Value of joining
All over Wisconsin, Charter Schools are under pressure. People who work in and for Charter Schools now must pull together. If we don’t, many of our schools may not be here in five years. Or, we will be a blip on the landscape of Wisconsin’s educational system. That would be a tragedy.
Charter Schools in Wisconsin are engines for innovation. Unlike other States, many of our schools are part of school districts. Our Charter Schools provide the absolute essential diversity our school systems need to meet the needs of diverse populations. If Charter Schools decline, we are left with a monolithic system that will fail many students and families.
Here is what the Association is doing for you and what your membership brings to you and your school:
- Building Political Support
We lobby at local and State levels to build support for Charter Schools. This year we will seek changes to improve the State law regarding Charter Schools. We took on the battle, and continue it, with DPI over the recent changes to teacher licensing for Charter Schools. We are fighting for you.
- Organizing the Charter Community
It is essential we build the Charter School Community and enhance its voice and power. One important step in this direction is our new Web 2.0 Community. Come join us at
http://wicharterschools.ning.com/
- Celebrating the Charter Community
On November 21st, 2008 at the Turner Ballroom in Milwaukee we are hosting the first annual Charter Schools Awards of Excellence Banquet. It will be a gala affair with wonderful food and drink as well as music by El Clan Destino. WCSA Members and their families come for half price.
- Providing Resources
Before the end of this year we are launching the Wisconsin Innovation Center. This program will bring a variety of experts, innovative applications, best practices, events and grants to Charter Schools in Wisconsin. As most of you know, we also host an annual Charter Schools Conference. The ninth annual Wisconsin Charter Schools Conference will take place April 20-21, 2009 at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha.
- Assisting in Contract Negotiations
The lifeblood of a Charter School is its contract. Charter Schools get autonomy in exchange for accountability. Unfortunately, in Wisconsin, Charter School contracts are growing more restrictive. Starting with negotiations with MPS over its model Charter School contracts, we are helping Charter Schools negotiate better contracts.
- Improving Community Support Statewide
We are launching a statewide marketing and communications campaign to inform the community about the value of Charter Schools. We are telling your stories.
If you support Charter Schools as they are intended, autonomous schools with strict accountability, you need to join our Association. We need you and you need us.
