Application for Membership in Option 3

2016-2017

  1. Application Process

Any charter school authorized by Los Angeles Unified School District may apply to the Charter Operated Programs (COP) Executive Council to become a member of the Charter Operated Programs for Special Education Services. Schools interested in joining effective July 1 of the new fiscal year may do so via the following procedure:

  1. The school shall submita “soft copy” via email or CD withthe following to the Coordinator of the Charter Operated Programs:

A.Cover page

B.Completed application:

Provide detailed responses. This may require detail beyond what is included in your charter petition. Scores will be based on the articulation of adherence and compliance with state and federal laws (and district policies as appropriate), as well as details of school programs and services that speak to the charter’s unique implementation of the laws and policies.

C.Supporting documentation, including:

  1. Detailed income/expenditure budget for special education for the application year and the following year;
  2. SAACP scores for the past year, if available;
  3. CASEMIS (December 1) pupil count data for the past two years (by disability and by instructional setting)
  4. Copy of the summary page of most recent DVR

Submit A-C to LaShun Washington, Coordinator at or 333 S. Beaudry Ave Floor 17 Los Angeles, Ca 90017. Please provide detailed contact information for the person who will be the Charter’s primary contact (name, title, phone number, email) with your submission.

  1. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. No applications will be accepted after the first Friday inFebruary for membership effective July 1st of the same calendar year. Applications received after February 5th will not be considered and the Charter must re-submit an application for the following year. Anapplication can be obtained by email request to LaShun Washington at , via the Charter School Office or CCSA website.
  2. Upon receipt of the application and supporting documentation, a committee appointed by the Executive Council will review all application materials, conduct an interviewand site visit for each applicant. The committee will recommend approval or denialto the Executive Council. The Council will act upon the recommendation of the committee and the Director shall inform each applicant of their acceptance or denial no later than May of the application year.
  3. The Director will send an email confirmation of receipt of the application. Following this confirmation, the Director will schedule a date for the site visit and interview of key stakeholders.
  4. The charter will provide confirmation of the site visit and interview date.
  5. The site visit and interview will be conducted.
  6. The application and interview will be scored using a rubric. There will be a minimum score required for recommendation for approval to the Executive Council.
  7. A recommendation will be made to the Executive Council for approval based on results from the application and interview. A majority vote is needed for final approval.
  8. Charter schools will be notified of the status of membership by May.
  9. The Charter must send an administrator to the Option 3 Orientation meeting and shall sign the Option 3 Participant Agreement and returns to the Charter Operated Programs Director by the deadline.
  10. The charter school’s governing board shall sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the District prior to July 1st of the application year. The MOU will confirm the school’s participation in Option 3 by delineating the new funding and service delivery arrangements between the charter school and the District.
  11. Upon the receipt of the executed MOU and participant agreement, the school shall be deemed a member of Option 3. Charter school participation and member status will not become effective until July 1stof the fiscal year for which final approval was granted. Once granted membership, the charter will participate in the governance and associated councils, committees and activities of Option 3as specified in the Governance Structure document and participant agreement.

Note: In cases of extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the Executive Council and Director, application timelines may be waived for consideration of a charter school application.

(Dates are subject to change with notice)

Technical Assistance:

Sydney Quon, Director of the Charter Operated Programs

213-241-8062

LaShun Washington, Coordinator of District Operated Programs

213-241-8083

Application

Please answer all questions thoroughly even if your school does not currently have statistics, experience with a certain topic, service or population. Questions should be answered in a way that demonstrates a solid plan in anticipation of future events. Credit for answers will only be given if adequate details are provided in the section specified.

Student Population:

  1. Provide a brief description of the charter school’s history, educational program, and significant achievements. Describe the overall student population, including the population of students with disabilities and other unique needs.
  1. Provide a summary of the special education program, including the programs and services available to students enrolled in the school.
  1. Describe the reasons for applying to the Charter Operated Programs.

Search and Serve:

  1. Describe the intervention programs for students who are struggling and/or at risk.
  1. Describe the Child Find activities, referral process, and procedures for referring students for assessment.
  1. Provide a description of the procedures for evaluating students for special education eligibility, including identification of the personnel responsible for completing assessments and ensuring compliance with statutory procedures and timelines.

IEP Development and Implementation:

  1. Describe the procedures for developing, implementing, and monitoring IEPs.
  1. Describe the procedures for instructional planning using grade level standards and alternative achievement standards.

Plan to Provide Supports and Services:

  1. Provide a description of the Least Restrictive Environment continuum of program options available to students enrolled at the school, including plans for providing programs that may not already exist on site but may become necessary in the future.
  1. Describe the supports and related services available at the charter school site, as well as the plan for providing special education supports and related services that may not already exist on site but may become necessary in the future.
  1. Describe the Extended School Year (ESY) program or plan for accessing ESY for students who may require it pursuant to an IEP or that may not already exist on site but may become necessary in the future.
  1. Describe the plan for arrangement and funding of non-public placements, should such placements be necessary or that may not already exist on site but may become necessary in the future.
  1. Describe or explain how students with disabilities are ensured access to the extra-curricular and non-academic activities available to students at the charter school.

Behavioral Supports and Student Discipline:

  1. Provide a description of the student discipline policy and procedures for discipline of students with disabilities. Include details regarding suspensions and expulsions related to students with disabilities.
  1. Describe the positive behavior supports and behavior intervention programs used at the charter school.

Parent Participation:

  1. Describe the plan for ensuring participation of parents of students with unique needs in all aspects of their child’s education (not limited to IEP participation).

Administration:

  1. Provide a detailed description of the special education administrative personnel, including a description of specific roles and responsibilities.
  1. Provide a detailed description of the plan for direct special education service delivery daily and operations.
  1. Describe thepast activities and future plans for professional development with regard to special education.
  1. Provide a narrative description of the proposed special education budget, including all revenue sources, anticipated expenditures, and any additional fiscal information believed to be relevant. (A detailed chart with footnotes can be substituted for the narrative to satisfy this question) – based on your current Option 2 allocation

Compliance:

  1. Describe the procedures for assessment and provision of accommodations to students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  1. Describe the facility’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If not compliant, describe the plan to come into compliance with ADA. If not current in a facility speak to your future location.
  1. Describe compliance with the Modified Consent Decree.

Due Process and State Complaints:

  1. Describe your procedures for informal dispute resolution, mediation and due process settlements. In addition, describe any experience your school has had in these areas.
  1. Describe your procedures for handling state complaints. In addition, describe any experience your school has had dealing with state compliance complaints.

Transition (all schools MUST answer):

  1. Describe the procedures for transition planning for students K-12 as applicable to your grade level(s). Please see descriptor in the application rubric for specific information required for each grade band.