CHARTER RENEWAL 2014-2019 Birmingham Community Charter High School
Dec 28, 2015
CHARTER RENEWAL 2014-
2019
Birmingham Community Charter High School
New Law as of January 1, 2013
Senate Bill 1290 (“SB1290”) amends Ed Code sections 47605, 47605.6 and 47607, resulting in important changes to the charter school petitioning, renewal and revocation process.
Under SB1290, the revised Section 47607 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
LAUSDSPF; AGT
Charter School Division Oversight FindingsHolistic 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 : http://egpnews.com/2013/06/cultural-high-school-charter-renewal-denied/
BCCHS Charter Renewal Process Thus far January – Bill emailed 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 www.birminghamcharter.com
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 2014-2019: 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 2012-2013 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 BalanceElement 8 – Admission RequirementsElement 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 2012-2013
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 ProcessElement 15 – Exclusive Public School EmployerElement 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 email 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
Email : [email protected]
Cell 818-383-6457
Please call me/email me anytime to discuss your questions, concerns, ideas, suggested revisions, etc.