CANEC Journalism Awards; CANEC Recognizes Five California Journalists and Newspapers for Coverage of State's Charter Schools for the Past Year.

Business Editors/Education Writers

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2000

The California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) is recognizing five California journalists and newspapers for their coverage of the state's charter schools for the past year. Selection was based on how accurately and comprehensively the winning articles and editorials detail the issues and problems facing charter schools and the role of charter schools in public school reform.

      The winners are:

--  Best News Article (Daily Newspaper): Jonathan Schorr, Oakland
    Tribune, "An invitation to new education: charter schools herald
    changes for Oakland students," February 9, 1999. A report on the
    growth of charter schools in Oakland, in part because of backing
    by Mayor Jerry Brown.

--  Best Feature Article (Daily Newspaper): Julian Guthrie, San
    Francisco Examiner, "School's main subject: life," May 30, 1999. A
    profile of the Life Learning Academy, operated by Delancey Street,
    a self-help center for former convicts and addicts. The charter
    school serves at-risk and troubled youth between the ages 14-18.

--  Best Feature Article (Community Newspaper): Laura Kroger, Paradise
    Post, "Outclassed: charter school score with teachers, parents,
    and students," two-part series, March 6 and 9, 1999. A report on
    high achievement in two charter schools, especially when compared
    to other district schools in Butte County.

--  Best Editorial: Los Angeles Daily News, "Democrat dictatorship:
    assembly bill to impose union rules on charter schools would
    destroy hopes for education reform," April 9, 1999. The Daily News
    joined most of the state's editorial pages in opposing legislation
    that would have imposed the sponsor district's collective
    bargaining agreement on a charter school. The bill was defeated
    and more modest legislation that allows charter school staff to
    vote on whether to be represented by a union passed instead.

--  Best Column: John Fensterwald, San Jose Mercury News, "Is
    teachers union already threatening new charter school?" November
    9, 1999. Fensterwald criticizes the San Jose teachers union for
    opposing the charter petition of Downtown College Prep, Santa
    Clara County's first charter school.

California Network of Educational Charters is a statewide nonprofit, non-partisan association The California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) is the recognized charter school membership organization and collective voice of the California charter school community. CANEC's mission is to facilitate the establishment and operation of high-quality charter schools and to promote the growth and success of the charter school movement. CANEC provides networking opportunities, services, resources, and advocacy for the diverse and changing needs of the charter school community.