Opening a Quality Charter School in the Los Angeles Unified School District Charter Schools Division February 27, 2008

Goals for today’s meeting By the end of today, participants should: Understand how the District defines a “quality” charter school; Understand clearly the requirements for writing a “reasonably comprehensive” petition; Understand the District’s approval/denial process; Be able to consider a reasonable timeline for opening a charter school (are you ready to begin or do you need more time?)

Starting a charter school is hard work. The District is responsible for ensuring that all LAUSD students receive a high-quality educational experience. This means that it will only authorize charter schools that it is convinced will provide a high-quality experience to every student that enrolls, and will monitor the school closely to ensure that it is fulfilling its commitments to the District, the students and their families. Before we begin…

Outline of today’s meeting Overview Charter Legislation LAUSD vision for charter schools LAUSD’s role as the authorizer Defining “Quality” Experienced and diverse charter school team Experienced, committed, and properly composed Board of Directors Comprehensive and compelling petition Appropriate facility Adequate funding and fiscal expertise Special Education in the LAUSD Submitting the charter for review What happens after Board approval What to expect once the school is up and running Charter Renewal – beginning with the end in mind

Charter School Legislation Charter Schools Act of 1992 Goals: Improve pupil learning Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the schoolsite Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system Hold the schools established under this part accountable for meeting measurable pupil outcomes, and provide the schools with a method to change from rule-based to performance-based accountability systems Provide vigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate continual improvements in all public schools.

Restrictions on charter schools May not be conversion of private school must be closed for one year Must be non-sectarian May not discriminate May not charge tuition Must achieve racial ethnic balance reflective of District population (surrounding schools)

LAUSD vision for charter schools The Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to authorizing quality charter schools that provide: Innovative approaches to educating students Effective instructional strategies to serve underperforming populations Effective education in overcrowded areas of the District

LAUSD’s role as the authorizer Approve or deny charter school petitions that are submitted to the District Oversee operating charter schools Identify promising charter school practices that may inform District practices Monitor compliance with applicable laws and with the charter contract Make renewal decisions

QUALITY: Adequate facility Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Alan Wendell, Principal Inspector LAUSD requirement: Certificate of Occupancy secured at least 45 days before first day of school or school may not open.

Special Education Susan Melly, SELPA Director Ylla DeLeon, Coordinator, Special Education Division, LAUSD

Questions so far?

Lunch Please be back promptly for the second half of our presentation Options for lunch: Cafeteria downstairs Flix – One block: on Beaudry in between 4 th and 5 th

QUALITY: The Board of Directors A strong Board of Directors is one of the most important factors in the ultimate success of a charter school: Must have diversity of expertise Members understand what they are committing to and must be committed to the task Members must be disinterested Board must comply with the Brown Act Board must comply with federal and state laws, nonprofit integrity standards and LAUSD’s Charter School policies and regulations regarding ethics and conflicts of interest

QUALITY: The school team Developers - Lead Petitioner(s) Instructional expertise Experience with charter schools – operation and financing Will be involved in school when it is in operation? Issues to be aware of if you hired someone to help write the petition On-site personnel Strong principal with administrative experience Instructional expertise Fiscal manager with experience

Submitting the Petition The Petition Application Petition Review process - Petition review form (Elements 1-16) - Capacity Interview - Exit Interview - Public Hearing - Final Board Approval/Denial

QUALITY: Comprehensive and Compelling Petition The charter as a performance contract The goals in the petition will be used to measure success when considering renewal Petition must be clear, complete and specific. The review of the 16 elements (review instrument)

Submitting the petition for review Application packet may be submitted at any time to the Charter Schools Division, attention: Yvonne Anderson. Petition will be reviewed for comprehensiveness by Charter Schools Division staff and other District staff. Petitioner team and full Board of Directors will be interviewed to determine capacity Petitioners will be informed of CSD assessment and of recommendation to be made to Board of Education: Approve or Deny

QUALITY: Securing Funding & Operations Funding Requirements Sources Documentation Operations Finance Reports Revenue Budgets Operations ISIS Certificate of Occupancy Processes and Procedures

Charter Oversight Periodic visits Annual site reviews Comprehensive site reviews Violations of law or of charter contract Identification of best practices Refer to Oversight packet

Charter Renewal – beginning with the end in mind Detailed analysis of school’s: Instructional success Operational success Fiscal soundness AB 1137 as “floor” Refer to Renewal packet

Questions?

For more information California Department of Education Charter Schools Division California Charter Schools Association Charter Schools Development Center

Thank you for attending!

Contact Information Charter Schools Division 333 S. Beaudry Ave. Los Angeles, CA fax José J. Cole-Gutiérrez, Executive Director Yvonne Anderson, Administrative Assistant