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Writer's pictureShaElla Askew

New Schools for Alabama Hosts Successful Annual Charter School Conference with Geoffrey Canada as Keynote Speaker


At New Schools for Alabama, our mission is to ensure every child has the opportunity to attend a high-quality school. On Thursday, November 8, 2024, we were honored to host the Annual Alabama Charter School Conference, a gathering dedicated to advancing excellence and innovation in education across the state.


Our keynote speaker, Geoffrey Canada, president of the Harlem Children’s Zone and founder of the William Julius Wilson Institute, delivered a compelling and empowering address. An esteemed education innovator, author, and advocate for children, Canada inspired Alabama charter leaders to continue striving for excellence and creating high-quality educational opportunities. He emphasized the importance of forming connections with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to foster a stronger future for Alabama’s students. Canada also challenged education leaders to make difficult but necessary decisions, such as parting ways with staff members who do not align with a mission to deliver quality education. He reminded us that breaking barriers for underprivileged students requires bold leadership and, at times, implementing longer school hours to give every child a chance to succeed.







In addition to the keynote, the conference featured insightful breakout sessions. The National Parents Union led an engaging discussion on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on children's education. Auburn University representatives spoke about charter school growth in Alabama, while Alabama Families for Great Schools provided strategies for supporting quality education

initiatives.





The conference also featured a dynamic HBCU panel, where charter school leaders and HBCU representatives discussed the immense benefits of partnerships between charter schools and HBCUs. They explored ways these collaborations could provide charter school students with expanded opportunities and access to resources, while also identifying the barriers that must be overcome. The panel emphasized the critical support needed from the community to make these partnerships a reality.





A highlight of the day was the highly anticipated Student Panel, where charter school students shared why they chose charter schools and what they hope to see in the future. The students expressed a desire for more challenging academic opportunities and spoke passionately about the need for better facilities and sports programs. It is important to note that current Alabama funding models allocate over $2,000 less per student to charter schools than traditional public schools, a significant gap that affects access to quality facilities and extracurricular programs.





In addition to these discussions, we had several noteworthy recognitions. Three outstanding teachers from I3 Academy and LEAD Academy-Montgomery were honored as the 2024 Alabama Charter School Teachers of the Year, each receiving a $2,000 award for their dedication and hard work. We also presented the Charter School Champion awards to individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to advocate for and champion quality charter schools in Alabama.



We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible:

  • School Food and Wellness

  • Reach University

  • BrandNeue

  • Lumen Impact Group

  • Ross & Yerger Education

  • Technology Lab

  • K12 Coalition


Stay connected with us by registering for our email list and blog to get updates on the 2025 conference and more recaps from 2024. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to transform education in Alabama.

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