Chief of state’s charter school division stepping down
By Louis Freedberg/EdSource Extra
The California Department of Education is looking for a replacement for the chief of its charter school division, who is leaving her post after 18 months on the job. The departure of Beth Hunkapiller at the end of October comes at a time of continuing expansion of charter schools in California. At the same time, the state faces considerable pressures regarding oversight of state and federal dollars, especially at start-up charter schools. It is also examining its capacity to oversee 31 charter schools authorized by the State Board of Education between 2000 and 2010. Hunkapiller said when she accepted the post she was planning to stay only six months, “just to step in and try to help.” (more...)