Charter Summit Outlines Challenge

Charter Video - Summit Flier - Russlynn Ali speech - Jack O'Connell speech
Panel discussion

Charter schools can play a crucial role in turning around some low-performing schools, according to Russlynn Ali of the U.S. Department of Education. "Don't run from that challenge," she urged the 250 attendees of the Charter School Summit on January 30 at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Ali was the keynote speaker at the Summit, which was held to address the rapid growth of charter schools in Santa Clara County, and concerns about effects on neighborhood public schools.

Ali, the Education Department's assistant secretary of civil rights, said events like the Summit "should raise the bar" in the ongoing effort to authorize quality charter schools, adding, "It doesn't serve the movement if the focus is solely on quantity."

Also speaking at the event was State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, who acknowledged the rapid growth of charters in California. O'Connell said there are now more than 850 charter schools in the state.

The idea for a summit was first articulated by County Board of Education President Anna Song and Board Member Joseph Di Salvo. In June the Board commissioned a Charter School Task Force, which the two co-chaired. The summit was facilitated by the COE Charter Schools Department.

Summit attendees attended breakout sessions focusing on identifying strategies to help charter schools and school districts work together to help further student achievement. They also viewed a video that featured several county schools, both charter and traditional, and the methods they employ to help their students achieve.

Communicate - Collaborate - Coexist was the theme of the summit. In her morning introduction, Song said, "Let's dream dreams together for the sake of our children."

Task Force members:

• Anna Song, County Board of Education
• Joseph Di Salvo, County Board of Education
• Grace Mah, County Board of Education
• Lucretia Peebles, Ph.D., Director, COE Charter Schools Department
• Andrea Whittaker, Ph.D. ,San Jose State University
• Bill Erlendson, Ph.D., San Jose Unified School District
• Leslie Reynolds, President, SJUSD School Board
• Alicia Gallegos Fambrini, San Jose Charter School Consortium
• Hilaria Bauer, Ph.D., Alum Rock School District
• Nick Driver, California Charter Schools Association
• Anne-Marie Gallagher, Bullis Charter School
• Jennifer Andaluz, Downtown College Prep
• Bill Gould, Bill Gould Design
• Nancy Markowitz, Ph.D., San Jose State University

Date last updated: May 12, 2010