Families That Can

Governor Brown's Budget is a Historic Milestone for All Public School Students

2013-06-17T21:41:23Z

On June 15, the California legislature passed the state budget for the coming year, which will become official when Governor Jerry Brown signs it later this month. The budget puts in place the biggest improvements to California's school funding system in decades.

"We commend the Governor and California's Legislature for having created a fairer and more rational way of funding all public schools in the state and for having directed greater funding to schools serving high need students while providing greater flexibility to school districts to address the needs of students," said President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Jed Wallace.

The Problem With the Current System

California's current school funding system is very complicated. Some schools and districts receive less money than others for reasons that are outdated, irrational, and unfair. For instance, charter schools currently receive less money than traditional district schools - 7% across the board, and up to $1,000 per pupil in some cases.

Overall, California's public schools don't receive as much funding per student as schools in other states. This has only gotten worse with major budget cuts to schools over the past several years.

The New System

The new funding system, called the Local Control Funding Formula, will provide more money to schools overall and more funds to schools serving high-need students. Currently, districts receive a lot of categorical funds that can only be used for specific programs. The new formula eliminates many categoricals, giving more districts more funding flexibility. The new formula will be phased in over eight years.

The state will start by giving all schools a base level of funding per student that is higher than the current state average. Then it will provide even more funding to schools serving students with the greatest needs - those who are poor and those who are learning English. The school will receive 20 percent more than the base funding for each pupil in either of those categories.

Less Funding Inequity

The new system should reduce the funding inequity between charter schools and district schools. While there are some shortcomings, as this is phased in, the funding gap should start to close.

The base funding for all public schools will grow substantially and will be the same for charter schools as district schools.

Issues to Watch

One of the proposals that legislators debated the most was concentration grants. School districts that serve more than 55 percent of students who are poor and/or learning English will receive an additional concentration grant of 50 percent above the base funding for each high need student above the threshold.

However, charter schools are capped at the percent of high-need students in the district in which the charter is located. That means that high-needs students lose out if their charter school has a greater percentage of at risk students than the local district.

It is projected that more than 20,000 charter school pupils in high need schools won't receive a concentration grant. This equates to more than $72 million in lost funding to charter schools once the plan is fully implemented, a number that could be as large as $200 million if charter schools continue growing as they have over the past decade.

We hope that legislators will fix this inequity.

Other Budget Updates: Better Access to Facilities & Reducing Deferrals

As part of the budget, the Legislature also made several changes that should help charter schools better access facilities and funding for facilities. They include:

Improving the administration of the Revolving Loan and Charter School Facility Grant programs
Extending charter schools' access to district surplus property for three years through 2015

Besides budget cuts, over the past several years, the state has also been deferring payments to schools. Imagine if you had to work every month, but your boss didn't pay you until three months later. School districts can borrow money at low rates, but charter schools cannot so deferrals have hit charters very hard. The new budget significantly reduces these deferred payments to schools.

What's Next

The new formula will be phased in over eight years and will affect every school differently. Talk your school leader to find out how your school will be affected. We will always keep you up to date on the latest!

Download our bilingual fact sheet to share with other parents.

Meet Tony Cuevas

2013-06-13T17:03:51Z

Tony Cuevas is a Director of Parent and Community Engagement for Families That Can based out of Oakland. He works with charter school parents from across the Bay Area.

I was inspired to go into the field of education after working with incarcerated felons. I was leading a program that built literacy and critical thinking skills through theater workshops at the county prison in California.

I noticed the men I was working with were mainly African-American and Latino and they couldn't read. It was an epiphany for me. These men were the kids who fell through the cracks.

That made me want to become an educator - to help people before they ended up in prison. I got a teaching credential and was hired as a founding teacher at the first KIPP school in California - KIPP Bridge in Oakland.

I didn't know much about the world of education, but I quickly came to appreciate the autonomy we had as a charter school. We could do things that were necessary for the community - home visits with every single student and family and an extended day program in the morning and the evening that provided more learning time and gave kids a safe place off the street. We had a clear vision and mission and lots of community events and parent involvement.

After five years, three as Dean of Students, I wanted another challenge so I started working at Lighthouse Charter School, which is a K-12 school that really serves the whole child with a program that partners academics with art, sports and individualized learning plans.

I am very fortunate to have worked at two schools that have been honored as Charter School of Year by the California Charter Schools Association.

I will complete my Doctor of Education (Ed.D) at CSU East Bay in summer 2013. Over the past 15 years, I've developed a program to promote Latino student engagement and achievement by having students interview members of their family who immigrated to the U.S. to understand the sacrifices their parents and grandparents endured for their kids to have better opportunities. After the interviews, the students had a real sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to go to school and a clearer sense of who they are. Our history, culture and language are vitally important to students of color.

My doctoral program really focuses on social justice and equity - creating broad reforms to improve our public schools. The California Charter Schools Association has the boldest plan for systemic reform that I've ever seen. That makes me really excited about this opportunity to work with schools, parents and the community.

Oakland is incredibly diverse - that's what makes this place special, but also challenging. Many charter schools serve less-educated, less-empowered communities and they can do it well because they have the autonomy to tailor their school to address diverse community needs.

I believe parents are the missing link. With traditional schools, the needs, voice and expertise of parents isn't tapped into. Not just at a site level, but city-wide, state-wide, nation-wide, it's an untapped reservoir of strength and power. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to keep serving the families of Oakland.

Fact Sheet: Local Control Funding Formula

2013-05-31T23:06:54Z

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is a major overhaul of how California funds its public schools, which includes charter schools. The legislature made most of the changes proposed by Governor Jerry Brown when it approved the state budget in June 2013.

Print this information as a bilingual fact sheet.

The Problem

California's current school funding system is very complicated. Some schools and districts receive less money than others for reasons that are outdated, irrational, and unfair. For instance, charter schools receive less money than traditional district schools - 7% across the board and up to $1,000 per pupil in some cases.

Governor Brown's Proposal

In 2013, Governor Brown proposed making the system both clearer and simpler. The state would give all schools a base level of funding. Then it would provide even more funding to schools serving students with the greatest needs - those who are poor, who are learning English or are in foster care.

The LCFF gives school districts more local control over their funding. Currently, traditional schools receive many funds that can only be used for specific programs called categorical funds. Under the proposal, districts would be funded more like charter schools, with flexibility to put funding where it will have the greatest impact for students.

The Bottom Line

No school, regardless of their location or student population, will lose money under the LCFF and most will receive more.

Reducing Funding Inequity

The new system should reduce the funding inequity between charter schools and district schools. Overall base funding for all public schools will grow substantially and will be similar for charter schools and district schools.

There are still some shortcomings that need to be addressed, but this is definitely a big step forward for California public schools.

What does this mean for my charter school?

No school will receive less money than it currently does.
Different schools will be affected differently, depending on the kinds of students they serve.
The proposal would be phased in over eight years.
Ask your school leader about how your school would be impacted by this change.
The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) agrees with the goal of fairly investing in all public school students and supporting those who face challenges like learning English or living in poverty.
This proposal has the potential to reduce the current funding inequity between districts and charter schools. However, it could also permanently lock in inequities.
That's why we are continuing to make sure that charter schools have a voice in Sacramento.
We will keep you up to date with the latest!

VIDEO: You Really Can Start a Charter School

2013-05-16T20:38:29Z

A team of parents and educators in Redwood City recently came together to create their dream school - Connect Community Charter School -- which was approved in 2013. It's not easy, but you can do it, says Kathryn Hopkins, a mom, educator and member of the school's founding team, who shares her story.

VIDEO: Shelby's Story: "Paving the Way for Other Kids"

2013-05-16T20:17:02Z

"Shelby is 13 and she's in 6th grade, and up until last year, she was never in any grade," says her mom. Thanks to Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy, that's no longer the case. Learn how one California charter school is using an innovative approach to special education to benefit all students.

Celebrating CCSA's 20th Anniversary Advocacy Day on May 8

2013-05-09T21:15:10Z

Representatives from Magnolia Science Academy met with the staff at Senator Fran Pavley's office during Advocacy Day on May 8, 2013.

More than 170 parents, charter school leaders and students made their voices heard at CCSA's 20th Anniversary Advocacy Day held at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 8.

Advocacy Day provides an opportunity to help legislators become more familiar with charter schools as well as advocate for funding equity, expand facilities access, and to oppose bills which would reduce charter school autonomy and flexibility. Proposed bills that parents and school leaders discussed with elected officials included, CCSA's sponsored legislation AB 948, which allows more charter public schools to access state facilities and AB 913, which participants urged legislators to reject because it imposes new conflict of interest requirements for charter schools.

"I was overwhelmed by the representation of parents that traveled from around the state to meet with their legislator and their willingness to take a day out of their busy schedules to come to Sacramento," said Senior Vice President, Statewide Advocacy, Allison Bajracharya. "It reinforces to me the transformative impact charter schools are having on our parents and communities."

Assemblymembers and Assembly Education Committee Chair Joan Buchanan and Education Committee Vice Chair Kristin Olsen opened the day's program. "Today, it's more important than ever that every child receives a high quality education," said Assemblymember Buchanan. "We need to make a deeper commitment to our children. We need to find that common ground because our children need us. Let's figure out a way to join hands for the benefit of our children."

Assemblymember Kristin Olsen commented, "Charter schools prove the impossible possible...as we work together you are part of the solution. We can turn the state of education around in California."

Charter leaders and parents met with their local legislators to discuss both the impact of charter schools on student achievement and on public policy proposals that supports the success of charter schools. Some charter leaders also attended the Assembly Education Committee meeting to express their opposition to AB 913.

Monica Jones, a parent of a 12th grade student at Sacramento Charter High School visited Assemblymember Roger Dickinson's office with students from Heritage Peak Charter School said, "We are stakeholders in our children's education. I was impressed by the students sharing their touching stories to make sure their voices are also heard." Jones continued, "I really believe in participating in legislative visits and it's also important that children also learn to advocate for themselves."

California boasts 1,063 schools that serve 484,000 students. Advocacy Day was also held during National Charter Schools Week, May 5-11.

VIDEO: Three steps to tell your charter story for powerful advocacy

2013-05-02T17:47:39Z

Telling your charter school story will enable you to connect your personal experience with current issues. With this, you can become an effective advocate for high quality education in California.

Training Brings Together Inland Empire Parents

2013-04-30T06:31:38Z

April 24 was an exciting evening at Excel Prep Charter Academy in San Bernardino as they hosted charter families from across the Inland Empire to participate in the first ever cross-charter Families That Can training in the region. Alejandro Gomez from Excel gave a great intro to kick off the event and soon parents and grandparents dived right into learning the ins and outs of charter schools and the history of the charter movement. No question was off limits and these families along with several students in attendance engaged in a thought provoking-discussion.

Then participants shared their own inspiring stories about how they connected to the charter movement. The enthusiasm of the parents was electrifying as they realized that they would have the opportunity to have a real impact in an important upcoming election. This November, three seats are up for election on the San Bernardino City Unified School District board.

"Parents are already their child's best advocate the minute they make the decision to enroll them in a charter school," said Fatima Cristerna-Adame, Inland Empire Regional Director for the California Charter Schools Association. "These workshops now help them with the tools to be advocates with elected officials and have a voice in determining who is elected to represent their community. In San Bernardino, a small group of parents played a great role in the last two elections, making a big impact in a small amount of time. Now we need those parents and more parents to be even more active early on in the campaign and election process."

We, at Families That Can, look forward to continuing our work with these charter families and others like them as we continue to partner with schools in the Inland Empire!

Rachel Minnick Appointed to Sacramento Bond Oversight Committee

2013-04-30T06:14:46Z

Congratulations to Families That Can's Rachel Minnick who was recently appointed as a parent representative on the Sacramento City Unified School District's Bond Oversight Committee. Parents bring an important perspective and voice when they serve on advisory committees and commissions - learn more!

Bonds are used by local school districts to raise money for major expenditures like upgrading facilities. Facilities are a major challenge for charter schools, which is why it is so important for us to make sure that charter public schools are included in local bonds. One of the recent bonds passed in Sacramento does include charter schools.

"There are several parents on the bond oversight committee, but I am the only one with a child in a charter school. Serving on the bond committee is an opportunity for me to help the committee understand the unique challenges charter schools face and advocate for the equitable use of these bonds funds so that charter schools receive the facilities upgrades they need to ensure a high quality education for all kids,," said Rachel.

As a member of the 11-person oversight committee, Rachel will monitor the use of bond funds and make sure that tax-payer dollars are being spent responsibly, effectively and efficiently. Rachel was appointed to the committee by the Sac City Unified school board.

"As charter parents, there are lots of ways to raise our voices," said Rachel. "I encourage other parents to consider serving on local advisory boards or committees, because it gives them the chance to meet other community leaders and learn how our government works. When charter parents are part of these local groups, they raise awareness of charter schools and help challenge many of the myths about school choice." Every city, county and school board offers a variety of boards and commissions on topics ranging from mental health to city planning to public safety to disability rights. Check out your city, county or school board website to find out what is available in your community.

If you aren't sure where to begin, California Women Lead provides free trainings with tips and information on how to get appointed to a local board or commission a few times a year. If you can't find training near you, check out their helpful guide, which takes you step-by-step through the process. Parents just like you are making a difference in their communities. Your voice matters!

VIDEO: Parent Trigger - Advice from a Parent Advocate

2013-04-29T23:01:38Z

In 2007, Jose Morales was just a frustrated parent -- his son's school, Desert Trails Elementary, had been failing for years with no change in sight. So he joined with fellow parents at the school and they became the first parents in the state of California to successfully use the new parent trigger law to turn around the school. In fall 2013, the school is opening as a charter school.

He shared his advice for other parents at our Parent Summit in March 2013. Learn more about the parent trigger.

4 Great Reasons to Vote By Mail

2013-04-29T18:04:55Z

Did you know that you can vote by mail? In California, you can register to vote by mail for just one election or you can sign up as a Permanent Absentee Voter and always receive your ballot in the mail automatically.

Here are 4 great reasons to vote by mail:

1. It's easy.

You can register as a Permanent Absentee Voter just by filling out this simple form.

Los Angeles County voters should mail the completed form to:

Dean Logan, Registrar - Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 1024
Norwalk, CA 90651-1024

Those in other counties should send them to their respective registrar.

2. It's convenient.

You don't even have to get dressed or figure out where to go to vote. Just fill out your ballot in the comfort of your own home, at the time that is convenient for you.

3. Never forget an election.

Your voter guide and ballot will automatically arrive in the mail a couple of weeks before the election.

4. Life happens!

Don't let it prevent your vote from counting. By voting early, nothing can keep you from the polls - whether an emergency at work or a sick child. Don't worry - if you forget to mail your ballot before election day, you can always take it in to your polling place and submit it in person.

Make sure your vote counts! Vote early! Vote by mail!

April 24: Free Inland Empire Parent Workshop

2013-04-09T17:01:28Z

This interactive training session will brief parents on the basics of charter schools and the charter school movement in California. Parents will also learn and practice sharing their personal story and experience with charter schools. This is a great intro for charter parents to encourage and enhance their advocacy skills. This session will also build their confidence when speaking in the community and media regarding their school and the charter movement.

Printable flyer to spread the word at your school

Date

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Time

6:00pm to 7:00 p.m.

Location

Excel Prep Charter School
23750 Alessandro Blvd., Moreno Valley CA, 92553

RSVP to Valieria Koss.

Refreshments Provided

May 25: Free LifePrep Academy Workshop for Parents in Los Angeles

2013-04-09T16:50:28Z

You are cordially invited to attend the first in a series of FREE parent engagement workshops, hosted by the California State University, African American Initiative - in partnership with Educate California.

These workshops are designed to provide families with the most current and effective tools and resources for preparing students for college, careers and life after high school. Each family will receive materials and information to empower them to advocate for the child(rens) K-12 education.

Event Details

Saturday May 25, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PDT
REGISTRATION: 9:00 AM

California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
University Student Union Theater
Los Angeles, CA 90032

Limited space is available and families will be served on a first-come basis. Please register early and encourage others to do the same.

May 4: Charter School Appreciation Night at Petco Park!

2013-04-03T00:07:19Z

Charter school staff and families get it at a discounted rate for the Padres game - print the flyer with all the details. Local charter schools will have the opportunity to have a student be the 'Play Ball' kid and selected schools will also be recognized on the field in the pre-game ceremony.

Charter School Appreciation Night Flyer

New Film Highlights Parent Power

2013-04-02T07:07:09Z

In 2010, a group of parents from Compton made history when they were the first in the nation to use a new California law called the "parent trigger." Under the law, if over half of the parents at a low-performing school sign a petition, the school district must implement the policy they choose to improve the school.

A team of filmmakers in Los Angeles followed the parents and guardians of McKinley Elementary School for nearly two years to tell this story of parent empowerment - a story about everyday parents who took an extraordinary stand for their children.

The filmmakers hope to be able to host screenings for parents and community members and to distribute the film more widely.

See the trailer for "We the Parents" and learn more.