How to Start a Charter School

California Charter Schools Association

Lisa BerlangaSteven Holguin

Convert To ˅

Transforming Your

School

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

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.

A Conversion Charter School is…….

Keiller Leadership Academy’sAcademic Performance Index(API) scores climbed 50 points in its first year of being restructured, more than five times thatof the district’s schools, due in large part to thedramatic improvements in teacher attendance and a more orderly school culture.

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. 

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.

Scale of California’s charter movement

Number of Charter Schools

An estimated 276,000 students

attend charter schools

31 60 83 110 125 159245

305363

418 459 510574 618

687750

'93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08

Supporting the movement throughout the state

Bay Area

194

Los Angeles

224

San Diego

85

Inland Empire

41

Fresno

80

Sacramento

129

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

How Can CCSA Help?

Technical & Expert assistance

Template Language & Best Practice Sharing

Advocacy & Strategizing Support

Resource & Service Referrals

How to Start a Charter School

Thank You!

The CCSA Team

Changing Lives, Changing Education