Perspective | The NC ACCESS program is freeing charter schools to live their mission

by Rhonda Dillingham

EdNC.org
January 25, 2021

“From the start, the spirit and mission of North Carolina charter schools has been to complement the traditional district system and serve all children a free, innovative, high-quality education, regardless of race or income. While the charter sector has consistently striven to live out that mission, the NC ACCESS Grant is helping us take incredible new strides in doing so.

In 2018, the state received a five-year, $36.6 million grant from the federal Department of Education. That grant — the NC ACCESS Program — is helping to expand access to charter schools for educationally disadvantaged students and train new leaders who can disseminate best practices for charter schools.

Excitingly, it’s working. Public charter schools are learning transportation and lunch service strategies to remove invisible barriers for low-income students. During the first full year of the program, six subgrantees enrolled more than 250 additional educationally disadvantaged children in their schools.”

Charters boost N.C.’s public education

by Rhonda Dillingham

The News & Observer
Raleigh, NC
January 27, 2018

“Our goal is for every child in North Carolina to have access to a quality public education.  We have the opportunity to achieve this goal thanks to the research of the Joint Legislative Task Force.  Instead of blaming charter schools for a public school system that isn’t working for all students and families, we should be seeking ways to address inequalities within our states’ funding system and its effect on kids.”

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Charter schools offer variety

by Rhonda Dillingham

Reflector.com
Greenville, NC
May 4, 2017

“Education should not be a one-size-fits-all proposition.  Children learn in a myriad of ways.  As a former high school English teacher, I encountered this concept early in my career when I was struggling to get my students to learn new vocabulary.  Their learning was transformed when instead of giving them a list of words and dictionaries, I developed a vocabulary basketball game that got students up and out of their seats having fun while expanding their vocabulary.”

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Durham City Council’s vote shows a misunderstanding of charter schools

by Rhonda Dillingham

The Herald-Sun
Durham, NC
August 14, 2018

“Charter schools have been part of North Carolina’s public school system since the law was passed in 1996.  However, some people still do not understand that charter schools are free, public schools open to all students.

Public charter schools strengthen our public school system by offering students an opportunity for a great public education at schools that prioritize their needs.  They provide a great education despite receiving less per-pupil funding than traditional public schools, so more money goes to students rather than wasteful bureaucracy.”

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National Charter Schools Week 2018: It’s About the People

by Rhonda Dillingham

Kinston.com
Kinston, NC
May 6, 2018

“Charter schools are as good as the change makers who are choosing charters every day.  The teachers who lead their classrooms to fit their students’ needs.  The school administrators who foster a safe, inclusive, and academically-stimulating learning environment.  The families who rally around their kids and partner with their schools to make the most of their school experience.  The advocates and community leaders who build support against the barriers that some charters face, and the elected leaders who stand up for their constituents who are demanding high-quality education options for their students.”

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NC public charter schools stymied by funding

by Rhonda Dillingham

The Herald-Sun
Durham, NC
March 26, 2018

“Fortunately, public charter schools are empowering families and meeting childrens’ needs.  They allow families to break free from the limitations of schools that have been chosen for them.  Instead, families choose the educational model they feel is best for their children, and they are thankful for this choice.  In 2016, two national surveys found that, on average, charter school parents are more satisfied with their children’s schools than are district school parents.”

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School Administrator: Reader Reply

by Rhonda Dillingham

School Administrator
Alexandria, VA
November 2018

“From my years as a teacher and administrator in traditional public schools, I am well aware that the push of outside regulation can get in the way of what teachers are naturally good at and what they genuinely love about teaching.  In my current role leading a state organization of charter schools, I can tell you that we are working to rebalance this equation.  It is a part of our charge and mission as charters to develop and model change that helps charters while also opening new options for the traditional settings. As charter and traditional camps listen and learn from each other, both will grow.”

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