Charter Contract and Performance Framework

Outcomes Appreciation for how the related parts make a whole Contract, Frameworks, Monitoring, Renewal Develop a collaborative approach to the development of the frameworks How should we proceed?

The Charter Contract: Present Application and Written Agreement Blueprint for the school; proposed plan Audience – parents and students, community, sponsor, funders, teachers/recruiting tool Treating the application as the charter (1/2) has implications on application review Example - Curriculum: to be developed, if a proposal yes but if charter then no. Fails to define MATERIALITY

The Charter Contract: Proposed Materiality: something is material if it is relevant and significant to the outcome. For school and sponsor – the relevant outcome is a renewal decision. Is the contract term material? Hinges on whether it would be relevant and significant to the sponsor in making a renewal decision.

The Charter Contract: Proposed The embodiment of the autonomy for accountability bargain Clearly articulates the rights and responsibilities of both parties School autonomy Expected outcomes Measures for evaluating success or failure Performance consequences and other material terms

External Authority Schools and sponsors operate under the shadow of laws and regulations. Multi-layered legal framework that includes federal, state, local codes and policies Contract needs to explicitly identify the state law and regulation with which the school is expected to comply (alt. exempted from)

Material Terms: Categories Recitals Establishment of School Operation of School School Financial Matters Personnel Charter Term, Renewal and Revocation Operation of the Contract Sponsor Policies

Sponsor Policies (Examples) Performance Frameworks Pre-Opening Procedures Financial and Attendance Reporting Scope of Independent Audit Comprehensive EMO Contract Req. School Intervention Protocol Renewal Decision Making Protocol School Closure Protocol

Consideration in Contract Development Means and Ends Shifting from how to what Fundamental tension – most efforts (Title programs, IDEA, civil rights) focus on procedure Contract must balance Each additional requirement constrains flexibility and autonomy. New regulation vs potential cost

Consideration in Contract Development When to stop Test whether a term warrants inclusion Material? Typical that material changes require amendment Change facility – yes Eliminate science focus at a Math and Science Academy – yes Change textbooks in 6 th grade math – no

Sponsor Policies: Performance Frameworks Contract is a COMPLIANCE document Performance Frameworks – Heart of the Contract

Performance Management Establish Expectations: Set performance expectations attached to the contract Monitor Performance: Conduct interim reviews through multiple courses Intervene (if Necessary): Inform and require remedy of unsatisfactory performance Decide Renewal: Assess overall performance in relation to established expectations

What is a Performance Framework Contractual Expectations for performance and compliance Enforced through monitoring, evaluating, and intervention and decision-making Autonomy Accountability

Performance Framework: Development Finalize Review existing practice Review law Engage internal stakeholders Engage leadership Adapt and Test Determine policy changes, if necessary Engage external stakeholders Generic Frameworks AcademicFinancialOrganizationalCorresponding guidance

Review of Existing Practices Heavy on compliance (how) Compliance may be performance Or accepted as a proxy Materializes in APA Vast majority of 36 items are operational Next, financial Finally, academic Disconnected Meaningful?

Performance Framework Sections Academic Is the academic program a success? Financial Is the school financially viable? Organizational Is the organization effective and well-run?

Academic Framework Student Achievement Student Growth (Progress over time) State and Federal Accountability Post secondary and Career Readiness Mission- Specific Goals

Framework Components ComponentDefinitionExample IndicatorsGeneral categories of performance Student Achievement MeasuresGeneral means to evaluate an aspect of an indicator Proficiency on State Assessments MetricsMethod of quantifying a measure Percentage of students achieving proficiency on specific exams TargetThreshold that signifies meeting the standard for a specific measure 70 % of students achieve proficiency on state assessment RatingLabels to categorize charter performance Exceeds Standard Meet Standard Does Not Meet Standard Falls Far Below Standard

Academic Framework Purpose: determine whether schools are academically successful and effective Primary Source(s): State Accountability system Publicly available information Action Steps: identify schools that are candidates for Replication/Expansion Intervention Renewal/Nonrenewal Closure Transparency: make summary data available to the public

Academic PF Considerations Weightings Aggregate or not Must ensure a multidimensional view of performance Demands on resources – more testing, more data No reversion to process, focus on outcomes

Financial Framework Sustainability Near Term

Framework Components ComponentDefinitionExample IndicatorsGeneral categories of performance Near Term MeasuresGeneral means to evaluate an aspect of an indicator Current Ratio MetricsMethod of quantifying a measure Current Assets over current liabilities TargetThreshold that signifies meeting the standard for a specific measure Current ratio is greater than 1.1 RatingLabels to categorize charter performance Meet Standard Does Not Meet Standard Falls Far Below Standard

Financial Framework Purpose: assess financial health and viability Primary source(s): independent financial audits Action steps: Analysis of more current (unaudited) financial data to: Assess potential problems prior to emergency Anticipate financial failure and remedy Transparency: Appropriate use of public funds and viable for continued investment

Organizational Framework Education Program Governance and Reporting Financial Management and Oversight Student and Employees School Environment Additional Obligations

Framework Components ComponentDefinitionExample IndicatorsGeneral categories of performance Governance and Reporting MeasuresGeneral means to evaluate an aspect of an indicator Is the school complying with governance requirements? MetricsMethod of quantifying a measure Board Bylaws TargetThreshold that signifies meeting the standard for a specific measure Materially complies with compliance expectations related to board bylaws RatingLabels to categorize charter performance Meet Standard Does Not Meet Standard Falls Far Below Standard

Organizational Framework Purpose: ensure compliance with legal obligations Primary Source(s): self-reported, 3 rd party monitoring, sponsor monitoring (e.g., school visits) Action Steps: staged intervention including notification, follow up investigation, demand for remedy, etc. Transparency: Parameters for appropriate autonomy and protecting students and the publics interest

Framework Guidance Purpose: Provide authorizers with guidance necessary to develop and implement a quality Performance Framework that is aligned with the Principles and Standards Content Definition Methodology Implementation guidance (information sources) Follow up guidance (intervention)

Next Steps Initial thoughts PF Committee Charge – collaborate on the development of the PF, bring technical capacity or access to, identification of critical questions, make general recommendations Charter Contract Committee Provide just in time feedback to consultant and Authority staff in the development of the model contract.