More Great Seats 4 Kids Newsletter: CREDO releases new research on charter response to COVID-19 pandemic
This week, the Center for Research and Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University released their eagerly awaited report “Charter Schools’ Response to the Pandemic in California, New York and Washington State”. The report is chock-full of important insights and I want to thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart, who took the time to participate. We know it was a considerable lift. SUNY authorized charters are leaders in so many things. The CREDO study shares the very important data you generated in the midst of a global pandemic. Let me say again; SUNY charter leaders, teachers, students and families make amazing things happen.
CREDO will be taking part in the upcoming March 8 authorizer webinar hosted by the Association, so I don’t want to give too much more away. But the full report is now available for review. Please take the time to read through the findings and join us at the webinar to share your thoughts and ask any questions you might have.
The key takeaway? Because of the flexibility – and autonomy granted in the Charter Schools Act of 1998, charters in New York, schools, especially SUNY schools, were able to pivot rapidly and effectively in the face of historic crisis and maintain a level of educational continuity not seen in other states (nor district schools). What you achieved in terms of the speed of transition to remote learning, the ability to maintain communication with staff and families, and create support structures for your teachers and parents was unprecedented. Of course, we knew that – but to see the data reinforce our own observations – is why this study is so important. Kudos to you! You truly do make us SMARTER!
Over the coming weeks we’ll have more to say on the study on our blog, so stay tuned. But know this: you’ve achieved something truly special for your schools, your students, and your community – and we couldn’t be prouder.
Susie Miller Carello, Executive Director, SUNY Charter Schools Institute