Recently, Iowa became the 31st state to give a green light to public online schools. Two schools have announced and are enrolling students for the 2012-2013 academic year giving every Iowa parent the option of choosing when selecting the type of public school that best suits their student's learning needs. However, opponents of public school options are working in the state legislature to lock the doors on these new schools before they even open. Iowans for Public School Options is joining the fight to ensure that this small step towards providing parents more choices is not defeated by the defenders of the status quo.
Iowa's charter school law ranks amongst the weakest in country. The Iowa Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options is mobilizing in support of true charter school reform. Lifting the caps on the number of charters schools is a start, however to ensure Iowa families realize the benefits that flow from the sort of public school options and innovation that are available in most every other state, Iowa's charter school law needs to be amended to:
· Eliminate the caps on the number of charter schools and allows for a variety of public charter school models;
· Permit multiple charter school authorizers including school districts, universities and municipalities;
· Require authorizer accountability while ensuring fiscally and legally autonomous schools, with independent public charter school boards exempt from excessive regulation;
· Adequately fund public charter schools at the same level as district public schools;
· Create a transparent process for charter applications, charter renewal, non-renewal and revocation decisions;
· Establish clear student recruitment criteria and procedures.
The time is now to rewrite Iowa's charter school law to ensure this important public school option is available to Iowa families. Join the Iowa Chapter of the NCPSO today!
Watch this video to learn about Gov. Branstad's education transformation initiatives:
Resources
National Alliance for Public Charter schools
News
Iowa View: 'Virtual Schools' have a place in Iowa
State needs to keep an eye on online schools
Some Parents Happy for Online School Option
Online academies are legal, Iowa attorney general says
Iowa Legislators Whittle Down Governor's Reform Plan
Virtual schools need to be part of Iowa's options
KCRG - Cedar Rapids reports on Iowa Virtual Academy:
K-12 online schools gear up in Iowa
Virtual Academy to Launch in Iowa
Clayton Ridge to Roll Out Virtual Schools
Online Learning a Key Part of Education Reform, Backers Say
NCPSO Blog: Legislators Looking to Expand School Choice in Iowa
RELEASE: NCPSO Supports Governor Branstad's Education Reform Agenda
Leaders Hope 7th Time's a Charm for Education Reform Plan
Expanded Online Edutcation Plan Urged for Iowa Students
State Education Board Establishes Reform Priorities
New Education Report Highlights Weaknesses in Iowa Schools
Des Moines Opens its First Charter School
Is Lack of Charter Schools a Problem?
State Law, Attitudes, Slow Charter School Movement in Iowa
Join the Iowa Chapter of NCPSO
Join the Iowa Chapter of NCPSO here.
Contact
Brian Kennedy, NCPSO Iowa Chapter Chairman
866-558-2874
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