1. PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE RENEWAL PROCESS
Overview of PSC Renewal Process

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE Review of LAUSD Public School Choice Renewals
Background
Timeline
Renewal Criteria
Renewal Process
PSC Renewal Norms and Reviewer Expectations
Sample Observation Lesson
Sample Visit Debrief
Closing

3. PSC RENEWAL BACKGROUND
The Public School Choice (PSC) motion directed the Superintendent to develop a “reauthorization process for operators of new and existing schools that is based on regular performance evaluations.”

4. PSC RENEWAL BACKGROUND
Renewal process is an accountability checkpoint to ensure schools continue to meet PSC expectations
Renewal occurs through the lens of turnaround and improvement
Opportunity for District to understand which indicators might predict success
PSC schools have no contract or MOU – “renewal” means reauthorization to continue as a PSC school for the specified number of years

5. PSC RENEWAL TIMELINE
Renewal timeline established in during PSC 1.0; schools generally approved with a 5-year renewal cycle.
PSC 1.0 and 2.0 schools “Approved with Reservations” require a Renewal Review after 3 years of plan implementation.
If a school appears to be steadily declining or is otherwise cause for concern, it may undergo a Renewal Review at the Superintendent’s discretion, regardless of implementation year.
To the extent possible, multiple review processes for a school (e.g. PSC pilot school, PSC charter school) will be integrated into a single review.
For co-located PSC schools, every effort will be made to review all schools at the same time on a shared campus.

6. PSC RENEWAL CRITERIA Performance Goals and Continuous Improvement
How has the school met various performance targets and/or improved over time?
Academic Achievement
What evidence is there of progress in academic achievement overall and for sub-groups?
School Climate, Behavior and Operations
What signs are there of a safe, welcoming, well-run campus (e.g. attendance, suspensions, positive behavior support, parent engagement, school survey data)?

7. REVIEW TEAM COMPOSITION
Staff from the Office of School Design Options notifies and supports appropriate party (Local Superintendent, Instructional Director, etc.), and helps assemble the review team and facilitate the review process.
Review Team members may include:
Instructional Directors
Teachers
Administrators
Parents/Guardians
Classified Staff
Central Office and/or District staff

8. SITE VISITS Most PSC schools were approved for a 5-year cycle.
PSC Schools must complete an Annual Self-Review unless they are in a renewal year.
Schools “Approved with Reservations” are reviewed after 3 years.
Schools may undergo a Renewal Review at the Superintendent’s discretion, regardless.
To the extent possible, multiple review processes for a school will be integrated into a single review.
Charter schools are reviewed in collaboration with the Charter Division
Lead Partner school site visits are aligned with MOU Renewals
Pilot Schools Steering Committee members participate in site visits
Linked Learning schools undergoing Certification are jointly reviewed
Schools undergoing WASC may opt for a mock WASC or defer renewal

9. Superintendent Decision
PSC RENEWAL PROCESS
Superintendent Decision
(May-June)
Compile Ratings & Recs
(April-May)
School Visit
(February-April)
Data Review
(November-December)
Review Team Assigned to Each School

10. DATA REVIEW School-specific data Comparative data
Data compiled for a 3-5 year period, for multiple points – such as from the California Dashboard, annual School Experience Surveys as well as PSC Annual School Review reports and WASC reviews (HS and MS).
School-specific data
Comparative data
Extent of growth, change
Signs of positive trajectories
School plans (as appropriate)
Self-reflections (Annual School Reviews)
Data Review

11. School Visit & Survey (opt.)
School visits, interviews, and surveys conducted as needed, at the discretion of the Review Panel.
Provide an opportunity to observe classroom instruction, non-classroom environments, general cleanliness and orderliness.
Reviewers ask specific questions of students, parents and teachers regarding the school’s academic program, behavioral supports, community engagement as well as collaboration on a shared campus.
In the absence of state test data, school visits will be utilized for a significant portion of the renewal recommendation.
School Visit & Survey (opt.)

12. RATINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Compile Ratings & Recs
The Review Team assesses progress in academic achievement, self-determined goals, evidence of school turnaround, and fidelity to the school plan and determines whether the school is making substantial progress, moderate progress, some progress, or not making progress. This information is summarized for the Superintendent.
RATINGS
Making Substantial Progress
Making Moderate Progress
Making Some Progress
Not Making Progress
RECOMMENDATIONS
5 Year Renewal
1 to 4 Year Renewal
Immediate Intervention

13. SUPERINTENDENT’S DECISIONS
Superintendent Decision
RENEWAL ACTION
5 Year Renewal
1 to 4 Year Renewal
Immediate Intervention
Superintendent considers reviewers’ input and recommendations, and determines the renewal status and next steps for each school.
Schools making substantial progress will be renewed and may continue as a PSC school. Schools making moderate, some, or no progress may receive a 4-year or shorter renewal period (during which the school may be asked to meet specified benchmarks) or undergo a major intervention.
Schools notified of PSC renewal decision and any necessary next steps via letter.

14. Sample Observation Lesson
Step 1: We will observe lessons for the following 2 TLF Elements
3b1. Quality and Purpose of Questions
3c2. Purposeful and Productive Instructional Groups
Step 2: Using your observation tool write down what you see and hear
Step 3: Spend 5-minutes:
highlighting evidence you may have observed for each element
write the evidence in the corresponding row
provide a rating
Use the Depth of Knowledge Wheel as a
reference while you rate the observations

15. Sample Observation Debrief
Step 1: Write your evidence for each Element on Post-it Notes and place them over the element found on the wall
Step 2: Tally the number of observations as a large group
Step 3: Reach group consensus on Stars (Commendations) and Polishers (Recommendations)
Stars and Polishers based on elements observed

16. Frequently Asked Questions
Who assembles the Review Team?
The Office of School Design Options works closely with the Local District Director to assign 3-5 reviewers to each school. The host school is asked to assign 3-5 School Leadership Team members to participate in the classroom observations and debrief.
Who selects the Teaching and Learning Framework Focus Elements?
The host school is asked to provide 2-4 instructional focus elements they are currently implementing to be observed.
Who selects the parent, teacher and student focus group members?
The host school selects a representative mix of up to 8 participants for each focus group.
Does the school have to write a report?
No, the Office of School Design Options will compile commendations and recommendations for the Superintendent. The Superintendent will authorize a letter with the renewal terms.
Are funds available for substitutes or refreshments?
Unfortunately, no funding is available.