EdisonLearning is the nation’s leading public school innovator and partner for school districts and charter schools in the U.S. and the U.K. We work with school administrators, teachers, and parents to provide learning solutions that drive achievement and improve outcomes. In addition to our school management and partnership solutions, we also offer Extended Education and online learning. At EdisonLearning, we believe that every child can learn. We are currently recruiting for a prospective Executive Director position for a prospective new cyber school in Atlanta, GA.

The Executive Director will manage the oversight of the operations of the school and ensure that the school’s mission and vision are upheld. In this highly visible role, he/she will oversee all school operations and be responsible for all state reports and school performance. This position will be a hands-on leadership role in the first year, and will expect to be a “CEO-like” role in subsequent years, less focused on day-to-day operations of the school and more on building and cultivating external relationships and community relations.

To qualify, he/she must possess leadership experience in virtual/online learning, a Georgia School Principal Certification, a Masters Degree in Administration/Academic Leadership and a minimum of seven years school leadership experience. Strong written/verbal skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook are a must. Proficiency with multimedia communication tools, such as discussion boards, web logs, email, instant messaging and audio podcasts is essential. This position requires a high degree of flexibility. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced working environment.

Competitive salary and benefits. To apply for this position, please email your resume to: geri.kalinsky@edisonlearning.com. An EO/AA Employer.

2010 Charter Schools Conference to Draw Close to 500 Next Week
Annual Conference features nearly 50 sessions and workshops for teachers, administrators, parents, lawmakers and other supporters of Georgia’s growing charter school movement

ATLANTA –  Nearly 500 charter school supporters – from teachers and principals, to board members, parents and politicians – are expected to attend the Eighth Annual Georgia Charter Schools Conference, March 10-12, at the Hilton Hotel & Conference Center in Marietta (500 Powder Springs Street).

The Conference, sponsored by the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA), is the only statewide meeting of Georgia’s charter schools community and will feature close to 50 informative breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics – from a “Parent Advocacy Workshop,” to “Challenges in Charter Founding and Leadership,” to “Helping Children Who Have Behavioral and Attention Issues in the Classroom.”

Also at this year’s event, two of the country’s most respected experts in education reform will be featured. Dr. Harry Wong, an award winning author and educator, and Kevin Chavous, a nationally recognized attorney, author and outspoken advocate of charter schools, will deliver keynote addresses.

Charter school movement growing in Georgia, nationwide

The 2010 Conference comes at a time when the popularity of charter schools – public schools of choice which operate with freedom from many of the rules and regulations of traditional public schools – continues to grow both nationwide and in Georgia.

•  The number of charter schools in Georgia has skyrocketed from 48 in the 2005-06 school year, to 121 in 2009-2010. 
• The number of Georgia students enrolled in charter schools has grown from 21,100 in 2005-06 to nearly 65,000 in 2010. 
• The State Charter Schools Commission has approved charters for nine schools, two of which are already in operation, and seven that will open in the fall.
•  Nationally, there are nearly 1.3 million students attending 4,300 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia. 
• President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have expressed support for the charter school concept, and Sec. Duncan visited an Atlanta charter school – Tech High – in December.

 GCSA Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts, Ph.D., said charter schools continue to grow in popularity in spite of the state of the economy in Georgia and throughout the country.

 “The funding and facilities issues that have always plagued charter schools are magnified because of the economic downturn,” Roberts said. “But providing our children with quality educational options remains paramount, here in Georgia and across the nation.

“And so the GCSA will continue to support and cultivate the charter school movement with programs and events like the annual Conference,” Roberts said. “The goal is to provide those involved in Georgia’s charter community with an opportunity for networking, learning and inspiration.”

# # #

We proudly announce the August opening of our new charter school in the City of Senoia, Coweta County, serving grades K-8 and bringing the full array of Charter Schools USA’s services and offerings to the community. The school will be located on Rockaway Road, at the entrance of the Heritage Point development. Please visit www.cowetacharter.org regularly for updated information about the progress of the construction and the opening of the new campus.

We seek a School Registrar to join our new school in the City of Senoia. The School Registrar coordinates and performs student registration and other school-related activities.  The selected individual will be a team player. The School Registrar must be customer focused both internally with peers and externally with Parents and Students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consults with appropriate company personnel to devise student registration schedules and procedures.
• Supervises the registration process at appropriate times.
• Registers individual students as needed and directed by CSUSA’s Marketing Department or Principal.
• Processes student withdrawals from school.
• Analyzes statistical data on student registration for administrative use in formulating policies.
• Prepares and transmits requests for student transcripts and other official documents related to students to facilitate registration process.
• Evaluates transcripts of incoming students and takes appropriate action to insure completeness.
• Issues official student transcripts.
• Maintains records of grades and absences for each student’s file.
• Prepares statistical reports on educational activities for government and educational agencies and interprets registration policies to faculty and students.
• Assists in clerical and administrative functions to ensure the smooth operation of the school.
• Assists with marketing efforts for student recruiting and in hosting the school’s biweekly enrollment sessions.
• Maintains the student database system with proper coding/master scheduling to effectively monitor and updates information for the four FTE cycles that impact school funding.
• Enters students’ recommitments into the company’s database program.
• Mails recommitment forms and reminder letters.
• Compiles sibling list for Lottery.
• Updates waitlists and student immunization records.
• Processes Free and Reduced Lunch applications.
• Demonstrates excellent oral (including presentations), written, interpersonal (active listening), skills and ability in negotiating and influencing; great phone etiquette.
• Proactive and takes initiative. Thinks creatively. Drives projects to completion.  Insists on highest level of quality.

REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalence.
• General clerical skills including proficiency in typing and word processing, filing and preparing accurate reports.
• Bilingual ability may be required.
• Computer literacy and data entry experience preferred.
  • Commitment to company values.
  • Such alternatives to the above requirements as CSUSA may find appropriate and acceptable.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested applicants should submit:

1.  Letter of Intent – tell us what personal qualities set you apart from other applicants.

2.  Resume

Send documents to: Gina Faya, Director of Recruiting and Career Development at recruit@charterschoolsusa.com. The subject line of your email must include the Job Number and the Title of this position:

Job No.                       Title

GA-REG058    School Registrar

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Charter Schools USA offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, 401K, and much more. Our Pay-for-Performance Bonus Plan ensures that our top performers are equitably compensated.

FLSA OVERTIME CATEGORY:

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS USA:

We can offer you an exciting, learning work environment, a culture of mutual respect and teamwork and the opportunity to play a vital role in our growth.

Our company’s drive for superior culture is supported by training, company-wide recognition programs, staff climate surveys, communication teams that build collaboration and trust, and performance management systems that support a pay-for-performance superior culture.

Charter Schools USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer  who seeks to recruit and employ the best available person for a job regardless of marital status, sex (including pregnancy), age, religion, belief, race, nationality and ethnic or national origin, color, sexual orientation or disability.

To learn more about our organization visit us at www.charterschoolsusa.com

Georgia Charter School Association member schools have been featured on television news programs recently.

Alabama media features Georgia charter schools, GCSA
With Alabama legislators debating whether to adopt a charter school law this year, the state has looked to Georgia for examples of good charter schools. Recently, two television stations in Alabama featured GCSA member schools.

Click here to see Brighten Academy, KIPP STRIVE, Tech High and GCSA CEO Dr. Tony Roberts featured on WSFA-TV (NBC) in Montgomery.

Also, click here to see Ivy Prepartory Academy, University Community Academy and Dr. Roberts featured on ABC 33/40 in Birmingham.

Elite Scholars Academy featured as CBS Atlanta “Cool School”
Elite Scholars Academy was highlighted during CBS Atlanta’s (Ch. 46) weekly “Cool School” segment. Click here to check it out.

Position:           School Administrative Assistant

Date Posted:     2/23/10

Date to remove:  3/8/10

Start Date:        ASAP

Job Description: This position will provide Administrative support to the Chief Administrative Officer, Leadership Team and other school staff at Atlanta Preparatory Academy. To provide excellent maintenance of student, vendor, and correspondence files while complying with all corporate, local, state and federal guidelines and procedures.  Maintain the school data base.  Atlanta Preparatory Academy is located at 569 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA

Job Qualifications:  Associates Degree in Secretarial Science, Business or related field is required.  Three years experience in an administrative support position in a high volume office setting is required.  Experience in school office operations is preferred.  Must have excellent computer skills with experience with Infinite Campus school management a plus.

Application process:  Please apply on line at www.mosaicaeducation.com/careers

School contact Info:  dclark@mosaicaeducation.com

ATLANTA — The State Board of Education decided to take no action on appeals filed by several school districts attempting to block the opening of new charter schools in the fall.

Seven schools were approved in December by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission:  Atlanta Heights Charter School (Atlanta Public Schools), Coweta Charter Academy at Senoia (Coweta County Schools), Fulton Leadership Academy (Fulton County Schools), Heron Bay Academy (Henry and Griffin-Spalding County Schools), The Museum School of Avondale Estates (DeKalb County Schools), Pataula Charter Academy (Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Early and Randolph Counties) and Peachtree Hope Charter School (DeKalb).  Officials from the Coweta, Early and Randolph County School Systems asked the State Board of Education to overturn the Commission’s approval of the schools’ charters.

However, the State Board of Education took no action, thereby allowing the Commission’s recommendations on the schools to stand.

“We are pleased that the State Board of Education, after carefull deliberation, saw fit to allow the Commission’s decisions to move forward,” said Tony Roberts, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “This will allow even more students, parents and communities the opportunity to have more quality public educational options.”

# # #

Atlanta Journal Constitution story (State school board supports approval of seven new commission schools)
Newnan Times-Herald story (State panel backs Senoia charter school)

STATUS: Exempt
HOURS PER WEEK: 40+

All successful applicants must meet employment requirements including, but not limited to, reference
checks, criminal background checks, and education verification checks; and must have authorization to
work in the US or must be able to obtain US work authorization.

CALENDAR: Calendar Year, includes 3 weeks paid vacation

The School Director of Peachtree Hope Charter School must have superior interpersonal and
communication skills, be a strong and positive school leader with a proven history of performance with
community stakeholders, students, parents, teachers and staff. Previous charter school leadership
experience is a plus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: All School Employees

Summary of Duties: Responsible and accountable for the proper, efficient and successful operation of
the school in all areas, with particular emphasis on: academic achievements, enrollment, operational
and financial efficiency, and external relations and compliance. Ensures that the SABIS® curriculum and
philosophy are implemented throughout the school community. Supervisor (direct or as ultimate on-site
authority) of all school employees. Holds regular meetings with Administrative staff, Department Heads.
Observes and evaluates teachers, reviews exams and students’ scores. Reviews and approves all internal
and external communications. Serves as primary liaison to the Board of Directors. Meets with parents as
needed. Responsible for efficient implementation of the SABIS Student Life Organization® in the school.

Peachtree Hope Charter School is is a tuition-free public charter school scheduled to open as a K-5
school in August 2010. The Board of Directors of PHCS contracted with SABIS® to establish and operate
PHCS as a member of the SABIS® School Network. SABIS® is an international, college-preparatory
education system with roots in the 19th century and a vision for the 21st century. This system, at the
forefront of global education, is currently being successfully implemented in over 75 schools in 15
countries and educating approximately 56,000 students around the world.
Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply, please visit www.peachtreehope-sabis.net

Dr. Harry Wong is one of the most respected and referenced individuals in the field of education reform. He will be a featured speaker and will conduct a breakout workshop during the Eighth Annual GCSA Charter Schools Conference, March 10-12.

Dr. Wong discussed several topics recently during a Q&A session with the GCSA:

Question: Are good teachers born, or can they be created/cultivated through education and on-going professional development? 
Dr. Wong:  I have never heard a teacher declare that “I am a born teacher.”  Yet, I have heard administrators declare that “Mrs. Coleman is a born teacher.”  Then, if you ask Mrs. Coleman what she does that makes her so good as a teacher, she cannot tell you nor can she transfer her skill to someone else.  If we cannot share our knowledge, education stops.

The essence of education is to teach someone how to do something.  Thus, a knowledgeable and effective administrator can teach a talented person how to be an effective teacher.   That’s what I have been doing to thousands of teachers for two decades.  The most talented teacher wants to learn how to be a better teacher.  That’s what motivates then, continual learning.  In turn, these teachers are willing to help others become more effective teachers.  Education is a sharing profession, not something you are born into.

Q:  What are some of the biggest mistakes, in your findings, that young teachers make and how can they avoid them?
Dr. Wong:  They believe that learning should be fun.  So they keep looking for fun activities believing that if the students laugh and enjoy their activities they must be learning.  When they are asked what’s the purpose or objective of the lesson, they cannot tell you.  The activities are done without any thought to the curriculum or standards required for their grade level. 

After a while, what you see are activities cobbled together like a smorgasbord with no coherence and no learning that can be measured.  There is no relationship of they are doing to the others teachers in the school.  The new teachers then become disenchanted because everyone is operating in their own silo.  

The new teachers are not to be blamed; it’s the lack of a school culture that allows them to do this.

Q:  What should school administrators look for in a prospective teacher?
Dr. Wong:  Look for someone who is a learner, but the administrator must know what the teacher needs to learn to become an effective teacher.  If not the prospective, willing learner stops learning.  Just as ineffective teachers cobble together activities and think they are teaching, administrators cobble together programs, fads and ideologies thinking that these programs, fads and ideologies will improve student learning.  They ignore the fact that it is the teacher who is the most significant factor in student learning. 

Ten years ago, an article appeared in the KAPPAN where the author had a list of almost 400 ideas, fads, and programs that had been tried over and over again, with none of them working.  The prospective teacher is the future of the school, not some program or fad.  The prospective teacher is looking to grow.  Have a structured, coherent, and sustained professional development program that teaches a new teacher how to be an effective teacher.

Q:  What are some things school administrators can do to improve the job performance of their teaching staff?
Dr. Wong:  An administrator needs to know that student learning and achievement does not come from buying programs or structuring a school based on some philosophy or ideology.  Student learning comes from having a cadre of effective teachers, and we know the research on what makes for an effective teacher.  Thirty years of research repeatedly says that the effective teacher: 1) Can manage a classroom, 2) Can instruct for student learning, and 3) Has positive expectations for student learning and success. 

Teach teachers targeted instructional skills.  Knowing this fact, the administrator can then have a new teacher induction program that seamlessly becomes a sustained professional development program that is based on the three characteristics of an effective teacher.

Q:  How important is professional development for teachers?
Dr. Wong:  Professional development is the only way to create effective teachers.  Professional development is also the only way to create a culture of consistency in a school.  If you do not have effective teachers and you do not have a culture of consistency, then you have a bunch of teachers operating alone with no one to monitor their progress. 

The question is not “how important,” the question is “does a professional development program exist?”  Not to have a professional development program is like a store that does not give its employees continuous training, an airline that does not continually train its pilots and a team that does not have spring training followed by continuous training. 

The ineffective schools are those where new teachers are thrown into the classroom and told to sink or swim and where the administrators does not have the interpersonal skills to  gather everyone together to work as a team.

Just as good teachers teach towards goals and objectives, good administrators lead a school with measureable goals and objectives.  The key word is “lead.”  You lead people; you don’t lead programs.

Q:  Do you have any thoughts on ways that veteran teachers can remain motivated?
Dr. Wong:  I all but get a standing ovation at meetings when I say, “Please stop spending money on every fad that comes along and take a fraction of that money and spend it on continuous professional development of your teachers.”  The ones who applaud the loudest are the veteran teachers.  They want training.  They know the value of training.  Continuous learning is what motivates them.  What demotivates them is another “flavor of the month” with the underlying message that it is a program, not the teacher that is the important factor that leads to student learning and achievement. 

I have seen so many charter schools that advertise themselves as based on “the whole child,” “the constructivist approach,” or “multiple intelligence.”  Or, they tell you they have small classes and the latest technology.  Now ask any parent what they want and they will tell you, “We want the best teacher possible for my child!”

Q:  If you could, what are three things you would do to improve education in our country?
Dr. Wong:  One thing is all we need to do, but we refuse to do it.  The quality of a school cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.   Ineffective schools do not know how to improve the quality of their teachers.  Eighty percent of a school’s budget is spent on teacher’s salaries, yet most schools ignore the fact that teachers are the capital resources of a school.  Peter Drucker, the famed business guru, coined the term “human capital” and considered people “assets.”   Human capital is the wealth and future of a company.  People are its major assets. 

Peter Drucker says that if you ask any businessperson to name their greatest asset, they will tell you it’s their PEOPLE.  An asset is what you invest in to make it grow into greater assets.  That’s why businesses spend $53 billion dollars each year training their people—their assets—to make them worth more to a company. 

However, ask a school administrator or policymaker to name their greatest asset and they will often tell you its money or programs.  Rarely do you hear anyone say, their teachers are their most valuable assets—yet the research says it over and over again: Teacher instructional quality is the most critical factor by which to improve student achievement or close the achievement gap. 

Ask the baseball manager, construction foreman, or senior partner in a law firm, what they do with new employees.  They will tell you that all employees are trained from the day they arrive, and the training continues until the employee leaves. 

Now, ask a school administrator what they do with a new teacher.  Some do nothing.  Most will tell you they assign a mentor to the new teacher and rarely monitor the result of the relationship. 

The only way to close the student achievement gap is to close the teacher instruction gap.  Teach the teachers well and they will teach the students well. 

Effective schools have a culture where they consistently invest in teacher capital.

DATE:  Friday, January 29^{th
TIME:  10 – 10:45 a.m.
COST:  $75}

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Dial 215-383-1002
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