Charter Expansion Updates

STATE:

September 20, 2020

On September 11, 2020 the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) approved five of the eight charters proposed by TEA Commissioner Morath: 

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• Brillante Academy (McAllen)

• *Doral Academy of Texas (Buda)

• *Learn4Life (Austin)

• Prelude Preparatory (San Antonio)

• Royal Public Schools (San Antonio)

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The three charter that were vetoed are:

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• CLEAR Public Charter School (San Marcos)

• Heritage Classical Academy (Houston)

• *Rocketship Public Schools (Fort Worth)

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(*out-of-state charter chains) 

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Charter Expansion

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Charter expansion is unlimited, has very little public notice and no venue for public input. Charters have expanded rapidly to 750 campuses across Texas, primarily at the sole discretion of the appointed not elected Texas Education Agency Commissioner. Learn about the charter expansion process.

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LOCAL:

September 2, 2020 - Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua (City D7) announced that Uplift Charter School is seeking to build a new campus in east Dallas at I-30 and Buckner Blvd (9743 E. RL Thornton). This project will require a Special Use Permit (SUP) or less likely a Planned Development (PD) permit from the City of Dallas. Check back as more information will be forthcoming. 

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July 20, 2020  -  Uplift Wisdom Prep Charter was approved for expansion, yet in 2018 the campus was rated Improvement Required (under the name Pinnacle, state ID# 57803015). 

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• Uplift serves fewer special education students and significantly fewer English learners and At-Risk students. 

• From just Uplift Wisdom Prep, the estimated revenue loss is up to $100 million to Dallas ISD over 10 years. ​​​

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• The expansion of Uplift Wisdom Prep is located 1.4 miles (< 5 minutes) from B rated DISD campus Umphrey Lee Elementary School. 

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Charter Impact to Dallas ISD

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Compare Independent School Districts and charters in Texas?      Setting the Record Straight

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William Gumbert is a retired investment banker who spent 32 years in Texas public finance. See his presentation to CyFair ISD on the charter school impact to Texas.

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To learn about the dangers of expanding charters and vouchers, read more from the Network for Public Education in School Privatization Explained.

How charter schools are used as investment vehicles at the expense of low income students and taxpayers, a blog by Steven Singer. 

Charter Partnerships

"Recent state legislation, SB 1882, championed by public school privatizers, creates a lucrative incentive for underfunded districts to receive the charter per-pupil advantage only if the democratically elected board hands over governance to a privately operated charter school."           TexasAFT Charter School Facts

DISD History with Charter Partnerships

In 2019, Dallas ISD Board of Trustees passed Charter Partnerships, despite strong opposition from the community.

Here's a brief post about the initial passage of charter partnerships at the February 28, 2019 Board meeting. 

Here is a link to some of the background information regarding the initial charter partnership proposal.

Kirkpatrick 4 DISD