Charter School Renewal Submission Packet District Financial Services 6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 609 San Diego, California 92111 858.292.3810
Charter School Petition/Renewal Submission Packet TABLE OF CONTENTS Review Timeline Page 2 Charter Submission Process Page 3 Required Elements of a Charter Petition Page 4 Process and Timelines Page 5 Submitting the Petition Page 6 Renewal Criteria Page 7 Evaluation Criteria Page 7 Non-Renewal Page 7 Charter School /Renewal Application Packet rev February 2016 Page 1
Petition Review Timeline Action Timeline Petitioner submits: Review petition as specified in guidelines below At least 4 month prior to renewal date Petitioner must submit the completed documents as described (changes to the petition can only be made in order to comply with SDCOE requirements) *Upon determination that the documents submitted are complete, a public hearing is scheduled 0 days from receipt of all required documents **Decision by the County Board of Education at a public meeting 60 days from receipt of all required documents Agreement by petitioner and SDCOE that additional time is required (optional) 30 day extension of timeline * SDCOE determines whether the petition documents are complete. ** If the County Board approves the petition, the petitioner must submit written notice of approval and a copy of the petition to the affected school district within the county, the CDE and the SBE. If the County Board denies the petition, a Finding of Facts will be prepared and sent to the charter school petitioner, and a copy to the School District that denied the original petition. Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 2
Charter Renewal Submission Process The charter renewal process uses the same criteria as the initial charter petition which are both governed by California Education Code (EC) Section 47605: however, in order to ensure continued operation and renewal, a charter school must meet its goals for increases in student achievement. Renewal is lint to API thresholds or other pupil achievement data (EC) Section 47607. Charter renewals are for five (5) years. A. Renewal Criteria: Education Code Section 47607 (b) In order to recommend approval of a charter school renewal application the evaluation committee must determine that the charter school has met the requirements of California Education Code sections 47605 and 47607. To be eligible for renewal, the school must meet the minimum statutory criteria for renewal set forth in Education Code Section 47607 (b). Specifically, schools seeking to renew in 2015-15 must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1. Attained 2013 Growth Academic Performance Index (API) targets, school wide and for all numerically significant subgroups. 2. Ranked in deciles 4 to 10, inclusive, on the API in the prior year or in both 2012 and 2013 API State Ranks. 3. Ranked in deciles 4 to 10, inclusive, on the API for the demographically comparable school in both 2012 and 2013. 4. Performs at least equal to the academic performance of the public schools that the pupils would have been required to attend, and the performance of the schools where the charter is located considering the composition of the pupil population. 5. Qualified for an alternative accountability system. Note: If a charter school anticipates that it will be seeking to demonstrate renewal eligibility under section 47607 (b) (4), the authorizer must submit information pertaining to its achievement determination to the CDE, and renewal cannot be granted prior to 30 days after the school submits materials pertinent to this determination to the authorizer. Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 3
A. Required Elements of a Charter Petition In order to be approved, the petition must contain a reasonably comprehensive description of each 16 required elements required by California Education Code Section (b) which are listed below: 1. A description of the educational program of the school. If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, a description of how the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high school and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements must be included in the charter petition. 2. The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the school. 3. The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. 4. The schools governance structure, including parental involvement. 5. The qualifications to be met by individuals employed by the schools. 6. Procedures to ensure health and safety of pupils and staff. 7. The means by which the school will achieve racial and ethnic balance among its pupils, reflective of the general population residing in the district. 8. Admission requirements, if applicable. 9. The manner in which annual financial audits will be conducted, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies will be resolved. 10. The procedures by which pupils may be suspended or expelled. 11. Provisions for employee coverage under the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security. 12. The public school alternatives for pupils residing within the district who choose not to attend charter schools. 13. A description of the rights of any employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school. 14. A dispute resolution process. 15. A declaration whether or not the charter school will be the exclusive public school employer of the charter school employees. 16. The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. In the Renewal Petition, the school must describe its academic program, governance structure, and fiscal operation for the term of a future renewal charter. The petition must address revisions of applicable laws, policies and modifications to the school s programs. Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 4
B. The Process and Timelines Charter submits the renewal application Authorizer verifies documents are complete Public hearing within 30 days of submission of complete application (60 days for county authorizers) Renewal site visits and analysis Preparation of staff reports Authorizer decision at public meeting (within 60 days receipt/90 days for county authorizers, extensions by mutual consent can be granted for an additional 30 days) Submission of Renewal Application Submission of Renewal Application Public Hearing (w/in 30 days) Petition Review and Site Visit Staff Report County Board Decision (w/in 60 days) Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 5
C. Submitting the Petition Please assemble fifteen (15) binders plus one electronic copy on a thumb drive (in PDF format) containing the following items with tabs separating each requirement 1. A cover letter signed by the governing board president or designee authorizing the submission of the charter renewal application. 2. A copy of the Charter Petition Review Rubric with page numbers column complete to indicate where the information can be located in the petition. 3. An updated charter petition that includes an Executive Summary that outlines significant changes to the petition since last approved. As per EC Section 47605 (b)(5)(b)and (C), the charter petition renewal must include measurable pupil outcomes, which at a minimum: Specify skills, knowledge and attitudes that reflect the school educational objectives Address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all subgroups of pupils served Align with the eight state priorities that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated by the charter school Align the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities consistent with how information is reported on a school accountability report card 4. One (1) electronic copy of all documents submitted stored on a CD-R disc. Please provide the Performance Report and final charter petition in Microsoft Word format ONLY and budget projections and cash flow in EXCEL format ONLY. Appendices may be submitted in PDF format. D. Public Hearing Protocol No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, the County Board of Education shall hold a public hearing on the provision of the charter petition. The level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the county or district, other employees of the county or district, and parents, shall be considered. Prior to the Board hearing, Staff will notify the petitioners to give final guidance regarding the process of the Public hearing, and discuss any relevant questions specific to the charter school that need to be addressed at the public hearing. E. Site Visit During the School Site Visit, the team will review key areas aligned with the Criteria for Renewal in order to verify the statements and descriptions in the renewal petition. The team examines stakeholders awareness of the school s mission and goals as well as implementation of the educational philosophy outlined in the charter agreement. The team will also review the school s compliance with the provisions in its charter. The site visit will include a tour of the school facility, classroom observations and interviews with key stakeholders of the charter school, including charter school administrators, teachers, parents, and members of the governing board. Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 6
F. Renewal Criteria : Education Code Section 47607 (b) Commencing on January 1, 2005, or after a charter has been in operation for four years, whichever date occurs later, a charter school shall meet at least one of the following: 1. Attained its Academic Performance Index (API) growth target in the prior year or in two of the last three years both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school. 2. Ranked in deciles 4 to 10, inclusive, on the API in the prior year or in two of the last three years. 3. Ranked in deciles 4 to 10, inclusive, on the API for the demographically comparable school in the prior year or in two of the last three years. 4. Performs at least equal to the academic performance of the public schools that the pupils would have been required to attend, and the performance of the schools where the charter is located considering the composition of the pupil population. 5. Qualified for an alternative accountability system. G. Evaluation Criteria 1. Do fiscal reports, audits and projected cash flows demonstrate finance stability and future financial viability for the school? 2. Does the charter comply with all state and federal laws applicable to charter schools? 3. Does the charter show academic growth as evidenced by the performance data such as LCAP and annual updates? 4. Does the school(s) comply with the terms of the charter and the MOU? 5. Is the school organization effectively lead and managed? 6. Does the renewal petition contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of the 16 elements required in EC Section 47605(b)(5)? 7. Does the renewal petition contain the required affirmations and assurances? H. Non-Renewal EC Section 47605(B) specifies that a local education agency shall not deny the approval of a charter petition unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition that: 1. The charter school presents an unsound education program. 2. The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition. 3. The petition does not contain the required number of signature. 4. The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in EC Section 47605(d). 5. The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all the 16 required elements of the petition. If you have any questions about the application process Please do not hesitate to contact the District Financial Services Office at 858.292.3810 Email inquiries can be addressed to rena.seifts@sdcoe.net Charter School Petition Application Packet - rev Dec 2015 Page 5