#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
Former virtual charter school leaders face federal charges tied to alleged enrollment scam
Several former charter school operators were indicted last week for their alleged roles in conspiring to defraud the state of Indiana by padding student enrollment at virtual charter schools.
Federal grand jury indicts Indiana virtual charter school leaders in alleged $44M enrollment scheme
A federal grand jury indicted three former administrators from two defunct Indiana online charter schools in an alleged scheme to collect millions of dollars in state funds. They are accused of a conspiracy to defraud the state by falsely reporting thousands of students who did not attend as enrolled at Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy. The indictment claims that as a result of false enrollment reports, the state education department paid more than $44 million to the schools that they were not entitled to receive.
Haven votes to close Yoder Charter School
Yoder Charter school closes due to low enrollment and financial impact on the district. Families will be forced to find a new school over the summer.
Propaganda aside, school choice still seems pretty unpopular
In Arkansas, fewer families applied for vouchers in the first year than expected. A report to state lawmakers that went out in October suggested some of the voucher money allocated for the inaugural year will go unclaimed. With the 2023-2024 school year well underway, Arkansas has spent $7.1 million on vouchers, and projected to spend $32.5 for the school year, a good bit less than the $46.7 million budgeted.
A second New Orleans charter school will shut down this year
The school, located on South Carrollton Avenue, was one of three underperforming charter schools in New Orleans at risk of shutting down after the district’s annual charter renewal and extension process.
Charter high school in Las Vegas’ Historic Westside to close
Parent Latasha Burrell — who has children in sixth and 10th grades at Democracy Prep — said Wednesday that she is “baffled and shocked” by the decision to close the high school.“It was a shock, of course, because this came out of nowhere,” she said. Burrell said her son, who is in high school, is distraught and wanted to graduate from Democracy Prep.
Hawaii charter schools lagging on tests
Test score data suggests that students in Hawaii’s 37 public charter schools as a group are lagging markedly behind regular public school students statewide in core subjects, and that has led some state lawmakers to demand stronger accountability and standards from charter school officials.
Meltdown of prominent CPA firm comes amid crisis for Minnesota charter schools
One owner’s theft led to the demise of the Anton Group, which worked for dozens of charter schools across the state, where there is a shortage of firms to help with finances.
School choice is a high-risk taxpayer-funded experiment. Don’t change Kentucky’s Constitution.
Like salmon swimming home to spawn, lobbyists are again roaming the hallways of the Kentucky State Capitol. This year, big-dollar lobbyists representing corporate-run private schools and churches are pushing House Bill 208 to change the state’s constitution to allow politicians to throw millions of tax dollars into private and religious schools.
Moms for Liberty activists starting taxpayer-funded charter school
SC chapter of Moms for Liberty — a group best known for opposing LGBTQ rights, pushing for the removal of library books, & fighting racially inclusive curriculum starting their own charter school w/ taxpayer money
Opinion: Charter schools: How vouchers fuel inequality
Charter schools don’t have to abide by many government regulations, including those protecting people from discrimination in admissions. This lax restriction allows charter schools to be biased in admissions.
Philly school officials warn parents ‘it appears’ Math, Civics and Sciences Charter school will close — but some efforts to keep it open continue
Despite efforts to keep Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School open, Philadelphia School District officials told parents this weekend “it appears” the school will close at the end of the year.
Kids Unlimited Academy charter school in White City is closing its doors
Kids Unlimited Academy charter school in White City is closing its doors. Over 40 families must find a new school
Minneapolis charter school to close Friday amid financial trouble
Teachers at the Legacy of Dr. Josie R. Johnson Montessori have spent the last few days trying to explain to students why Friday is the last day of their school.
“You can feel what they are feeling,” said Marlisha Newell, a paraprofessional for the second-grade class. “It’s been really heavy.”
Indianapolis’ Andrew J. Brown charter school ditches for-profit manager in bid for local control
Andrew J. Brown Academy’s school board is in the process of parting ways with National Heritage Academies, which has run the school on the far eastside since it opened in 2003, as its charter faces a renewal decision from the mayor’s Office of Education Innovation. Instead, the school hopes to partner with Paramount Schools of Excellence, a popular local nonprofit charter operator.