SCHOOL SYSTEM FLEXIBILITY IN GEORGIA Overview and Comparison

What are we talking about and why? The Academic Bottom Line Improving Student Academic Results Freedom from Georgia Education Laws, Rules, Guidelines Flexibility Georgia Education Law Title 20 Operational approaches that school systems can take in exchange for a performance contract Flexibility Options 2

Decision Considerations Which operational system best matches the strategies? What strategies can be used to close the gap? What are the gaps between CCRPI goals and CCRPI data? What are the CCRPI goals of the school system? What does the school system’s CCRPI* data show now? * College & Career Readiness Performance Index Which flexibility option best matches the strategies? What strategies can be used to close the gap? What are the gaps between CCRPI goals and CCRPI data? What are the CCRPI goals of the school system? What does the school system’s CCRPI* data show now? 3

What is the basic flexibility bargain? AccountabilityAutonomy Freedom from state controls Flexibility to Innovate Waivers from state laws, rules, guidelines More performance measures Higher Academic Expectations Students outperform state …. 4

Selecting a Flexibility Option June 30, 2015* By June 30, 2015* each local school system must choose to operate as one of the following: – Investing in Educational Excellence School System (IE 2 ) – Charter System – Status Quo School System Other options include: – Strategic School System – System of Charter Schools *Per OCGA §

What is an IE 2 system? A local district that has a performance contract with the SBOE (State Board of Education) that grants flexibility from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and GaDOE (Georgia Department of Education) guidelines Definition The contract is between the district, SBOE and GOSA (Governor’s Office of Student Achievement) The system gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability Facts & Features Financial savings possible from waivers Loss of governance over schools that fail to meet targets Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations not waived by the IE 2 contract Federal/State Compliance 6

What is a charter system? A local district that has an executed charter from the SBOE that grants the district flexibility from almost all of Title 20, SBOE rules, and GaDOE guidelines Definition The charter is a contract between district and SBOE The district gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability Emphasis on school-based leadership and decision- making Facts & Features Increased school-level autonomy and accountability Financial savings possible from waivers Additional per-pupil funding in QBE if appropriated Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety) Federal/State Compliance 7

What is a strategic school system? A local district that has a performance contract with the SBOE that grants flexibility from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and GaDOE guidelines Definition The contract is between the district and the SBOE The system gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability Facts & Features Short application process Some financial savings possible – but waivers with the biggest financial impact are not allowed Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations not waived by the performance contract Federal/State Compliance 8

What is a system of charter schools? A local district that has converted all its schools into charter schools Definition Individual charter contracts between each school, the district and the SBOE Each school gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability Facts & Features Financial savings possible from waivers Federal Charter School Implementation Grants are available Decision-making is school-based Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety) Federal/State Compliance 9

What is a status quo system? A local district that has formally rejected all flexibility options Definition No performance contract No district flexibility from any of Title 20, SBOE rules, or GaDOE guidelines Facts & Features No change is required No financial savings from waivers Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with ALL state laws, rules and regulations Federal/State Compliance 10

11 Centralized or DecentralizedDecentralized Are waivers needed? IE 2 System Status Quo Charter System Centralize or Decentralize? Yes No Waivers Decision Structure Considerations System of Charter Schools Strategic School System

12 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >School System seeks waivers – must include at least one of the following: class size; expenditure control; certification; salary schedule >School System must state how broad flexibility permitted by the Charter Schools Act will be utilized at each charter school >Each school within a school system must state how broad relief from Title 20 permitted by the Charter Schools Act will be utilized. >School System must state how bundled Title 20 waiver requests for flexibility permitted by state statute and State Board rule will be utilized. >School System cannot include the following: class size; expenditure control; certification; salary schedule. >School System must state how broad flexibility permitted by the Charter Schools Act will be utilized >School system may apply for waivers to the State Board of Education Flexibility and Title 20 12

13 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Flexibility proportionate to student performance goals >School System Strategic Plan is required >School System must conduct a public hearing to share Strategic Plan >Approved by the Local School Board at a public meeting. >Emphasis on parent/ community involvement, including maximum school level governance >Flexibility proportionate to student performance goals >Approved by the Local School Board at a public meeting > Flexibility is proportionate to increase in student performance goals >School System Strategic Plan is required >School System must conduct a public hearing to share Strategic Plan >Approved by the Local School Board >Emphasis on parent/ community involvement, including maximum school level governance >Flexibility proportionate to student performance goals >Approved by the Local School Board at a public meeting >School System must conduct a public hearing to provide notice of the system’s intent to select Status Quo >Local board of education must sign statement that the school system has selected Status Quo Other Requirements

14 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo Cannot waive: >Federal rules/ regulations >State and local rules/regulations such as: insurance; physical health; school safety; assessment; QBE funding; etc. >Court orders, civil rights statutes >Conflicts of interest; unlawful conduct Schools cannot waive: >Federal rules/ regulations >State and local rules/regulations such as: insurance; physical health; school safety; assessment; QBE funding; etc. >Court orders, civil rights statutes >Conflicts of interest; unlaw- ful conduct Cannot waive: >Federal rules/ regulations >State and local rules/regulations such as: insurance; physical health; school safety; assessment; QBE funding; etc. >Court orders, civil rights statutes >Conflicts of interest; unlawful conduct Cannot waive: >Federal rules/ regulations >State and local rules/regulations such as: insurance; physical health; school safety; assessment; QBE funding; etc. >Court orders, civil rights statutes >Conflicts of interest; unlawful conduct Waiver Limitations 14

15 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Possible savings through flexibility >Regular QBE funding with more local school system expenditure controls >Possible savings through flexibility >Regular QBE funding with more local expenditure controls >Potential federal charter school implementation grants for each school >Possible savings through flexibility >Regular QBE funding >Possible savings through flexibility >Regular QBE funding with more local school system expenditure controls >Possible $100 per student in Charter Systems >Regular QBE funding Fiscal Impact

16 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >School System may maximize school level governance by granting local schools authority to determine how to reach goals >School System must provide each school with school-level governance and decision making over budgets, programs, personnel and innovation >School System may maximize school level governance by granting local schools authority to determine how to reach goals, manage personnel, and develop innovative strategies >School System must provide each school with school-level governance and decision making over budgets, programs, personnel and/or innovation >Local board of education maintains governance Governance

What is a charter system school? A school within a charter system that does not have a separate charter However, under Georgia law, it is a charter school Definition Can have same level of flexibility and autonomy as a start- up charter school Can choose to have themes or other innovative features Emphasis on school-based leadership and decision-making Most common type of charter school in Georgia (207) Facts & Features Increased level of school level governance allows school leaders and community members to have significant input into the school’s culture and identity Relative Advantages Must comply with all federal laws and regulations Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety) Federal/State Compliance 17

Conversion Charter School (LBOE & SBOE) Start-up Charter School Locally- Approved Charter School (LBOE & SBOE) State Chartered Special School (SBOE) State Charter School (Commission) Charter System School Charter system schools are charter schools Different starting points, but same end point Same starting point as a conversion charter, but a different end point 18

Governing council composition reflects the diversity of the community Meets regularly and complies with Open Records and Open Meetings Laws Governing council sticks to governance and stays out of management Substantially autonomous from local district Receives regular updates on academic operational Participates in regular governing council training 19 High Quality Charter School Governance Standards

Charter System School Governing Council Autonomy 20 Reliance on authorizer (local, state) Independence from authorizer (local, state) Indicators of Autonomy Ability to set school budget spending priorities Ability to make personnel decisions Contracts for services provided by the district Governing council members selected/recruited without district assistance Indicators of Autonomy Ability to set school budget spending priorities Ability to make personnel decisions Contracts for services provided by the district Governing council members selected/recruited without district assistance The school should be as close to this end as possible

21 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Student performance goals must meet or exceed state averages and exceed previous system performance >Student performance must meet all federal and state accountability measures >Student performance goals must exceed previous system performance and must show annual improvement >Student performance must meet all federal and state accountability measures >Student performance goals must meet or exceed state averages and exceed previous system performance >Student performance must meet all federal and state accountability measures >Student performance must meet all federal and state accountability measures Performance Evaluation

22 IE 2 System CharterStrategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Loss of governance of non-performing schools: (1)conversion to charter school; (2)operation by another school system; or (3)operation by private or non- profit entity >Charter status revoked and school system reverts to Status Quo (Possible fiscal impact when converting from Charter to Status Quo due to loss of flexibility) >Flexibility status revoked and school system reverts to Status Quo (Possible fiscal impact when converting from Strategic to Status Quo due to loss of flexibility) >Charter status revoked for non- performing schools; those schools lose all flexibility (Possible fiscal impact when converting from Charter to Status Quo due to loss of flexibility) N/A Consequences

23 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Local School System Board of Education and State Board of Education* >Charter School Governing Board, Local School System Board of Education, and State Board of Education >Local School System Board of Education and State Board of Education N/A Contractual Partners *Required by statute that the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement participate in the IE 2 process.

24 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Initial term of contract is for 5 years >Contract may be renewed if contract performance goals are met for at least three consecutive years >Initial term of individual school contract is for 5 years >Contract status is reviewed annually, based on student performance >Subsequent contract term may range from 5 to 10 years if the charter contract goals are met >Single contract term of 2 to 5 years >>Contract status is reviewed annually, based on student performance >Follow-up contract must be IE 2, Charter System, System of Charter Schools, or Status Quo >Initial term of contract is for 5 years >Contract status is reviewed annually, based on student performance >Subsequent contract term may range from 5 to 10 years if the charter contract goals are met N/A Length of Contract

Charter System Application What will you be able to do with a charter that you can’t do without a charter? What are your school system’s student performance objectives for the proposed charter term? What specific actions will your school system take to achieve your student performance objectives during the proposed charter term? Which of the specific actions in your academic plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines? What is the system’s plan to maximize school level governance? If funds are appropriated for the QBE weight for charter systems, for what purposes would you use the additional funds you would earn as a charter system? Six Questions 25

Strategic School System Application What waivers of Title 20 and the related Rules and Guidelines are you requesting and for what time frame? What specific part of your school district’s Strategic Plan will these waivers help you to implement? Which of your school system’s student achievement performance goals will be accomplished if you are granted these waivers? Three Questions 26

27 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo >Approved by local board >Petition sent to GaDOE >Petition vetted by GaDOE staff >Petition sent to GaDOE Cabinet >Petition sent to State Board of Education (SBOE) >Contract signed by all parties >Time from receipt of petition to SBOE approval and contract = 8 to 24 months >Approved by local board >Petition sent to GaDOE >Petition vetted by GaDOE staff >Petition sent to GaDOE Cabinet >Petition sent to State Board of Education (SBOE) >Contract signed by all parties >Time from receipt of petition to SBOE approval and contract = 3 to 6 months >Approved by local board >Petition sent to GaDOE >Petition vetted by GaDOE staff >Petition sent to GaDOE Cabinet >Petition sent to State Board of Education (SBOE) >Contract signed by all parties >Time from receipt of petition to SBOE approval and contract = 3 to 6 months >Approved by local board >Petition sent to GaDOE >Petition vetted by GaDOE staff >Petition sent to GaDOE Cabinet >Petition sent to State Board of Education (SBOE) >Contract signed by all parties >Time from receipt of petition to SBOE approval and contract = 3 to 6 months N/A Petition Process

Petition Approval Process 28 Conversion charter petition Charter system petition LBOEGaDOESBOE Approval Review and make recommendation to SBOE New conversion charter school Approval Review and make recommendation to SBOE New charter system Y Y N N End Y Y N N Charter Advisory Committee review and recommendation to SBOE

What is the Petition Review Process? 29 Deadlines Nov 1 - for charter conversion and charter system Mar 1 – for strategic school system Petition reviewed Legal review to ensure eligibility Substance review GaDOE/CAC panel interview with applicant Clarification/change letter to applicant Core focus and Compliance Applicant responds to letter GaDOE makes approval/denial recommendations to SBOE SBOE views Item for Information including CAC recommendation SBOE approves/ denies Action Item Execution of the Contract

30 IE 2 System System of Charter Schools Strategic School System Charter System Status Quo O.C.G.A. § § § § § § § O.C.G.A. § § § § § § § § § § § § § § O.C.G.A. § O.C.G.A. § O.C.G.A. § Legal References

31 Category 1: Strategic School System Category 2: High Performing System Category 3: Charter System >Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility via waiver request process >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade of C, D, or F and articulate in writing how the waiver ties into the district’s strategic plan >Incentive: Flexibility >Accountability: appropriate use of flexibility; improved local capacity; increase student achievement >Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility without waiver process >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade of A or B and at least 90% of schools receive an A or B (for districts with less than 10 schools, no more than one school without an A or B); CCRPI student growth >Incentive: Broad flexibility >Accountability: Maintain High Performance criteria >Description: Receive Title 20 flexibility and supplemental funding >Eligibility: CCRPI score/grade A-F; performance contract for all students and subgroups; local school governance assurance >Incentive: Broad flexibility; supplemental funding; reward for high performance >Accountability: student performance and local school governance Possible Legislation: Ga’s Statewide Tiered Accountability and Flexibility System (G-STAFS)

Additional Information 32 Garry McGiboney, Ph.D. Associate Superintendent Howard Hendley, Ed.D. Director, Policy Division Louis Erste Director, Charter Schools Division Allan Meyer Assistant Director, Policy Division Morgan Felts Assistant Director, Charter Division