2014 Renewal ProcessCharter School Leaders Meeting

Charter Schools OfficeSeptember 27, 2013

• Answer your questions about the charter school renewal process, including:– What is the renewal process?– What will be evaluated?– What can we expect at the Renewal Site Visit (RSV)?

• Clarify our purpose in making changes to the renewal process:– Improved clarity, transparency, & consistency– Eliminating unnecessary burdens on charters

Meeting Goals

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– Process Overview– Guiding Questions– Renewal Evaluation Criteria– Sources of Evidence– Timeline– Renewal Application– Renewal Site Visit– Questions?

Agenda

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Process Overview

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The recommendation to renew a charter will be based on a comprehensive review guided by three questions:

1.Is the charter school’s academic program successful?

2.Is the charter school operating in an equitable manner and in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations?

3.Is the charter school financially viable?

Guiding Questions

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Renewal Evaluation Criteria (Outputs)

Financial Viability

Organizational Compliance• Attendance• Mission Fulfillment• SPED Compliance• ELL Compliance• Student Admission Policies• Student Disciplinary Policies• Student Truancy Policies• Student Enrollment & Attrition• Board of Trustees Compliance• All other laws, regulations, and charter

provisions

Academic Performance

• Financial Health • Financial Management &

Oversight

• Achievement• Progress• College & Career (HS only)

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Removed from Renewal Evaluation (Inputs)

• Instructional quality• Student evaluation• Teacher evaluation• Teaching methods• Teacher observation• Teacher recruitment• Professional development• Board governance structure• Parent involvement

• Data collection & analysis• Technology use• Community involvement• Stakeholder communication• Celebrating student learning• School leadership visibility• Curriculum development• Partnerships• Leadership relationships

with team members

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Sources of Evidence

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Event Target Date

Renewal Application Released 9/20

Renewal Information Meeting for Charter Leaders 9/27

Letter of Intent Due to CSO 10/1

Renewal Application Due 11/15

Renewal Site Visit Protocol Released 12/2

Renewal Site Visit Orientation for Charter Schools 12/9 to 12/13

Renewal Site Visits Conducted 1/13 to 1/31

Renewal Site Visit Reports Released 2/1 to 2/28

Renewal Recommendations & Charters Released 3/31

SRC Consideration of Renewal Recommendations April to June

Timeline

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Renewal Application• Aligned to renewal

evaluation criteria• 30 page maximum for

narrative– Does not include

attachments or cover letter

– 11 point font please!• Electronic submission • Guidelines included

• Sections:– Overview– Academic Success– Organizational

Compliance– Financial Viability– Five-Year Planning

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Renewal Application Comparison2012-13

Application2013-14

Application

Days Application Available Before Due Date 47 56

# Pages in Narrative Template 14 8

Maximum Submitted # Pages 63 30

# Tables in Application 12 6

# Narrative Questions in Application 60 28

# Required Attachments 22 18

Submission Format Hard Copy (in Binders)

Electronic (on Flash Drive)

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Renewal Site Visit Protocol DimensionsEvaluative• SPED Compliance• ELL Compliance• Student Admission Policies• Student Disciplinary Policies• Student Truancy Policies• Student Enrollment & Attrition• Board of Trustees Compliance• All other laws, regulations, and

charter provisions

Observation Only (for context)• Curriculum• Instructional Methods• Classroom Management• School Climate

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Authorizing Quality Initiative Principles• Rights of Students• Rights of Parents• Public Interests

• Setting high standards• Maintaining high standards• Monitoring performance against standards• Consequences for not meeting standards

• Preserving charter school independence• Accountability for outcomes, not processes• Minimizing compliance burdens

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Questions?

Thank you for joining us today!

Contact for Questions or Comments:http://www.philasd.org/charterrenewals

Jennifer NagourneyCharter Schools Office

(215) 400-6169jnagourney@philasd.org