Oakland Academy Charter School

1. Oakland Academy Charter School A presentation by Isaac Lassiter Oakland Academy Charter School Content Assistance by:Georgia Parent Advocacy Network

2. What is a public charter school? • A tuition-free public school • Non-sectarian…cannot be religiously based • Funded by public dollars • Open to all students without admissions tests • Free from many of the regulations of traditional district public schools • In exchange for flexibility, held accountable for student achievement • Can be closed if it does not perform what it promises

3. By the numbers in GA

4. What type is Oakland Academy? • Proposed as an Independent “startup” Charter School • Authorized by Gilmer County School District • Governed by its own 7-11 member Board of Trustees

5. District School vs Charter School • Governed by local School Board • Designated Principal -limited flexibility in hiring teachers • Difficulty dismissing teachers who do not perform • Locked into curriculum and scheduling • Can continue to operate if academic achievement lags • Teach to the Test – CRCT, EOCT, etc. • Governed by independent board–usually includes parents • Autonomy in the selection of school leader & staff • Can dismiss teachers who do not meet expectations • Flexibility in curriculum design, school hours, etc. • Will not be renewed if academic achievement lags • Teach to learning, and administer CRCT, EOCT,

6. Truly independent charter schools Are autonomous – have control over finance, personnel, scheduling, curriculum, instruction • Freedom to develop a great team and a unique school culture • The responsibility to monitor performance • The ability to set pay rates for staff/teachers • Freedom to alter classroom structure, curriculum, etc. • Autonomy in scheduling: Saturday classes, double period math block, year-round school, etc. • Financial freedom to allocate resources and the responsibility to be sustainable

7. A charter is a contract • The “charter” establishing a schools is a performance contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment and ways to measure success. • Typically, charters are granted for 5 years or more. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may (or may not) renew the school’s contract. • Charters are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: their authorizer, their parents, and the public that funds them.

8. OACS Performance Goals • Increased student involvement in the community. Increased parental and community\ involvement • Continuous improvement in instructional strategies, increased knowledge of disciplines taught, and classroom management techniques • Cultivation of learning community • Fiscal solvency and sound business practices • Number of parent participation hours increases or is maintained yearly, • Increasing performance year to year on CRCT; • Increased staff collaboration and staff development, • Positive cash flow • Low turn-over rate of staff and students

9. What OACS “waives” • …Oakland Academy requests a “Broad Flexibility Waiver from local board of education and State Board of Education rules, policies, regulations, and procedures and from provisions of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

10. What’s the recipe for success? • Shared sense of purpose and values • Spirit of community • Respect for tradition • Expectation of continuous learning and improvement • Sense of personal responsibility for student achievement • Honest, open communication

11. How can I advocate for OACS? • Tell others that you support Oakland Academy Charter School • Tell your representatives that you care about a new school choice and request their support • If you have time, expertise, or resources then please volunteer at the info table!

12. Evangelize • Sign the OACS petition and a Letter of Intent for August 2012, fill out questionnaire. • Bring OACS information to your school activities • Watch the movie Waiting for Superman and share it with friends. Available at Redbox.