PowerPoint Presentation

New Leaders Leadership Summit9:30-9:45Welcome and Introductions9:45-11:00Overview/Authorizer/LEA11:00-11:15Break11:15-12:30ESEA/Report Card12:30-1:00Lunch (provided)1:00-2:15Technology2:15-2:30Break2:30-3:15ADEPT/SAFE T3:15-4:30Federal Programs

2

The South Carolina Public Charter School DistrictAuthorizer and Local Education AgencyWhat is a Charter School Authorizer?The sponsor of a charter school; the entity that approves a charter application and awards a charter to a planning committee; the entity that oversees the performance and compliance of the charter school

There are six types of charter school authorizers: LEAs, SEAs, Municipal Offices (MUNs), Not-for-Profit Organizations(NFPs), Independent Charter Boards (ICBs), and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)

What is a Charter School Authorizer?In South Carolina, sponsors can be LEAs or HEIs

The SCPCSD is an example of an LEA authorizer

Maintain high standards for schoolsUphold school autonomyProtect student and public interest

Three Core Principles of Charter Authorizing (NACSA)Set high standards for charter school applicants

Maintain high standards for approved and operating schools

Close schools that fail to meet the standards outlined in the law and/or the schools charter/contract 1. Maintain High Standards Respect and preserve core autonomies crucial to school successMinimize administrative and compliance burdens on schoolsAssume responsibility for holding schools accountable for their performance not for their success or failureFocus on holding schools accountable for outcomes not processes

2. Uphold School AutonomyHold schools accountable for fulfilling fundamental public-education obligations to all students (e.g., fair treatment in admissions and discipline, appropriate services for all students; nonselective, nondiscriminatory access to all eligible students)Hold schools accountable for fulfilling fundamental obligations to the public (e.g., sound governance, management, and stewardship of public funds; transparent operations and public information in accordance with the law)

3. Protect Student and Public InterestHelp parents and students to be well-informed about the quality of education provided by charter schools

Conduct work as an authorizer that: is ethical; is focused on the mission of chartering high-quality schools; demonstrates effective and efficient public stewardship; is legally compliant; and reflects consistent and transparent practices, policies, and decisions

3. Protect Student and Public InterestThe SCPCSD As AuthorizerEvaluates and approves or denies charter applicationsExecutes contracts with each of its schools Monitors the performance and compliance of its schools Notifies schools of deficiencies and violations

Supports accountability and student achievementProtects school autonomyHolds its schools accountable for their outcomesIs not responsible for the success or failure of its schools schools are responsible for their own outcomes

SCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School AuthorizerSouth Carolina Charter School law requires authorizers/sponsors to:

Approve and decline charter applications in accordance with the statuteNegotiate and execute sound charter school contracts with approved schoolsMonitor the performance and legal/fiscal compliance of each schoolSCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School AuthorizerCollect and analyze data to support ongoing evaluation Conduct or require oversight activities Collect annual reports from each school and submit to the SCDENotify schools of perceived problems if performance or legal compliance appears to be unsatisfactory and provide reasonable opportunity for self-correction unless revocation is warranted

SCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School AuthorizerTake appropriate corrective actions or impose sanctions short of revocation in response to deficiencies in performance or complianceDetermine whether each school merits renewal, nonrenewal or revocationProvide to parents and the general public information about each charter school What is a Local Education Agency?A local education agency (LEA) is a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State

The SCPCSD As LEAProvides programmatic assistance/support services in the areas of assessment, curriculum and instruction, federal programs, finance, human resources, public relations, special services, and technology

Distributes federal and state funds

The SCPCSD As LEAPursuant to SC charter school law, the sponsor of a charter school is the charter schools LEA and the charter school is a school within that LEAThe SCPCSD retains responsibility for special education and must ensure that students enrolled in its charter schools are served in a manner consistent with LEA obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law

Relationship between Charter School Authorizer and Charter SchoolAutonomy in exchange for AccountabilityCharter Schools have the autonomy to self-govern; select their own curriculum; hire, train, and dismiss their own staff; and develop and decide how to spend their own budget In return, charter schools are expected to be accountable to their authorizers for student achievement, fiscal responsibility and sustainability, charter and legal compliance, and organizational viability