Restart Schools and other Reform Models Alexis Schauss, Director of School Business Nancy Barbour, School Transformation
Agenda Reform Model Overview Legislation Application Process Program Expectations Flexibility Allotment Process 2
Reform Model Overview Recurring low performing schools Any school that has been low performing 2 of 3 consecutive years New Lists of eligible schools are generated annually and released with the Accountability Report (September) Reform Model SBE Policy https://stateboard.ncpublicschools.gov/policy-manual/district-andschool-transformation/reform-for-recurring-low-performing-schools 3
Legislation G.S. 115C-105.37 4
Reform of Continually Low Performing Schools Transformation Model Restart Model Turnaround Model School Closure 5
Transformation Model Elements of Transformation Develop and increase teacher and school leader effectiveness (Consider the following:) Replace the principal; Use rigorous, transparent, equitable evaluation systems for teachers and the principal; Identify and reward school leaders and remove teachers determined to be ineffective after ample opportunity for improvement is provided; Provide ongoing job-embedded professional development; and Implement strategies to recruit and retain staff. 6
Transformation Model- Elements of Transformation Implement comprehensive instructional reform strategies by: Implement research-based programs; and Promote continuous use of student data. Increase learning time and create community-oriented schools Provide increased learning time; and Provide family and community engagement. Provide operational flexibility Provide sufficient flexibility to implement fully; and Provide ongoing intensive technical assistance and support. 7
Turnaround Model Elements of Turnaround - Personnel Replace the principal Rehire no more than 50 percent of the staff Implement strategies to recruit and retain staff Provide ongoing job-embedded professional development Adopt a new governance structure 8
Turnaround Model Elements of Turnaround - Program Implement a vertically-aligned instructional program Promote continuous use of data (including formative, interim, and summative) Provide increased learning time Provide appropriate community services and supports 9
School Closure Model Elements of School Closure Identify specific grounds recommending closure of a particular school; the procedures it intends to follow in closing the school, including opportunities for public hearing; the procedures for ensuring a smooth transition for employee and students affected by the closure; how the resources realized from closure will continue to support student achievement, and the specific academic gains expected to be realized by the closure. 10
School Closure Model Elements of School Closure Cont. The following strategies should be implemented: Convert the school or close the school and reopen under a charter management organization (CMO) or an education management organization (EMO); Enroll any former student who wishes to attend the school; and/or Close the school and enroll the students in other higher achieving schools in the LEA. 11
Restart Model Elements of Restart Clear outline of the goals to be achieved, including how to provide each student with the opportunity for a sound basic education; A statement as to how operating the school with the same exemptions from statutes and rules as a charter school authorized under N.C.G.S. 115C-218 et seq. will facilitate accomplishing these goals; How these exemptions will increase student achievement; Whether the LEA will employ an educational management organization and, if so, the name and credentials of that organization and a budget setting out anticipated revenue and expenditures necessary to achieve the goal. 12
Restart Model Elements of Restart Flexibilities must be specifically stated in the application Financial flexibility is required Some charter school flexibilities cannot be approved A school operated under this subdivision remains under the control of the local board of education, and employees assigned to the school are employees of the local school administrative unit with the protections provided by Part 3 of Article 22 of Chapter 115C-3. 13
Application Process https://www.rep.dpi.state.nc.us/app/reform_models/reform.html 1. Select Reform Model that addresses the needs of the school(s) Transformation Turnaround Restart Closure 2. Complete the appropriate application with approval and signature from the superintendent and local school board 14
Application Process https://www.rep.dpi.state.nc.us/app/reform_models/reform.html 3. Submit signed applications and school improvement plan through the submission portal to the SBE 4. Applications received are added to the SBE agenda for discussion one month and action the following month 5. Notification of approval is sent to the LEA superintendent 15
Program Expectations Improved student achievement Implementation with fidelity is held responsible by the LEA Annual report of progress including accomplishments and challenges 16
Flexibility 17
Financial Flexibility Provides allotment flexibility Provides a restricted PRC for the Restart School Provides an open chart 18
Financial Flexibility All Restart Schools approved before August 15 th, 2017 receive financial flexibility for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Effective 2018-19, a Restart is required to be approved by the SBE prior to July 1, to receive financial flexibility. Financial flexibility is not an election. 19
Class size Flexibility Restart Schools are not subject to class size requirements in K-3. The schools will be excluded from the LEA average class size calculation The K-3 classes may exceed the individual maximums of 23 students in 2017-18 20
Calendar Flexibility Restart Schools not subject to the beginning and end dates. The school may start prior to the Monday closest to August 26 th (or August 19th if the LEA has a weather related waiver) The school may end after the Friday closet to June 11 th Minimum of 185 instructional days or 1,025 instructional hours applies 21
Educator Licensure Flexibility Minimum of 50% of the teachers must be licensed Federal licensing requirements apply. Only teachers paid from PRC037 Restart Schools may be waived 22
Optional Flexibilities Restart schools may include additional charter like flexibilities in their application. These are applicable only if they are included in the application that is approved by the State Board of Education 23
Allotment Process 24
Funding Restart Schools do not receive additional funding The ADM is included in the allotted ADM that is used to generate all funding 25
Allotment Transfer The LEA is required to transfer an amount equal to the State average per pupil allocation for the LEA into a restricted PRC for the ADM of the school. For the ADM per Month 1 Principal s Monthly Report. The average per pupil allocation will exclude EC, LEP and transportation. 26
Base State Per Pupil Allocation Calculation Handout of Calculation Note that EC, LEP and transportation are not included amount includes the guaranteed expenditures (PRC009), BUT the LEA may expend for the restart school in PRC009 27
Timing of information Restart base allocation amounts by LEA are available within 3 weeks of the budget passing ADM available October 15 th ( ish) All transfers must be made in to PRC 037 28
Transfer Process All transfers are by ABC transfer Positions allotments are transferred at the LEA average plus benefits CTE funds may be transferred ONLY if the Restart school serves students in grades 8-12 Teacher assistants may be transferred without limit 29
Transfer Process - Transportation No transfers from PRC056 Transportation funds may be used to transport students in Restart Schools 30
Transfer Process EC and LEP No transfers from PRC032 No transfers from PRC 054 Students must be served and the funds from PRCs 032 and 054 allotments may be used. 31
Transfer Process No transfer out of the Restart PRC 037 32
Other funds If the school is eligible for other funds, they shall be provided in the appropriate PRC eg. Summary Camps 33