1. How to Start a Charter School California Charter Schools Association Lisa Berlanga Steven Holguin Convert To ˅ Transforming Your School

2. Agenda What is a charter school? Charter schools by the numbers Conversion benefits Conversion challenges Requirements for conversions Keys to success How CCSA can help

3. A Conversion Charter School is……. Gompers Charter Middle School in San Diego implemented a culture of respect and order, leading to a 70% decrease in suspensions and expulsions and higher teacher retention rates enabling students to succeed.

4. A Conversion Charter School is……. Keiller Leadership Academy’s Academic Performance Index (API) scores climbed 50 points in its first year of being restructured, more than five times that of the district’s schools, due in large part to the dramatic improvements in teacher attendance and a more orderly school culture.

5. A Conversion Charter School is……. Granada Hills Charter High School (GHCHS), an LAUSD school of over 4,100 students, opened as the largest comprehensive independent conversion charter school in the nation. Granada’s school community supported this change to address the instructional flexibility and resources needed to continue a tradition of excellence.

6. What is a Charter School? Charter schools are innovative, public schools designed by educators, parents, or civic leaders that are authorized by districts, accountable for results, and free from many rules and regulations governing conventional public schools. Charter Schools are schools of choice. Choice to parents, students, teachers, and administrators.

7. Scale of California’s charter movement Number of Charter Schools An estimated 276,000 students attend charter schools

8. Supporting the movement throughout the state Bay Area 194 Los Angeles 224 San Diego 85 Inland Empire 41 Fresno 80 Sacramento 129

9. Why were charters started? The intention of charter school legislation is to:  Increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students  Create choice for parents & students within public schools  Encourage innovative teaching practices  Create new professional opportunities for teachers  Improve system of accountability in public education  Encourage community and parent involvement in public education  Improve public education broadly

10. Conversion Benefits  Flexibility. Curriculum, budget, and staffing are often much more innovative and adaptive in charters.  Local control. Teachers, parents and community stakeholders are empowered to make important decisions to accelerate a child’s academic progress.  Autonomy. to implement programs to better meet the needs of students.  Involvement. Parental involvement in their child’s education is often greater and eagerly encouraged.  Culture. Ability to establish stronger school culture, a manageable school size, and safer environment.

11. Conversion Challenges  School operations and services  Busing?  Food Services?  Special Education?  Preparation for political considerations  Securing the time, resources, expertise, and leadership  Achieving community & parent buy-in

12. Conversion Misconceptions  Employee perceptions:  Do charters have reduced salary and benefit coverage?  Will I maintain job security?  Funding shortfalls vs. district schools  Do charters qualify for any additional funding?  Neighborhood enrollment restrictions  I live in the service area of this school, will I be able to enroll my child?

13. Conversion Charter Requirements  Charter petition, covering all 16 Elements  Detailed budget and financial statements projecting revenues and costs for the initial 5 years.  Signatures from 50% of all permanent status teachers presently employed at school  Approval from authorizing School Board

14. Keys to Success  Creating a vision for the school and clearly communicating the vision and reasons for conversion  Engaging teachers early and significantly. Collectively identifying obstacles and opportunities for change.  Engaging community stakeholders and partners early.  Mobilizing stakeholders and supporters toward the unified vision

15. How Can CCSA Help?  Technical & Expert assistance  Template Language & Best Practice Sharing  Advocacy & Strategizing Support  Resource & Service Referrals

16. How to Start a Charter School Thank You! The CCSA Team Changing Lives, Changing Education