to ensure that our children have access to the best educational opportunities.

For more information, read the bill on our website and a blog by a former State Board of Education President and why she supports the bill. Let us know if you have any questions by sending us an email to hello@idchartercoalition.org.

Save the Date for the 2024 Idaho School Choice Week: Schools of Choice Fair

Attention Parents and Schools! We're thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable event - our Schools of Choice Fair! It's the perfect opportunity for parents like you to explore a diverse range of 40+ unique charter and private schools, all under one roof. Join us on January 20th at Galaxy Event Center and immerse yourself in a world of educational possibilities. Discover the hidden gems of our educational landscape, where innovative teaching methods and tailored programs are the norm.

At the Schools of Choice Fair , schools will have the chance to showcase their exceptional programs, providing you with invaluable insights into their educational philosophies and teaching approaches. It's an excellent occasion to meet dedicated educators and learn about the distinctive opportunities available to your children.

Whether you're searching for a specialized curriculum, a nurturing environment, or unique extracurricular activities, our School Fair has it all!

Bring your questions, gather information, and make informed decisions for your child's future. Spread the word and invite your fellow parents and schools to join us for this enlightening event. Together, let's create a community of engaged and empowered learners. See you at the School Fair! #SchoolFair #EducationMatters #DiscoverThePossibilities

The meeting of the PCSC on Thursday, April 14th, 2023 at 9 AM Mountain will include the consideration of a new charter school petition, a hearing for a charter requesting errors to be fixed on their report, Legislative update, stakeholder survey results, and more.

Watch the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/@IPCSC

Agenda: https://chartercommission.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Agenda-4.13.23-1.pdf

Meeting Materials: https://chartercommission.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/April-13-2023-Meeting-Materials-1.pdf

Heritage Academy Hearing to Request Fix of State Staff Errors in Reports. After multiple back and forth conversations with the staff of the PCSC, the Board of Heritage Academy is told if they would like their reports to reflect corrections of PCSC staff errors in their calculations, they must have a hearing and appeal to the PCSC commissioners. Hearing to take place during the regular quarterly meeting of the PCSC on Thursday, April 14th, 2023. Watch the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/@IPCSC

Agenda: https://chartercommission.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Agenda-4.13.23-1.pdf

Meeting Materials: https://chartercommission.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/April-13-2023-Meeting-Materials-1.pdf