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An Historical Perspective Vision & Perseverance

Explore the journey of Avon Grove Charter School and the reforms that led to its establishment. Witness the transformation of students and their preparation for the global world.

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An Historical Perspective Vision & Perseverance

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  1. An Historical PerspectiveVision & Perseverance By Mark Cirino December 2, 2005

  2. Solution Providers • Child is transformed into an individual. • School prepares them for the global world. • Everlasting experience • Inspired • Enthusiastic • Confidence • Self-worth • Value-driven

  3. Neighborhood Elementary Schools • Nurturing Environment • A child is known and cared for by the staff • Behavior modification instead of behavior management • AGE, PLE, KES

  4. Jan 1998 Proposal to close AGE & KES and build campus. NFNS Small school research AGIS Challenge

  5. Small School Research • Small schools mattered, not just class size. • District: Research is not relevant to what we are doing. • Arbitrary & Capricious • NFNS – Neighbors For Neighborhood Schools • Concerned parents challenged the district. • Craig Howley (Kathleen Cotton)

  6. Jan 1998 Proposal to close AGE & KES and build campus. Jan 1999 Construction approved to enlarge PLE for 1,200 K-2 students and build AGIS for 2,000 3-6 students. NFNS Small school research CCAGS No Mega-School Give Me 5 Campaign AGIS Challenge

  7. No Mega-School • CCAGS – Concerned Citizens for Avon Grove Schools. • Labeled AGIS as Mega-School • 2x Home Depot • 3,000 workers in Chrysler plant • Call to action for the community to speak out. • District forged ahead.

  8. Give Me 5 Campaign • 5 seats open • 1 candidate on ticket • 4 write-ins • Single issue platform: No Mega-School

  9. Won 3 of 5 Seats

  10. Jan 1998 Proposal to close AGE & KES and build campus. Jan 1999 Construction approved to enlarge PLE for 1,200 K-2 students and build AGIS for 2,000 3-6 students. Apr 2000 Alternative plan was not approved. NFNS Small school research CCAGS No Mega-School Give Me 5 Campaign AGSAG Founding Coalition AGIS Challenge

  11. Founding Coalition • AGSAG – Avon Grove Schools Action Group • Met weekly for 2-years paving the way for AGCS • EMOs • Planning Grant • Charter Application

  12. Jan 1998 Proposal to close AGE & KES and build campus. Jan 1999 Construction approved to enlarge PLE for 1,200 K-2 students and build AGIS for 2,000 3-6 students. Apr 2000 Alternative plan was not approved. Sep 2002 AGIS & new PLE opened. NFNS Small school research CCAGS No Mega-School Give Me 5 Campaign AGSAG Founding Coalition AGCS AGIS Challenge

  13. AGCS Timeline • Jan 1999 – Charter school concept planted • Apr 2000 – Founding Coalition formed • Aug 2000 – MEI • Sep 2000 – Planning grant • Oct 2000 – Kevin McKenna • Feb 2001 – Demand Survey by Wharton • Jun 2001 – No go for Sep-2001 opening • Early 2002 – Initial board & Beacon

  14. Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Timeline(Apr 2002) AGE Lease Charter Approved Foundations Hired Beacon Severance Enrollment Drive Admin. Hired Opening Day Teachers Hired

  15. Avon Grove Charter School(AGCS)Inspiring students to become lifelong learners

  16. Avon Grove Charter School • AGCS is a public school, free of charge, that will provide a choice for the education of the children in our community. • Those who choose to attend AGCS will be engaged in an academically challenging curriculum based in a small school setting with individualized learning plans for each student. • Success of student’s education will depends on parental involvement and participation with the community. • AGCS is independent of the district and is governed by its own Board of Directors who are held directly accountable for the goals outlined in its charter.

  17. Reform Initiatives • The goal is improvement -to make things better. • Requires change which is difficult to initiate and accept. • The journey of change is often a very challenging one with many unknowns. • Sometimes, formal reform initiatives are used to invoke change. • Examples: Ma Bell and Microsoft

  18. Educational Reform • Our nation has recognized that our educational system is in need of improvement. • One reform initiative that our nation supports is the Charter School initiative. • Many districts across our nation have implemented the Charter School initiative. • This initiative has arrived at the Avon Grove School District in the form of the Avon Grove Charter School.

  19. National Honoring of Charter Schools • Presidential Proclamation, May 2, 2002 • U.S. Senate Resolution, S. RES. 254 • U.S. House Resolution, H. CON. RES. 386

  20. 2,431 Charter Schools 35 States 580,000 Students 374 New Charter Schools in 2001 1.6 million students, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members.

  21. Charter Schools in PA(http://edreform.com/charter_schools/states/pennsylvania.htm) Law: Passed in 1997 Rank: 13th strongest of the nation's 38 ranked charter laws CER Grade: B Schools: 77 Students: 26,749

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