REACH THE PEAK OF YOUR CHARTER CONTRACT USE YOUR PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AS YOUR HARNESS Nina Gonzalez Drue Ann Wise

objectives Preview helpful webpages Understand amendment basics and types Review amendment submission Recognize common submission mistakes Get to know support specialists objectives ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Helpful webpages TEA Homepage Charter School Homepage Amendments Homepage Helpful webpages ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments basics The terms of an open- enrollment charter may be revised only with the consent of the charter holder governing board and by approval of the commissioner of education. 19 TAC §100.1033(b) Understanding amendments basics ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: basics An amendment is ANY CHANGE to the existing contract for charter and is not a matter of right or entitlement. 19 TAC §100.1033(b) Understanding Amendments: basics ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: basics Meet all applicable requirements File an amendment request Include a signed board resolution Submit all required documents File non-expansion amendments any time Understanding Amendments: basics ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: basics Commissioner considerations for approval: Student and other performance Compliance, staff, financial, and organizational data Performance of all charters under charter holder Whether all applicable requirements are met Best interest of students Other information Understanding amendments: basics ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: Basics The commissioner’s decision on an amendment request is final. The same amendment request may not be submitted prior to the first anniversary of the original request. The commissioner may impose approval conditions. A relocation amendment is not an expansion. Prior notification of the intent to revoke the charter results in ineligibility to apply for an amendment. Understanding amendments: Basics ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: types Non-Expansion Expansion Understanding amendments: types ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: expansion Types Expansion Amendment Add a new campus Expand the geographic boundaries Increase the maximum student enrollment Change the grade levels served Understanding Amendments: expansion Types ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: expansion Expanding prior to receiving the commissioner’s approval will have financial consequences as outlined in 19 TAC §100.1041(d)(1). Understanding amendments: expansion ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: expansion types Expansion Amendment are approved only if: Charter is in 4th year of operation Request is received no earlier than first day of February and no later than first day of April Most recent rating for 90% of the campuses operated under the charter is “academically acceptable” Impact statements have been provided to affected school districts Understanding amendments: expansion types ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: expansion types Expansion Amendment are approved only if: The amendment is in the best interest of students The charter holder governing body has considered a business plan Compliance information has been submitted The charter holder meets all other requirements applicable to expansion amendment requests Understanding amendments: expansion types ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: additional campus The request must be accompanied by all required documentation as outlined on the request form. Understanding amendments: additional campus ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: Geographic Boundaries The request must be accompanied by letters of notification to affected districts and must include evidence of mailings. Understanding Amendments: Geographic Boundaries ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: Maximum Enrollment The board resolution must include a statement that a business plan has been considered, approved, and that the enrollment growth is prudent. 19 TAC §100.1033(b)(10)(A) Understanding Amendments: Maximum Enrollment ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: maximum enrollment Business plan components can be found on the charter amendments webpage. Understanding amendments: maximum enrollment ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding Amendments: Grade Levels The request must be accompanied by appropriate educational plan(s) for the additional grade level(s). Include a scope and sequence for the proposed grade level(s) and a list of curricular resources to be used. Understanding Amendments: Grade Levels ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: non-expansion examples Admission/enrollment changes Close/return campus Fiscal year change Charter/campus/district name change Campus relocation Change to education plan or program Understanding amendments: non-expansion examples ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Understanding amendments: educational program Any change to the educational philosophy or mission of the school or curriculum models or whole-school designs Submit all program changes and/or additions with the request Changes to the charter contract language: Currently approved language Revised language with changes clearly marked Proposed language as adopted Understanding amendments: educational program ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Amendment request submission Contacts Amendment Request Forms Submission Process Amendment request submission ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Amendment request submission: contacts A-L Charter Schools Nina Gonzalez M-Z Charter Schools Drue Ann Wise Amendment request submission: contacts ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Amendment request submission: expansion request forms Expansion Amendment Request Form One form for all expansion requests Include justification for request Review checklist for required documents Electronic superintendent signature Submit by email Amendment request submission: expansion request forms ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Amendment request submission: non-expansion request form Non-Expansion Amendment Request Form One form for all non-expansion requests Include justification for request Review checklist for required documents Electronic superintendent signature Submit by email Amendment request submission: non-expansion request form ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Submitting amendment requests: electronic signature Click on the signature line Follow the instructions Save username and password for future use Save document on desktop Email Charteramendments@tea.texas.gov Submitting amendment requests: electronic signature ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Amendment request submission: electronic submission All amendment requests are to be submitted electronically to the charter amendments email address charteramendments@tea.texas.gov Amendment request submission: electronic submission ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Common submission mistakes Unsigned amendment request form No board resolution Missing board signatures Educational program changes and/or additions not submitted Required documentation missing Current and required language missing Common submission mistakes ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Nina Gonzalez, Program Specialist nina. gonzalez@tea. texas Nina Gonzalez, Program Specialist nina.gonzalez@tea.texas.gov (512) 936-9279 Drue Ann Wise, Program Specialist drueann.wise@tea.texas.gov (512) 463-3419 Support specialists ©Texas Education Agency 2016

Copyright Notice   These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions: I. Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts' and schools' educational use without obtaining permission from TEA; 2. Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only without obtaining written permission of TEA; 3. Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way; 4. No monetary charge can be made the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from TEA and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty fee. Contact TEA Copyrights with any questions you may have. ©Texas Education Agency 2016