Latest News
VIDEO: Shelby's Story: "Paving the Way for Other Kids"
“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.
Celebrating CCSA's 20th Anniversary Advocacy Day on May 8
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.
Training Brings Together Inland Empire Parents
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.
Rachel Minnick Appointed to Sacramento Bond Oversight Committee
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.
VIDEO: Parent Trigger - Advice from a Parent Advocate
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.
4 Great Reasons to Vote By Mail
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.
April 24: Free Inland Empire Parent Workshop
Parents are invited to a great training including Charter Schools 101 & Sharing Your Story
May 25: Free LifePrep Academy Workshop for Parents in Los Angeles
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.
May 4: Charter School Appreciation Night at Petco Park!
Charter school staff and families get it at a discounted rate for the Padres game - print the flyer with all the details.
New Film Highlights Parent Power
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.”
For Your Newsletter: Parent Summit 2013 in San Diego
Did parents from your school participate this year? Share a photo and this article in your parent newsletter!
First-ever Cross-charter Workshop in San Diego is a Success
Parents from across San Diego County joined together to participate in the first ever cross-charter Families That Can Advocacy Training, hosted at Old Town Academy.
Highlights and Photos from the 2013 Parent Summit
More than 300 parents representing over 50 schools charter schools stretching across the state from Chico to San Diego came together for our Parent Summit in mid-March. We heard inspiring stories and learned a lot from the presenters and each other.
1,000s of Charter Parents Mobilize for LA School Board Primary Election
Thousands of charter school parents voted, volunteered and spoke out to make an impact in the important Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board primary election. It’s not over yet! Find out about the election coming up May 21.
Join us for Advocacy Day May 8th in Sacramento!
This May, CCSA will celebrate National Charter Schools Week and the 20th Anniversary of Charter Schools with our annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Tell your charter school story!
March 27: Free Parent Workshop in San Diego
Register now for our free Families That Can workshop on how parents can support their charter schools!
Video: Meet the Inspiring 2013 Volunteers of the Year!
Don’t miss this great video about Tommy and Cheryl Kitahata are parent volunteers with Meadow Art and Technology Charter School (MATES), founded in the Thousand Oaks are of Los Angeles. They received the 2013 Hart Vision Award for Volunteers of the Year.
LA School Board Election: May 21
On May 21, voters in the east San Fernando Valley will decide who will represent their community on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board. Learn more and find out how you can be involved!
For your Newsletter: LAUSD Elections on May 21
A great way to spread the word about the elections is to include information in your school’s newsletter. Feel free to adjust this text to reflect your school!
March 21: National Conference Call on Legal Right of Parental Choice
California parents are invited to join national parent and community leaders will join education reform advocates for the “Our Children, Our Choice” national conference call to discuss the legal rights of parents to provide their children with the best education possible.
VIDEO: LA School Board Candidate Forum
Hear what the candidates for the East San Fernando Valley had to say at the forum we hosted for charter school families on Feb. 27 at Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in Pacoima.
LAUSD Candidate Guide for East San Fernando Valley
Families That Can has created an easy-to-read, nonpartisan voter guide to help you learn more about the candidates running for the LA school board.
For your Newsletter: LAUSD Elections on March 5
A great way to spread the word about the elections is to include information in your school’s newsletter. Feel free to adjust this text to reflect your school!
What the LAUSD Candidates Say About Charter Schools
There are dozens of charter public schools in the neighborhoods around downtown and East Los Angeles - What do the candidates to represent that area on the school board think?
Feb. 27: LAUSD Candidate Forum for the East San Fernando Valley
Meet the candidates who want to represent you on the LAUSD board!
Feb. 13: LAUSD Candidate Forum (Downtown and Eastside)
Charter school families are invited to meet the candidates for LAUSD board district 2!
Feb. 13: Start-up Circle in San Jose
As a parent, how can you bring a new high-quality charter school to your community? Learn more at this free event!
Feb. 20: Start-up Circle in Sacramento
As a parent, how can you bring a new high-quality charter school to your community? Learn more at this free event!
VIDEO: Aspire is inspiring and motivating our kids
Charter schools aren’t just passing kids along says Queeney Fortson, who said she saw too much of that when she worked for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Now her daughter is attending an Aspire charter school.
VIDEO: "We want a quality education - we need a choice"
If you weren’t happy with the schools in your neighborhood, would you start a new one? Aaron Weingrad is one of a group of parents who are founding a new charter school in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles.
February 28: Reach For Success: An Evening of Transition for Students with Disabilities
All LA charter high school students with unique needs and their parents are invited to explore post-secondary options and community resources at this free event! Granada Hills Charter High School in partnership with Birmingham Community Charter High School is hosting an evening focused on transition.
United Way and Community Organizations Host LAUSD Candidate Forums this January
Candidate forums are a great way to hear first-hand from the people running for school board - attend one in your area! Families That Can is hosting forums in February, dates coming soon.
December Newsletter Article: Parents win - LAUSD board votes down anti-charter resolution!
Special edition newsletter article for Los Angeles charter schools to share out the tremendous news about our successful parent rally in November
Parents win - LAUSD board votes down Zimmer resolution!
On Nov. 13, the LAUSD board voted down a resolution that would have limited parent choice by not allowing any new charter schools in response to more than 1,500 parents who rallied in front of the board room.
Prop. 30 passes!
Thank you to all the parents who voted to pass Prop. 30 and helped spread the word to family, friends and other parents at their schools!
November Newsletter Article: CA Charter Schools Celebrate 20th Anniversary - More than 1,000 Schools Statewide!
Help us spread the word by including news from Families That Can in your school newsletter or on your website.
CCSA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of California Charter Schools Across the State
Chico, Fresno, Oakland, San Jose and San Diego hosted more than 1,000 students, parents, charter leaders, elected officials and community supporters during several exciting celebrations in October.
Parents speak out in the media for charter schools and choice
Parents didn’t only speak out against Steve Zimmer’s resolution to limit choices for families at the meeting - they also submitted letters and articles to the local media. Here’s what they had to say! Eduvina Lechuga, Sharon Bernard and Veronica…
Major Parent Rally Slated for Nov. 13
Steve Zimmer wants to limit choices for parents - we’re going to make sure he hears from us!
Parents Meet School Board Candidates at Voter Forums Across California
Question local candidates on everything from school choice to funding to facilities
Nov. 8: You're invited to Start-up Circle in the Bay Area
Have you ever wondered about how to start a charter school? Or how to bring a great new charter school to your neighborhood? Don’t miss this great event in Oakland!
Oct. 24: You're invited to Start-up Circle in Sacramento
Have you ever wondered about how to start a charter school? Or how to bring a great new charter school to your neighborhood? Don’t miss this great event!
Parent Voice: Saul Guzman: "I wanted the best for my son"
“I wanted the best for my son,” says Los Angeles parent Saul Guzman, who recently spoke out against a proposal to stop all charter school growth in LA and shares his personal experiences.
Join us Oct. 13 in Oakland for the 20th Anniversary Celebration and Charter School Expo
Are you looking for a school for your children? Don’t miss this chance to learn more about Oakland’s diverse and extraordinary charter schools!
Meet the Sacramento Area School Board Candidates this October
Before you vote on November 6, learn more about candidates running for school board in the Natomas Unified and San Juan Unified School Districts. Join us!
Parents can receive $3 for every $1 saved for their children's education
Find out if you’re eligible and sign up today!
Video: "I didn't want my children to be a drop out like me"
Rosa Vargas, who grew up in Oakland, shares why she chose to send her children to charter schools instead of to Oakland Unified district schools.
Non-partisan Voter Guides for November 6, 2012 School Board Elections
Families That Can has created easy-to-read, nonpartisan voter guides to help you learn more about the candidates running for school board in various communities across the state.
5-Year Facility Use Agreement for Sacramento Charter High School
Victory comes after years of work by parents
47 LA Parent Leaders Come Together to Kick Off the School Year
From rallying at the school board meeting to registering voters, a lot is planned for this fall!
Parents Show In Force At The LAUSD Board Room To Fight For Choice And Charters
Proposed resolution would impose a moratorium on new charter schools in LAUSD, limit parent choice
September Newsletter Article: September 25 is National Voter Registration Day
Help spread the word by running this short article in your parent newsletter about National Voter Registration Day!
Aug. 25: South LA's Summer Power Festival
Get the 411 on the fall election plus free resources and entertainment!
Meet Rachel Minnick
Rachel joined Families That Can in August 2012 and works with parents and schools in the Sacramento area as a Director of Family and Community Engagement
Families That Can Launches the CIVICS Campaign
Get informed, get involved and vote! Your school can join community groups across the county to participate in Voter Registration Day on Sept. 25 - we make it easy with this tool kit!
"I was an anti-charter parent"
Regina Jackson-Patton, a parent at Gompers Preparatory Academy in San Diego shares the experiences that changed her opinion of charter schools.
2012-13 State Budget Approved
On June 27, Governor Jerry Brown signed off on the California state budget. The good news? The final budget restored what would have been a $50 million cut to charter schools!
Gompers Preparatory Academy Graduates First Senior Class
This San Diego school converted into a charter seven years ago and hasn’t looked back. Don’t miss this incredible video of their first graduation!
Action Alert: Tell the Oakland School Board Charter Students Deserve a Fair Share of Facilities Bond!
On Wednesday June 27, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) board is scheduled to vote to potentially put a tax measure on the November ballot which would raise $475 million for upgrades and improvements to school buildings. Right now, this facilities bond excludes charter schools - that is unacceptable!
Urgent: Call Today to Stop Cuts to Charter Schools!
The latest version of the state budget would cut an average of $100 per student for charter schools. The Governor has until June 27 to decide - call legislators today to stop this cut!
PACT Parents in Alum Rock Demand Replication of Great Middle Schools
You’re invited to the next meeting on June 18!
LA School Gets a Better Facility Thanks to Parents and Students Speaking Out!
Parents and students spoke out and the Los Angeles school board and superintendent responded to ensure that students have the safe, quality facility they deserve!
ACTION ALERT: Oppose AB 1172!
This bill, which represents a dramatic threat to charter school growth in CA, will be heard on June 13.
Parents Come Together to Build Garden at San Jose Charter School
Families from Bullis and Escuela Popular charter schools recently came together to build a new school garden and play area for Escuela Popular.
May 31 in San Jose: Community Meeting on the Middle School Crisis
Join the growing movement of PACT parents at their meeting later this month, hosted in partnership with Franklin McKinley School Board Members and the Superintendent.
Happy Mother's Day to a "Champion Mother"
Maria Flores a parent from Camino Nuevo charter schools was recently honored by Los Angeles School Board member Monica Garcia
May Newsletter Article: Have you registered to vote?
Help spread the word by running this short article in your parent newsletter encouraging everyone to register to vote!
State Budget: Your Voice Made a Difference
Parents called, emailed and testified in person - and it made a difference!
May 2: Sacramento County Candidate Forum - You're invited!
This Wednesday, you’re invited to meet the current candidates for the Sacramento County Board of Education.
State Budget: Demand A Fair Share for Charter Schools
Legislators are discussing many charter school budget items this week - they need to hear from you!
Why Charter Parents MUST Speak Out
K.W. Tulloss saw first-hand the importance of advocacy work when his child’s school was recently up for renewal and ran into some political challenges that put the school’s future in jeopardy.
Are you registered to vote?
The primary is coming up June 5 so register today. It only takes a couple of minutes!
What do you think of our new website?
We want to hear from you. What kinds of news stories, information or new training materials would you like to see?
Parents Tell Boardmember: "Stop Attacking Charters!"
When LAUSD Boardmember Bennett Kayser said he planned to vote no on everything related to charter schools, parents and students spoke up!
LA Mayor Tells Parents: "You are the key"
“Without dedicated moms and dads, we will never turn around our school system,” Mayor Villaraigosa told 5,000+ parents in LA at the “Schools We Can Believe In” rally.
Oakland Parents Found New Charter School
Meet Latonya and John Hughes, proud parents of a kindergartner at the new Vincent Academy charter school in Oakland!
Alliance's Gertz-Ressler HS Honored With National Blue Ribbon Award
Congratulations on this huge accomplishment!
Action Alert: Tell Bennett Kayser to Stop Attacking Charters
Bennett Kayser, a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board recently announced that he intends to vote against all charter-related items. He needs to hear from parents!
Donald Parker, Fenton Avenue Charter in Los Angeles
“You kind of owe it to your kids to get involved with their school and at Fenton, it came quite easily.”
LA Wave Newspaper: At Watts middle school, students cry out for an improved campus
An unsafe entry, no science labs, no cafeteria and no playing fields…Students at Watts Learning Center Middle School are so frustrated with the poor quality of their school facilities that they recently made a video to share with the school district and the community.
Parents speak out on Prop. 39
La Opinion newspaper in Los Angeles recently spoke to parents in Boyle Heights about their struggle to find a home for their charter school. “It is unfortunate that a school this good should have to go begging for a place for our children,” said Marisol Chavez.
VIDEO: What is Families That Can?
Meet the Families That Can team and find out more about how we work with charter school parents to make sure your voice is heard!
Charter of the Year in the Echo Park Patch
We were so excited about Gabriella Charter School in Los Angeles being selected as Charter School of the Year by the California Charter Schools Association that Executive Director Corri Ravare wrote a piece for the Echo Park Patch. Read it today!
Parents Rally For Funding Equity in Sacramento
Some 1,500 parents, students, leaders and supporters from charter schools across California rallied on February 29 at the State Capitol steps to demand better funding for the state’s 982 charter schools.
Highlights From Our 3rd Annual Parent Summit
Sacramento was the perfect location for this year’s Annual Charter School Parent Summit as parents connected with each other and their elected officials and learned ways to continue to advocate and organize in their communities.
Meet the Awesome 2012 Volunteer of the Year!
On Feb. 29, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) presented the annual Hart Vision Award to the outstanding Charter Volunteer of the Year, Erika Ross, a parent from L.A.’s WISH Charter School, founded in the Westchester area of Los Angeles in 2010.
Congrats to the Charter Schools of the Year 2012!
The focus of this year California Charter Schools Conference was advocacy, but it was also a moment to celebrate the charter school movement’s accomplishments and some truly outstanding schools and individuals. We’d like to offer a huge congratulations to everyone who was honored this year. You definitely don’t want to miss these powerful videos!
Schools That Have Partnered With Families That Can
More California charter schools sign on to partner with Families That Can each week, excited to engage their parent base to support their school and engage in advocacy.
Join us for the 3rd Annual Parent Summit!
You’re invited to the 3rd Annual Charter School Parent Summit which will be held Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Charter school parents from throughout California will gather to learn about parent organizing and to strategize about the future of the charter school movement. Register today! It’s free!
Help us find a home for our school!
Futuro Prep Charter School in Los Angeles has a great academic program and passionate parents, but what they don’t have is a permanent home for their school. Parents are reaching out to the LA school board for help.
Families That Can hosts its first meeting for Parent Leaders/Coordinators
On Feb. 18, Families That Can hosted its first regional meeting specifically for Parent School Site Leaders with representatives from a dozen Los Angeles charter schools. FTC plans to offer these meetings on a quarterly basis to give parent leaders a chance to share best practices, access useful parent resources and get ideas for engaging their parents.
"Schools We Can Believe In" Elected Leaders Pledge
At our citywide rally on Feb. 4, we will ask our elected leaders to sign on to this pledge.
5,000+ Parents Rally for "Schools We Can Believe In"
On Feb. 4, charter school parents from across Los Angeles rallied at Exposition Park to tell our elected leaders: Put students first!
Action Alert: Speak Out on AB 1172!
We need you to contact the Assembly Education Committee before Jan. 11 to stop a bill that would put up more hurdles to new charters being approved.
Parents Succeed in Preserving Sac High
In December, the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) Board dropped a proposal that would have forced 1,100 charter students to move off the Sac High campus to another site more than two miles away thanks to the efforts of parents who mobilized and spoke out.
Charters Accelerate African American Student Achievement
A new report issued by the California Charter Schools Association found that charter schools are accelerating the achievement of African American students. Find out more and learn about three charter schools that are doing an exceptional job.
St. HOPE Public School 7 in Sacramento
St. HOPE Public School 7 (PS7) is a K-8 charter school located in Sacramento. It was recently highlighted in a report by the California Charter Schools Association that looked at schools that are highly effective in educating African American students.
Marie Cole, PS7 in Sacramento
“This school is very family-oriented. To see these test scores, it’s awesome. As a parent, it’s exciting because my son is a part of this. “
Eye on Success: Watts Learning Center in Los Angeles
Watts Learning Center, an elementary charter school in South Los Angeles, was recently highlighted in a report by the California Charter Schools Association that looked at schools that are highly effective in educating African American students.
Eye on Success: KIPP Bridge in Oakland
KIPP Bridge in Oakland was recently highlighted in a report by the California Charter Schools Association that looked at schools that are highly effective in educating African American students. Find out more about this great school!
Meet Corri Ravare
Meet Corri Ravare, a charter school parent, former charter school leader and now the Executive Director of Families That Can
Check out our new video!
Meet the Families That Can team and find out more about how we work with charter school parents to make sure your voice is heard!
Families That Can Honors Parents for Their Participation in Public School Choice
Parents played a key role in the second round of Public School Choice (PSC), the Los Angeles Unified School District’s initiative to create excellent new schools and turn around the lowest performing schools in Los Angeles.
Get to know Oakland's charter schools
Get to know some of the amazing and diverse charter schools in Oakland and the Bay Area, including Oakland Charter Academy (2009 California Charter School of the Year), Aspire Public Schools, KIPP and Envision.
LAUSD Approves New Charters Under Public School Choice Reform
About 4,750 students in Los Angeles will be attending high-quality charter schools this fall, thanks to a massive effort from charter school families and the bold actions of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board.
May 4 is Charter School Advocacy Day
On May 4, Families That Can and the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) will celebrate National Charter Schools Week with our annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Please join us on Wednesday, May 4, 2011!
FTC delivers 5,300 parent letters to the LAUSD school board
Parents delivered 5,300 letters from Los Angeles parents in support of charter schools for the Public School Choice initiative to the Los Angeles Unified School District board in March 2011
Meet Fiorella Del Carpio
Meet Fiorella Del Carpio, a Parent and Community Engagement Director for Families That Can, based out of Los Angeles. She shares her personal experiences and why she is committed to working with charter school parents to improve public school options.
Meet KW Tulloss
Reverend KW Tulloss shares about the experiences that led him to get involved in education reform and why he is committed to working with charter school parents for change
Karen Robinson, Animo Inglewood in Los Angeles
Karen Robinson shares why she chose to enroll her daughter in a charter school and what a difference it has made for her family.
LAUSD Public School Choice
In January 2012, the L.A. School Board voted on who will run 13 new or existing schools. Instead of automatically handing the schools to the same old broken bureaucratic system, the district allowed charter schools or other non-profit organizations to run the schools through a process is called Public School Choice.
Charter Schools: Public School Reinvented
What is a charter school? Charter schools are innovative schools of choice that allow parents and community groups to create schools in their neighborhoods that tailor to the needs of students in that community, providing individualized instruction.
Meet Ainye Long
Meet Ainye Long, a Parent and Community Engagement Director for Families That Can, working with charter school parents in Oakland and the Bay Area.
Get to know LA's charter schools
There are many unique and wonderful charter schools serving diverse communities throughout Los Angeles. Some focus on science or engineering, others offer a focus on the arts or a bilingual program. Find out more about some of the public school options for parents in Los Angeles with these videos.
New to Charter Schools?
Visit our partner site calcharters.org to learn more about charter schools and find a school near you.
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