Charter School Update DAC May 10, 2018

What are charter schools? Independent Public-part of state’s program Non-Profit Governing Boards Authorized to Operate by Sponsor Charters (Contracts) with Authorizers

Opening a Charter School Individual, group, municipality, or legal entity submits state application to sponsor (school district/university) Sponsor reviews/approves or denies Approves- “state” charter is “negotiated.” Denies---goes away or goes to DOE for appeal Applications to convert current schools to charter can also be submitted.

Independent Operated by non-profit governing board Can be managed by entity other than governing board-ESP Sponsor is not responsible for operation Monitoring by authorizer: $, student performance, compliance with statutes, and adherence to charter (contract);renew or non-renew/terminate charters

Sponsors must provide: Contract management FTE and data reporting ESE administration Some school lunch administration Test administration support Information services Student performance data

Public Funded like all other FL public schools Sponsor administrative fee Federal funds choice-Services or $ Must be open to all applicants in district Are exempt from many education statutes

Statutory Purposes/Principles Meet high standards of student achievement Offers flexibility/choice opportunity Promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency Provide parents with info-reading/learning year in year

Purposes (continued) Improve student learning/achievement Increase learning opportunities for all children, with special emphasis on low- performing and reading Encourage use of innovative methods Measure student outcomes

Optional Purposes Create innovative measurement tools Provide rigorous competition with public school district Expand capacity of public school system Mitigate impacts of new residential dwellings Create new professional development opportunities for teachers

Charter School Requirements Non-sectarian Admit eligible students as per statute (preferences) Cannot charter tuition/fees* Meets health, safety, civil rights rules Provide required instructional days Cannot violate antidiscrimination laws Maintain financial records as required Submit financial reports to district Report progress to district/maintain website

Exemption from Statutes—are exempt from all except: All applying to charter schools (1002.33) Student assessment/accountability Provision of services to SWD* Civil rights/discrimination Student health, safety, and welfare Public meetings/records, inspection

No Exemption (continued) Maximum class size by school level Compensation and salary schedules Work reductions Contracts with instructional personnel Performance evaluations (instructional/administrative) Transportation**** Virtual Schools*****

Employees Teachers must meet state certification requirements. All must be background screened. All must either be public or private employees. Charter school administrators are not required to be certified.

Charter Schools Authorized by LCS Current/New Applications* Closed SAST SASC GCA TSMA Plato Academy* Tallahassee Classical* Steele-Collins CCHS Life Skills Imagine Woodville STARS**