Spring 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I am excited to update you on our organization’s work over the last quarter and future engagement opportunities. Our recent participation in the NACSA advisory board meeting in Chicago and our upcoming engagement with the National Charter Collaborative will be influential in moving our mission forward and our ability to stay engaged and connected with our partners. We are looking forward to continuing to expand our reach and advocate for inclusive educational practices that cater to the diverse needs of all learners. 

In our Spring Newsletter, you will find:

• Updates on research initiatives
• A short survey to help us improve our communications efforts
• Model Policy Guide webinar registration details
• Introductions to our newest team member and opportunities to collaborate

As we continue to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we hope you will join us in exploring our journey and milestones through engaging with our blog posts and social media highlights.

Thank you for fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational system.

Together, we will continue to ensure equal opportunities for all students.

Lauren Morando Rhim

Co-founder and Executive Director

Model Policy Guide Webinar 

Recently, we shared the exciting release of our Model Policy Guide 2.0! This second edition provides policymakers, advocates, and education leaders with current and necessary information and refined language that incorporates the lessons learned since the first version was published. The guide reflects current best practices and addresses the evolving needs of students with disabilities in charter schools.

To further support the implementation of the Model Policy Guide and facilitate a deeper exploration of its contents, we will be hosting a webinar on May 8th, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. EST. This webinar will:

• Provide a unique opportunity to engage with experts in the field,
• Discuss critical principles outlined in the guide, and
• Hold space for the exchange of ideas on how best to ensure inclusive education within charter schools

Charter School Equity, Quality, Growth, and Sustainability Study 

Director of Research Vacancy

Communications Survey

We constantly strive to improve our communication efforts and provide you with more personalized content. We have prepared a short survey to help us better understand your preferences and interests.

We appreciate your time and the insights you provide.

Meet our Newest Team Member

Kate McElligott

Manager of Strategy and Impact

Kate McElligott is the Manager of Strategy and Impact at the Center for Learner Equity. She has over 15 years of experience in teaching, case management, and systems leadership in the New Orleans school systems. Kate is passionate about creating evidence-based, collaborative learning experiences for diverse learners that embrace their extraordinary strengths. She believes in the power of strategic change management and continuous improvement to transform schools to be authentically inclusive and accelerate the outcomes of students with disabilities. Kate has countless proof points of exponential and unprecedented growth for students who historically struggled in schools, and this fuels her conviction of what’s possible when schools create high-quality, inclusive, and individualized learning experiences.

Collaborate with CLE

Djenaba Figueroa

Communications & Engagement

CLE is actively looking to expand our network of communication partners to increase the visibility of our work, research, and publications. Building strong partnerships with our allies and stakeholders is vital to our mission. By extending our communication reach across our platforms and collaborating with like-minded organizations, we can amplify our impact in service of our shared vision and mission. We believe that forming relationships with strategic partners is crucial in advancing our efforts toward equity, particularly for students with disabilities. We are excited to explore opportunities for collaboration and mutual support with organizations that align with our values and goals. 

Our new team member, Djenaba Figueroa, is leading this valuable initiative for CLE. She started with CLE in December and is responsible for executing CLE's communication strategy and being our in-house brand champion! Before joining CLE, Djenaba led communications strategies at Purdue University and Rutgers University. She is a certified meditation teacher and motivational speaker committed to improving her community's health and wellness.

Contact Djenaba for potential partnership and collaboration inquiries.