News & Resources
How can we improve our schools? What will help our children learn? Read about innovations in education and what they mean for your school, your children and your community.
KIPP Collegiate: Supporting First Generation Students to College and Beyond
One of the nation’s most challenging high schools is located in a cluster of portables in East San Jose. KIPP San Jose Collegiate, where 70 percent of students come from low-income families, ranks with high schools in wealthy Silicon Valley communities on the Washington Post’s Challenge Index, which looks at the number of college-level tests taken by students.
Inspired Middle School teachers
My son is in middle school, so this short article by a middle school teacher grabbed my attention. Ryan Tahmaseb writes about how he found an interesting and appropriate way to teach his students an essay by Junot Diaz, one of his favorite writers, but one who generally writes about adult themes.
LUCHA: A School with Parent Engagement at its Heart
At LUCHA elementary, a small public school in east San Jose, parents are not just welcome – they are deeply engaged in supporting their children’s education. That is little surprise given that it was parents who fought for the creation of the school 11 years ago. Those efforts paid off – as of 2012-13, LUCHA was identified as a “rising star,” one of a small number of Silicon Valley schools that are beating the odds for low-income students.
“Parents feel they have a voice here. They’re held accountable for doing their part to help their children succeed.” – Principal Kristin Burt, LUCHA school in San Jose
Cornerstone Academy: Pushing to Do More
“Excellent teachers” and a culture of high expectations are the keys to success at Cornerstone Academy Preparatory School in east San Jose, says the school’s founder. Cornerstone is a Silicon Valley school that is beating the odds for low-income students – serving a majority of high-need students and achieving high levels of academic performance. Learn how they do it!
Finally some good budget news for schools!
Last week, Governor Jerry Brown released the latest state budget projections showing that California will get $6.7 billion more in revenue than originally anticipated.
Parent Guide: What are the A-G Requirements?
Did you know it’s possible to graduate from high school, but not be eligible for a California state university? Find out what you need to know to stay on track!
Parent Guide: What is competency-based learning?
Some Bay Area schools, such as Summit Schools and San Jose Unified’s Burnett Middle School, are doing away with traditional grades and assessing students based on “competency.” Learn more about this innovation and how it’s being piloted.
Going straight to 4-year colleges = big pay-off for marginal students
We’ve all heard the conventional wisdom: “He’s just not ready for that college. If he went now, he would fail – he can’t cut it there.” Two recent studies challenge this thinking, looking specifically at students that are right on the cusp of eligibility for four-year schools.
Parent Guide: What is the Common Core?
In the news, on social media or from your child’s school, you might be hearing a lot of talk about the Common Core. What’s it all about?
More districts are extending learning time…but not many in California
A very interesting new report is out that finds that districts across the country are increasingly lengthening the school day and the school year – practices that have previously been far more common in charter schools. High-poverty students benefit the most from extended learning time.
Innovate Parent Leaders Honored as Statewide Volunteers of the Year
Congratulations to Enrique Esparza and Maritza Leal, who are part of a group of parents who have been working to bring new school options to their community for over two years.
GreatSchools CEO on the need for public data on how schools are doing
Bill Jackson of GreatSchools makes a case for why publicly available test scores are an important measure for parents to have.
Parent Guide: What to Expect on the New State Tests
This year, students across California are officially taking the state’s new standardized tests for the first time. Learn how they’re different from the old tests and what to expect.
Parent Guide: What are LCFF and LCAP?
California is moving toward a new way of funding schools that’s much simpler and fairer. Learn what this means for your child and your school.
Parent Voices: Raising children in Silicon Valley
Most Silicon Valley parents say they’re very satisfied with their child’s preschool or school, but one in five wish they could send their children to a different school.
Local Voice: New standards and tests are worth the effort
“Real magic is happening in thousands of classrooms all over our state as a result of the new Common Core standards,” writes Gina Dalma, senior program officer at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, for Edsource. “These new standards, along with teachers prepared to implement them and the assessments to see whether students are benefiting from them, hold real promise for offering our kids an education that will prepare them for college, careers and life.”
San Jose charter is finalist in STEM contest – Vote by March 25!
Downtown College Prep Alum Rock High is one of 15 schools across the U.S. to reach the finals in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow contest. Students designed a water conservation project.
Joanne Jacobs to write for Innovate’s new blog
Innovate Public Schools is excited to announce that veteran education journalist Joanne Jacobs will be contributing regularly to our recently launched blog.
One School Shares Their Experience Doing a Test Run for the New SBAC Assessment
Cornerstone Academy in San Jose recently gave the new SBAC a test run and they share their tips for other schools to get ready for the test.
Innovate Staff To Present “Common Sense School Design” at Upcoming Conference
Innovate staff will be sharing their expertise in how to design and run a high-quality public school in a series of three deep dive workshops at the California Charter Schools Association Conference, March 16-19 in Sacramento.