Charles River Charter School A case study and policy discussion

Session Overview Introduction and Agenda Introduction and Agenda Charles River Charter School Setting the Stage Charles River Charter School Setting the Stage Case Preparation Case Preparation Facilitated Policy Discussion Facilitated Policy Discussion  Policy considerations  Evidence base Conclusions Conclusions 2 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Charles River Charter School School is in its 5 th year of operation School is in its 5 th year of operation Application for Renewal has been submitted Application for Renewal has been submitted Renewal Review has been completed Renewal Review has been completed Authorizing Board of Education must make renewal decision this month (cannot be postponed) Authorizing Board of Education must make renewal decision this month (cannot be postponed) Possible Renewal Outcomes include Renewal (5 years) or Non-Renewal (closure) Possible Renewal Outcomes include Renewal (5 years) or Non-Renewal (closure) 3 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

What did you notice? * 4 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Case Preparation You will work in groups to prepare a renewal recommendation (supported by evidence) to present to the Board of Education. You will work in groups to prepare a renewal recommendation (supported by evidence) to present to the Board of Education. 4 stakeholder groups: 4 stakeholder groups:  Staff from district authorizer  Parents, families, and students from the school  School board members and school leadership  State Charter School Association 5 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Case Preparation (con’t) As a stakeholder group, you will apply the information you have learned from reading the case to form a renewal recommendation. As a stakeholder group, you will apply the information you have learned from reading the case to form a renewal recommendation. Your renewal recommendation must be backed up by at least two to three brief statements/claims, grounded in evidence from the case. Your renewal recommendation must be backed up by at least two to three brief statements/claims, grounded in evidence from the case. Consider the guiding questions and your stakeholder’s perspective when formulating your renewal recommendation. Consider the guiding questions and your stakeholder’s perspective when formulating your renewal recommendation. Document your recommendation and supporting statements. Document your recommendation and supporting statements. You will present your renewal recommendations and supporting reasoning. You will present your renewal recommendations and supporting reasoning. 6 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Guiding Questions Is charter renewal about past performance or promises for the future? Is charter renewal about past performance or promises for the future? Who should define what charter school performance is? Who should define what charter school performance is?  The authorizer?  The school community?  The school board and leadership? What data and evidence should be considered when making a charter renewal decision? What data and evidence should be considered when making a charter renewal decision? How good does a school have to be to earn charter renewal? How good does a school have to be to earn charter renewal? 7 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Policy Discussion What policy considerations played a role in making your recommendation? What policy considerations played a role in making your recommendation? What additional information would you have found useful in forming a recommendation? What additional information would you have found useful in forming a recommendation? 8 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion

Conclusions * 9

Accountability Non-Negotiables Standards must be clear from the beginning Standards must be clear from the beginning There must be a framework for how decisions are to be made and by whom There must be a framework for how decisions are to be made and by whom The *how good is good enough?* question must be defined by measurable outcomes The *how good is good enough?* question must be defined by measurable outcomes 10 Charles River Charter School: a case study and policy discussion