Policy Changes & Trends 2014 Charter School Policy & Facility Summit

1. Policy Changes & Trends2014 Charter School Policy & Facility Summit CDE Schools of Choice Office Presenters: Gina Schlieman, Charter School Program & Grant Manager, schlieman_g@cde.state.co.us Kelly Rosensweet, Charter School Support Coordinator, rosensweet_k@cde.state.co.us August 21, 2014

2. CCSP: Weighted Lotteries • Why weighted lotteries? • Emphasize that charters can and want to serve all kids. • Address underserved populations within the district/state • Address underserved populations within your community • Address underrepresented populations within your charter school • Help Charter Schools improve reputation as being fully representative of local communities. • To Show we support this federal priority

3. CCSP: Weighted Lotteries Federal CSP program announced January 2014 in its revised nonregulatory guidance that it would allow SEA CSP grant recipients to apply for a statewide waiver to allow weighted lotteries for “Educationally Disadvantaged” students. CDE’s Schools of Choice Office applied, and had its Weighted Lottery approval policy approved May 2014. Two 2013/14 CCSP grant recipients applied and were granted use of a weighted lottery. New 2014 applicants also have the opportunity to apply Weighted Lotteries, pending their draft policy meets CDE policy guidelines.

4. CCSP: Weighted Lotteries • How to apply • A general summary is provided in the 2014-15 CCSP Grant RFP on pp.10-12, with a full detailed policy document available upon request. • What is meant by “Educationally Disadvantaged” • Economically Disadvantaged/FRL eligible • students with disabilities/IEP • English Language Learners • Migrant students • Homeless Students (McKinney-Vento) • Foster Care students

5. CCSP: Weighted Lotteries • How to apply (cont.) • Weights can be used to pursue a student body with more similar characteristics to the local district/region. • Proposed weight must include a rationale/justification for the amount of weight given. • Proposed policies must be pre-approved by the CDE Schools of Choice Office. • Schools can apply for approval through the initial CCSP Grant application, or can submit a proposal for approval at any point during their 3-year CCSP grant.

6. State Waivers • Lists of Automatic & Non-Automatic waivers to state statutes are changing per recent legislation. • Until State Board of Education takes a decision, the existing waiver request process will remain in place. • New Automatic Waiver list, once approved, will have these waivers automatic and implicit with the signature of any charter contract. No replacement plan will be needed. • Non-automatic waivers will still require a replacement plan and need to be approved by the State Board of Education. • Complete our Automatic Waiver List Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MVGSZM8 6

7. State Waivers Common Questions: • My school is about to receive a new or renewal charter contract; how will I know which set of automatic waivers (old or new) apply to me? – Check the CDE charter waiver website (http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/waivers) on the date your contract is signed and follow the instructions listed. • Can I Waive the READ Act? – No. Charters that have language delegating local assessment selection to their charter board may select from the list of assessments approved by the State Board of Education. Otherwise they have to use their authorizer’s chosen READ Act assessment. • May Charter Schools waive Educator Effectiveness evaluation requirements? 7

8. Future of Colorado CSP Colorado’s current federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) SEA grant (2010-2015) ends at the end of 2014/15. CDE must reapply Winter 2015 for another CSP State Block Grant. The 2015 Competition will be tough. No competition has been held since 2011, so 35-40 states have now stacked up to compete for these funds. Unannounced Federal Priorities make it difficult for us to know what chance we have of securing a SEA grant in 2015. 8

9. Future of Colorado CSP • We are gathering intelligence on potential federal priorities to begin some pre-work toward how we would demonstrate those in a future CSP grant. • If CDE is successful in securing a 2015 grant… • We may not know until June 2015 • It is almost certain the priorities and program of Colorado’s Charter Schools Program will change to align to emerging federal/state priorities • The Fall start-up application cycle for new, replicating, and expanding school projects should maintain similar timing. 9

10. Future of Colorado CSP • What if CDE is not funded in 2015 • We expect to obligate all remaining funds from our 2010-2015 grant during 2014-15, and so likely would not have a Colorado CSP competition in 2015/16. Instead, we would seek to provide whatever supports we can for charter schools to apply directly to the federal CSP program in July 2015 and July 2016. • CDE’s School of Choice office has reserved/obligated funds to finish out the 3-year grant for existing and 2014/15 grantees. So Current Grantees would be unaffected and our current office supports and TA program would be maintained through 2015/16 • We would seek to address the shortcomings highlighted in our 2015 application, and plan to reapply in 2016. 10

11. Accountability in use of federal CSP funds by SEA’s • Strengthening public accountability and standards for authorizing • Support to serve and improve educational outcomes for “educationally disadvantaged” students • English Language Learners (identify within 30 days of new school year or two weeks for late entrants) • Use of weighted lotteries • Consider discipline/school culture study implications • Serving and retaining disadvantaged students • Dissemination Existing & Emerging Federal Charter School Priorities 11

12. New Federal OMNI Circular • 2 CFR Chapter I, Chapter II, Part 200, et al. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards • Referred to as OMNI Circular or Super Circular • All of the administrative rules and cost principles will be found in one document for all federal programs • Goes into effect for all awards made after December 26, 2014 12

13. New Federal OMNI Circular • Note for nonfederal entities who have multi-year awards • July 1, 2014, Year 2 or Year 3 of a 3-year grant is awarded. These funds must follow old guidance through June 30, 2015. • November 25, 2014, Year 1 of a 3-year grant is awarded. These funds must follow old guidance through June 30, 2015. • December 30, 2014, Year 1 of a 3-year grant is awarded. These funds must follow new guidance through June 30, 2015. • July 1, 2015, Year 3 of a 3-year grant is awarded. These funds must follow new guidance through June 30, 2016. 13

14. 2014 Legislative Updates • CPR & AED Training Grant • Fund training for high school students and staff • Due October 3, 2014 • http://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness/schoolcprandaedtraininggrantprogram • Free & Reduced School Lunch Programs • $0.40 reduced-price meal co-pay eliminated for all students Pre-K to 5th grade. • Contact: Jan Bodnar, 303-866-6306 14

15. 2014 Legislative Updates • Gifted Education requirements • Clarifications made around what schools must do and grant funds available. • New rules to be updated and expanded by State Board of Education in Spring 2015 • Contact: Jacqueline Medina, 303-866-6652 • Online Education participation documentation • Emergency Rules have been approved and posted • Still accepting public comment until Nov. 10, email to martinez_r@cde.state.co.us. • See website http://www.cde.state.co.us/onlinelearning 15

16. 2014 Legislative Updates • Academic Growth Awards • To recognize public high schools that achieve high levels of academic growth with award/trophy. • Awards by school size/CHSAA classification • Selected schools notified November 2014, with awards recognized December 2014 • Contact: Lynn Bamberry, 303-866-6813 • Turnaround Leaders Development Program • RFP being developed for $2 million program • More Info: contact Peter Sherman, 303-866-6758, or visit: http://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/turnaroundleadership 16

17. 2014 Legislative Updates • School Closure Plans • HB14-1381 requires schools being closed for low academic performance to create a school closure plan that must address communications, timeline, and plans for re-assigning students to other schools. 17

18. Q & A

19. Closing