March 6, 2006	Volume 5, Number 7

Grants help Charter Schools share best practices

“Charter school practices keep getting better each year of the program,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster in announcing $1.3 million in dissemination grants to 12 charter schools in nine school districts.

The grants are part of the state’s $52 million, three-year federal funding to create 100 new charter schools in Wisconsin. Four of the grants renew previous dissemination projects; eight are for new projects, some of which include partnerships with existing schools to improve student achievement.

“Several of these grants partner experienced charter schools with other charter and public schools to conduct activities that will improve student academic achievement in all participating schools. This is key to raising academic achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap.

“Charter schools are part of the energy and innovation we see in Wisconsin’s PK-12 public schools to meet the diverse needs of all students,” Burmaster said. “These grants support sharing of best practices that are new models for schools to ensure a quality education for every child,” Burmaster said.

To be eligible for a dissemination grant, the charter school must be, at a minimum, in its fourth year of successful operation, have demonstrated overall success including substantial progress in improving student achievement, document high levels of parental satisfaction, describe management and leadership practices needed to overcome initial start-up problems, and show the school is a thriving, financially viable charter school.

Wisconsin began the school year with 181 charter schools. Last October, the Department of Public Instruction awarded $9.48 million to fund planning for 18 new charter schools and to support the first and second year operations in 62 other schools. Charter schools must be nonsectarian, employ licensed teachers and staff members, administer statewide tests, and comply with federal regulations that govern all public schools. School districts and three chartering authorities—the city of Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and University of Wisconsin-Parkside—oversee the state’s charter schools. A list of schools receiving grants is available in the complete press release.

Last updated on 3/6/2006