charter schools

Despite Claims, PVCICS is Not a Model of Integrated K-12 Public Education

Posted on Friday, December 7th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

On Thursday, November 15, the Hampshire Gazette published a guest editorial by Richard Alcorn, the executive director of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (PVCICS). PVCICS has applied to the state Board of Education to expand its numbers, even though they have not filled the slots they currently have and have certainly not met… [Read More]

Three Charter Schools in Massachusetts approved

Posted on Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Rebecca Greenberg, WWLP
Date: 2/27/2017
Link: Complete Article

MALDEN, MA – The state education board approved three new charter schools, two of which will be here in western Massachusetts. The decision comes after Massachusetts residents voted against allowing state to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or expansions per year. The board of Elementary and Secondary Education met in Malden Monday to… [Read More]

State board rejects Hadley Chinese charter school expansion

Posted on Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Scott Merzbach, The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 2/28/2017
Link: Complete Article

HADLEY, MA — After hearing testimony that the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School is draining resources from local school districts and not educating a sufficiently diverse student body, the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday turned down a proposed expansion to nearly double its enrollment. In a voice vote about four… [Read More]

With prospect of more charter schools, rural educators see greater risk

Posted on Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Tom Relihan, The Recorder
Date: July 12, 2016
Link: Complete Article

GREENFIELD — Amid a statewide debate over proposals to allow more public charter schools to open, local educators are concerned about the effects that could have on rural districts, although charter school leaders say those concerns are overblown. Charter school proponents, who include some top state officials and business-backed interest groups, want to see 12… [Read More]

Mohawk versus charters: District to rally against tuition hikes

Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Diane Broncaccio, The Recorder
Date: 2/4/2016
Link: Complete Article

BUCKLAND, MA – Facing a 15 percent increase in mandated payments for charter school tuition, Mohawk Trail Regional School District officials say the state funding formula for charter schools is undermining rural school systems like Mohawk. With full support from the School Committee, board member Martha Thurber has sent Gov. Charlie Baker a letter saying… [Read More]

Gov. Charlie Baker proposes major change to charter school funding formula

Posted on Monday, February 1st, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Shira Schoenberg, Masslive
Date: 2/1/2016
Link: Complete Article

BOSTON, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker, a strong advocate for charter schools, is using his fiscal year 2017 budget proposal to change the way in which district schools are reimbursed for charter school tuition. Baker wants to give district schools an extra $20.5 million next year through the charter school reimbursement formula, for a total… [Read More]

Leave no child’s school district behind

Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Nancy Follansbee, Judith Houle & Craig Jurgensen, The Gazette
Date: 1/22/2016
Link: Complete Article

We are writing in regard to the Dec. 18 commentary by Marc Kenen, executive director of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. Kenen was responding to an opinion piece published Dec. 9 from John Provost, the Northampton superintendent, and William Diehl, executive director of the Collaborative for Educational Services. It is important to note that… [Read More]

Massachusetts Senate plans to craft charter school reform bill as ballot question looms

Posted on Thursday, January 21st, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive
Date: 1/20/2016
Link: Complete Article

BOSTON, MA – Facing a possible question on the November 2016 statewide ballot pushed by Gov. Charlie Baker that lifts the cap on charter schools, the State Senate will attempt to craft a charter reform bill, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg said Wednesday. “Everything will be on the table, even some things maybe that don’t have… [Read More]

As Massachusetts charter schools enroll more students with disabilities, who exactly are they serving?

Posted on Monday, December 21st, 2015 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com
Date: 12/21/2015
Link: Complete Article

At Lawrence Family Day Charter School, which caters to poor and minority students, fewer than 7 percent of students have special needs – far below the statewide average. Director Ralph Carrero said one reason for the low numbers is the school has an intensive program to catch problems and intervene early, so students improve and… [Read More]

Charter school debate looms over raising state caps

Posted on Monday, December 21st, 2015 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Dave Eisenstadter, The Gazette
Date: 12/19/2015
Link: Complete Article

NORTHAMPTON, MA — As government officials debate whether to lift a cap on the number of charter schools allowed in the state, the local chapter of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is doing research of its own on the subject. The nonpartisan organization will likely take about a year to research its position… [Read More]