Expansion Application

Transcription

1 Expansion Application for schools interested in expanding with a start date of August, 2016

2 Introduction to the Application WRITING YOUR APPLICATION EXPANSION OR NEW SCHOOL? The fundamental difference between an application to open a new charter school and an application to expand an existing school is that the Expansion Application is not about the idea of creating a new charter school or program; rather, it is an evaluation of the existing school s success and capacity of the school leadership to expand the scope of the current program by grade, hours, and/or site. EXPANSION TIMELINE: The application is divided into six primary components, plus addenda, if applicable. To determine whether you need to provide these addenda, please refer to your Letter of Intent, the descriptions of the addenda located on the CSI website, or contact CSI staff. Your application must be typed and supplied in both paper format (one copy in a 3- ring binder) and in electronic format to CSI. Clearly distinguish and separate each section in your application, number all pages, and ensure adherence to the page limits indicated in the content pages of this application. OCTOBER 26 APPLICATION DUE NOVEMBER 10 PRESENTATION TO CSI BOARD NOVEMBER 30 CSI PERFORMANCE MANAGE- MENT COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 12 CSI BOARD VOTE JANUARY 13 CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO REFLECT NEW SERVICE SCOPE CSI staff is happy to supply applicants with additional information, clarification, and direction toward resources up until the application is submitted to CSI. Please contact CSI at or csi_info@csi.state.co.us Expansion Applications must be submitted no later than October 26, Schools must also submit a signed Board Resolution expressing intent to apply to CSI for expansion. Submit all materials to csi_info@csi.state.co.us. Readiness for Expansion In alignment with national best practice, readiness is defined as an applicant who provides: A clear and compelling mission; A strong educational program with demonstrated effectiveness; Evidence of community need and support; A solid business and financial plan; Effective governance and management structures and systems; Founding team members demonstrating diverse and necessary capabilities; Clear evidence of the applicant s capacity to execute its plan successfully. 3

3 EXPANSION EVALUATION The primary method for evaluation of a school wishing to expand with the Institute is through the CSI Annual Review of Schools (CARS) system. This system was developed in order to build upon the evaluation lens utilized by the State to provide a more comprehensive and robust evaluation that includes strong indicators of charter viability and sustainability. At the foundation of this evaluation are the CSI Performance Frameworks (available at acountability). These documents were developed in conjunction with The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) to evaluate school performance in the areas of Academics, Finance, and Organization. The information needed to engage in this process is detailed in the remaining pages of this application. The CSI Annual Review of Schools ADDENDA EMP Addendum If you currently are contracting with an education management provider (EMP), or intend to contract with an EMP for future services, you will need to complete the EMP addendum and include it with your expansion application. Transportation Addendum If you are currently providing transportation to students, or intend to provide these services in the future, you will need to complete the Transportation addendum with your expansion application. Food Services Addendum If you currently provide a meal program to students, or intend to provide these food services in the future, you will need to complete the Food Services addendum with your expansion application. Online Program Addendum If your proposed program has an online learning component, you will need to complete the Online Program addendum with your expansion application. THE ITEMS LISTED IN THE SUBSEQUENT PAGES WILL COMPRISE YOUR EXPANSION APPLICATION Expansion applications should focus on providing evidence of the effectiveness of the currently operating program. The application should be as concise as possible. All requested documentation should be provided as attachments to the narrative. This includes any specific, documented evidence, tables, statistics, and other information which may require elaboration beyond the scope of the narrative. Important note: CSI may request additional information during the review period. The Institute may, but is not required to, accept any additional information the applicant provides that the Institute does not request. Waiver Addendum If you will be applying for waivers specific to your expanded program, you will need to complete the Waiver addendum with your application. All addenda can be found on the CSI website at Proespective_Schools 4

4 Content of the Expansion Application Maximum narrative page numbers are indicated in the parentheses adjacent to each content area.. A. Academic Program (15 pages) Any student outcomes or academic data from all schools must be supplied in the format of access to raw files, or reports printed directly from the testing interface. In order to help accomplish this, please provide the following as an attachment: 1. A username and password to access interim assessment files directly from the testing vendor. 2. A completed baseline targets template for the expanded program ( prospective_schools) 3. Other data collected internally by the school related to student engagement, community engagement, satisfaction, school culture, and readiness benchmarking. 1. A description of major academic trends and key findings, with particular emphasis given to success with the target population identified in the initial charter application. 2. A description of any model, curricular, or instructional changes that will occur as a result of the expansion or will differ from current practice. 3. A list or table of assessments to be used following the expansion, including frequency, purpose and grades administered. These selections must meet state and federal requirements. Include a description of the measures that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the new expansion components (e.g. readiness benchmarking). B. Serving Students with Special Needs (10 pages) 1. Anticipated changes to programming that will occur to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education Plans (for special education), 504 Plans, Advanced Learning Plans (for gifted/talented), School Nurse/Health Plans, and students identified for English Language Acquisition under the expansion. Include information on plans for type of service model delivery, continuum of service options, highly qualified staff, identification, documentation, assessment, progress monitoring, adaptation, and alignment with the budget. 2. Anticipated changes to the comprehensive whole school policy for a Response to Intervention (RtI) or child study process that includes data driven prereferral prevention based framework process that meet all legal requirements including identification of special needs students. C. Finance (10 pages) Please provide a copy of the most recent version of the following documents as attachments: 1. Quarterly financial statement prepared pursuant to C.R.S. 2. Quarterly balance sheet year budget (current year + 4 additional years), detailed by CDE Chart of Accounts program and object code, and list of corresponding assumptions. 4. All written financial operating procedures and board adopted financial policies. 1. How the budget aligns with the proposed execution of the school s mission and focus including staffing, curriculum, professional development, and technology as it relates to the expansion. 2. Procedures to regularly review budget to actual activity and expenditures against the school s mission and vision over time. 3. Detailed revenue and expenditure assumptions related to facility acquisition, facility improvements, and ongoing facility costs. 4. Detailed assumptions for all donations, private grants, student fees, and foundation revenue. 5. A contingency plan to mitigate the impacts of decreased funding or increased expenditures. 6. Financial metrics and targets, including any debt covenants, the board and school leadership will track during expansion to ensure financial solvency during the growth period. 5

5 D. Governance & Operations (15 pages) Please provide a copy of the most recent version of the following documents as attachments: 1. Strategic plan that is guiding the expansion, 2. Expanded organizational chart and staff roster reflective of the expanded school, 3. Current leader evaluation, 1. Progress towards strategic goals. 2. A description of any operational changes that will occur as a result of the expansion or will differ from current practice (e.g. differences in defining attendance, hours of operation, etc.). 3. A description of the existing school s governance and management structure and how that will change with the expansion. 4. A description of how the organizational chart fulfills the needs of the proposed expansion. 5. The anticipated plan and timeline for matriculation and enrollment under the proposed expansion. 6. The plan and timeline for identifying, recruiting, and selecting candidates to fill new positions 7. If applicable, a description of which positions are employees of the EMP or distribute time between both organizations. E. Evidence of Need & Support (15 pages) 1. Information about the anticipated student body, including evidence of academic need that would support expansion of service to this population. 2. A description of the type of broad outreach conducted to make the students population and their families aware of the proposed expansion. 3. A description of opportunities for stakeholder input or involvement in expansion efforts. 4. A plan for recruiting and accommodating a diverse student population, including information to date around formal support from potential students and families expressing interest in the proposed school. 5. Information on community members and leaders who publicly support the proposed expansion and their role in expansion efforts. 6. If there are any community partnerships or informal networking relationships, provide an explanation of the planned resources or agreements that have been discussed or formalized, including where applicable, evidence of formalization. F. Facilities (5 pages) 1. An assessment of facility needs as a result of expansion including number of additional classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and other space needed; minimum size of each room; outdoor and common space needed; overall size required; cost per square foot; zoning and occupancy requirements; 2. Evidence the existing, proposed, or additional facility can accommodate the identified needs is provided, including descriptions of required renovations, cost, and timeline. 3. Evidence that any facility costs are sustainable within the school s forecasted budget. 6

6 C O L O R A D O C H A R T E R S C H O O L I N S T I T U T E T h e m i s s i o n o f th e C h a r t e r S c h o ol I ns t i t u te s h a ll b e to f o s t e r hi g h - q u a l i t y p u bl ic s c h o ol c h o i c es o f fe r e d t h r oug h I n s t i tu t e s c h o ol s th a t de l iv e r r i g o r o us ac a dem i c c o n t en t a nd h i g h a c a d em i c pe r f o r m a nc e in a s a fe e nv i r on m e n t an d on pa r w i t h t he h i g h es t pe r f o r m i n g s c h o ol s, i nc l ud i ng p a r t icularly s c h o ol s fo r a t - r i s k s t u de n ts 1580 Logan St, Suite 210 Denver, Colorado ph