Resources & Research

Toolkit |

Supporting English Language Learners: A Pocket Guide for State and District Leaders

American Institutes for Research (AIR) has developed a series of Pocket Guides that provide research-based information to support state and district leaders in implementing ESEA flexibility plans. This particular Pocket Guide focuses on the implementation of reforms related to ELLs across the first three principles in the flexibility waiver requirements. These three principles are particularly relevant to educators working with ELLs.

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Framework for English Language Proficiency Development Standards Corresponding to the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards

Many states have begun the process of developing or adapting English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards to align with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the forthcoming Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

This need stems not only from a desire to ensure that all students receive the rigorous and systematic education they need to graduate from high school as college and career ready, but also because states must have ELP standards aligned to college and career readiness standards as a requirement to receive an Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver.

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Teacher Absence as a Leading Indicator of Student Achievement

This November 2012 report from the Center for American Progress ranks states by the percentage of teachers absent more than 10 days during the 2009-10 school year.

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Helping to Ensure Equal Access to Education: Report to the President and Secretary of Education

This 2012 report from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights covers the office’s work since 2009, whith includes cases involving charter school compliance with federal law and enrollment of English language learners and students with disabilities. The report notes that the office provides technical assistance to help schools meet their responsibilities.

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Charter School Performance in New Jersey

This November 2012 report from the Center for Research on Education Outcomes focuses on the performance of New Jersey charter schools and provides comparisons with district schools. The report examines data from 2007-2011 and grades 3-8, and includes comparisons based on demographics and poverty, as well as performance based on location in rural, suburban, and urban schools; impact on special education students, and students’ progress through multiple grades.

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New York State Special Education Enrollment Analysis

This November 2012 report from the Center on Reinventing Public Education compares and analyzes enrollment of special education students in certain districts and charter schools in New York. The report provides comparisons based on a variety of factors, including by school type and authorizer.

Policy and Procedures |

Washington State Initiative 1240, Ballot Measure Passed November 2012 to Allow Charter Schools

This is Washington State's Initiative 1240, the measure to allow charter schools that voters passed November 6, 2012. The 40-page initiative describes the purpose and obligations of charter schools and how they will be funded and overseen.

Website |

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund

This website of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the U.S. Department of the Treasury provides information about the program, which was “created for the purpose of promoting economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to community development financial institutions (CDFIs).” Charter school development support has been included in the more than $1.4 billion the fund has awarded to community development organizations and financial institutions.

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Charter School Bond Issuance: A Complete History, Volume 2

This 101-page report from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation focuses on the charter school tax-exempt bond market that has grown to 600 transactions totaling more than $6.4 billion. The report includes extensive data and analyses, including listings of individual schools’ debt, results from an examination of hundreds of school financial reports, debt payment performance, indicators of schools’ creditworthiness, borrowing costs, and data breakouts by state.

Toolkit |

Good Governance Guide

This tool, developed by Governance Matters, provides indicators, best practices, and case studies for nonprofit boards on a variety of topics, including board effectiveness, operations, strategic planning, program effectiveness, funding stability, financial oversight, constituent voice, external relations, and organizational evaluation.