1. Oct. 13, 2015 Flagstaff Oct. 14, 2015 Phoenix Oct. 15, 2015 Tucson Arizona Charter Schools Program: Getting Ready for the 2016 Grant Cycle 1

2. Grant Purpose The Arizona Charter Schools Program (AZ CSP) is a competitive, discretionary grant which offers financial incentives to new charter entities that can demonstrate the knowledge, skill and capacity to create and implement challenging curricula, engaging instruction and rigorous assessment. 2

3. Competitive and Discretionary This means that the grants are not funded by formula such as federal title funds. Charter entities must compete against other charter entities for the grant. Grants are scored by a panel of professionals with exemplary experience in charter schools or working with them. 3

4. General Statement on Charter Entities Federal regulation and guidance define a charter entity as an autonomous Local Educational Authority (LEA). The entity is that organization or individual developer which holds the charter. The charter is the legal contract between the state approved charter authorizer and the developer of the school. State approved charter authorizer, as defined in ARS § 15-183 (C), includes Arizona school districts and Arizona universities and community colleges. The charter entity must be a separate, autonomous entity from its school district sponsor. The emphasis on creating an autonomous entity is to target academic, business and financial responsibility and accountability on that specific entity organization and no other. 4

5. Who may apply? Any Arizona not-for-profit entity may apply for this grant. The AZ CSP grant is aligned with the US Department of Education Charter Schools Program Priorities and the OMB Uniform Guidance. The submitted application will be scored in light of these federal priorities. Existing schools with less than three years data should apply for a new charter. Existing schools authorized by ASBCS with three or more years data should apply for replication. Authorizers other than ASBCS must share their authorization policies for review by AZ CSP for federal compliance. 5

6. AZ CSP Objectives The Arizona Charter Schools Program(AZ CSP) has three project objectives: Increase the number of high quality charter schools in Arizona focusing on supporting and improving the academic outcomes for educationally disadvantaged students; Close the achievement gaps for all educationally disadvantaged students in AZ CSP schools Improve educationally disadvantaged high school student achievement and graduation rates in AZ CSP school. 6

7. AZ CSP Objectives at the Completion of the Grant Open 30 high quality charter schools focusing on supporting and improving the academic outcomes for disadvantaged students* over a 3 year period. 28 of 30 AZ CSP schools demonstrate their disadvantaged students’* academic growth of at least an average of one grade level in mathematics and reading/language arts on the state assessment in Project Year 3. Student academic achievement of disadvantaged students* at 80% of AZ CSP charter schools will meet or exceed the state average of students with similar student demographics on each content area on the state assessment by the end of year 2 of their grant period. 7

8. AZ CSP Objectives at the Completion of the Grant, continued The graduation rate of disadvantaged students* at 80% of AZ CSP charter schools will meet or exceed the state average graduation rate of students with similar student demographics by the end of year 2 of their grant period. *Disadvantaged students are defined in the CSP application as 1) Racially and ethnically diverse students; 2) Economically disadvantaged or neglected/homeless students; 3) Students with disabilities; 4) English Language Learners (ELL) 8

9. Timeline for the 2016 Grant Cycle Timeline will be posted on AZ CSP website http://www.azed.gov/charter-school-program/ http://www.azed.gov/charter-school-program/ The AZ CSP staff will present sub grant application training at 3-5 PM on October 21, 2015 at ADE 1535 Jefferson. The AZ CSP application will be in Grants Management Funding Applications. Specifics will be provided at the sub grant application training. 9

10. Timeline for the 2016 Grant Cycle Application Due Date: December 4, 2015 Preliminary review for Administrative Completeness by December 8, 2015 A panel of judges will evaluate the applications. Application Evaluation Due Date: December 30, 2015 10

11. Timeline for the 2016 Grant Cycle The AZ CSP award winners will be approved by Consent Agenda at the January 25, 2016 AZ State Board of Education meeting. The first Grant Project Year will commence February 1, 2016 and end January 31, 2017. The grant is renewed up to two more years depending on the configuration of Planning and Implementation. 11

12. Grant Administration The program is administered through ADE Grants Management Enterprise Awardees will submit Funding Applications that align with their grant application for approval. Funding is supported by GME draws through the monthly Reimbursement Request process. 12

13. Scope of the AZ CSP Grant Grants awarded by AZ CSP to eligible applicants shall be for a period of not more than 3 years, of which the eligible applicant may use — not more than 18 months for planning and program design; not more than 24 months for the initial implementation of a charter school. 13

14. Awards Startup grants are competitive in nature. Implementation, or continuation awards are based on available federal funds, the appropriateness of the proposed grant budget, student enrollment, need, student academic achievement, and progress made toward grant goals as outlined in the startup application. 14

15. Award Maximum The maximum amount for funding in one calendar year shall not exceed $250,000. Requests for awards in excess of $250,000 will not be considered. A proven leader working with Native American student populations may receive up to $330,000 to form a school in Apache County. The definition of “proven leaders” is a developer who has significantly increased learning outcomes of Native American students to meet the academic expectations set forth in the ASBCS Academic Framework. 15

16. Grant Monitoring During the period of the grant, representatives of AZ CSP will conduct multiple visits to awarded schools to monitor progress toward the application’s academic and operational goals. 16

17. Grant Monitoring Monitoring visits are not audits; however, the school will be expected to provide various documents and policies related to instructional management such as: Curriculum, lesson plans and formative assessments Various policies and documents identifying effective business practice and verification of inventory. AZ CSP staff has FERPA clearance to review student records to measure program effectiveness. Contracts between the entity and contractors which describe specific service(s) performed. Verification of salary expenses in Planning phase 17

18. Grant Terms and Conditions Terms and conditions of the award will be described in the Grant Award Notification. Awarded schools will meet and participate in Summit Conferences twice per year, one of which will align with the ADE annual Leading Change Conference. Awarded schools will participate in ADE lead Arizona Instructional Rounds (AIR). 18

19. RESOURCES CSP Nonregulatory Guidance http://www.azed.gov/charter-school- program/files/2011/06/csp-nonregulatory-guidance- january-2014.pdf Other resources at AZ CSP website http://www.azed.gov/charter-school-program/

20. To Register for AZ CSP Sub grant Application Training Send an email to Jane Smoudi at jane.smoudi@azed.gov by Oct. 19, 2015 and provide the following: jane.smoudi@azed.gov 1. Name 2. Position 3. Entity 4. (Projected) Year of school opening 5. (Projected) Grades to serve 6. (Projected) School location 20

21. Contact Information AZ CSP Director/ Deputy Associate Superintendent: Dr. Mark S. Francis Mark.Francis@azed.govMark.Francis@azed.gov 602.542.4020 AZ CSP Education Program Specialist: Martha Morgan Martha.Morgan@azed.gov 602.542.5336Martha.Morgan@azed.gov AZ CSP Education Program Specialist: Jane Smoudi Jane.Smoudi@azed.govJane.Smoudi@azed.gov 602.542.7459 21