Birmingham Community Charter High School

New Law as of January 1, 2013  Senate Bill 1290 (“SB1290”) amends Ed Code sections 47605, and 47607, resulting in important changes to the charter school petitioning, renewal and revocation process.  Under SB1290, the revised Section requires the authorizing entity to consider increases in pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils served by the charter school as the most important factor in determining whether to grant a charter renewal

According to LAUSD, data includes:  California Department of Education API; AYP; AMAO;STAR Tests- CST, CAHSEE, CELDT; Graduation Rate  LAUSD SPF; AGT  Charter School Division Oversight Findings Holistic View on: ○ Student Achievement and Educational Performance ○ Governance and Organizational Management ○ Fiscal Operations ○ Fulfillment of the Charter’s Educational Program

Recent Charter Renewals (2013)  Recently Approved Affiliated Charter High Schools: Chatsworth, Cleveland, Taft  Recently Approved Independent Charter High Schools: Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Executive Prep Academy of Finance Math and Science College Prep Student Empowerment Academy Valor Academy Charter High  Up for renewal this coming year: BCCHS and GHCHS  Non-renewed: Anahuacalmecac International University Prep HS See article : charter-renewal-denied/ charter-renewal-denied/

BCCHS Charter Renewal Process Thus far  January – Bill ed everyone and invited all interested parties to come to an info meeting and sit on one of three committees to give input to revised charter petition (Instruction, Governance, and Compliance)  Committees met, revised school mission statement, reviewed sections, revised as able through March-April  Lead writer met with committee leaders, reviewed suggested changes from committees and began revision process for charter petition document  April 26, Bill and lead writer attended a CSD Orientation to Renewal Process  May - July: Lead writer revised the document with input and data from various constituents and with input from Board regarding governance and as a result of the response to revocation process that we underwent last year

LAUSD Process for Renewal Read complete Administrative Procedures for Charter School Authorizing on our website at

Major Changes by Element

Element 1 – Instructional Program  Mission Statement: “Preparing students for college and careers with a comprehensive educational program that provides an innovative learning experience”  Overhaul of this element – please read it; includes achievement data over past five years, new program descriptions (Advisory, SAS, Instructional Rounds, CTE, RTI, etc)

Element 2 – Measurable Student Outcomes New Outcomes for :  Increase API to 825 (~15 pts/year)  Increase CAHSEE double pass rate by 5%  All other outcomes are the same

Element 3 – Methods of Assessing Student Outcomes  Addition of Common Core State Standards as assessment measure

Element 4 - Governance  Addition of clarifying language regarding roles and functions of Board, election procedures, communication with Board, qualifications, selection procedures, and terms  Addition of clarifying language regarding succession of CEO  Addition of clarifying language regarding Advisory Council and standing committees functions and responsibilities, terms, elections procedures, etc

Composition of Board Change from 15 members (4 certificated, 1 classified, 1 parent, 9 community reps) to Number will be 7 or 9 - WILL REMAIN as close to 49% employees: 51% non- employees.  3 or 4 interested parties (employees) 2 or 3 required to be certificated, 1 classified  1 parent  3 or 4 community representatives

Why the change?  Revocation process in  Comparable schools and non-profits  Law states no more than 50% are interested parties

Element 5 – Employee Qualifications  Removal of job descriptions to Appendix  Addition of HR hiring procedures

Element 6 – Health and Safety Element 7 – Racial and Ethnic Balance Element 8 – Admission Requirements Element 9 – Financial and Programmatic Audit  Boilerplate language – small formatting changes; date changes; minor edits

Element 10 – Suspension and Expulsion Procedures  No change as required by revocation process with LAUSD in

Element 11 – Retirement Benefits  Language changed to remove requirement to match LAUSD benefits and instead provide “competitive” salary and benefits packages

Why the change?  The specifics of benefits should be identified in UTLA contract not the charter petition  Failure to meet requirements as written in charter are grounds for revocation as is failing to sustain a financially viable school organization

Element 12 – Public School Attendance Alternatives  No change – boilerplate language

Element 13 – Employee Rights  Delineation between employees with returns rights to LAUSD and those without  Addition of language outlining reduction in force and whistle blower protection

Element 14 – Dispute Resolution Process Element 15 – Exclusive Public School Employer Element 16 – Charter School Closing  Changes according to LAUSD required boilerplate language

What’s next in the process?  August-September – final revisions to petition, submit to CCSA and attorneys for feedback, revise again, submit to BCCHS Board for approval  September /October – Submit to LAUSD  60 day turnaround for comments, revisions, etc  CSD will make a recommendation (for renewal or non-renewal) to board in December

What can you do to help?  Unite as a faculty and with community stakeholders behind the mission of the school (Be POSITIVE!!)  Galvanize community support – parents, students, other schools, neighbors, board members, community organizations, neighborhood councils, etc  Talk up the great things happening at BCCHS with everyone you know!

Questions and Answers  Please write your questions on a card with your name and address.  If we can’t answer your question, we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible

Lindsey’s Contact Info   Cell  Please call me/ me anytime to discuss your questions, concerns, ideas, suggested revisions, etc.