GO TO THE CLICK “QR ENTER YOUR GAME CENTER ZONE” SESSION’S PIN LET YOUR SESSI SESSION N NAME: E: Qu Quality Ou Out o of the G e Gate: C Critica cal PRESENTERS Thin inking A About Y Your A Appl pplication Pr Process KNOW YOU’RE HERE, AND EARN POINTS! 7740 SESSI SESSION P PIN: #NACSAcon
DO NO O NOW: W: Write down one question about applications that you want answered today. #NACSAcon
QU QUALITY OU OUT OF OF THE HE GATE: CRIT ITIC ICAL AL THIN INKIN ING AB G ABOUT YOU OUR R APPL PPLICATION ON PR PROC OCESS #NACSAcon
Christopher er •Denver Public Schools Dewitt itt Morg rgan n •State Charter Schools Commission Fe Felts of Georgia •National Association of Charter Er Erin R Redd ddy School Authorizers #NACSAcon
A HEALTHY APPLICATION PROCESS ME MERI RIT-BASE SED EFFICI CIENT NT APPLICA CATION N APPLICA CATION N DECISIONS NS SUBMI MISSION ON COMPR OMPREHENSIVE RIGOR OROU OUS APPLICA CANT NT APPLICA CATION N INTER ERVIEW EWS EVAL EV ALUATION #NACSAcon
The term ‘triage iage’ normally means deciding what gets attention first. #NACSAcon
APPLICATION TRIAGE: WHERE TO TAKE A PULSE The The Rubric/ People Evidence The The Start-up Budget Plan #NACSAcon
#NACSAcon
#NACSAcon
A pulse on: THE PEOPLE #NACSAcon
People EXTERNAL APPLICANTS REVIEWERS Revie iew t team c am composit itio ion Capac acit ity i intervie iews ws #NACSAcon
WHY ARE EXTERNAL REVIEWERS IMPORTANT? “A quality authorizer engages, for both wri application reviews a applicant interviews, highly competent tea internal and external evaluators with releva Objectivity Expertise educational, organizational (governance and management), financ and legal expertise, a well as a thorough Feedback Integrity understanding of the essential principles o charter school auton and accountability.” #NACSAcon
EXPECTATIONS OF REVIEWERS Recommen mend d Re Read Cond nduc uct Come t me to Asse Assess Appr pproval or r Applic icat ation Interview Conse sens nsus us Denial Den #NACSAcon
HOW TO COMPOSE THE TEAM Develop a p a pr process! Team Lead Recruitment plan o Reviewers Teams of 4 o Required qualifications o Internal + Selection process All External All Internal o External* * Represents a NACSA best practice #NACSAcon
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN REVIEWERS Professional experience Area eas o of E Expe pertise Specific M Models ls Eye for detail Curriculum Blended/Virtual Instruction Dropout Recovery/Alternative Management STEM/STEAM Strong writing skills (for team leads) Law Expeditionary Learning Finance No conflict of interest Business Special Education Interpersonal skills Sensitivity to perspective #NACSAcon
WHY IS THE CAPACITY INTERVIEW IMPORTANT? “A quality authorizer rigorously evaluates e Vet Follow-up application through… substantive in-person interview with the applicant group.” Probe Revaluate #NACSAcon
THE HOW: CAPACITY INTERVIEW PROCESS DEVELOP DEVELOP BE MINDFUL OF STANDARD APPLICANT- EQUITY AND QUESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC POTENTIAL FOR EACH APPLICANT QUESTIONS BIAS LOGISTICS Length of Interview • Interviewers • Interviewees • Inform reviewers • #NACSAcon
CAPACITY INTERVIEW: KEY TAKEAWAYS Capacity interviews offer an additional data point to ensure your applicants will execute their plan well Capacity interviews should include both Board members as well as school leaders to get a clear sense of the founding team Be clear on the logistics and expectations for your interviews up front #NACSAcon
CAPACITY INTERVIEW: KEY TAKEAWAYS Capacity interviews offer an additional data point to ensure your applicants will execute their plan well Capacity interviews should include both Board members as well as school leaders to get a clear sense of the founding team Be clear on the logistics and expectations for your interviews up front #NACSAcon
A pulse on: THE RUBRIC #NACSAcon
WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION RUBRIC IMPORTANT? “A quality authorizer implements a comprehensive Fair Transparent application process that…follows fair, transparent procedur and rigorous criteria. High Quality Aligned #NACSAcon
FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS CULT LTURE EDUCATION PR PROG OGRA RAM GOVERNA NANCE NCE TEACHING NG LEADERS RSHI HIP #NACSAcon
THE HOW: LOGISTICS • Applicants are given all application materials months before the application is due • This cycle, applications are due in April and materials were published in October • Applicants material include a budget template, a rubric, and guiding questions • We run workshops for both applicants and reviewers to familiarize them with the rubric #NACSAcon
RUBRIC: TAKEAWAYS • Rubrics offer a transparent and equitable standard of quality that all applicants can follow • Rubrics reduce the likelihood that bias will affect the outcome of your process • Rubric criteria should be aligned with accountability systems used once the school is up and running. #NACSAcon
A pulse on: THE EVIDENCE #NACSAcon
WHY IS QUALITY EVIDENCE IMPORTANT? “A quality authorizer implements a Application comprehensive Evidence application process that…follows fair, transparent procedures Meri rit- and rigorous criteria.” Base sed Decisions De Public Interview Hearing Evidence Evidence #NACSAcon
FLOW OF EVIDENCE Analytical Application Rubric Decision Report #NACSAcon
TYPES OF EVIDENCE Quantity of Evidence Quality of Evidence #NACSAcon
HOW TO GET QUALITY EVIDENCE 1. Run a consistent process 2. Use standardized forms 3. Train, train, train! 4. Demand detail #NACSAcon
QUALITY EVIDENCE! #NACSAcon
STANDARDIZED FORMS! #NACSAcon
A pulse on: THE BUDGET #NACSAcon
WHY IS A SOUND BUDGET IMPORTANT? “Charter schools are not just educational institutions; they have the responsibility to manage Viability Sustainability all operations, including ensuring a balanced budget.” - Cannata, Thomas and Thombre, “Starting Strong: Best Practices in Starting a Charter School.” Public Transparency Obligation #NACSAcon
EXCELLENT EDUCATION STEM CHARTER SCHOOL Opening in Fall 2017 K-8, 500 students Integrated STEM focus with 1:1 technology Laboratory classes beginning in 3 rd grade #NACSAcon
EXCELLENT E T EDUC DUCATIO TION S STE TEM CHA HARTE TER S SCHO HOOL: BUDGET ANAL ANALYSIS Item Cost st Compute ters $3, $3,000 000 Textbo books & s & Supplies $1,500 Facility R Renova vations $15, $1 5,00 000 (l (loc ocation on was p previously a Dick ck’s S Spor orting G Good oods) Spec pecial E Education T Tea eachers & & Ser ervices $0 $0 Years 1 1 and nd 2 2 ne negative e end nding c cash flow #NACSAcon
SHOW ME THE MONEY! Understand how funding is generated Understand when funding is generated Understand what (if anything) gets forward-funded #NACSAcon
HOW TO QUICKLY ASSESS BUDGET QUALITY Does the budget… • Reflect their plan as articulated in their petition narrative? • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth and scope of expenses that will be incurred? • Contemplate a positive cash-flow? • Correctly amortize up-front expenditures? #NACSAcon
UNDERSTANDING INTERNAL CONTROLS Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of – Fiscal policies and procedures (e.g. Purchasing, Check Signature, etc.) Physical controls Segregation of Duties #NACSAcon
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Other things that you may want to consider– Authorizer staffing Expertise of evaluators Resources for evaluators Expertise of applicants Resources for applicants #NACSAcon
A pulse on: THE START UP PLAN #NACSAcon
WHY IS A STRONG START UP PLAN IMPORTANT? “Starting a new school involves many challenges – managing the budget, acquiring suitable facilities, designing the Planning Compliance instructional program, and hiring teachers, to name a few…[S]uccessfully navigating these challenges to achieve a strong start-up is critical to new charter schools.” - Cannata, Thomas and Thombre, “Starting Strong: Viability Capacity Best Practices in Starting a Charter School.” #NACSAcon
START UP PLAN ESSENTIALS EDUCATIONA NAL FINA NANCE NCE & & PROGRA RAMMI MMING OPE OPERA RATIONS STUDE DENTS TS PERS PE RSONNEL #NACSAcon
START UP PLAN ESSENTIALS – EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING Finalize curriculum and instructional resources Plan professional development opportunities Select a Student Information System Ensure compatibility with any state systems Finalize school calendar #NACSAcon
START UP PLAN ESSENTIALS – FINANCE & OPERATIONS Transition Petition Budget to an Operational Budget Determine funding for Year One Finalize your facility Ensure construction or renovation will allow for an on-time opening Create Policies Students Employees Fiscal Health and Safety Privacy & Confidentiality #NACSAcon
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