Renewal Application Priority Improvement Schools

RENEWAL TIMEL INE:

• MAY 20-28—SCHOOL KICK-OFF MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 9—SCHOOLS RECEIVE CARS

EVALUATION

• OCTOBER 23—APPLICATION DUE TO CSI

• DECEMBER 3—WORK SESSION

•DECEMBER 10—CSI BOARD VOTE ON STAFF

RENEWAL RECOMMENDATION

CSI Annual Review of Schools (CARS) IN T R O D U CTI O N T O T H E RE N E WAL P R O CE SS

The CSI Performance Frameworks (available at

www.csi.state.co.us/accountability) were developed in

conjunction with the National Association of Charter

School Authorizers (NACSA) to evaluate school per-

formance in the areas of Academic, Finance and Or-

ganization. The Institute has implemented this robust

and comprehensive evaluation system through the

use of tools that supplement these frameworks, includ-

ing an Annual Performance Report, a Performance

Calculator and Performance Dashboard, collectively

called the CSI Annual Review of Schools, or CARS.

It is the intention of the Institute to build upon the eval-

uation lens utilized by the State to provide a more

comprehensive and robust evaluation that includes

strong indicators of charter viability and sustainability.

This annual review is the primary driver of high stakes

decision-making around charter renewal and develop-

ment. This document describes the supplemental evi-

dence required to engage in the renewal process, and

schools need only provide information that is new or

augments the body of evidence collected through

CARS throughout the charter term.

Renewal process components

PURPOSE OF THE RENEWAL APPLICATION

This renewal process is intended to provide schools with the

opportunity to present new or supplemental evidence

around school performance. Additionally, applicants may

utilize this process to communicate school plans for the next

charter term, above and beyond information provided previ-

ously to CSI as part of the annual review process.

RENEWAL EVALUTION

As mentioned above, the primary driver of the renewal eval-

uation is CARS. Additional documents considered may in-

clude:

CDE School Performance Framework Reports

CSSI pre-post visits and evaluation

Parental and community input

Progress with UIP performance objectives

Previous contract milestones and goals

Evidence provided in the renewal application

Renewal Applications must be submitted in electronic form no later than October 23rd, 2013. Schools must also submit a signed Board

Resolution expressing intent to apply to CSI for renewal. Submit all materials to csi_info@csi.state.co.us.

CSI Annual Review of Schools (CARS) IN T R O D U CTI O N T O T H E RE N E WAL P R O CE SS

It is the intention of the Institute to build upon the eval-

uation lens utilized by the State to provide a more

comprehensive and robust evaluation that includes

strong indicators of charter viability and sustainability.

This annual review is the primary driver of high stakes

decision-making around charter renewal and develop-

ment. This document describes the supplemental evi-

dence required to engage in the renewal process, and

schools need only provide information that is new or

augments the body of evidence collected through

CARS throughout the charter term.

Renewal process components THE ITEMS LISTED IN THE RIGHT COLUMN WILL

COMPRISE YOUR PHYSICAL RENEWAL APPLICATION

RENEWAL APPLICATION

Renewal applications should focus on providing evidence of

the effectiveness of the school’s mission and vision. New

and supplemental information (as described in the panel at

Your application track is determined by your prior year’s

accreditation level. If performance in the current year de-

creases, CSI staff may ask for additional information or

materials as part of your renewal process.

the right) should be items that

are not previously collected

through CARS.

The application should be as

concise as possible. All re-

quested documentation should

be provided as attachments to

the narrative. This includes any

specific, documented evi-

dence, tables, statistics, and

other information which may

require elaboration beyond the

scope of the narrative. Im-

portant note:

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Any student outcomes or academic data

should be supplied as part of the Annual

Performance Report process in accord-

ance with APR criteria and requirements.

However, your renewal narrative may

include a description of:

1. Major academic trends & key findings

2. Programmatic & curricular changes

FINANCE

Please provide a copy of the most re-

cent version of the following documents:

3. Profit and loss statement

4. Current fiscal year balance sheet

5. Budget to actual expenditure report

6. 3-Year projected budget

LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Please provide a copy of the most recent

version of the following documents:

7. Strategic plan

8. School leader evaluation

9. School leader succession plan

In your narrative, please describe:

10. Progress towards strategic goals

11. Organizational changes

Please provide the following documents

and narrative detailed below. Your narra-

tive should speak to the proven effective-

ness of your mission and vision, and when

combined with the information requested

below, should not exceed 15 pages total.

Renewal Applications must be submitted in electronic form no later than October 23rd, 2013. Schools must also submit a signed Board

Resolution expressing intent to apply to CSI for renewal. Submit all materials to csi_info@csi.state.co.us.

RENEWAL NARRATIVE

AND MATERIALS

1580 Logan St., Suite 210, Denver CO 80203

303.866.3299 ph 303.866.3250 fax

www.csi.state.co.us

Letter of Intent to Renew

Please provide a copy of the Board Resolution expressing format intent to apply to CSI for renewal with this document on or before October 23, 2013.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

School Name School Leader

Grades Served School Code(s)

School Address

First Year of Operation Geographic District

Current Enrollment Maximum Enrollment

DESCRIPTION

Vision

Mission

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Do you anticipate modification to any of the above items in the next charter term?

□ Yes □ No

If yes, please explain.

Are there terms of the school’s contract the school has changed or contingencies the school has not yet implemented?

□ Yes □ No

If yes, please explain.

Applicant Printed Name

Applicant Signature

Important Note: Your application track is determined by your prior year’s accreditation level. If performance in the current year decreases, CSI staff may ask for addition-al information or materials as part of your renewal process.

1580 Logan St., Suite 210, Denver CO 80203

303.866.3299 ph 303.866.3250 fax

www.csi.state.co.us

External Feedback 1. Student , parent and staff satisfaction surveys 2. CSSI report or comparable comprehensive external school wide evaluation

Academic Program 1. All reports/data dashboards provided to Board in last year related to academic performance 2. Direct access to interim assessment interface (e.g. NWEA, Scantron) 3. Student data related to course completion, retention, engagement, and enrollment (specific details to be provided) 4. Curriculum guides and maps

Leadership and Governance 1. All reports/data dashboards provided to Board in the last year related to financial and organizational performance 2. Board profile matrix (provided by CSI) 3. Decision-making matrix (provided by CSI) 4. Board policy book 5. Board minutes (specific details to be provided) 6. Organizational chart and staff roster

Operations 1. Staff Handbook 2. Student/Parent Handbook 3. Building safety plan 4. Evidence of compliance with Colorado’s Safe School’s Act and NIMS

List of Supplemental Items for Renewal for Priority Improvement and Turnaround Schools

As part of your review, CSI is requesting the following documents. Please provide these materials with your renewal application.

1580 Logan St, Suite 210

Denver, Colorado 80203

303.866.3299 ph

C OL O RA D O

C HA TE R S C H OOL

INS TI T UTE

Th e m i ss io n o f th e Ch a r te r

S ch o o l I ns t i t u te sh a l l b e to

f o s te r h i g h -q u a l i t y p u b l i c

s ch o o l ch o ic es o f fe re d t h roug h

I n s t i tu t e s ch o o l s th a t de l i v e r

r i g o ro us ac a dem ic co n ten t a nd

h i g h a ca d em ic pe r f o rma nc e in

a s a fe e nv i ron me n t an d on pa r

w i t h t he h ig h es t pe r f o rm i n g

s ch o o l s , i nc l ud i ng p a r t i cu l a r l y

s ch o o l s fo r a t - r i sk c h i l d re n