STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS COMMISSION BRIEFING January 30, 2012 What - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Charter Schools and Charter Systems in Georgia

STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS COMMISSION BRIEFING

January 30, 2012

What is the Origin of Charter Schools?

1/30/2013 2

What are Charter Schools?

• Public schools of choice
• Publicly funded but organized and governed by a

charter school governing board

• Free from many of the regulations that govern

traditional public schools

• Based on partnerships with local communities

and businesses

Charter schools are…

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

What is the basic charter bargain?

ACCOUNTABILITY AUTONOMY

Freedom from state, local and EMO/CMO control Flexibility to Innovate Waivers from state and local laws and rules More performance measures Higher Academic Expectations Students

• utperform local

districts/state

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Why charter schools?

Com petition

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Innovation Freedom from many state and district regulations inspires creativity Advocates see charter schools as incubators of innovation where best practices will be implemented

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

6 1/30/2013

Choice

Provide choice to parents and students Can serve as an alternative to failing schools Can have a specific focus or model that provides a better fit for some students

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

7 1/30/2013

Competition Provide market competition to traditional public schools as an incentive for change Traditional public schools must respond to the challenge to retain or win back students

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

8 1/30/2013

1/30/2013 9

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Four Overlapping Generations of Chartering

2 - ENTREPRENEURS

• For-profit companies
• Some focused more on student results
• Some focused more on the bottom line
• Limited or no accountability

3 - SOCIAL REFORMERS

• Non-profit organizations
• Focused only on student results
• Urban areas
• Models that work
• Increased academic accountability

1 - PIONEERS

• Parents, teachers, administrators
• Do it our way
• Different is better
• Limited or no accountability

4 - PROFESSIONALS

• Experienced school & organization people

with proven record of effectiveness

• Student achievement is the top priority
• High levels of academic, financial,

governance, and compliance accountability

Georgia Charter School History

1993 - First charter law was passed allowing conversion charter schools only 1995 - First three conversion schools

• pen (Addison ES in

Cobb is still a charter) 1998 – Charter law allows start-up schools (including state chartered special schools) 2000 - First start-up charter school

• pened (Oglethorpe

Charter School in Savannah-Chatham) 2001 – First two state chartered special schools were created (CCAT and Odyssey School) 2008 - Charter law establishing Georgia Charter Schools Commission (first schools in 2009) 2011 - Georgia Supreme Court ruled the Commission law unconstitutional 2012 – Constitutional amendment passed to allow new Commission 2013 - State Charter Schools Commission appointed by SBOE and begins work

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Charter system law also passed, followed by first 4 charter systems in 2008-09

Georgia Charter Schools Commission School Transitions – May 2011 to March 2013

May 2011 - Georgia Supreme Court ruling leaves 16 Commission schools without an authorizer June 2011 - 16 Commission schools apply to become state chartered special schools; 7 also apply for local charter approval

June 2011 - 3 Commission schools are approved by their local districts and 2 of these are approved by the SBOE; 4 are denied locally

June 2011 - 5 Commission schools withdraw their state charter applications; local approval for 1 is rescinded June 2011 - SBOE authorizes 12 state- chartered special schools to serve Commission school students May 2012 - 1 locally- approved former Commission school receives a 5-year charter renewal from its local district and the SBOE May 2012 – The second locally-approved former Commission school receives a 2-year state charter from the SBOE November 2012 - 1 former commission school receives a 5-year charter renewal from the SBOE January 2013 – SBOE approves 5-year charter for the 4th former commission school to receive local approval January 2013 - SBOE approves 5-year charter renewals for 6 schools serving former Commission students February 2013 - 3 more former Commission schools will be recommended to the SBOE for 5-year charter renewals March 2013 – 14 state chartered special schools serving Commission students will be eligible to apply for new Commission charters

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013 11

Who creates Georgia charter schools?

Local Boards

• f Education

State Board

• f Education
• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

State Board

• f Education

For locally-approved and system charter schools For state chartered special schools

State Charter Schools Commission

For state charter schools

State Board

• f Education

(60-day review)

Georgia charter partners

• An appointed committee that reviews charter

system petitions, provides recommendations to the State Board on approvals, and provides technical assistance to charter systems

Charter Advisory Committee

• A non-profit charter system organization that

will serve as a conduit for sharing resources, innovative ideas, and informing policymakers about the efforts of charter systems

Charter System Foundation

• A non-profit legislative/legal advocacy organiza-

tion that supports charter schools with training, certification, job fairs, technical assistance, policy templates, data analysis, and annual conference

Georgia Charter Schools Association

• TCSG’s office dedicated to increasing both the

number of and the overall quality of college and career academies

Office of College and Career Transitions

13

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

National charter partners

• A national non-profit committed to advancing the

charter movement

• Highlights: Public Charter School Performance

Dashboard, Charter Law Ranking Database, Annual Conference (5,500 people)

National Alliance

• f Public Charter

Schools (NAPCS)

• A national non-profit devoted exclusively to improving

public education by improving the policies and practices of charter school authorizers

• Highlights: Authorizer Principals and Standards, The

Fund for Authorizing Excellence, Authorizer Comparison, Annual Conference (400 people)

National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA)

14

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What Kinds of Charter Schools Does Georgia Have?

1/30/2013 15

Conversion Charter School

(LBOE & SBOE)

Start-up Charter School

Locally- Approved Charter School

(LBOE & SBOE)

State Chartered Special School

(SBOE)

State Charter School

(Commission)

Charter System School What are the different types of charter schools?

Different starting points, but same end point Same starting point as a conversion charter, but a different end point

16

What is a conversion charter school?

• Traditional public school that becomes a charter school
• Gains additional flexibility in exchange for higher levels of

accountability

• Can only be locally approved (with SBOE)

Definition

• 31 conversion charter schools in Georgia
• Strategy for turning around low-performing schools

Facts & Features

• Student population, building, and operational systems

and structures are already in place

Relative Advantages:

• Must comply with all Federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all State laws, rules and regulations not

waived by the Charter

Federal/State Compliance

17

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What is a start-up charter school?

• Started by private individuals and private organizations, as well as

state and local public entities

• Can be locally approved (school district, with SBOE), a state

chartered special school (SBOE only), or a state charter school (Commission, with SBOE review)

Definition

• Did not exist prior to the petition
• Most common type of non-charter system charter school in

Georgia (77 – including 15 state chartered special schools)

Facts & Features

• Opportunity to start a school with everything needed to be a

successful school

Relative Advantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations not

waived by the charter contract

Federal/State Compliance

18

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What is a career academy ?

• A locally-approved, start-up charter school that

partners with a local district, area businesses, and a technical college

Definition

• Most career academies start off as programs
• Career academy courses are a reflection of the

community’s needs and businesses

• 19 career academies with individual charters in

Georgia

Facts & Features

• Local districts are able to demonstrate their

commitment to preparing their students for either college or a career

Relative Advantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

not waived by the contract

Federal/State Compliance

19

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What is a STEM charter?

• A locally-approved charter school, state-chartered

special school, or Commission school that has a curriculum dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Definition

• While many charter schools have a STEM program,

Georgia does not yet have any STEM charter schools, though some charter schools have STEM components

• Governor Deal has committed capital funds to assist

the creation of STEM charter schools

Facts & Features

• May qualify for additional federal and state grants to

plan and create a STEM charter

Relative Advantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

not waived by the charter contract

Federal/State Compliance

20

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What is a charter system school?

• A school within a charter system that does not have a

separate charter

• However, under Georgia law, it is a charter school

Definition

• Can have same level of flexibility and autonomy as a start-

up charter school

• Can choose to have themes or other innovative features
• Emphasis on school-based leadership and decision-making
• Most common type of charter school in Georgia (207)

Facts & Features

• Increased level of school level governance allows school

leaders and community members to have significant input into the school’s culture and identity

Relative Advantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations that

cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety)

Federal/State Compliance

21

Georgia Charter Schools Growth

We have begun to address the low numbers of high quality charter school applications

1/30/2013 22

Charter Growth Highlights

1/30/2013 23

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Charter growth is steady, but is still driven by new charter systems Fewer charter applications in the pipeline (looks like 2006-07) Charter approval rates seem steady

1/30/2013 24

Number of Charter Schools by Type

Charter Schools by Type

1/30/2013 25

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013 26

Number of Applications vs. Approvals

15 19 22 39 39 61 75 21 4 35 27 15 19 19 30 26 18 40 15 2 7 8

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

History of Charter School Applications and Approvals

Note: The 2010 number of applications and approvals is significantly higher because of Commission school transitions

Total Applications Commission Apps Total Approvals Commission Approvals

1/30/2013 27

2012-2013 Local and State Charter Actions

• Not yet a critical mass of high-

quality charter schools

• Concentrated in Metro Atlanta
• We have 315 charter schools in

Georgia in 2012-13 – including 77 start-up charter schools, 301 conversion charter schools, and 207 charter system schools in 16 charter systems

• 13 local charter schools or state-

chartered special schools were created for students who planned to attend the 16 former Commission schools

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Georgia’s Charter Landscape

Number of Charter Schools by District

1/30/2013 29

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013 30

Number of Charter System Schools by District

Charter School Scheduling

1/30/2013 31

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Charter School Flexibility

1/30/2013 32

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Charter School: Student Demographics

1/30/2013 33

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Student Demographics: By Charter Type

1/30/2013 34

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Student Demographics: GA vs. Nation

1/30/2013 35

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

A Comparative Perspective

Georgia Landscape 2011-2012 National Landscape 2011-2012

41 states plus DC have charter schools 5,679 charter schools nationwide (5.4%) 2.1 million students enrolled (4.2%) Start-Ups: 92% of charters Conversions: 8% of charters Charter System Schools: GA only 53 of Georgia’s 180 school districts have start-up or conversion charter schools 217 charter schools in Georgia (9.5%) [4.8% excluding charter systems] 130,492 students enrolled (7.7%) [3.5% excluding charter systems] Start-Ups: 37% of charters [73% excluding charter systems] Conversions: 14% of charters [27% excluding charter systems] Charter System Schools: 49% of charters

Georgia Charter Schools Academic Performance

1/30/2013 37

Charter Performance Highlights

1/30/2013 38

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Emphasis on high quality charter schools is paying off Charter schools outperformed non-charter schools on the Reading CRCT and the ELA and Math EOCTs for each of the past five years Non-charter schools outperformed charter schools on the Math CRCT each of the past five years -- but charters closed the gap to 0.2% in 2012

Charter School and Charter System 2011 – 2012 Accountability

1/30/2013 39

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent
• 4 of 78 Reward Performing Schools were

Charters

Reward Schools: Performing

• 8 of 156 Reward High Progress Schools

were Charters

Reward Schools: Progress

• Of the 78 Priority Schools, 2 were Charter

Priority Schools

• 6 of 156 Focus Schools were Charter

Focus Schools

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 40

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

5-Year % Passing: CRCT Reading Performance Charter vs. Non-Charter

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 41

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

% Passing: CRCT Reading Performance By Charter Type

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 42

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 43

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

5-Year % Passing: CRCT Math Performance Charter vs. Non-Charter

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 44

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

% Passing: CRCT Math Performance By Charter Type

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 45

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 46

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 47

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 48

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 49

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

40.0% 42.5% 45.0% 47.5% 50.0% 52.5% 55.0% 57.5% 60.0% 62.5% 65.0% 67.5% 70.0% 72.5% 75.0% 77.5% 80.0% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

5-Year EOCT Math Performance Trend

Charter vs. Non-Charter

Charter Non-Charter

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 50

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

40.0% 42.5% 45.0% 47.5% 50.0% 52.5% 55.0% 57.5% 60.0% 62.5% 65.0% 67.5% 70.0% 72.5% 75.0% 77.5% 80.0% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

5-Year EOCT Math Performance Trend

by Charter Type

Start-up Conversion System Non-Charter

Academic Performance

1/30/2013 51

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Georgia’s High Quality Charter School Requirements

1/30/2013 52

Strong Academic Results Financial Sustainability Well-Trained and High- Functioning Governing Board Legal and Regulatory Compliance

What Makes a Charter School “High-Quality”?

High quality charter schools will:

• Meet the rigorous academic

performance goals included in their charter contract, including growth goals

• Exceed state accountability standards

1/30/2013 54

HQCS* Academic Standards

* High Quality Charter School

Student Performanc e

Innovations

Flexibility/ Waivers

HQCS Academic Standards

• Petitioners are asked:

– What would having a charter allow you to do differently to increase student achievement that you could not do without a charter? – Why do you need a charter to implement the innovations you have proposed?

55

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Must show the following links:

1/30/2013

Balanced budget Financial reserves Qualified CFO Limited debts or sustainable debt service Meeting state and local board financial reporting deadlines

1/30/2013 56

HQCS Financial Sustainability Standards

Governing board composition reflects the diversity of the community Meets regularly and complies with Open Records and Open Meetings Laws Governing board sticks to governance and stays

• ut of management

Autonomous from local district, EMOs or other

• rganizations

Receives regular updates on academic

• perational, and

financial progress of the school Participates in regular governing board training each year

1/30/2013 57

HQCS Governance Standards

Governing Board Autonomy

58

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Reliance on authorizer (local, state) and EMO, CMO Independence from authorizer (local, state) and ESP

Indicators of Autonomy

• Ability to set own budget
• Ability to make personnel decisions
• Contracts for services provided by the district
• Governing board members selected/recruited

without district or EMO/CMO assistance

• Independent audit firm and attorney

The school should be here

1/30/2013

Minimum or no issues associated with federal Title programs or Special Education Complies with Charter Schools Act, Rules, charter contract, Guidelines and Guidance Lottery and application process are fair and legal Incorporated as a Georgia non-profit Participates in TRS ESP does not employ teachers

1/30/2013 59

Minimum 4G* Legal and Regulatory Compliance

* Fourth Generation

School District Flexibility and Accountability in Georgia

1/30/2013 60

1/30/2013 61

Where do Charter Systems Fit In?

• By June 30, 2015* each local school system must choose to
• perate as one of the following:

– Investing in Educational Excellence School System (IE2) – Charter System – Status Quo School System

• Other options include:

– Strategic School System – System of Charter Schools

*Per OCGA 20-2-84.3

What is an IE2 system?

• A local district that has a performance contract with

the SBOE (State Board of Education) that grants flexibility from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and GaDOE (Georgia Department of Education) guidelines

Definition

• The contract is between the district, SBOE and GOSA

(Governor’s Office of Student Achievement)

• The system gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for

increased academic accountability

Facts & Features

• Financial savings possible from waivers
• Loss of governance over schools that fail to meet

targets

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

not waived by the IE2 contract

Federal/State Compliance

62

What is a charter system?

• A local district that has an executed charter from the

SBOE that grants the district flexibility from almost all

• f Title 20, SBOE rules, and GaDOE guidelines

Definition

• The charter is a contract between district and SBOE
• The district gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for

increased academic accountability

• Emphasis on school-based leadership and decision-

making

Facts & Features

• Increased school-level autonomy and accountability
• Financial savings possible from waivers
• Additional per-pupil funding in QBE if appropriated

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety)

Federal/State Compliance

63

What is a strategic school system?

• A local district that has a performance contract with

the SBOE that grants flexibility from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and GaDOE guidelines

Definition

• The contract is between the district and the SBOE
• The system gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for

increased academic accountability

Facts & Features

• Short application process
• Some financial savings possible – but waivers with the

biggest financial impact are not allowed

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

not waived by the performance contract

Federal/State Compliance

64

What is a system of charter schools?

• A local district that has converted all its schools into

charter schools

Definition

• Individual charter contracts between each school, the

district and the SBOE

• Each school gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for

increased academic accountability

Facts & Features

• Financial savings possible from waivers
• Federal Charter School Program planning and

implementation grants are available

• Decision-making is school-based

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations

that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety)

Federal/State Compliance

65

What is a status quo system?

• A local district that has formally rejected all flexibility
• ptions

Definition

• No performance contract
• No district flexibility from any of Title 20, SBOE rules,
• r GaDOE guidelines

Facts & Features

• No change is required
• No financial savings from waivers

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Must comply with all federal laws and regulations
• Must comply with ALL state laws, rules and regulations

Federal/State Compliance

66

67

Centralized or Decentralized Decentralized

Are waivers needed? IE2 System Status Quo Charter System Centralize or Decentralize?

Yes No Waivers

Decision Structure Considerations

System of Charter Schools Strategic School System

Decision Considerations

Which operational system best matches the strategies? What strategies can be used to close the gap? What are the gaps between CCRPI goals and CCRPI data? What are the CCRPI goals of the school system? What does the school system’s CCRPI* data show now?

*College & Career Readiness Performance Index

Which flexibility option best matches the strategies? What strategies can be used to close the gap? What are the gaps between CCRPI goals and CCRPI data? What are the CCRPI goals of the school system? What does the school system’s CCRPI* data show now?

68

Charter System Application

• What will you be able to do with a charter that you

can’t do without a charter?

• What are your school system’s student performance
• bjectives for the proposed charter term?
• What specific actions will your school system take

to achieve your student performance objectives during the proposed charter term?

• Which of the specific actions in your academic plan

require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines?

• What is the system’s plan to maximize school level

governance?

• If funds are appropriated for the QBE weight for

charter systems, for what purposes would you use the additional funds you would earn as a charter system?

Six Questions

69

Strategic School System Application

• What waivers of Title 20 and the related Rules and

Guidelines are you requesting and for what time frame?

• What specific part of your school district’s Strategic

Plan will these waivers help you to implement?

• Which of your school system’s student achievement

performance goals will be accomplished if you are granted these waivers?

Three Questions

70

71

Category 1: Strategic School System Category 2: High Performing System Category 3: Charter System

>Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility via waiver request process >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade of C, D, or F and articulate in writing how the waiver ties into the district’s strategic plan >Incentive: Flexibility >Accountability: appropriate use of flexibility; improved local capacity; increase student achievement >Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility without waiver process >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade of A or B and at least 90% of schools receive an A or B (for districts with less than 10 schools, no more than one school without an A or B); CCRPI student growth >Incentive: Broad flexibility >Accountability: Maintain High Performance criteria >Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility and supplemental funding >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade A-F; performance contract for all students and subgroups; local school governance assurance >Incentive: Broad flexibility; supplemental funding; reward for high performance >Accountability: student performance and local school governance

Possible Legislation: Georgia’s Statewide Tiered Accountability and Flexibility System (G-STAFS)

Charter School Authorizing in Georgia

1/30/2013 72

AUTHORIZER RESPONSIBILITIES

State Board of Education, State Charter Schools Commission, and Local Boards of Education

73

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

What is an Authorizer?

Authorizers create, maintain and close charter schools. An authorizer enters into two- or three-party contracts with a non- profit charter petitioning group.

1/30/2013 74

What Are An Authorizer’s Responsibilities?

Maintain high standards for schools

• Set high standards for

approving charter schools

• Close or non-renew

schools that fail to meet standards and targets set forth in law and by contract

• Cultivate quality charter

schools that meet identified educational needs Uphold school autonomy

• Responsible for holding

schools accountable for their overall performance

• Minimize administrative

and compliance burdens

• n schools
• Focuses on holding

charter schools accountable for outcomes not processes Protect student and public interests

• Make the well-being and

interests of students the fundamental value informing authorizer actions and decisions

• Ensure that schools fulfill

fundamental public education obligations to all students including nonselective, nondiscriminatory access to services and the school

75

An authorizer is an entity that has the authority to create charter schools

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

1/30/2013

How Does The SBOE/GaDOE Fulfill Their Obligations as an Authorizer?

Review and act on charter school applications (petitions) Technical assistance to local school systems that authorize charter schools Technical assistance to new and renewal charter applicants Develop and implement a strategic plan and policy for the state’s charter schools program Management of federal and state charter school grants Annual report to the General Assembly

1/30/2013 76

How Does The Commission Fulfill Its Obligations as an Authorizer?

Review and act on charter school applications (petitions) Technical assistance to Commission-authorized state charter schools Technical assistance to new and renewal charter applicants Develop and implement a strategic plan and policy for meeting the state’s need for high quality charter schools Ensure charter compliance Annual report to the State Board of Education

1/30/2013 77

Charter School Approval Process

78

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Start-up petition SCSS petition Conversion petition Charter system petition LBOE GaDOE SBOE

Approval Review and make recommendation to SBOE Approval New locally- approved start- up charter school Review and make recommendation to SBOE Approval New state- chartered special school Approval Approval Review and make recommendation to SBOE New conversion charter school Approval Approval Review and make recommendation to SBOE New charter system

Y N Y Y Y Y N N N N

End End End End End End

Y Y

N N

1/30/2013

Commission School Approval Process

79

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Start-up petition for defined attendance zone Commission petition for defined attendance zone

LBOE where school will be located

Commission SBOE

Overrule

New Commission school

N N Y

End

1/30/2013 Approval

Y

End N

Commission petition for statewide attendance zone

Petition to district in which school will be located for information only (not required for virtual schools) (See previous page)

Y

Approval

What is the SBOE/GaDOE Petition Charter Review Process?

80

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Deadlines Aug 1 for start-ups Nov 1 for conver- sions and renewals Nov 1 for charter systems

Petition reviewed

• Legal review to

ensure eligibility

• Substantive

review

GaDOE panel interview with applicant

Letter to applicant

• Core focus
• Compliance

Applicant responds to letter

GaDOE makes approval/denial recommendations to SBOE

SBOE views Item for Information SBOE approves Action Item Execution

• f the

Contract

1/30/2013

What Steps does GaDOE Take to Ensure Only High- Quality Charter Schools are Recommended for Approval?

Provide new school development trainings and petition writing workshops Complete a comprehensive review of school’s submitted petition for legal compliance Analyze academic performance for the duration of the charter school’s term (or projected performance) Interview the charter school’s governing team Provide an opportunity for an applicant to submit supplemental information to provide clarity Make recommendations to the SBOE based on a charter school’s alignment to the High Quality Charter School standards

1/30/2013 81

What Should New and Renewal Charter School Applicants Do to Ensure They Are High-Quality Applicants?

Attend in-person and webinar petition- writing trainings Work collaboratively with their local district

• r the Commission

Participate in high-quality governing board training

1/30/2013 82

What Steps Should Renewal Applicants Take to Ensure They Are High-Quality Charter Schools?

Complete an evaluation of the school’s current academic progress, financial sustainability, governing board and legal compliance Determine if there are any gaps between their status and the high- quality charter school standard Create and implement a strategic plan to close any gaps Focus on continuous improvement

1/30/2013 83

When Does GaDOE Recommend An Existing Charter School for Denial?

School has not fulfilled terms of charter contract School has not made sufficient academic progress School’s governing board has not received adequate training School has not made sound financial decisions or has accumulated a large amount of debt School has not made a sincere effort to address identified petition or

• perating deficiencies

1/30/2013 84

When Should an Authorizer Close a Charter School?

• Failure to meet state standards
• Failure to meet charter goals and standards

Academic Performance

• Failure to comply with financial reporting requirements and deadlines
• History of delinquent payments (lease, loans, equipment, TRS, SHBP)
• History of operating deficits, unsustainable debt, and financial instability

Financial Management

• Governing board instability and poor recruitment
• Governing board makes poor decisions that have not been in the best interest of

the charter school’s students

• Governing board lacks the will or capacity to change and improve

Governance

• Failure to comply with material elements of a school’s charter, state or federal

laws

• Compliance issues that jeopardize student safety or access to special education

services

Legal and Regulatory Compliance Issues

*These guidelines are based on NACSA’s Red Flags for identifying “bad” schools. 1/30/2013 85

Why Should Authorizers Close Schools?

Safeguard Students and Parents

• Authorizers are responsible for ensuring that their schools provide a safe learning

environment that prepare students for college and careers

Protect the public interest from poor governance or financial mismanagement

• Charter schools are PUBLIC entities that receive PUBLIC funds. They must be held to

high standards to good stewardship of public funds and trust

Maintain high standards and integrity

• Charter schools are part of a larger reform movement. Low-quality charter schools hurt

the larger reform movement and jeopardize future success for all charter schools and students

1/30/2013 86

Accountability Project

1/30/2013 87

Assess academic, financial and organizational performance of all charter schools Notification sent out if charter school is not meeting the standard Remediation period if issue is not jeopardizing students Close schools failing to remediate or who are jeopardizing students Use information gleaned from this project to improve authorizing

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Charter School Grant Opportunities

1/30/2013 88

State

Facilities

• More applicants/less

funding

Planning

• Rural areas
• Districts without

charter schools

Federal

Planning - For recently approved schools Implementation – For approved charters Dissemination - To spread best practices

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

89

347+ approved charter schools by the start of 2013- 2014 (315 now + 7 start-ups + 3 conversions + 22 charter system schools = 347) Increased communication and collaboration with local district authorizers Expanded partnerships with CAC, TCSG, AdvancED, GCSA, GSSA, GSBA Expanded new charter training and partnerships within GaDOE and with school districts New comprehensive Charter Schools Guidance (June 2013) New Commission schools plus Commission partnerships to create new high quality charter schools throughout Georgia

• Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Where is Georgia chartering headed?

What’s Best for Charter School Students?

1/30/2013 90

For more information

Louis J. Erste Charter Schools Division Director Georgia Department of Education 2053 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE Atlanta, GA 30334 lerste@doe.k12.ga.us

http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools/

(404) 651-8734