June 2022 Newsletter

Building a future where schools are designed for the success of all students.

As we celebrate the arrival of sunny skies and warm breezes, CLE is also taking time to celebrate the arrival of new faces, evolving projects, and the work of others in our community. In this issue of the CLE newsletter we introduce you to new staff and board members, provide updates on new and ongoing projects, and share resources and events we think you'll find valuable. We are especially grateful to the many educators who spent the past year supporting students during uncertain times. May your summer be filled with memorable moments and relaxation.

What's New?

Charisse Gulosino

Board Member

Shannon Hodge

Board Member

CLE is proud to welcome new members to our teams!

Charisse Gulosino and Shannon Hodge are joining CLE as new board members. Gulosino, is currently an associate professor in the Leadership and Policy Studies Program at the University of Memphis. During the 2019-2020 academic year, she held the position of Visiting Scholar/Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley.

Caché Owens

Senior Director of Communications and Marketing

Hodge is the founding Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance. She previously served as the executive director of Kingsman Academy Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., which she co-founded to serve students at risk of dropping out.

Caché Owens is the new Senior Director of Communications and Marketing. They previously served as the director for University of New Hampshire’s Center for Equity, Freedom and Justice and North Carolina’s Parent Training and Information Center.

You can learn more about these dynamic individuals and their uniques experiences on our website.

The Spotlight

"While political barriers and divisions among different types of schools often preclude these sorts of coordinated citywide reform efforts, the theory of change at work in Camden is replicable in communities across the country."

- Paul O'Neill, CLE co-founder

On March 30th, The 74 Million published an op-ed written by CLE senior fellow and co-founder Paul O'Neill entitled "O’Neill: In Camden, Philanthropy, District, Charter and Innovation Schools Are Working Together to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities".

The article centers the Camden Education Fund, an organization that is fostering "a community of district, charter and other innovative public schools, with a particular focus on educating students with the greatest needs." O'Neill explores how CEF is utilizing funding to implement programs such as the Accelerating Inclusion Institute and the Camden Teacher Pipeline, both critical aspects of the positive change occurring within the district. Access the full article here.

The Accelerating Inclusion Institute Moves Educators Toward Success

On June 2nd the Center for Learner Equity concluded the Accelerating Inclusion Institute, a pilot program spearheaded in collaboration with the Camden Education Fund. This pilot program focused on improving the educational experiences of students with disabilities in Camden, N.J. Teams of special education teachers, coordinators, and decision-makers from 10 schools participated in the Institute over the 2021 - 2022 school year. Read how this program transformed the way participants approach education here.

Resources and Events

CLE Celebrates Pride Month 2022

The Stonewall Uprising occurred in June 1969 over the course of six days following a brutal raid at a gay bar in Manhattan. This revolutionary act would lead to the Gay Liberation Movement and eventually Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.

In honor of Pride Month 2022, CLE launched a social media campaign that elevated LGBTQ+ resources and influential disabled LGBTQ+ advocates. Click here to learn more.

Wendy Tucker Presents at CCSSO Webinar

On June 14th, the Council of Chief State School Officers facilitated a webinar entitled

"Spending Strategically with COVID Relief Dollars and Beyond". The webinar explored the $190 billion the federal government has invested in K-12 education during the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting school districts with the opportunity to improve support for students with disabilities.

CLE's senior director of policy WendyTucker presented on how these funds can be used to support students with disabilities. Visit CCSSO's website to view the full presentation.

The Center for Learner Equity Presents at NCSC22

CLE participated in the National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC) hosted by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in Washington D.C. on June 19th - June 22nd. NCSC is the largest national forum of educators, advocates, and leaders in the charter community. This annual conference provides the opportunity for industry professionals to connect with one another and gain resources that will propel their work forward.

Lauren Krempecki (program manager) and Wendy Tucker (senior director of policy) facilitated "Achieving a Thriving School Culture for All - How Charter Schools Can Lead the Way in Ending Disproportionate Discipline for Students with Disabilities". The goal of this interactive presentation was to provide attendees with the information and tools needed to develop school cultures where all students, including those with disabilities, can succeed.

CLE co-founder and executive director, Lauren Morando Rhim presented "Welcoming Students with Disabilities and Their Families to the Charter Party" along side Aqua Stovall (CEO of the Special Education Leader Fellowship), Alex Medler (executive director of the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers), and Mashea Ashton (founder, CEO, and principal of Digital Pioneers Academy). The panel addressed how reframing issues related to serving all students can increase the effectiveness of individual charters schools and the sector as a whole, in addition to the exclusion that students and families experience as a result of the school's educational model.

To learn more about NCSC22 and previous conferences, visit the event's website.

centerforlearnerequity.org