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Policy Makers

Lawmakers bold enough to challenge the status quo know how important it is to adopt critical reforms that are most conducive to helping students succeed in school. CER offers the tools you need to make smart decisions about our schools and our children.

American Education Policy & Practice

• Lawmakers' Guide to Education Reform can to help you proactively address the education concerns of voters in your district and state.
• CER's Education in America State-by-State Scorecard provides rating of states' education efforts and achievement across the board.

Charter Schools

• Charter School Laws: Rankings, Scorecard and State Law Profiles
• The Role of Multiple Authorizers
• Understanding State Constitutions and Charter Schools
• Charter School Financing: Following the Money
• Find a Charter School: CER's Map will link you to all the charter schools in your state and district.

Recent Developments

The Paper Tiger Exposed
Election results are in, and teacher-union endorsed candidates fell to more reform-minded candidates in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. Despite their reputation as power brokers with deep pockets, the teachers unions are only as powerful as we let them be. Got edspresso?

Lack of Math Proficiency Underscores the Need for School Options
CER Press Release, Washington, DC, October 14, 2009
American students are not being properly prepared to succeed in the global workforce and demonstrate slower progress than ever before in math proficiency, according to an evaluation of test scores under the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP) released today.

Kids Need Great Schools: Michigan Rally Thursday, September 24
Thousands of Michigan students, parents, teachers and advocates will rally to urge lawmakers to focus on more school choices and alternative teacher certification options to support Michigan's "Race to the Top." Ten Michigan charter schools will celebrate their 15th anniversaries as well.

Fixing America's Schools
CNN, September 8, 2009
In the wake of President Obama's address to the nation's school children, CER president Jeanne Allen discusses the state of the nation's education system: "We know that parents need options. While we're figuring out how to fix our schools, they should have real choices."

American Education Conversation Changer
CER president Jeanne Allen reflects on the way in which Ted Kennedy changed the focus of education policy debates on achievement and funding. Go to National Journal's Education Experts blog or Politico's The Arena.

Check This Out:

Get Connected: Find education reform organizations and websites that offer resources and support for your state or nationwide. Grading Schools