Charter School Information Session: Accountability and Evaluation Cobb County School District September 18, 2013

Accountability and Evaluation Section of the Petition Review Requires the petitioner to strongly consider several aspects of the proposed charter:  Why does the charter exist and what are the proposed performance goals and objectives? Is there alignment?  How will the stakeholders and public know the charter school is working?  How will the charter school navigate the jungle of assessment, evaluation, and reporting? 2

Topics for Today What will the charter school be accountable for regarding student achievement and school performance? How will the waivers requested in the petition support accountability? 3

For What is the Charter School Accountable? Each element of the Georgia Accountability System – Waiver is now approved so the accountability system has changed Participation in all state assessments Participation in all student and/or stakeholder surveys Obtaining and retaining accreditation Reporting routinely (mid-year and end of year) to the district on each objective outlined in the charter school plan Reporting the performance of students in groups (program and ethnic) annually to the Board of Education and stakeholders Ensuring accurate data reporting to the state Sound fiscal management of resources Working with district staff to ensure a rigorous evaluation plan for public review 4

Initial Action Steps for Petitioners Develop an understand of the testing, assessment, and evaluation requirements for students, staff, and the school Develop an understanding of the difference between student and school performance goals, objectives, and targets Investigate the reporting mechanisms employed by the district for student performance and school performance 5

Waiver Requests Charter schools apply for a waiver from specific state/local rules, regulations, policies, procedures or provisions of Title 20 (OCGA) that might delay or detract from achieving the charter’s mission. The charter petition must clearly explain WHAT performance will be improved and HOW it will be improved through the waiver. Action Steps for Petitioners 1)Educate the charter petition committee on which things can be waived and which things cannot be waived. 2)Make a list of the items the petitioners should consider waiving. 3)Determine why certain things would not help accomplish the charter mission and how alternatives to those things will be provided. 4)Develop a narrative explaining the rationale for waiving the requirements and explain how the school will provide assurance of a high quality education for students. 6

Accountability and Assessment Accountability is the public presentation and communication of evidence about performance in relation to established goals and objectives Assessment is an analytical tool for evaluating performance 7

Difference Between Goals and Objectives GOALS Broad-based statements of intent with no relationship to time Often intangible and abstract Generally hard to measure directly OBJECTIVES Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time bound 8

More about Performance Goals The goal is like a target 9

Let’s Look at an Example Goal 1: Prepare students for success in science or math careers ***Notice that there is no relationship to time, it does not explain success nor does it address how the charter school will accomplish this but does provide a clear alignment to why the school exists 10

More about Performance Objectives The objectives are the arrows that help the school reach the target and demonstrate progress 11

Deconstructing an Objective OBJECTIVE: 80% of fifth grade students will demonstrate mastery of science standards by scoring exemplary on the NAEP rubric for a science fair project Audience = Students in fifth grade classes Behavior = will demonstrate mastery of science standards Condition = when projects for the science fair are evaluted Degree = 80% will reach the exemplary level on a NAEP rubric 12

Finally…..Accreditation Charter schools are responsible for applying, obtaining, and maintaining accreditation from SACS/CASI. This is required of all schools in the district and a statement of work and a timeline for accreditation must be included in the charter petition. 13

Resources to Aid Petitioners System Testing Calendar for is available on the CCSD website under Calendars State Assessment Handbook is available at Assessment/Assessment/Pages/default.aspx Assessment/Assessment/Pages/default.aspx College and Career Readiness Performance Index is available at Approved Georgia Waiver for ESEA is available at Policy/communications/Pages/NCLB-Waiver.aspx Policy/communications/Pages/NCLB-Waiver.aspx 14

Questions about Accountability for Charter Schools 15