RESULTS EXCELLENCE INNOVATION SOUTH CAROLINA Application Overview: Educational & Organizational Plans Dana Abbott, Chief of New Schools and Accountability, SCPCSD

Educational Plan/SCDE Application I. Educational Plan and Capacity 1. Evidence of Need and Community Support 2. Curriculum and Instructional Model a)Educational Model b)Educational Structure c)Professional Development d)Virtual Offerings – additional requirements 3. Serving Students with Special Needs 4. Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Plan a)Goals and Objectives b)Assessment Plan

Indicators of a Sound Educational Plan: Evidence of Need & Support Bring the community together around your idea… Document evidence of outreach efforts and consider the barriers to communication in your proposed location as you develop those plans (e.g. accessibility to Internet) Research the community as much as you’ve researched the model… Demonstrate an understanding of the current levels of academic performance for all students you’re proposing to serve (e.g. go beyond reporting district proficiency rates).

Indicators of a Sound Educational Plan: Curriculum & Model Connect the effectiveness of your proposed model to your student population… Include more than anecdote, testimony or assumption (e.g. if you use the word proven, include a citation to that proof) Consider outreach to similar models nationwide or schools serving similar populations… Demonstrate you have an understanding of what implementation takes--more than just a great idea or familiarity with the pieces of your plan

Indicators of a Sound Educational Plan: Exceptional Students Students who are academically at-risk Acknowledge this goes beyond students with an IEP… Review plans, interventions, or supports for all student groups you’re planning to serve—this is another opportunity to demonstrate a thorough understanding of your anticipated student body. Students who are homeless or migrant Students who are gifted or talented Students who may have English as a second language

Indicators of a Sound Educational Plan: Goals & Objectives DON’T DON’T DO Delay If you know your population well enough, you will have goals and objectives for Year 1 Qualify It’s helpful to look at things like duration of enrollment (e.g. 2+ years). But remember, accountability is for all students. Specify Include tangible measures and metrics. Give equal attention to the must-haves (like state assessment results) and the mission

Indicators of a Sound Educational Plan – In Review Specificity, accuracy, comprehensiveness. Alignment: With the school’s mission Between the target population, the goals, and the inputs (staffing, training, strategies) Across plans (the organizational plan and the business plan) Evidence: Of need, support, and involvement from the community Of a strong research base to the selected educational program Plans to serve students with special needs is reflective of compliance with legal requirements Goals are SMART and reflect an understanding of required and selected assessments, as well as how data will be utilized to monitor progress, inform instruction, and adapt programming.

Organizational Plan (SCDE Application) II. Organizational Plan and Capacity 1. Governing Body 2. Education/Charter Management Contract (EMO/CMO) 3. Administrative Structure and Building Leadership 4. Employees 5. Enrollment 6. Student Conduct, Rights, and Responsibilities 7. Transportation You’ve talked about the program…now it’s time to touch on the other P’s… The people…the policies…the processes…the plans

4 2 5 1 3 Organizational Plan – The People Detailed information about potential service providers (e.g. CMO/EMO) 4 A comprehensive discussion of the governance model 2 Anticipated roles of external stakeholders (parents, community, even the authorizer) 5 A diverse and experienced planning committee 1 School leadership attributes and recruitment plans 3

1 2 C Organizational Plan – The Policies Discipline, Safety Student Conduct 2 Employment, HR, Grievances Employee Rights C Responsibilities Evaluations (Board, Leader)

Organizational Plan – The Processes & Plan For recruiting and retaining high quality staff For ensuring fair & equitable access to all students For removing barriers to attend the school, such as transportation

Indicators of a Strong Organizational Plan Resources, roles, and timelines Depth & breadth in the expertise of anticipated personnel Clarity in roles and expectations Compliance with requirements at the following levels: Authorizer State Federal Samples, drafts, or templates tailored to fit the specific program being proposed

What You Will Need To Do demonstrate you can create a successful start-up and have it ready to open in a short time articulate not just what you will do but how you will do it develop a successful academic program and align it to the mission establish an effective board establish effective building leadership and a positive culture

manage and monitor performance and be accountable recruit and retain students acquire suitable facilities and acquire/allocate resources manage a budget attract and manage talent manage external relationships remain focused on the mission