1. New Charter Applicants Orientation April 16, 2015 1:00 pm– 4:30 pm

2. Agenda ItemPresenter WelcomeMelissa Brady, Director of Charter Schools Presentation of the Model Florida Charter School Application (Subject Matter Experts) Break (10 minutes) Presentation of the Model Florida Charter School Application (Subject Matter Experts) Open Forum Q&AMelissa Brady AGENDA

3. Educational Plan Michelle Townley Mission, Guiding Principles and Purposes (p. 3) – Cornerstone of your application. – Sets the stage for your program. Evaluation Criteria: A compelling mission statement that defines the guiding principles and values of the school. A set of priorities that are meaningful, manageable, and focus on improving student outcomes.

4. Educational Plan Michelle Townley Education Program Design (pp. 4-5) – What does a day at your school look like? – What research base is the foundation for your curriculum? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for an educational program design that: Is clear and coherent; Is based on effective, research-based educational practices and teaching methods, and high standards for student learning; Aligns with the school’s mission and responds to the needs of the school’s target population, and Presents evidence that the proposed approach will lead to improved student performance for the school’s target population.

5. Educational Plan Michelle Townley Curriculum Plan (p. 5) – What progress monitoring tools will you use to assess curriculum? – Curriculum should be research based. – Reading plan is paramount to your application. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for a curriculum plan that: Provides a clear and coherent framework for teaching and learning; Is research-based; Is consistent with the school’s mission, educational philosophy and instructional approach; Will enable students to attain Next Generation Sunshine State-Common Core Standards and receive a year’s worth of learning for each year enrolled, and Will be appropriate for all students at all levels.

6. Educational Plan Heather Wright Student Performance, Assessment, and Evaluation (p. 6) – Goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound) – Understand state graduation requirements and student promotion plans. – How will you share student process with parents and students? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: Measurable educational goals and objectives that set high standards for student performance. Promotion standards that are based on high expectations and provide clear criteria for promotion from one level to the next, and for graduation (if applicable). Evidence that a range of valid and reliable assessments will be used to measure student performance. An assessment plan that is sufficiently frequent and detailed to determine whether students are making adequate progress. Evidence that data will inform decisions about adjustments to the educational program. Plans for sharing student performance information that will keep students and parents well informed of academic progress.

7. Educational Plan Nancy Woolcock Exceptional Students (pp. 6-7) – Refer to Handout – Understand Equal Opportunity Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A clear description of the level of service the school will provide to students with disabilities. A clear description of how the school will ensure students with disabilities will have an equal opportunity of being selected for enrollment. An understanding and commitment to collaborating with the sponsor to ensure that placement decisions for students with disabilities will be made based on each student’s unique needs. An appropriate plan for evaluating the school’s effectiveness in serving exceptional students, including gifted. A realistic enrollment projection (SWD) and a staffing plan that aligns with the projection.

8. Educational Plan Juan Seda English Language Learners (p. 8) – Compliance with state and federal requirements for meeting the needs of speakers of other languages must be evident in your application. – How will your school meet these requirements? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: Demonstrated understanding of state and federal requirements regarding the education of English language learners. Sound plans for educating English language learner students that reflect the full range of programs and services required to provide all students with a high quality education. Demonstrated capacity to meet the school’s obligations under state and federal law regarding the education of English language learners.

9. Diversity Don Brown Diversity and Community Impact – Does your overall proposal enhance the educational opportunities for ALL students? – Does your school meet a need in the community? – Does the proposal have a targeted audience that allows the proposed school to attract a diverse student population, including race and socioeconomic factors? – Does the proposal include evidence of community support from all the stakeholders in the community?

10. Organizational Plan Wes Bridges Governance (pp. 9-10) – How is your school organized? What does your organizational chart look like? – Do you have a method for resolving disputes? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A governing board that is legally structured, or has a plan to organize in conformity with the laws of Florida. A clear description of the governing board’s obligations and responsibilities. Evidence that the proposed governing board will contribute to the wide range of knowledge and skill needed to oversee a charter school. A clear, sensible delineation of roles and responsibilities in relation to governance and school management. A clear, sensible method for resolving disputes between a parent and the school.

11. Organizational Plan Wes Bridges Management (p. 10) – Describe the management structure of the school. – How will you select the school’s leader? – What does your staffing plan look like? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A management structure that includes clear delineation of roles and responsibilities for administering the day-to-day activities of the school. A sound plan for the recruitment andselection of the school leader. A viable and adequate staffing plan. A sound plan for recruiting and retaining qualified and capable staff.

12. Organizational Plan Wes Bridges Education Service Providers (pp. 10-11) – Describe the services to be provided by the ESP. – Explain the ESP’s roles and responsibility. – Provide a summary of the ESP’s “track record”. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A persuasive explanation of the reasons for contracting with an education service provider. A persuasive explanation of how the proposed relationship with the ESP will further the school’s mission. A clear description of the services to be provided by the ESP. A clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities between the school’s governing board and the ESP. A clearly defined performance-based relationship between the school’s board and ESP.

13. Organizational Plan Brian Warren Human Resources and Employment (p. 11) – Publicly or Privately Employed? FRS? – Policies must be in compliance with district, state, and federal requirements. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A compensation plan that will attract and retain quality staff. Policies and procedures that hold staff to high professional standards or a plan to develop policies and procedures.

14. Business Plan Greg Rivers Facilities (p. 13) – Financial Plan should align with facilities related costs – Facilities must in compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. – What’s your back-up plan? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A realistic plan for securing a facility that is appropriate and adequate for the school’s program and targeted population. Evidence that the school has the necessary resources to fund the facilities plan.

15. Business Plan Rob Davis Transportation Service (p. 14) – School Plan for transportation Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A transportation plan that serves all eligible students and specifies in sufficient detail the responsibilities of all parties (the sponsor, the charter school, and other applicable service providers).

16. Business Plan Jason Pitts Food Service (p. 14) – What your school’s plan to provide food service to your students? Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A food service plan that will serve all students.

17. Business Plan Jason Pitts Budget (pp. 14-15) – Start Up and Operating Funds (Use Revenue Estimate Worksheet – www.fldoe.org/fefp/chartinst.asp) www.fldoe.org/fefp/chartinst.asp – Promised gifted funds – Include letters from guarantors of funds. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: Budgetary projections which are consistent with all parts of the application, including the school’s mission, educational program, staffing plan and facility. A realistic assessment of projected sources of revenue and expenses that ensure the financial viability of the school. A sound plan to monitor the budget and make adjustments as necessary.

18. Business Plan Jason Pitts Financial Management and Oversight (p. 15) – Who will manage the school’s finances? – What safeguards are in place? – How will accounting records be maintained? – Describe insurance coverage the school with obtain. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A clear description of how the school’s finances will be managed. The description must include assurances that the governing board retains ultimate control over the school’s finances. A clear description of strong internal controls. The system of internal controls must be sufficient to safeguard finances.

19. Educational Plan Melissa Brady Target Population (p. 4) – Describe the anticipated target population to be served. – What grades will the school will serve, what’s the projected number of students to be served in each grade, what’s the number of students expected in each class, and the total number of students enrolled. – Provide a description of how the student population projections were developed. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: An understanding of the students the charter school intends to serve. If the applicant proposes to target certain populations, the projected student body should align with the overall mission of the school.

20. Educational Plan Melissa Brady School Climate and Discipline (p. 9) – Describe the school’s planned approach to classroom management and student discipline. – Describe the school’s Code of Conduct, including the school’s policies for discipline, suspension, and dismissal. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A sound approach to classroom management and student discipline. Legally sound policies for student discipline, suspension, and dismissal, including the school’s code of conduct.

21. Organizational Plan Melissa Brady Student Recruitment and Enrollment (p. 12) – Describe the plan for recruiting students – How the school will achieve a racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community. – Describe the school’s proposed enrollment policies and procedures, including an explanation of the enrollment timeline, criteria and/or any preferences for enrollment, and lottery process. – Explain any student and/or family contracts that will be used as a requisite for initial and continued enrollment in the school. Describe if and how the school will enforce such contracts. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for: A student recruitment plan that will enable the school to attract its targeted population. An enrollment and admissions process that is open, fair, and in accordance with applicable law.

22. Business Plan Melissa Brady Action Plan (p. 16) – Present a projected timetable for the school’s start-up – Activities included should align with the start-up budget described earlier in the application. Evaluation Criteria Reviewers will look for an action plan that: Provides a thoughtful and realistic implementation plan that covers major operational items and provides flexibility for addressing unanticipated events.

23. Other Documents Melissa Brady Charter Policy Charter Legislation Online Documentation http://www.polk- fl.net/districtinfo/departments/learning/charter/potenti alcharter.htm

24. Draft Applications Melissa Brady Accepting draft applications on May 1, 2015 until 5:00 pm. – 8 bound copies – $500 fee payable to Polk County School Board Draft is reviewed using the DOE approved Evaluation Instrument by district staff Feedback on material deficiencies provided to the applicant by July 1, 2015

25. DateTask July 1, 2015Submit Letter of Intent to district. August 3, 2015 by 5:00 pm40 copies of your charter application, and an electronic copy of the entire application in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF (no scanned copies please). Week of August 10, 2015Applicant Presentations Week of September 14, 2015Applicant Interviews Week of September 21, 2015Superintendent Review October, 2015Board Meeting Report to Applicant and DOE approval or denial within 10 days. Projected Timeline Melissa Brady

26. More Information Melissa Brady Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice (FLDOE) (850)245-0502 www.fldoe.orgwww.fldoe.org Office of Charter Schools, Melissa Brady (863) 534-0625 Florida Charter School Alliance (954) 881-5792 Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (954) 463- 9595