Charter School Oversightg

Addressing Authorizer Responsibilities through Collaboration

Board Workshop: March 27, 2007Deputy Superintendent’s Office

Office of School Choice

What will be covered…What will be covered…

Charter Schools Act of Current Accountability 1992 (Legislative Intent)Context and Goals of SDUSD O i ht

yApproach

Collaborative ApproachD l t f Ch tSDUSD Oversight

District Oversight Responsibilities

Development of Charter School Accountability FrameworkResponsibilities

New PetitionsOngoing MonitoringR l

Financial ImplicationsProp 39Special EducationRenewals

Revocations

Special EducationOversight

Charter Schools Act of 1992Charter Schools Act of 1992

Legislative Intent: To provide opportunities for teachers, g p ppparents, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the District

Improve pupil learning Increase learning opportunities Encourage innovative teaching methodsg gCreate new professional opportunities Increase parent choices within the educational systemHold charter schools accountable for meeting pupil outcomesHold charter schools accountable for meeting pupil outcomesProvide vigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate improvement

Oversight Context: Growth of charter h l i SDUSDschools in SDUSD40

25303540

SDUSD

152025 SDUSD

CharterSchools Charters

05

10ChartersSchoolsClosed

0

1994

-199

5

1995

-199

6

1996

-199

7

1997

-199

8

1998

-199

9

1999

-200

0

2000

-200

1

2001

-200

2

2002

-200

3

2003

-200

4

2004

-200

5

2005

-200

6

2006

-200

7

2007

-200

8

Oversight Context: Charters “in Pipeline”Oversight Context: Charters in Pipeline

Charter Schools in Operation 2006/07: 36Charter Schools in Operation 2006/07: 36Independent, Non-profit 501(c)3: 28 (29) Dependent, “Arms of the District”: 8 (7)p , ( )

Charter Schools Scheduled to be Operational 2007/08: 38pCharter School Proposals in Process: 6

2 submitted for public hearing (April 10)p g ( p )4 met with Charter School Office but no official submission made

Goals of District OversightGoals of District Oversight

Ensure that all SDUSD charter schools:Ensure that all SDUSD charter schools:Are high quality options for students/families Comply with charter law, charter document, and p y , ,all other applicable lawsAre operating as public institutions (free of t iti di i i t t i )tuition, non-discriminatory, non-sectarian)

Protect students and families from charter schools that are:schools that are:

Not fiscally viable or improperly managedNot providing a sound educational progamNot providing a sound educational progam

Oversight ResponsibilitiesOversight Responsibilities

Required under the Charter Schools ActRequired under the Charter Schools ActMonitoring to ensure that no conditions exist requiring revocation of charterrequiring revocation of charter

E.g.: health and safety, pupil outcomes, GAAP, financial management, compliance with charter & applicable laws, soundness of educational program

E i li ith titi t d dEnsuring compliance with petition standards and affirmations required by law

Oversight ResponsibilitiesOversight Responsibilities

Additional Statutory Oversight DutiesAdditional Statutory Oversight Duties Annual visit to charter schoolEnsure charter school complies with allEnsure charter school complies with all reporting requirementsMonitor the charter’s fiscal conditionMonitor the charter s fiscal conditionIdentify a staff contactN tif th CDE h h t i t dNotify the CDE when charter is granted, denied, revoked, or ceases operation

Primary Oversight ActivitiesPrimary Oversight Activities

New Petition ReviewsNew Petition ReviewsEnsure that all proposed charter petitions are of high quality and have an opportunity forhigh quality and have an opportunity for success

Annual Site Visits of Existing Charters andAnnual Site Visits of Existing Charters and Ongoing MonitoringRenewal (at end of five-year term)Renewal (at end of five-year term)Revocation (when necessary)

New Petitions: Minimum RequirementsNew Petitions: Minimum Requirements

District must ensure that the following grequirements are satisfied when granting a charter:

Eith f th f ll i t f i t t bEither of the following sets of signatures must be provided in order to be submitted to the board:

Parents/guardians meaningfully interested in enrolling th i hild M t h ½ f # f il ti t d ftheir children. Must have ½ of # of pupils estimated for enrollment in 1st year of operation; ORTeachers meaningfully interested in teaching at the school Must have ½ of # of teachers estimated to be employedMust have ½ of # of teachers estimated to be employed during 1st year of operation.

Charter elements must be comprehensively addressed

New Petitions: Required ElementsNew Petitions: Required Elements

Educational Program M bl il

Suspensions/Expulsion proceduresMeasurable pupil outcomes

Measurement of Pupil Progress Governance Structure

proceduresSTRS and PERS for employeesPublic attendance alternativesGovernance Structure

Employee qualificationsPupil and Staff Health & Safety procedures

Rights of Return to the district description of rights Dispute resolutionD l ti diRacial & Ethnic balance

reflective of district Admission requirements Annual Independent Financial

Declaration regarding “exclusive public school employer of employees at charter school regarding Ed ti E l tAnnual Independent Financial

Audits Suspensions/Expulsion procedures

Education Employment Relations Act Procedures in case school closes

New Petitions: TimelinesNew Petitions: Timelines

If petition has met signature requirements and p g qcontains the necessary elements, board holds public hearing within 30 days of receiving petition p

Purpose: to consider level of support by parents and teachers employed by the district

Board shall either grant or deny petition withinBoard shall either grant or deny petition within 60 (or 90) days of receiving petition

May be extended 30 days, if both parties agree to extensionextension

Challenge: Providing petitioners feedback (not required in law) and time to respond

New Petitions: Reasons for DenialNew Petitions: Reasons for Denial

Reasons to deny petitions (must have written y p (factual findings):

Petition does not contain necessary number of signat ressignaturesPetition presents unsound educational programPetitioners are demonstrably unlikely toPetitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement program Petition does not contain affirmation of conditions prescribed by lawprescribed by lawPetition does not contain reasonably comprehensive description of the required elements

Annual Site VisitsAnnual Site Visits

Purpose is to ensure that:pNo conditions exist requiring revocation of charterCharter is meeting goals of charter

2006/0 B li R i C d i h2006/07 Baseline Reviews: Contracted with an external entity to complete reviews

Charter School Development Center (CSDC) willCharter School Development Center (CSDC) will visit approximately 25 sitesRemaining visits will be conducted by staff

Site reviews are providing charter schools and the District with formative data – not intended to be used punitively but to inform future progressbe used punitively, but to inform future progress

Annual Site Visits: Baseline ReviewsAnnual Site Visits: Baseline Reviews

Site review typically consists of:Site review typically consists of:Two-day comprehensive site visit by a 2- to 3-member team (includes interviews, document review, classroom observations)Review team uses 49-page rubric to examine 34 criteriacriteria Summary report with strengths and weaknesses provided to District and charter schoolComprehensiveness of review dependent on developmental stage of charter

Ongoing MonitoringOngoing Monitoring

As a general rule, ongoing monitoring includes:g , g g gPupil OutcomesPupil & Staff Health and Safety Financial status & management (GAAP) Pupil Attendance Accounting Compliance with applicable lawsCompliance with applicable lawsCompliance with terms & condition of charterCompliance with MOUpParent or staff complaints regarding unlawful practices

Renewals: CriteriaRenewals: CriteriaIn order to be considered for renewal, at least one of the following criteria set forth in Ed Code must be met:following criteria set forth in Ed Code must be met:

Attained API growth target in prior year (or 2 of last 3 years); Ranked 4 or better on Statewide Ranking in prior year (or 2 of 3 years); Ranked 4 or better on Similar Schools Ranking in prior year (or 2 of 3 years); ORDistrict determines that academic performance of charter school is at least = to that of the public schools that the students wouldis at least = to that of the public schools that the students would have otherwise attended.

In addition, charter school is expected to meet:AYPAYP Goals outlined in original charterRacial/ethnic diversity approaching district demographicsFiscal solvency criteriayCompliance with all State and Federal laws

Revocation: Reasons to RevokeRevocation: Reasons to Revoke

Revocation can be initiated if any of the followingRevocation can be initiated if any of the following occurs:

Material violation of any of the conditions, ystandards, or procedures set forth in the charter;Failure to meet or pursue pupil outcomes identified i th h tin the charter;Failure to meet generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or engaged in fiscalprinciples (GAAP), or engaged in fiscal mismanagement; ORViolation of any provision of law.

Revocation: ProcessRevocation: Process

District must provide (unless severe & imminentDistrict must provide (unless severe & imminent threat to health or safety of pupils):

Notice of violations or deficiencies to charter school, andReasonable opportunity to remedy condition

Must ensure all closure procedures are followed Audit Di l f tDisposal of assets Payment of debtsStudent records transferredStudent records transferred

Current Oversight ApproachCurrent Oversight Approach

Approach driven by three principles orApproach driven by three principles or goals:

Improve communication between district andImprove communication between district and charter schoolsCreate clear expectations and guidelinesCreate clear expectations and guidelines Work collaboratively and cooperatively

Current Oversight Approach:C ll b ti ith Ch t S h lCollaboration with Charter Schools

Collaborative group process to develop a g p p pCharter School Accountability FrameworkPrincipal Advisory Group (core team of charter school principals) for feedback andschool principals) for feedback and communicationMonthly principal meetings with all charter

h l ( h i di t i t d t t bilitschools (sharing district updates, accountability info, best practices, etc.)

8th grade retention/9th grade transition Charter school parent compliant process Suspension and expulsion processEnrollment of Special Education studentsEnrollment of Special Education students

Current Oversight Approach:Ch t S h l A t bilit F kCharter School Accountability Framework

Developing CS AccountabilityDeveloping CS Accountability Framework through a collaborative process that includes:process that includes:

Office of School Choice/Charter Office5 Charter school leaders5 Charter school leaders SchoolWorks (facilitators)

Current Oversight Approach: Ch t S h l A t bilit F kCharter School Accountability Framework

Mission Statement:Mission Statement:“SDUSD and the San Diego charter schools are mutually responsible to ensure that students y pachieve high standards in safe, well-run schools. The accountability process exists to provide fair oversight and clear expectations for meeting this obligation to children. It is designed to produce meaningful information to drive continuousmeaningful information to drive continuous improvement”.

Current Oversight Approach: Ch t S h l A t bilit F kCharter School Accountability Framework

Focus on 2 Key QuestionsFocus on 2 Key QuestionsDoes the charter school demonstrate success?Does the charter school demonstrateDoes the charter school demonstrate operational viability?

Collaborative group has outlined:Collaborative group has outlined: Draft criteria for answering these questionsProcess tools and timeline for evaluating suchProcess, tools, and timeline for evaluating such criteria

Current Oversight Approach: Ch t S h l A t bilit F kCharter School Accountability Framework

Progress made thus far:Progress made thus far: From original petition to renewal process, continuous improvement will be emphasizedSchools will benchmark their progress and reflect on the effectiveness of stated strategiesA l i ill b f ti d ill tAnnual reviews will be formative and will note strengths and area for improvementSchools will be expected to consider actionsSchools will be expected to consider actions regarding site visit recommendations, and these issues will be reviewed in future site visits

Financial ImplicationsFinancial Implications

Loss of ADALoss of ADA Prop 39 CostsS i l d ti tSpecial education costsAdditional oversight costs not covered by 1%

Financial Implications: Prop 39Financial Implications: Prop 39

Providing facilities sufficient for charterProviding facilities sufficient for charter school to accommodate in-district students

Must be reasonably equivalent to other similarMust be reasonably equivalent to other similar district schools (often has costs associated)Co-location is often accompanied by additionalCo location is often accompanied by additional costs (fences, toilets, etc.)Can only recover pro-rata share of y pmaintenance; not fair market lease rate

Financial Implications: Special EdFinancial Implications: Special Ed

Most charters in SDUSD are “schools ofMost charters in SDUSD are schools of the district” for special ed purposes (SDUSD is the SELPA)(SDUSD is the SELPA)

District provides special ed services and staffCharters only pay a pro-rata share ofCharters only pay a pro-rata share of encroachment; not for actual services

A few charters opt for another SELPA (HT)A few charters opt for another SELPA (HT)Often still draw on SDUSD special ed support (contracted services)(contracted services)

Financial Implications: OversightFinancial Implications: OversightDistrict is allowed to charge for actual cost of

i htoversightUp to 1% of charter school revenuesUp to 3%, if facility is provided “substantially rent-free”Up to 3%, if facility is provided substantially rent free

Current estimates indicate oversight is under funded.

$District receives close to $1.5 million in oversight fees. Estimates indicate that oversight costs may be closer to $3 million.

District sometimes provides specific administrative services for contracted fees (e.g., food services, information technology services police services mailinformation technology services, police services, mail services, and financial services)

Summary of Oversight ApproachSummary of Oversight Approach

Keep the focus on studentsKeep the focus on students Continue to ensure high quality options to students and familiesstudents and familiesContinue to work collaboratively with h t t d l l t ti dcharters to develop clear expectations and

guidelines

Questions/Comments?Questions/Comments?