William Haft, Vice President of Authorizer Development March XX, 2012 New Jersey Charter Schools Performance Frameworks

The Charter Bargain School Autonomy School Accountability Improved Student Outcomes

What is charter school authorizing?

The Authorizer’s Core Responsibilities Decide whether to approve or deny each charter school application Decide whether to renew or non-renew each operating school

What is a Performance Framework? Document that sets forth agreed upon expectations of performance and compliance Established in the charter agreement Basis for school evaluation, monitoring, and intervention that informs an authorizer’s high stakes decision- making Accountability Autonomy

Purpose Performance Frameworks Monitoring Closure Decisions Replication Decisions

The Performance Framework is used… Contract Establishment To set expectations Attached to the contract Interim Review As a rubric for interim and/or annual review Intervention (if applicable) To monitor corrective action expectations Renewal Review As a rubric for high stakes review Assist in communication to stakeholders of summary performance (contract period) Charter Cycle

Finalize Determine policy changes, if necessary Engage external stakeholders Adapt and Test Review existing practice Review law Engage internal stakeholders Engage leadership Generic Frameworks Academic Financial Organizational Corresponding guidance Overview of Performance Framework Development

Authorizer Guidance Definitions of terminology and measures Data analysis methodology – Individual measures – Weighting How to set targets and conduct analysis How to use the framework to make critical authorizer decisions

Intro GenericReviseTestReviseTest Leadership Review Finalize Academic Framework Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment Multiple revisions and tests Revised to align with waiver, new growth measure, and available data for college readiness Weighting the measures and sub-measures

Academic Framework Proficiency Status STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT District Comparison Peer Schools Comparison Sub-Group Proficiency COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE School-Wide Adequate Growth Subgroup Adequate Growth STUDENT PROGRESS OVER TIME

Academic Framework, Cont. SAT/ACT Graduation Rates Post-Secondary Persistence Remediation COLLEGE READINESS State Accountability System STATE AND FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Financial Framework Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment Generic – Based on authorizer best practice and funder analysis Test against a subset of charter schools Adaptions to the model were not necessary given the results of the test Intro Generic ReviseTestRevise Leadership Review Finalize

Financial Framework Current Ratio Unrestricted Days Cash On Hand Enrollment Variance Default on Loans NEAR TERM Total Margin Debt to Asset Ratio Cash Flow Debt Service Coverage Ratio SUSTAINTABILITY

Organizational Framework Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment Adapt to New Jersey law Revise based on office current review strategies Determine policy implications Intro Generic Revise Legal Counsel Revise Leadership Review Finalize

Organizational Framework Essential Terms of Charter Education Standards Professional Development and Licensure Education Requirements EDUCATION PROGRAM Rights of Students Attendance Special Needs Populations Support Services STUDENT PROCEDURES / RIGHTS Governance Requirements Management Oversight GOVERNANCE

Organizational Framework, Cont. Safe and Secure Facilities Safe and Secure Environment FACITILITES AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT Reporting and Compliance Generally Accepted Accounting Principles FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT General Reporting Requirements Other Compliance OTHER INFORMATION

Implementing a Performance Framework Establish Performance Framework Sign Performance Framework Into Contract Develop Tools to Monitor Performance Evaluate Charter Performance Utilize Performance Framework Data to Make High Stakes Decisions About Charter Schools

Discussion 19