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

2. 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

3. 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).

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 1 2 C Organizational Plan – The Policies Discipline, Safety
Student Conduct 2
Employment, HR, Grievances
Employee Rights C
Responsibilities
Evaluations (Board, Leader)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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