School Choice Home

Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice

Charter School News Feed

The Charter School News Feed is a quick reference page to information from other offices in the Department of Education that may be of interest to charter schools or stakeholders, education related research and resources, and messages distributed to the charter school list-serve.

Items are posted by date of publication. Please check back for frequent updates.

May 14, 2012

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Today's Students and Tomorrow's Workforce

Through a collaborative, state-led process managed by Achieve (Inc.), new K-12 science standards are being developed that will be rich in content and practice, arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students with an internationally benchmarked science education. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will be based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council (NRC) and the National Academy of Science. The first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards is available from May 11 to June 1 at:

http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards

The NGSS have been written as student performance expectations grouped by topics, and can be viewed in the topical groupings or individually. The draft performance expectations are composed of the three dimensions from the NRC Framework. These draft performance expectations describe how students will demonstrate their understanding of the science standards. Click on the links to learn more about the Next Generation Science Standards, and to explore and provide comments on the science standards.

Funding Opportunities

The following grants and funding opportunities are currently accepting applicants. These grants are not offered through America's Promise Alliance, but they each relate to our Five Promises. If you have questions about these opportunities, please follow the links provided in each item.

• ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award
• Best Buy: Community Grants Program
• NEA Urban Grants
• Microsoft: DigiGirlz High Tech Camp

May 14, 2012

NSTA offers free webinars and materials to promote public understanding the Next Generation Science Standards

The first draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was released on May 11, 2012 and will be online for public comment until June 1. In a process managed by Achieve Inc. , 26 states led the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. The NGSS is based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education, issued by the National Research Council last summer, which defines the major practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas that all students should be familiar with by the time they finish high school. A Framework for K-12 Science Education offers a new vision for K-12 education in science and engineering, and represents a significant shift in how these subjects are viewed and taught.

It is expected that the Next Generation Science Standards will have a profound influence on curriculum, assessment, and teacher professional development in the years ahead. Teachers, science educators, supervisors, administrators, and anyone interested in shaping the future of science education are strongly encouraged to read and thoroughly review the draft standards and provide comment back to Achieve on their dedicated website. Accordingly, The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is offering the following free webinars and materials to promote greater public understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Sign up now for two FREE webinars scheduled the week of May 14 to discuss the NGSS draft.

Introduction to the NGSS Public Draft

Tuesday, May 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Stephen Pruitt, Vice President for Content, Research and Development at Achieve, will provide an introduction to the NGSS draft and answer your questions.

For more information on this free seminar, GO TO:

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSTA/webseminar10.aspx

How to Lead a Study Group on NGSS Draft

Wednesday, May 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Three top NSTA officials-Harold Pratt, Gerry Wheeler, and Ted Willard-will lead an in-depth webinar to help you develop and/or lead a group to review the draft NGSS.

For more information on this free seminar, GO TO:

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/nsta/webseminar11.aspx

Also check out the NSTA's 14-page, FREE, and easy-to-read booklet on organizing study groups to have focused discussions about the NGSS draft. The booklet includes sample questions, a facilitator guide, and more. This booklet is available for free download at:

http://www.nsta.org/about/standardsupdate/resources/HowToConductAStudyGroupOnNGSS.pdf

May 7, 2012

National Charter Schools Week May 6-12

20 Years of Innovation: Proving the Possibilities
Charter School Week Activities

2012 Charter Schools Week Events (PDF, 105KB)

Florida Charter Schools Week (PDF, 244KB)

May 4, 2012

The United States Department of Education (USDOE) has announced the following grant opportunity entitled:

Model Demonstration Projects on Reentry of Students with Disabilities from Juvenile Justice Facilities into Education, Employment, and Community Programs (CFDA Number 84.326M) Grant. Details can be accessed by going to:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=168954

May 3, 2012

Educational Articles

Virtual Field Trips: Big Adventures on Small Budgets
Take your students to Costa Rica, Yellowstone, or even the North Pole. These online adventures emphasize student participation and standards-based curriculum.

Spring Cleaning Your Classroom
From the archives: This post from Heather Wolpert-Gawron, one of Edutopia's most popular bloggers, shares the importance of a simple makeover and how it can renew spirits and motivation of both teacher and students.

Five-Minute Film Festival: School Gardens
VideoAmy, our favorite YouTube video curator, pulled together a great playlist that illustrates how gardens are a natural way to teach kids hands-on science.

Blended Learning Sports Variety of Approaches
Educators are identifying promising models for mixing online learning and face-to-face instruction that emphasize a more personalized approach to education. March 12, 2012 - Education Week

Spotlight Turns Toward Virtual Ed. Accountability
As e-learning moves further into the K-12 mainstream, it is attracting greater scrutiny from educators, policymakers, researchers, and the news media. March 12, 2012 - Education Week

School Districts Team Up on Virtual Ed. Initiatives
Multidistrict collaborations help schools save money and share best practices about online teaching and learning. March 12, 2012 - Education Week

Lectures Are Homework in Schools Following Khan Academy Lead
The "flip model" of schooling calls for students to watch lectures online for homework and use class time for discussions, problem-solving, and labs. September 27, 2011 - Education Week

Virtual Ed. Advocates Respond to Wave of Criticism
As e-learning moves into the K-12 mainstream, it is attracting a growing number of critics, who say it suffers from a lack of accountability and insufficient evidence of effectiveness. November 23, 2011 | Updated: March 24, 2012 - Education Week

Virtual Education Targets Rise of Autism
E-learning programs evolve to meet the needs of a fast-growing population of children with autism, but experts caution that online learning can have drawbacks for these students. August 22, 2011 - Education Week

E-Learning Opens Doors for Gifted Students
Individualized attention and expanded course selection are among the advantages for these students as schools work to offer programs under tighter budgets. August 22, 2011 - Education Week

At-Risk Students Face E-Learning Challenges
Online education can offer at-risk students a fresh start and welcome flexibility, but they also need support to help them take responsibility for their own learning. August 22, 2011 - Education Week

The School-Internet 'Relationship' and Online Learning
Defining your school's Internet "relationship" is crucial to preparing for online and blended learning, Lawrence M. Paska asserts. May 10, 2011 - Education Week

May 2, 2012

TED

TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, already maintains a vast library of free video talks from its annual conference aimed at adults, and it knows the magnifying effect of the Internet video. The site maintains about 1,100 videos at www.ted.com, which have been viewed more than 700 million times since the site was launched in 2006.

TED, a nonprofit organization that produces a popular annual conference on ideas, is launching TED-Ed, an online collection of lessons it hopes will bring the best educators to any classroom with an Internet connection. TED-Ed is the latest wave in a growing trend of free online education. With offerings from the Khan Academy, founded in 2004 when Salman Khan began posting math tutorials on YouTube, and undergraduate courses from prestigious universities such as Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, free classes and lectures are proliferating on the Web.

TED-Ed uses sophisticated animation, professional editing and high-quality production values to produce online lessons that are hard to forget. And the lessons don't meander - each is no longer than 10 minutes. The project does not provide a sequential curriculum but rather aims to provoke students and their teachers toward further exploration, the creators said. "We want to show that learning can be thrilling," said TED curator Chris Anderson.

To access TED-Ed, GO TO: http://ed.ted.com/

May 2, 2012

NCTM CORE MATH TOOLS

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is pleased to announce the release of Core Math Tools as a downloadable suite (Java is initially required for download) of interactive software tools for algebra and functions, geometry and trigonometry, and statistics and probability. The tools are appropriate for use with any high school mathematics curriculum and compatible with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in terms of content and mathematical practices. For full access, please visit:

http://www.nctm.org/coremathtools/

Core Math Tools can be saved on a computer or USB drive, making it possible to use without Internet access. Files can be saved and reloaded by students and teachers. Its portability allows easy access for students, teachers and parents outside the classroom. Core Math Tools will automatically check for updates when launched and Internet access is available.

In addition, the NCTM has an extensive, free database of teacher-validated lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school teachers of mathematics located at:

http://www.nctm.org/resources/default.aspx?id=230

May 1, 2012

$3 Million Slated for New Charter School Development, Dissemination Grant Competitions Through Federal Charter Schools Program

The U.S. Department of Education has announced two Charter Schools Program grant competitions to support new charter school development and dissemination of programs, with total funding of up to $3 million, according to an April 2012 announcement by the department.

Non-SEA Planning, Program Design, and Implementation grants support the planning, design, and initial implementation of charter schools, and Non-SEA Dissemination grants can be used by charter schools to help other schools adapt the charter school's program or aspects of the program, or to disseminate information about the school.

Fifteen to 19 grants are expected, with $175,000 per year for a maximum of three years as the average award, according to the announcement. Applications are due June 6, 2012.

For questions, please contact LaShawndra Thornton at lashawndra.thornton@ed.gov or at 202-453-5617.

May 1, 2012

Federal Charter Schools Program Seeks Comments on Plan for Charter-District Collaboration Awards

A plan for an awards competition to encourage collaboration between charter schools and traditional district schools has been announced by the U.S. Department of Education.

The department's Charter Schools Program is seeking comments about the Exemplary Charter School Collaboration Awards competition plan published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2012. The deadline to submit comments is May 25, 2012.

The competition would "encourage charter schools and non-chartered public schools or non-chartered LEAs [local education agencies] to share resources and responsibilities, build trust and teamwork, boost academic excellence in charter schools and non-chartered public schools alike, and provide students and their parents with a range of effective educational options," according to the Federal Register notice. The estimated amount of funding available for the competition and the expected number of awards will be announced in a notice inviting applications.

For more information, contact Erin Pfeltz, 202-205-3525, erin.pfeltz@ed.gov, or Nancy Paulu, 202-205-5392, nancy.paulu@ed.gov.

May 1, 2012

The Role of Informal Science in the State Education Agenda, April 2012

A new report from the National Governors Association looks at informal science activities and provides concrete ideas of how states can use informal science as part of their STEM education efforts.

The Role of Informal Science in the State Education Agenda asserts that informal science education-which largely takes place outside the classroom at museums, science centers, and other institutions-can be an effective tool in a broader STEM agenda to help states achieve their goals.

Evaluations over the last decade of organized informal science programs consistently have shown that such programs (1) raise student interest, confidence, and classroom achievement in math and science and (2) generate student interest in pursuing STEM studies and careers. Evidence also suggests that teacher professional development at informal science institutions can improve teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

The different facets of informal science (and examples of exemplary programs) cited in the report include:

Sustained student learning beyond the classroom. These programs usually work with K-12 students in afterschool, weekend, and summer programs and serve students over multiple years. These activities may be organized by the school, but rely on partnerships with outside institutions such as science museums, zoos, local universities, and community centers. Professional and academic scientists typically are involved. The activities include lesson plans, science projects, worksite visits, and mentoring. (Programs cited include Techbridge in Oakland California and the Youth Exploring Science (YES) in St. Louis, MO)

Limited-duration programs that complement classroom learning. These programs also involve collaboration with a partnering institution outside the classroom and last a semester or year at most. They tend to focus on helping students gain comfort in math and science concepts and understand connections to real-word problems. Though they are of shorter duration than sustained learning activities, they are equally structured and goal oriented. They include activities at museums, planetariums, and other science centers. (Programs cited include After School Math PLUS and FIRST Robotics).

Teacher professional development programs. These programs are directed at giving teachers sustained professional development and support in science instruction and enhancing science knowledge. (Programs cited include programs offered by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA and Urban Advantage in New York City.)

Bringing resources to the classroom and student. Materials can be used in the classroom or by students outside the classroom on their own. These materials include science kits, lesson plans for experiments, computer games, and simulations. Institutions that offer classroom demonstrations and visits by outside experts-including those conducted over the internet-fall into this category. (Programs cited include Science on Wheels, Pacific Science Center, Seattle WA and Immersion Learning.)

Unfortunately, says the NGA, states do not consistently make informal science a partner in the state STEM agenda. Governors pursing a state STEM strategy should consider the following actions:

• Explicitly include informal science education as a key part of an action agenda to improve STEM literacy and proficiency among the state's youth.
• Continue to support quality informal science programs in the state such as those offered by museums and science centers.
• Encourage districts to support more project-based STEM learning in afterschool environments.
• Encourage the governor's STEM council or state education agency to oversee the creation of an on-line catalogue of informal science activities offered throughout the state and a compendium of program evaluations.

The informal science report is a companion document to an early NGA Center report Building a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Agenda: an Update of State Actions (PDF).

April 20, 2012

Freebies for teachers from the National Institute of Health

Teachers now have an innovative way to help students approach challenging biology questions. Two new curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) inform students about human health while building communication, critical-thinking, and teamwork skills. The supplements were developed by leading scientists, educators, and curriculum experts. Each contains five lessons that are interactive, easily incorporated into the curriculum, and aligned to both common core state standards and national and state education standards.

Evolution and Medicine, (located at http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/HSEvolution.htm) for grades 9-12, presents current examples to help students understand the role evolution plays in human health, biomedical problems, and disease treatment. An accompanying web seminar discusses some of the examples and how they might be used in the classroom. The NIH high school curriculum supplements website is located at http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/highschool.htm.

Rare Diseases and Scientific Inquiry, (located at http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/MSDiseases.htm) for grades 6-8, explores how scientists use inquiry to research rare diseases and treatments and to further understand the workings of the human body. The accompanying web seminar leads teachers through portions of the module, providing insight into what students will experience. The NIH middle school curriculum supplements website is located at http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/middleschool.htm.

The NIH elementary school curriculum supplements website is located at http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/elementaryschool.htm.

April 10, 2012

Two Exciting Teacher Institutes

Dear Educators,
Join the Center for Academic & Professional Development this summer at the Florida State University (FSU) Conference Center in Tallahassee for two exciting Teacher Institutes! Each week-long session provides you with an in-depth learning experience and the opportunity to receive 45 in-service credit hours. Register now for The Holocaust Institute for Educators and The Florida History Institute: The Seminole People of Florida.

For questions & comments regarding education issues:
Accessibility | Copyright Florida Department of Education ©2005 | Privacy Statement | Public Records
Free Downloads: Acrobat Reader | Excel Viewer 2003 | Word Viewer 97/2000 | PowerPoint Viewer 2003
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.