From LSCs to LSGTs APS' Transition to Charter System Today's Agenda - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LSC Summit

March 28, 2015

From LSCs to LSGTs APS' Transition to Charter System

Today's Agenda

• APS, A System in Growth
• Charter System—The Big Picture
• Test Your Knowledge!
• LSCs to LSGTs
• The Work of the LSGT
• The LSC Going Forward
• Q & A

2

• A. I will survive
• B. Just Fine
• C. Happy
• D. I am so Excited
• E. Don’t Stop Believing

Which song title best describes how you feel at this moment?

About APS

Converging to Develop a Charter System

Strategic Plan 2015-2020 Cluster Planning

Flexibility Option/ Operating Model Approach

Charter System Petition

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Strategic Plan 2015-2020

With a caring culture of trust and collaboration, every student will graduate ready for college and career.

Our Mission

A high-performing school district where students love to learn, educators inspire, families engage and the community trusts the system.

Our Vision

Strategy Map

Academic Program

Our students will be well-rounded individuals who possess the necessary academic skills and knowledge and who are excited about learning.

Talent Management

We will retain an energized and inspired team of employees who are capable of advancing ever-increasing levels

• f achievement for

students of all backgrounds.

Systems and Resources

We will improve efficiency (productivity, cost) while also making decisions (including resource allocations) that are grounded in a strategic academic direction and data.

Culture

We will build trust with the community, and we will have engaged stakeholders (employees, students, parents, community members, partners, etc.) who are invested in the mission and vision and who support the creation of student-centered learning communities.

Our Strategic Priority Areas

The strategic priority areas provide guidance for APS leadership in the development of policies and regulations, objectives, strategies and initiatives to achieve the vision.

Strategic Priority Area Objectives Initiatives Academic Program

• Deliver a rigorous

standards-based instructional program

• Invest in holistic

development of the diverse APS student body 1. Early Childhood Offerings 2. Common Core/Georgia Performance Standards Support 3. Positive Behavior Strategies 4. College and Career Access Strategies

Academic Program

Strategic Priority Area Objectives Initiatives Talent Strategy

• Recruit and retain the

best talent at APS

• Continually develop,

recognize, and compensate staff 1. Teacher and Leader Recruitment Strategies 2. Teacher and Leadership Development Programs/Staff Professional Learning 3. Equity in Compensation Study

Talent Management

Strategic Priority Area Objectives Initiatives Systems and Resources

• Continually improve
• perating systems and

processes

• Prioritize resources

based on student needs 1. System Upgrade and Integration for HR and Finance Technology 2. Strategic Facilities and Capital Plan 3. Instructional and Infrastructure Technology Plans 4. Strategic Budgeting 5. Safe and Secure Learning Environments

Systems and Resources

Strategic Priority Area Objectives Initiatives Culture

• Foster a caring culture of

trust and collaboration

• Communicate and engage

with families and stakeholders 1. Strength-Based Strategies to Support Organizational Culture 2. Ethical Programming and Practices 3. Stakeholder Communication and Engagement

Culture

Cluster Planning

What is Cluster Planning?

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Purpose

• To build stronger schools and clusters to ensure consistent high

quality academics and focused programming exists across the district

Context

• The goals of Cluster Planning are to enhance the alignment of

schools within a cluster and increase the levels of flexibility and autonomy from the district-level to the cluster and school levels.

• Each cluster has a Cluster Planning Team made up of principals and

community representatives.

• The cluster plan will guide the academic direction for students

within each cluster.

• The cluster plans will inform the FY16 and FY17 Budget and the

Charter System Application.

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Atlanta Public Schools

A website will publish minutes, dates, locations, and other information about the meetings

Doc Documented

Cluster Planning Team Meetings will be open to the public for

• bservation

Op Open

Meetings will be respectful, collaborative, constructive and positive

Col Colla laborative

Cluster Planning Team Meetings

Cluster Planning Teams are made up of the principals from the cluster and community representatives.

Meeting Norms

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Cluster Planning: Timeline

Sample Cluster Data on Website

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http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/strongschools

Next Steps

• Cluster Planning Teams will use the feedback the

community meeting to update the mission, vision and priorities for the cluster

• Cluster Planning Teams will start developing resource

requirements and partnership opportunities

• Hard copy and online surveys are available for

additional feedback

• Community Conversations are being planned for May

Charter System Application and Planning

Why is APS implementing the Charter System?

APS A System in Growth and Transition

Pursuing Flexibility through Charter System Cluster Strategic Planning District Strategic Planning Building Trust & Engaging Community

What is a Charter System?

We'll now watch a short video that highlights how a charter system works.

APS Charter System Application Timeline and Activities

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Date Activity

November 2014

• Board Voted to Submit the Letter of Intent (LOI) for

Charter System December 2014

• Submitted LOI to Georgia Department of Education with

request for FY16 waivers needed for operation January 2015 – May 2015

• Application Development

January 2015 – June 2015

• Stakeholder Engagement

February 2015 – April 2015

• Community Meetings

January 2015 – June 2015

• Charter System Advisory Committee Monthly Meetings

May 2015

• Conduct Public Hearings

June 2015

• Board Approval of Charter System Petition

June 2015

• Submit Charter System Petition to Georgia Department
• f Education

After Submittal

• Georgia Department of Education makes approval/denial

to State Board of Education If Approved

• Execution of Contract between the district and State

Board of Education

Charter System — Basic Components

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Charter System

Commit to Innovation and Changing District Culture To innovate, Require Freedom from State Law, Policy and District Policy Freedom in Exchange for Increased Accountability Goals Distribution of substantial autonomy to school (LSGT)

Charter System Basics

Time for Mythbusters!

Let's Test Your Knowledge

Question #1

True or False, When a school district becomes a charter system, Every school in that district becomes a Charter school.

Answer: False

If APS is granted charter system status, its schools will become charter system schools. So, what's the difference?

Charter School

• Individual Entity
• Board of Directors legally

responsible for entirety

• f school operations and

performance Charter System School

• Part of the District
• Local School Governance

Team (LSGT) responsible for strategic vision and deep thinking to increase school performance

• If someone gets paid…

Does anyone know what's the big thing they DO have in common?

Charter School

• Governed by non-profit

board of directors

• Contract is between school,

school district and state

• The Governing board can

contract with an independent

• perator to manage and run

the school

• Schools are independent and

have flexibility from state and district policies

Charter System

• Governed by Board of

Education

• Contract is between system

and SBOE

• Local School Governance Team

has decision-making authority in certain areas

• Schools are not independently

responsible for all goals stated in charter contract

• Not privatization

Commonalities

• Public
• Operate under a

charter contract

• Receive flexibility from

certain state laws

• Subject to GA statewide

accountability assessments

Charter System vs. Charter School

Question #2

True or False, A Charter System can waive, i.e., not follow, federal and state education laws, state board of education rules, and policies.

Answer: False

Charter systems can only waive SOME laws. These are:

State Education Laws State Board of Education Rules Department of Education Policies/Procedures The District's own policies What Can't we waive? Federal law or anything related to health and safety, civil rights, etc.

BONUS! Which one of these waivable areas do you think charter systems have the most trouble waiving?

Question #3

True or False, Local School Governance Teams in a Charter System Model have greater levels

• f decision-making authority, autonomy,

and input than Local School Advisory Councils.

Answer: True!

Charter systems must distribute decision making authority to LSGTs in these areas:

Curriculum & Instruction Personnel Budget & Resource Allocations School Improvement School Operations

How else do LSGTs and LSACs compare?

LSGTs vs. LSACs

Characteristics LSGT LSAC Structure Voting Body Advisory Body Primary Purpose Set strategic direction and vote on school improvement initiatives Advise and make recommendations to school leadership Required? Mandatory for charter systems Mandatory for traditional systems (replaced by LSGT in charter system) Legal Status Legally a part of the district Legally a part of the district Membership Strict requirements Minimum requirements

LSGT Composition

What are our LSGTs required to look like?

LSGTs must have a majority of parents/community members. LSGTs must be composed of parents, community members, and teachers. The rest is up to us to determine.

Stakeholder Input on LSGT Member Structure

LSGT Composition 9 voting members* (size may vary to 7 or 11) Principal is a voting/non-voting member * 3-4 Parents elected by parents 3 Teachers elected by staff 2 Community members nominated by the principal 1 HS/MS/ES student is a voting/nonvoting member* Principal and LSGT Chair collaborate on agenda setting 2 year terms with a maximum of 2 terms(following initial staggered terms of 1 and 2 yrs.)

The Work of the LSGT

Domain Required Considering Personnel

IPT: Selection of Principal IPT: Annual feedback on principal's performance/interaction with LSGT IPT: Interview Principal

Finance & Resource Allocations

IPT: Final recs for school budget IPT: #/type of personnel, curriculum costs, supply, equipment, maintenance,

• perations costs

AUT: Develop/manage requests for funding to support new innovative proposals.

Curriculum

IPT: Curriculum and accompanying instructional materials IPT/AUT: Align school's curriculum

• fferings and modes of delivery to

cluster theme.

School Improveme nt

AUT: Establish/monitor achievement of school improvement goals AUT: Approval of school improvement plan and oversight of its implementation AUT: Create strategic plan that incorporates school improvement and Title I planning.

School Operations

IPT: school operations that relate to school improvement goals and/or charter system goals AUT: Development of community communication strategies and creation of Parent/community involvement/engagement plan IPT: School system calendar and district-wide initiatives

In addition to those specific tasks,

LSGTs will develop strategies, solutions, innovations, etc., that are aligned to their strategic plan and are calculated to increase student achievement. These solutions will then be vetted by the district for approval/denial. = School-Based Solutions Process

(working title)

A Timeline of the LSGT's Work

Spring: LSGT elected, appointed, trained. Summer: LSGT creates strategic plan. Fall: LSGT creates school-based solutions aligned to strategic plan. Fall: LSGT refines SBS with public input and/or Cluster Advisory Team feedback. Winter: District considers and approves SBS for implementation following year

• E. Spring: LSGT shapes

budget to accommodate new initiatives and approved SBS. Summer: LSGT updates school strategic plan based on new data available. Fall: LSGT implements approved SBS and creates new SBS for following year.

Clusters in the APS Charter System Model

Each Cluster will have a

Cluster Advisory Team

Membership Principal + LSGT Rep from each School within Cluster May add community member seats, with a cap. Duties to LSGT CAT reviews and recommends LSGT school-based solutions that implicate cluster plan as part of district- vetting process. CAT provides support to LSGTs on membership, solutions, issues. Duties to District CAT reviews district-wide initiatives and provides input to district. CAT is the keeper of the cluster strategic plan and will periodically update it.

One Last Question…

What's your role in the transition to Charter System?

Insight into Planning Communication to Your School Community Source of LSGT Members!

LSAC Charter System Open Night Coming to your school Fall

• 2015. Details to follow soon.

Recruiting Communication Training Participation

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Please take a few minutes and fill out your feedback form to help guide our planning efforts.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL Auditorium) 130 Trinity Avenue, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (All meetings are open to the public) Thursday, January 22, 2015 Thursday, February 19, 2015 Thursday, March 19, 2015 Thursday, April 16, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Thursday, June 18, 2015

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Strong Students. Strong Schools. Strong Staff. Strong System

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http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/strongschools

Thank You