#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
Many Texas school districts are relying on their own talent to run controversial charter partnerships
Last week, leaders participating in the new partnerships gathered at Texas Wesleyan University to discuss why they turned to the controversial law: It gives them more state money and flexibility in things like staffing and curriculum.
Morning Report: Charter Scandal Exposes Holes in State Processes
Just one process in California is designed to act as an early warning system when financial shenanigans are going on inside schools. It’s a yearly audit, by a “state-approved,” “independent” auditor, according to the Department of Education.
Beyond the Books: 2 Utah charter schools could close by year’s end
The Utah State Charter School Board voted Thursday morning to begin the process of closing two financially troubled charter schools.
State will audit Inspire charter school network for alleged fraud
A statewide group of county superintendents has requested a sweeping state audit to investigate potential fraud by the Inspire home charter school network.
The superintendents say they have reason to believe Inspire engaged in fiscal malfeasance, conflicts of interest, manipulation of enrollment and revenue and other improper activity.
8-year-old girl in Michigan denied school picture because of red in her hair
Paragon Charter Academy has a strict dress code, outlining that hair color must be in “natural tones” for pictures. Hairstyles must be “conservative” and “extreme hairstyles” aren’t allowed.
17 Nevada charter schools on notice over performance`
The State Public Charter School Authority put 12 charter schools on a notice of concern Friday after the latest star rating results from 2018-19 showed low performance and gave five more schools a notice of breach of contract because of routine underperformance.
Inspire Charter Schools offered to pay families, staff to recruit students
In 2015, Inspire promised families $200 and staff $100 for every student they referred to the home charter school
State auditors: Charter school managers fail to follow own expense report rules
Five senior managers at one of Long Island’s fastest-growing public charter schools charged more than $60,000 in credit-card expenses without receipts or itemizations required by their school’s own rules, state auditors reported.
‘Craziness’: How Montgomery’s first charter school has devolved into chaos in less than six weeks
LEAD Academy, Montgomery’s first charter school, has been a chaotic mess since it opened less than six weeks ago.
LEAD Academy principal: Charter school not in compliance with state laws
The former principal of Montgomery’s first charter school said she was let go after raising questions about whether the school was following state laws on charters.
Charter School Association Purposefully Puts Students In Danger
Whenever legislative bodies attempt to force accountability on the charter school industry, the California Charter School Association (CCSA) cries “#KidsNotPolitics.” However, while claiming to put Kids First, there are CCSA charters that are among the worst-performing schools in the state.
Dallas charter school exec goes on trial for allegedly steering contract to firm that paid her kickbacks
The small Dallas engineering firm had botched two previous construction projects, and it was behind in completing Nova Academy’s newest charter school, court records show.
So it surprised some Nova insiders when the school’s longtime chief executive, Donna Houston-Woods, approved a $337,951 federal contract for the firm, ADI Engineering Inc.
The Unmet Promises of a New Orleans Charter School
Only six of Sci’s first graduates finished college within six years, the federal standard for on-time graduation. Three others earned degrees this year. Though eight, including Pierre, are still working toward a degree, 32 of the 49 who enrolled in college have dropped out.
Prominent STEM charter school may be in crisis, says whistleblower
Peachtree Charter Middle School is said to be a high-performing STEM school, but based on five-page grievance written by teachers and staff the school may actually be in crisis.
Inspire charter schools CEO goes on leave of absence
An Inspire official said the charter school network will not say why, to protect Nichols’ privacy.
The announcement comes as multiple school districts and county offices of education are looking to investigate the statewide Inspire home charter school network for questionable financial and organizational practices.