birmingham community charter high school. new law as of january 1, 2013 senate bill 1290...

CHARTER RENEWAL 2014-

2019

Birmingham Community Charter High School

New Law as of January 1, 2013

Senate Bill 1290 (“SB1290”) amends Ed Code sections 47605, 47605.6 and 47607, resulting in important changes to the charter school petitioning, renewal and revocation process.

Under SB1290, the revised Section 47607 requires the authorizing entity to consider increases in pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils served by the charter school as the most important factor in determining whether to grant a charter renewal

According to LAUSD, data includes: California Department of Education

API; AYP; AMAO;STAR Tests- CST, CAHSEE, CELDT; Graduation Rate

LAUSDSPF; AGT

Charter School Division Oversight FindingsHolistic View on:

○ Student Achievement and Educational Performance

○ Governance and Organizational Management○ Fiscal Operations○ Fulfillment of the Charter’s Educational Program

Recent Charter Renewals (2013) Recently Approved Affiliated Charter High Schools:

Chatsworth, Cleveland, Taft

Recently Approved Independent Charter High Schools:

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Executive Prep Academy of Finance

Math and Science College Prep

Student Empowerment Academy

Valor Academy Charter High

Up for renewal this coming year: BCCHS and GHCHS

Non-renewed: Anahuacalmecac International University Prep HS

See article : http://egpnews.com/2013/06/cultural-high-school-charter-renewal-denied/

BCCHS Charter Renewal Process Thus far January – Bill emailed everyone and invited all interested

parties to come to an info meeting and sit on one of three committees to give input to revised charter petition (Instruction, Governance, and Compliance)

Committees met, revised school mission statement, reviewed sections, revised as able through March-April

Lead writer met with committee leaders, reviewed suggested changes from committees and began revision process for charter petition document

April 26, Bill and lead writer attended a CSD Orientation to Renewal Process

May - July: Lead writer revised the document with input and data from various constituents and with input from Board regarding governance and as a result of the response to revocation process that we underwent last year

LAUSD Process for Renewal

Read complete Administrative Procedures for Charter School Authorizing on our website at www.birminghamcharter.com

Major Changes by Element

Element 1 – Instructional Program Mission Statement: “Preparing students

for college and careers with a comprehensive educational program that provides an innovative learning experience”

Overhaul of this element – please read it; includes achievement data over past five years, new program descriptions (Advisory, SAS, Instructional Rounds, CTE, RTI, etc)

Element 2 – Measurable Student Outcomes

New Outcomes for 2014-2019: Increase API to 825 (~15 pts/year) Increase CAHSEE double pass rate by

5% All other outcomes are the same

Element 3 – Methods of Assessing Student Outcomes

Addition of Common Core State Standards as assessment measure

Element 4 - Governance Addition of clarifying language regarding roles

and functions of Board, election procedures, communication with Board, qualifications, selection procedures, and terms

Addition of clarifying language regarding succession of CEO

Addition of clarifying language regarding Advisory Council and standing committees functions and responsibilities, terms, elections procedures, etc

Composition of Board

Change from 15 members (4 certificated, 1 classified, 1 parent, 9 community reps) to

Number will be 7 or 9 - WILL REMAIN as close to 49% employees: 51% non-employees. 3 or 4 interested parties (employees) 2 or

3 required to be certificated, 1 classified 1 parent 3 or 4 community representatives

Why the change?

Revocation process in 2012-2013 Comparable schools and non-profits Law states no more than 50% are

interested parties

Element 5 – Employee Qualifications Removal of job descriptions to Appendix Addition of HR hiring procedures

Element 6 – Health and Safety Element 7 – Racial and Ethnic BalanceElement 8 – Admission RequirementsElement 9 – Financial and Programmatic Audit Boilerplate language – small formatting

changes; date changes; minor edits

Element 10 – Suspension and Expulsion Procedures

No change as required by revocation process with LAUSD in 2012-2013

Element 11 – Retirement Benefits

Language changed to remove requirement to match LAUSD benefits and instead provide “competitive” salary and benefits packages

Why the change?

The specifics of benefits should be identified in UTLA contract not the charter petition

Failure to meet requirements as written in charter are grounds for revocation as is failing to sustain a financially viable school organization

Element 12 – Public School Attendance Alternatives

No change – boilerplate language

Element 13 – Employee Rights

Delineation between employees with returns rights to LAUSD and those without

Addition of language outlining reduction in force and whistle blower protection

Element 14 – Dispute Resolution ProcessElement 15 – Exclusive Public School EmployerElement 16 – Charter School Closing

Changes according to LAUSD required boilerplate language

What’s next in the process? August-September – final revisions to

petition, submit to CCSA and attorneys for feedback, revise again, submit to BCCHS Board for approval

September /October – Submit to LAUSD 60 day turnaround for comments,

revisions, etc CSD will make a recommendation (for

renewal or non-renewal) to board in December

What can you do to help?

Unite as a faculty and with community stakeholders behind the mission of the school (Be POSITIVE!!)

Galvanize community support – parents, students, other schools, neighbors, board members, community organizations, neighborhood councils, etc

Talk up the great things happening at BCCHS with everyone you know!

Questions and Answers

Please write your questions on a card with your name and email address.

If we can’t answer your question, we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible

Lindsey’s Contact Info

Email : L.surendranath@birminghamcharter.com

Cell 818-383-6457

Please call me/email me anytime to discuss your questions, concerns, ideas, suggested revisions, etc.