Below are some of the most recent news articles featuring Public Impact and our work. To read more, searchable by topic, visit our resource database. For more news about our Opportunity Culture initiative, visit the Opportunity Culture website.
Charters Were Quicker to Provide Instruction, Regular Contact During Closures, Reports Say. But That’s Also How They ‘Keep the Kids,’ One Expert Explains
The 74, August 25, 2020, by Linda Jacobson Charter schools appeared to follow a more routine class schedule and stay in closer contact with students and families following shutdowns than district schools, according to a new analysis out Tuesday from Public Impact and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. But similar…
How Schools Can Redeploy Teachers in Creative Ways During COVID-19
Education Week, August 5, 2020, by Catherine Gewertz Extending the reach of excellent teachers One teacher-leadership model is sparking increased interest as schools grapple with how best to support students. It’s called the Multi-Classroom Leadership model, and it was designed by the education advocacy group Public Impact to help excellent teachers…
States Overlook Academics in School Reopening Plans, Analysis Finds
Education Week, July 29, 2020, by Evie Blad State guidance on reopening schools largely focuses on health and safety practices without adequately addressing the challenges of keeping students on-track academically following extended coronavirus closures, a new analysis of state reopening plans finds. The report, released Wednesday by education organizations the Center for…
6 Big Barriers to Restructuring School Schedules
Education Week, February 25, 2020, by Matt Lieberman A growing body of research provides evidence that schools can benefit from rethinking their schedules, whether by pushing the start time to later in the day, eliminating one day a week, or otherwise reshuffling how students and teachers spend their time together. Before districts…
Did Indianapolis students do better after struggling schools were restarted? A new study takes a look.
Chalkbeat, November 1, 2019, by Stephanie Wang When Indianapolis Public Schools “restarted” chronically struggling schools, students who stayed under the new management sometimes made smaller gains on tests compared to their classmates who left, a new study finds. Over time, however, students at the restarted schools closed some of the…
Of Course Money Matters, Now What?
Education Week, October, 14, 2019, by Rick Hess One of the more frustrating education debates of the past quarter century has been the debate about, as Gary Burtless’s Brookings volume put it back in 1996, Does Money Matter? I mean, it’s tough to think of anywhere else in American life where we’d…
How Can We Extend the Reach of Great Teachers? A Q&A with Stephanie Dean on Opportunity Culture
Ahead of the Heard, August 14, 2019, by Chad Aldeman How should we train teachers? How do we ensure that all students have access to great teaching? Those questions are at the heart of many education policy debates. While it may be difficult to “raise the bar” on the teaching profession…
Strong Teachers, Good Design Important for Virtual Charters to Succeed
Education Dive, July 11, 2019, by Shawna De La Rosa Students in online charter schools have generally performed less well than their peers in brick-and-mortar classrooms, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With specific strategies, online schools can be a viable alternative to traditional public education, according to…
Forging Parent Partnerships to Better Serve Students with Special Needs
Walton Family Foundation, July, 9, 2019, by Johannah Chase Report details how charter schools and parents can work together to improve outcomes for students with disabilities Parents are the experts on their children. They know the hidden strengths they possess, talents that schools might not easily unearth. They understand the unique challenges…
Parent Power: To Improve Special Education in Charter Schools, Tap Students’ Original Advocates — Their Families — Report Says
The 74, June 28, 2019, by Beth Hawkins When it comes to living up to their obligation to serve students with disabilities, public charter schools face a host of challenges. In addition to the perennial headache of underfunding, there are bureaucratic constraints, a woeful lack of teacher preparation in special…