National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Issues a Statement on the Selection of Round Two Race to the Top Winners

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from its President and CEO, Peter Groff, on the states selected for funding by the U.S. Department of Education in the second round of the Race to the Top competition:

"We are pleased to see five states that are strongly supportive of public charter schools among those awarded Race to the Top grants today. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools' annual rankings of state charter laws, the District of Columbia has the second strongest law in the country. Georgia has the fourth strongest, followed by Massachusetts, New York and Florida, with the fifth, eighth and eleventh strongest charter laws, respectively. These states are boldly incorporating public charter schools into their overall efforts to improve public education.

However, we are concerned that the selection of three states - Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio - sends the wrong message. They have clearly shown a resistance to embracing the role of public charter schools in education reform. Even the U.S. Department of Education scored theses states among the lowest of those awarded grants. Sadly, these states are still being rewarded for actively limiting public-education options for the families that need them the most. Maryland has the worst charter law in the country, North Carolina has a cap of 100 charters that it reached almost 10 years ago, and Ohio has some of the most arbitrary caps in the country.

Since the Race to the Top grants competition was announced in June 2009, 15 states have lifted their caps on charter schools and one state has enacted a charter law. We applaud the Obama Administration for its role in encouraging these positive changes. Overall, six of the 12 winners in the first and second rounds have removed restrictions on growth: Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

As we approach the potential third round of funding, we urge the Administration to recommit to only awarding grants to those states that are truly committed to all facets of education reform."

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org/) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

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Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) Launches

/PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, a new independent successor group to the United Way's Early Education Commission, will help business, government leaders, providers and parents maximize the economic return on the state's investments in early care and learning.

Guided by a growing body of business and economic research documenting the high-dollar return on investment associated with early learning and care, GEEARS will work to position Georgia as a national leader in ensuring that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn and on a path to read by third grade. Hitting these markers in the next decade will reduce costs associated with remedial education, juvenile justice and public assistance, thereby improving the quality of the state's workforce and business climate.

Philanthropist Stephanie Blank, longtime champion of children and education, serves as the founding chair of the governing board of GEEARS.

"The first five years of a child's life are literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Ms. Blank. "Smart money gravitates to early childhood investments. Children who get off to a good start contribute more to Georgia's economic growth. We also have a moral obligation: There are no do-overs where our children are concerned."

To meet the organizations aggressive goals, GEEARS has appointed early education and children's advocate Mindy Binderman as Executive Director. Mindy previously served as Advocacy Director for Voices for Georgia's Children (Voices), a non-profit organization that attempts to develop positive public policy for Georgia youth. As Advocacy Director, she developed and executed public and government affairs strategies supporting Voices' campaign promoting a long-term commitment to children. Prior to joining Voices, Ms. Binderman gained years of professional and academic experience in public policy through her own consulting firm, various directorships and as a faculty member of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, teaching a masters seminar in advocacy. Ms. Binderman was born and raised in Alabama, and holds a law degree from American University.

"I'm excited to be leading GEEARS because I want today's toddlers to become the next generation of Georgia's business entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, farmers, doctors and professionals," said Binderman. "We cannot keep doing the same things and expecting different results, and Georgia taxpayers cannot afford to see more of our youth fail at school, become teen parents or end up in the criminal justice system," Mindy commented.

Pat Willis, Executive Director, Voices adds, "Mindy will bring immediate energy and action to GEEARS' agenda. While we will miss her as Voices' director of government affairs and advocacy, we look forward to forging a strong partnership with GEEARS as advocates for young children."

The organization's launch comes at a pivotal time, as the current state of early education in Georgia continues to decline.

In fact, Georgia now ranks 48th in nationwide student test scores and currently, only 50 percent of 4-year-olds are enrolled in Georgia Pre-K Program. Additionally, more than 7,000 children across the state are on the Georgia Pre-K Program waiting list.

GEEARS will reverse this trend by:
-- Increasing quality, accessibility and affordability of early care and
education all Georgia children
-- Establishing higher standards of excellence for childcare that helps
Georgia's children enter kindergarten ready to learn and on a path to
"read to learn" by 3rd grade
-- Providing resources for parents
-- Driving public awareness emphasizing the importance of learning from
birth to age 5

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GSU receives Department of Education grant for international business education

Georgia State University has received a $188,000 Business and International Education grant from the Department of Education to establish a Southeast regional alliance of higher education institutions in seven states.

This comes on the heels of GSU’s $1.52 million award to establish a Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Members of the alliance of two- and four-year colleges, including historically black colleges and universities, will work to improve core courses in international education.

The alliance also will assist in preparing faculty to teach international business and strengthen the links between businesses and schools on matters related to international education.

Besides Georgia, the regional alliance includes Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The project will be implemented by faculty of the Institute of International Business in the Robinson College.

“This grant, resulting from a very competitive review by DOE, will complement the work of CIBER in providing programs and activities to improve the scope of international business education in our region,” said Tamer Cavusgil, the Fuller E. Callaway professorial chair and director of Robinson’s Institute of International Business.

There are about 600 two- and four-year colleges in the Southeast. The alliance could potentially benefit more than 160,000 students. Also benefitting will be the business community which will have access to a pool of business school graduates with knowledge of the increasingly complex global business marketplace.

The list of consortium schools by state to date includes: Alabama A&M University, Atlanta Metropolitan College, Clark Atlanta University, Clayton State University, Darton College, East Georgia College, Gainesville State College, Georgia Perimeter College, Morehouse College, South Georgia College, Mississippi Consortium for International Development via Jackson State University, Tuskegee University, Shaw University, Winston-Salem State University, and Hampton University.

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Tony Roberts of Georgia Elected Chairman of the State Leaders Council for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Georgia State Charter Schools Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts has been elected as the Chairman of the State Leaders Council of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, it was announced today. "We congratulate Tony Roberts on his election by the members of the State Leaders Council," said National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nelson Smith. "Tony has demonstrated tremendous leadership and a record for getting things done in Georgia. I know he'll bring to the Council that same kind of dynamic energy to build a strong working relationship with the Alliance."

"It is crucial that we be united in our efforts to advance the charter school movement on the state and national level," said Roberts. "We must use our collective organizational strength and experience effectively to ensure that charter schools have equitable funding, access to facilities and the capacity to deliver on the promise of a high-quality education for all students." Established by the NAPCS Board of Directors in June 2008, the Council serves as a liaison between state organizations serving the country's more than 4,300 public charter schools and the Alliance, the national organization dedicated to expanding school choice through high-quality charter schools. As Chair, Roberts will also serve on the Alliance Board.

As CEO of the statewide organization representing 71 public charter schools in Georgia, Roberts led the effort to help enact four important bills into law earlier this year, including the establishment of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, a new public statewide authorizer for charter schools. Roberts also recently led the creation of "Georgia School Choice," a parent and student advocacy organization for charter schools.

Roberts received his undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Association for Fundraising Professionals.

One of five candidates, Roberts received a first-ballot majority of the votes cast by members of the State Leaders Council. His term will expire in June 2010.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement.

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