DELAWARECHARTER SCHOOL

RENEWALAPPLICATIONRENEWALAPPLICATIONGUIDANCE

2016-2017

DEDepartmentofEducation

CharterSchoolOffice

401FederalStreet,Suite2

Dover,DE19901

Phone:(302)735-4020

Fax:(302)739-4483

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I. INTRODUCTIONANDRENEWALAPPLICATIONGUIDANCE

Inaccordancewith14Del.C.§514A(c),nolaterthanApril30,the Department willissueacharterschoolrenewal reportandcharterrenewal applicationguidancetoanycharterschoolwhosecharterwillexpirethe followingyear.Therenewalreportwillsummarizethecharterschool'sperformance recordtodatein accordance with the school’s Performance Agreement, and as measured by the Performance Framework,[1]andwillprovidenoticeofany weaknessesorconcernsperceivedby the Departmentconcerningthecharterschoolthatmayjeopardizeitsposition inseekingrenewalifnottimelyrectified.Thecharterschoolwillhave10working daystorespondtothe renewalreportand submit any correctionsorclarifications.

Asstatedin 14Del. C. Ch.5§514A(g),in makingcharterrenewaldecisions everyapprovingauthorityshall:

1. Grounditsdecisionsinevidenceoftheschool'sperformanceoverthetermofthechartercontract in accordancewith theperformanceagreementsetforthinthechartercontract;

2. Ensurethat data used in making renewaldecisionsareavailable to theschool and thepublic;and

3. Providea public reportsummarizingtheevidencebasis foreachdecision.

Inadditiontotherenewalguidanceprovidedin14Del.C.§514A(g),thefollowingrenewalguidanceis statedin 14DE Admin. Code275.10:

10.1Chartersaregrantedforaninitialperiodof4yearsofoperationandarerenewableevery5years thereafter.

10.2RenewalsareonlyavailabletothecurrentCharterHolderandmaynotbeusedtotransfera

chartertoa differentlegalentity.

10.3Chartersshallberenewedonlyiftheschoolreceivesasatisfactoryperformance review. Performance reviewsshallbeconductedbytheDepartment usingthePerformanceFramework approved by theDepartmentwith theassentof theStateBoard.

10.4 The DepartmentshallconductannualperformancereviewsbasedonthePerformanceFramework. The Departmentshall provide theresults of thePerformanceReviewtotheschool.

Therenewalapplicationhasbeenalignedwiththemeasures andtargetswithinthePerformance Framework. Thedecisiontorenewacharterwillbebasedonacomprehensivereview,guided,inpart,by thefollowingthreequestions:

1. Istheacademicprograma success?

2. Istheschool financiallyviable?

3.Istheschool organizationally sound?

Applications will allow the applicant to includeananalysisoftheschool’sperformancereviewandprovideadditionalevidence, beyondthedatacontainedintheRenewalReport,supportingitscase forcharterrenewal.Therenewal applicationalsogivesaschooltheopportunitytoexamineitsprogress towardsmeetingitsmission,goals andobjectives,assessitsstrengthsandneeds,andplanitscourseforthefuture.Thecharterschoolmay alsodescribeimprovements undertakenorplannedfortheschoolanddetailtheplansforthenextcharter term.

Asdefined in14DEAdmin.C.275,thePerformanceFrameworkisusedbytheDepartmenttoassesscompliancewiththePerformanceAgreement intheareasofacademic performance,economicviability,organizationalresponsibilitiesandaccountability oftheCharterSchool.Thecompletedframework willbeprovidedtotheCharterSchoolAccountability Committee (“Accountability Committee”),Secretary andStateBoardofEducationtoinformtheirdecisionmaking.GuidanceDocuments for eachofthethreecomponents of thePerformanceFramework, along with a link to the Guidance Document for the Delaware School Success Framework (DSSF).

II.RENEWALPROCESS

ApplicationSubmission:Acompletedapplicationmustbereceivedbythe Department ofEducation’sCharterSchoolOfficeonor before September30, 2016inorderfortheapplicationtobe considered.Applications must be submitted electronically. Please refer to the Renewal Application Submission Guidelines and Checklist for further guidance.Incompleteapplications,orapplicationsreceived afterthedeadline,willnotbe considered.

ApplicationReview:Allapplicationsmustbecompleteinordertobeevaluated. Theapplicationfor renewalwillbereviewed andevaluatedbytheapprovingauthorityasoutlinedin14Del.C.Ch.5and applicableprovisionsof14DEAdmin.Code275.Thereviewprocesswillincludeameetingwiththeapplicantand theCharter School AccountabilityCommittee (CSAC) todiscussthecomponentsoftheapplicationanditsalignmentwiththe renewal criteria.Theprocesswillalsoincludeatleast onepublishedreportbytheAccountabilityCommittee on its recommendation and a public hearingto assist inthedecision.

RenewalDetermination:TheSecretaryofEducationwillpresenthisdecisiononcharterrenewalwithin sixty(60) workingdays of receiptoftherenewalapplication.

III.APPLICATIONCONTENTANDFORMAT

The prescribedcontentand formatfortherenewalapplication arespecifiedbelow.

DocumentLength:The application shallnot exceed15 pages,not including the coverpage, Table of Contents,appendices,orPerformanceAgreement.

Format:Allpagesmustbetypedwith1-inchpagemarginsand12-pointfont,single-spaced (Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial fontandleftjustification),andincludeconsecutivepagenumbersinthefooter.Chartsmayusesingle spacing and a typesize of 10-pointfont.

CoverPage:The application shall includea coverpagethat includes the school’s name andthedateof theapplication.

TableofContents:The application shall contain a clearly-labeledTableofContentsnamingallmajorsectionsandappendices with correspondingpagenumbers.

Appendices:Allsupplementary documentsshouldbeidentifiedappropriatelyandproperlylabeledas appendicesattheendoftheapplication. Please refer to the Renewal Application Submission Guidelines and Checklist for further guidance.

IV.CHARTERSCHOOLRENEWALAPPLICATIONQUESTIONS

Pleaseprovide clear,complete,andaccurateinformation in responseto eachquestion.

I. Overview

1.1Fill in the following chart with the school’sbasicinformation:

BASICINFORMATION
NameofSchool
YearSchoolOpened
CurrentEnrollment
ApprovedEnrollment
SchoolAddress
District(s)ofResidence
WebsiteAddress
NameofSchoolLeader
SchoolLeaderEmailand
PhoneNumber
NameofBoardPresident
BoardPresidentEmailand
PhoneNumber

1.2Fill in the following chart with the school’s demographics at the time of submission (all information must be verifiable through state reporting tools):

CURRENT YEAR ENROLLMENT & DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Total Enrollment
# of Students on Waiting List
Gender
# Male
# Female
Ethnicity/Race
# White
# Black
# Hispanic
# Asian
# Other
# Multiracial
Special Populations
# Students with disabilities
# English Language Learners
# Low-Income

II.AcademicFramework/Delaware Student Success Framework

2.1Istheacademicprogramasuccess?

a) Discusstheschool’sacademicachievementresultsoverthecurrent charter term.Howhasthe schoolperformed withregardtostudentgrowthandproficiencymeasures overthecurrentcharter term?Intheabsenceofexpectedachievement,identifychangestoinstructionalpractices thatyourschoolhas implemented toimprovetheschool’s academic performanceandstudent outcomes.

Note:In order to guide your answer, you may use portionsof the academicsection of the Performance

Framework and Delaware Student Success Framework.

2.2Istheschoolmeetingitsmission?

a) Statethemissionoftheschoolasitappearsinyourcharter application.Howdoesyourschool measureand trackmission accomplishment?

III.OrganizationalFramework

3.1Istheschoolorganizationallysound?

a) Discusstheschool’sorganizationalperformanceoverthecurrent charter term.Howhasthe schoolperformedwithregardtoorganizationalmeasuresoverthe currentcharterterm?Intheabsence ofexpectedachievement,identifychangestoorganizationalpracticesthatyourschool has implemented toimprove the school’sorganizational outcomes.

Note:In order to guide your answer,you may use portionsof the organizational section of the PerformanceFramework.

3.2Istheschoolimplementingtheessentialtermsofthecharter’seducationalprogramasdefinedinthe

currentcharter, andcomplyingwithapplicablestateandfederalrequirements?

a)Providespecificexamplesofhowyoureducationalprogram isincompliancewithinstructional days/minutesrequirements, theuseofstateassessments, Delawarecontentstandards requirements,and providing an education andaccommodationsforat-riskstudents.

b)As appendices, provide the following documents as evidence of curriculum alignment to the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards:

  • Math Unit with Summative Assessment
  • ELA Unit with Summative Assessment
  • Science Unit with Summative Assessment (for those schools that are not members of the Science Coalition) orevidence that the school has followed its Memorandum of Understanding (e.g. teachers have attended training, kits have been utilized and returned to the state warehouse in good condition, dues have been paid, etc.)

3.3Istheschoolprotectingtherightsof at-risk students, studentswithdisabilities,andEnglishlanguageLearners?

Note:Each item below must be addressed separately.

a) Describe the process by which at-risk students are identified and evidence that the school is effective in providing the right resources and services for these students.

b) Describetheprocessbywhichstudentswith disabilities areidentifiedandevidencethatthe schoolis effectivein providing theright resourcesand servicesforthese students.

c) DescribetheprocessbywhichstudentsEnglishlanguagelearnersareidentifiedandevidence that theschool iseffectivein providing theright resourcesand servicesfor thesestudents.

d)Provideasummary offindingsfromanyaudits, investigations, or other administrative proceedings related to at-risk students, students with disabilities, or English Language Learners. Describe how theschool developedandimplementedacorrectiveactionplaninresponsetoauditfindings (If applicable, evidence maybeattachedas clearly-labeled documentsintheAppendix.)

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3.4Istheschoolmonitoringandminimizingattritionratesandmaintainingenrollmentstability?

a) Fillinthefollowingchartwiththeappropriateenrollmentinformationoverthelast4years(3yearsif thisis theschool’sfirstrenewal):

SchoolEnrollmentTrends
2012-2013 / 2013-2014 / 2014-2015 / 2015-2016
Approved
Enrollment / Sept30
Enrollment
Count / Approved
Enrollment / Sept30
Enrollment
Count / Approved
Enrollment / Sept30
Enrollment
Count / Approved
Enrollment / Sept30
Enrollment
Count / Current
Waitlistfor the2015-2016
school year
K
Grade1
Grade2
Grade3
Grade4
Grade5
Grade6
Grade7
Grade8
Grade9
Grade10
Grade11
Grade12
Total

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b) Howdoestheschoolbothmonitorandplantominimizeattritionrates?(Attritionrate iscalculated bythenumberof studentsleavingtheschoolduringthe schoolyearovernumberofstudents enrolledin theschool on September30.)Providea summaryof whystudents left yourschool.

3.5Istheschoolcomplyingwithgovernance andreportingrequirements?

a) ProvideinformationregardinghowtheBoardofTrusteeseffectively evaluatestheSchool Leader(s), including any policies or procedures related to such evaluation(s).

b)Provide information regarding how the Board of Trustees effectively evaluates its own success. Include examples of any corrective actions, if applicable, the Board of Trustees implemented as a result of its evaluation.

c)Identifytheschool’splantoensuretheeffectivenessofitsBoardofTrustees,includinggovernancetraining and newmemberinduction.

d)Describe theschool’sprocess forsuccessionplanningincludingidentification,developmentand retentionofschoolleaders.

e)As an appendix, please provide the following document:

  • Current Organizational Chart

3.6 Istheschoolcomplyingwithclosurerequirements?

a)Describetheschool’splanforproceduresitwillfollowintheeventoftheclosureordissolutionof theschool.The plan should, at a minimum, address each of the following areas:

  • Current balance of contingency reserve funds to be used to cover accrued expenses including summer pay obligations (identify estimated amount for the 2016-17 school year), final audit (identify estimated cost), and other expenses typically incurred by June but paid in July or thereafter.
  • If the current contingency reserve balance is insufficient to cover the estimated costs identified above, discuss the school’s plan for ensuring the required funds are set aside,including the timeframe for meeting this requirement.
  • Identification of the individuals responsible for handling the school’s final closeout activities after closure or dissolution (i.e., who will process any final payments, coordinate the final audit, etc.).

IV.FinancialFramework

4.1Istheschoolfinanciallyviable?

a) DiscusstheresultsofyourFinancialPerformanceReportsoverthecurrentcharter term.Discuss any trends and provideexplanationsforeach individual measure for which you received a “Does Not Meet Standard” or “Falls Far Below Standard” rating,includingyourplansandstrategiesforimprovingtheindividualmeasuresand, if applicable,overall ratings.

Note:Foryourreference,pleaseseethefinancial sectionofthePerformanceFramework.

b) Provideasummary offindingsfromindependentauditsand,whereapplicable,howtheschool developedandimplementedacorrectiveactionplaninresponsetoauditfindings (Ifapplicable, evidencemaybeattachedas clearlylabeled documentsintheAppendix.)

c) Asappendices, pleaseprovide thefollowingdocuments:

Final Fiscal Year2016Revenue& Expenditure BudgetReportin theprescribedDepartment format

Approvedpreliminary FiscalYear2017Budget in the prescribed Department format

FiscalYear2016AuditedFinancialStatements(iffinalreportisnotavailable,a draftversionis acceptable)

V.Five-YearPlanning

5.1ProjectedEnrollment

a)Provideafive-year enrollmentchartbygradelevel,intheprescribedformatbelow.Ensurethatthe chartallowsfor thenatural progressionof students fromyear-to-year.

Note: This will become the school’s authorized enrollment for the new charter term.

ProjectedEnrollment
2016-2017 / 2017-2018 / 2018-2019 / 2019-2020 / 2020-2021
K
Grade1
Grade2
Grade3
Grade4
Grade5
Grade6
Grade7
Grade8
Grade9
Grade10
Grade11
Grade12
TOTAL*

Note:An increase or decrease in enrollment exceeding 5%, but less than 15%, is considered a minor modification of the school’s charter. 14 Del. Admin. C. § 275.9.9.1.4. An increase or decrease in enrollment exceeding 15% is considered a major modification of the school’s charter, which requires a review by the Charter School Accountability Committee and the assent of the State Board of Education. See 14 Del. C. §511(b)(2); 14 Del. Admin. C. § 275.9.8.1.3. As such, if the projected enrollment is increasing or decreasing by 5% or more over the term of the charter, you are required to submit, as appendices, revenue projections, budget sheets, and budget narrative reflecting the new enrollment figures, as well as a separate written justification for the modification request.

5.2Whatare theschool'splansfor thenextfiveyears of thecharter?

a) Describewhatchangesandimprovementstheschoolwillundertake inthenextfiveyearsin all core content areas basedon theschool's examinationofstudentperformanceoutcomes.

b)Providegoalsandperformanceoutcomes,includingassessmenttoolsandmeasurestobeused.Providearationalefortheidentifiedgoalsandassessment measures.Provideanymission-specific goalsthatyouwillincludeinyourPerformanceAgreement.

Note: Mission-specificgoalsare optional andmust be approved by the Charter School Office. Mission-specific goals should be focusedonacademicperformanceoutcomesratherthanprocessmeasures. Provideinformation and evidencethatis both valid and verifiable.)

c) Providedetailedinformationontheschool'splanforanychanges orimprovementstoitsfacilityfor thefiveyearsofthenextcharterrenewalterm. Theplanshouldincludeanadequateanddetailed financial arrangementand timeline for theproposed facility improvements.

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[1]Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, the Delaware Student Success Framework (DSSF) replaced the Academic Framework Report. Ratings for the 2014-15 school year were provided to schools and districts for information purposes only with no accountability. However, state and federal accountability begins with the 2015-16 school year.