New Leaders’ Leadership Summit

2. New Leaders’ Leadership Summit 9:30-9:45 Welcome and Introductions 9:45-11:00Overview/Authorizer/LEA 11:00-11:15 Break 11:15-12:30 ESEA/Report Card 12:30-1:00 Lunch (provided) 1:00-2:15 Technology 2:15-2:30 Break 2:30-3:15 ADEPT/SAFE T 3:15-4:30 Federal Programs

3. The South Carolina Public Charter School District Authorizer and Local Education Agency

4. What 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)

5. What is a Charter School Authorizer? In South Carolina, sponsors can be LEAs or HEIs The SCPCSD is an example of an LEA authorizer

6. Three Core Principles of Charter Authorizing (NACSA) Maintain high standards for schools Uphold school autonomy Protect student and public interest

7. 1. Maintain High Standards 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 school’s charter/contract

8. 2. Uphold School Autonomy Respect and preserve core autonomies crucial to school success Minimize administrative and compliance burdens on schools Assume responsibility for holding schools accountable for their performance not for their success or failure Focus on holding schools accountable for outcomes not processes

9. 3. Protect Student and Public Interest Hold 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)

10. 3. Protect Student and Public Interest Help 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

11. The SCPCSD As Authorizer Evaluates and approves or denies charter applications Executes contracts with each of its schools Monitors the performance and compliance of its schools Notifies schools of deficiencies and violations

12. Supports accountability and student achievement Protects school autonomy Holds its schools accountable for their outcomes Is not responsible for the success or failure of its schools –schools are responsible for their own outcomes

13. SCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School Authorizer South Carolina Charter School law requires authorizers/sponsors to: Approve and decline charter applications in accordance with the statute Negotiate and execute sound charter school contracts with approved schools Monitor the performance and legal/fiscal compliance of each school

14. SCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School Authorizer Collect and analyze data to support ongoing evaluation Conduct or require oversight activities Collect annual reports from each school and submit to the SCDE Notify schools of perceived problems if performance or legal compliance appears to be unsatisfactory and provide reasonable opportunity for self-correction unless revocation is warranted

15. SCPCSD Responsibilities as a Charter School Authorizer Take appropriate corrective actions or impose sanctions short of revocation in response to deficiencies in performance or compliance Determine whether each school merits renewal, nonrenewal or revocation Provide to parents and the general public information about each charter school

16. 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…

17. The SCPCSD As LEA Provides 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

18. The SCPCSD As LEA Pursuant to SC charter school law, the sponsor of a charter school is the charter school’s LEA and the charter school is a school within that LEA The 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

19. Relationship between Charter School Authorizer and Charter School Autonomy in exchange for Accountability Charter 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