Fall 2018 Charter School Request for Proposals

Fall 2018 Charter School Request for Proposals

To Operate Dual-Language Spanish Immersion Schools

Opening Fall 2018 and Beyond

Released March 1, 2017

Birmingham City Schools Public Charter School RFP (Fall 2018)

All applications must be submitted via the application portal. The application portal will be open to receive applications beginning March 26, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. CST and will close at 11:59 p.m. CST April 1, 2017.

A mandatory hard copy must be delivered to the address below, with original signatures, by 4:30 p.m. CST on April 3, 2017. Hand delivered applications must be sealed and delivered to:

Birmingham Board of Education

Attn: Mr. Edward McMullen

Room 202

2015 Park Place

Birmingham, AL 35203

RE: Charter School RFP To Operate Charter Schools Opening Fall 2018

All applications will be considered filed upon the submission of the application through the portal, as long as a hard copy is also received as instructed above.

Please note: All BCS schools and District offices will be closed on March 29-31, 2017.

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Introduction...... 3

About Dual-Language Spanish Immersion…………………………………………………..4

Accountability……………………………………………………………………………………4

Requirements...... 4

RFP Process...... 5

2018RFP ProcessTimeline...... 6

Instructions.…………………………………………………………….…………………….….7

2018 BCS Charter School Application...... 10

Proposal Cover Sheet...... 11

Executive Summary...... 14

Section 1. Educational Program Design & Capacity…………………………….…16

Section 2. Operations Plan & Capacity……………………………………………..24

Section 3. Financial Plan & Capacity…………………………………………….….37

List of Addenda...... 40

Addendum 1. For Education Service Providers...... 41

List of Exhibits...... 44

Exhibit A: Evaluation Criteria……………………………………………..…………..45

Exhibit B: Sample Curriculum Description Table...... 58

Exhibit C: Sample Scope and Sequence Summary...... 59

Exhibit D: Sample Curriculum Map...... 60

Introduction

Consistent with Birmingham City Schools (BCS) authorizing priorities, BCSis pleased to invite proposals for high-quality dual-language Spanish immersion programs seeking to open charter schools in the 2018-2019 school year or thereafter. BCS is charged with approving quality charter proposals that meet identified educational needs and declining weak or inadequate charter proposals.

The Board seeks proposals for start-up public charter schools that will:

Provide rigorous, enriching and engaging academic, cultural, and language experiences through implementation of a Spanish language immersion academic model which preparestudents, particularly at-risk students[1], to succeed ina global society;

Increase student achievement and growth, particularly for at-risk students, through Spanish language immersion academic models that demonstrate high rigor, high student expectations, and high student and staff accountability;

Implement high quality educational modelsthat are research-based and demonstrate a successful track record for progressively meeting and exceeding state reading and mathematics proficiency levels; and

Improvestudent outcomes, particularly for at-risk students, through Spanish language immersion which result in both college and career readiness.

In general, dual language immersion programs have multiple objectives specific to the program type. One is a strong emphasis on English language proficiency for the English learner population. A second is proficiency in the second language by the English speakers. A third is often cross-cultural exposure and learning for both populations. These objectives are in addition to the common public educational objectives of developing academic proficiency for all students across core subjects.

All new schools approved through this process will be public schools subject to the legal requirements set forth in the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act.

Applications for a start-up public charter school must be submitted to the local school board in which the public charter school will be located if the local school board has elected to be an authorizer of charter schools. If an application to form a public charter school is denied by the local school board, the applicant may apply directly to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission as the authorizer.The authorizer will evaluate the application and approve or deny the application for a start-up public charter school based on the educational needs identified by the authorizer. The authorizer cannot approve a public charter school application that includes a parochial or religious theme or includes admission requirements for students, such as financial means, academic proficiency, or particular skills or competencies.

About Dual Language Spanish Immersion

Dual language programs use two languagesfor literacy and content instruction for all students. It is an educational model based on providing substantive instruction in both English and a foreign language. Originally, the objectives of such programs focused primarily on developing English proficiency of English learners; however, in recent years, such programs have evolved to emphasize achieving bi-literacy, biculturalism, and bilingualism for all participating students. In general, dual language immersion programs have multiple objectives specific to the program type. One is a strong emphasis on English language proficiency for the English learner population. A second is proficiency in the second language by the English speakers. A third is often cross-cultural exposure and learning for both populations. Dual language immersion is consistent with BCS’ strategic priority to build global competence through the use of innovative teaching and learning approaches. These objectives are in addition to the common public educational objectives of developing academic proficiency for all students across core subjects.[2]

Accountability

The Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act requires that this RFP include or direct applicants to the performance framework that BCS has developed for charter school performance oversight and evaluation.Please contact for more information.

Requirements

State law sets out the following specific requirements for all charter schools:

Has autonomy over key decisions including, but not limited to, decisions concerning finance, personnel, scheduling, curriculum, instruction, and procurement.
Is governed by an independent governing board that is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. No member of a governing board shall have a financial relationship to an education service provider or the staff of the authorizer.
Is established and operated under the terms of a charter contract between the governing board and its authorizer, in accordance with this chapter.
Is a school to which parents choose to send their student.
Is a school that admits students on the basis of a random selection process if more students attempt to enroll for admission than can be accommodated.
Provides an educational program that satisfies all of the following:

Includes any grade or grades from prekindergarten to 12th grade.
May include a specific academic approach or theme including, but not limited to, vocational and technical training; visual and performing arts; liberal arts and classical education; or science, mathematics, and technology.
Operates in pursuit of a specific set of educational objectives as defined in its charter contract, such as college or career readiness, or both.
Operates under the oversight of its authorizer in accordance with its charter contract.

All charter schools must meet each of these requirements.

RFP Process

Applicant Type: Start-up applicants

This RFP is for start-up applicants seeking to bring high-quality dual-language Spanish immersion programs to BCS. A start-up applicant isa nonprofit organization thatdid not exist as a non-charter public school prior to becoming a public charter school.

Evaluation Process

The 2018BCS charter school proposal evaluation process includes onestage of review followed by a decision by the Birmingham Board of Education to approve or deny each application.Additional informationmay be found in the published Evaluation Criteria, which are incorporated in this RFP.

Evaluation Team Review

Teams of evaluators will evaluate each proposal and discuss their findings based on the written materials provided in advance of the interview. During an in-person capacity interview, applicants will have the opportunity to present their plans and demonstrate capacity to open and maintain a high-quality charter school, as well as to answer specific questions about their proposal. Applicants will also have an opportunity to participate in a public forum for local residents to learn about, and provide input oneach application.

The Birmingham Board of Education will approve or deny each application. If no action is taken by the Birmingham Board of Education within 60 days of the submission of an application, the application will be considered denied. In the case of a denial of an application, the applicant may appeal to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission.

Milestone / Date
Launch of Request for Proposals / By March 1, 2017
Charter School Prospective Applicant Informational Session
This informational session will provide those interested in applying for a charter in this cycle with an overview of the process; high-level walkthrough of the application; and a detailed walkthrough of the application timeline and requirements.
*Participants should RSVP via email to . / March 2017
(exact date(s) TBD)
Deadline for Complete Proposals
All proposals must be submitted in complete and final form by this date. / April 1, 2017
Evaluation Team Proposal Review
Evaluation teams will review each written proposal. / April 1, 2017 –
June 1, 2017
In-Person Interviews(Mandatory) / Week of May 8, 2017
(exact date(s) TBD)
Public forum for residents to learn about and provide input on each application / Week of May 8, 2017 or
Week of May 15, 2017
(exact date(s) TBD)
BCS Application Decisions
An approval decision may include reasonable conditions which the charter applicant must meet before the charter contract may be executed. / By June 1, 2017
Charter School Contract Execution
BCS will execute a public charter school contract for all approved public charter school applications. / By July 31, 2017

2018 RFP Process Timeline

Please Note:

A mandatory hard copy must be delivered to the address below, with original signatures, by 4:30 p.m. CST on April3, 2017. Hand delivered applications must be sealed and delivered to:

Birmingham Board of Education

Attn: Mr. Edward McMullen

Room 202

2015 Park Place

Birmingham, AL 35203

RE: Charter School RFP To Operate Charter Schools Opening Fall 2018

All applications will be considered filed upon the submission of the application through the portal, as long as a hard copy is also received as instructed above.

Instructions

Consistent with Birmingham City Schools (BCS) authorizing priorities, BCS is pleased to invite proposals for high-quality dual-language Spanish immersion programs seeking to open charter schools in the 2018-2019 school year or thereafter.Prior to developing your proposal please be sure to read this entire RFP.

Components of the Proposal

Narrative Proposal: The proposal is the formal application to BCS, and is a comprehensive description ofthe school’s educational, operational, and financial plans.
Attachments: Throughout the proposal, specific documents are requested in addition to narrative answers.Attachments may not contain additional narrative unless specified. A comprehensive list of the attachmentsis provided in these instructions.
Applicants must complete all of the main application questions and, as appropriate, the Education Service Provider Addendum.

Specifications

Applicants MUST submit proposals electronically through the BCS online platform [bhamcityschools.org/PCS_Application] and must use the following templates:

Proposal Coversheet and Enrollment Projection Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Curriculum Summary Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Proposal Narrative Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Statement of Assurances Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Staffing Chart Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Charter School Board Member Information Sheet Template-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Word)
Existing Schools Information Template- APPLICANTS PROPOSING TO REPLICATE AN EXISTING SCHOOL MODEL (MS Excel)
Financial Plan Workbook-ALL APPLICANTS (MS Excel)

All templates are available on the BCS online platform.
All elements of the proposal must be typed with 1-inch page margins and 12-point font, single-spaced.
Each major section of the proposal (Executive Summary, Educational Program, etc.) and each addendum mustbegin on a separate page, as indicated in the template document.
Adhere to all page limits as indicated.
All required documents should be submitted in PDF format. The Existing Schools Information Template and the Financial Plan Workbook Template should be submitted in MS Excel format.
All required documents (proposal narrative, relevant addenda, and attachments) should be uploaded, in order, as individual files using the following naming convention: [school name] _Attachment[number]_[document title].

(e.g.: BirminghamAcademyofExcellence_ProposalNarrative; BirminghamAcademyofExcellence_Attachment14_OrganizationalCharts)

If you believe a particular question does not apply to your team or proposal, respond “Not Applicable,” ANDstate the reason this question is not applicable to your team or proposal..
Late or incorrectly formatted submissions will not be accepted.
When submitting resumes and biographies, label each document with the individual’s affiliation with theproposed school (board member, principal, teacher, etc.).
Review all elements of your proposal for completeness before submitting.
A complete application should be submitted electronically in PDF format on the BCS online platform [bhamcityschools.org/PCS_Application. A mandatory hard copy must be delivered to the address below, with original signatures, by 4:30 p.m. CST on April3, 2017. Hand delivered applications must be sealed and delivered to:

Birmingham Board of Education

Attn: Mr. Edward McMullen

Room 202

2015 Park Place

Birmingham, AL 35203

RE: Charter School RFP To Operate Charter Schools Opening Fall 2018

Attachments

The following is a list of attachments to accompany the proposal. Note that not all attachments will beapplicable for all applicants. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they submit all attachmentsrequired for their proposal. Do not upload documents for any attachment that is not applicable. Additionalattachments are required for various addenda.

Start-up Applicant Attachments

Curriculum summary template
Summary course scope and sequence
Curriculum map
Learning standards
Exit standards
Calendar and schedules
Enrollment policy
Discipline policy
Evidence of community support/demand
School leader qualifications
Leadership team qualifications
Existing schools information template
Legal and board documents
Organizational charts
Board bylaws
Board member information
Network organizational charts (if applicable)
Staffing chart
Annual reports (if applicable)
Personnel policies and/or employee manual
Leadership evaluation tool(s)
Educator evaluation tool(s)
Draft contract (if applicable)
Proof of facility commitment and description (if applicable)
Start-up plan
Transportation plan
Insurance coverage
Budget narrative
Financial plan workbook template
Network-level budget (if applicable)
Budget narrative for network-level budget (if applicable)

ONLY if proposing to use an Education Service Provider:
Addendum 1: For proposals from applicants using EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS
Attachment ESP-1: ESP Audited financial statements and annual report
Attachment ESP-2: ESP Management agreement

Applicant Code of Conduct

BCS is obligated to make decisions in the best interests of children, free from personal or politicalinfluences. Similarly, charter school applicants have the responsibility of respecting and upholding the integrity of thecharter school proposal process.

Specifically, charter school applicants shall not:

Initiate, or attempt to initiate, any application-related activity with a BCS board member with the exception of the public hearing;
Initiate, or attempt to initiate, any application-related activity with a member of the evaluation team; or
Direct any application-related communications, including application documents, to a BCS board member or to a member of theevaluation team.

Charter school applicants found to be in violation of these requirements may be deemed ineligible for consideration infuture proposal processes.

Public Disclosure

All charter school proposal materials submitted to BCS become public records.

Resources

The following documents and resources are available to applicants on the BCS website:

Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act (Act 2015-3)
Public Charter School Rules and Regulations
Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing (2012 Edition)[3]
Other Alabama State Department of Education Public Charter Schools resources and links found at
Applicable federal laws

Fall 2018 Birmingham City Schools Charter School Application for Dual Language Spanish Immersion Programs

Directions

Please submit an application that addresses the following questions/issues. There are no page limits forindividual sections except for the Executive Summary, Attachments, and Addenda. The total narrative response may notexceed 50 pages (not including the requested attachments and addenda).

Please keep in mind that your application is a professional document. The quality of the document that yousubmit should reflect the quality of the school that you propose to open. Evaluation teams will be able to navigatewell-organized, effectively edited documents easily, thereby focusing their energy on reviewing the content of eachapplication. Grammar, spelling, and formatting all make an impression on an evaluator.

Fall 2018 Charter School Request for Proposals

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

About Dual Language Spanish Immersion

Accountability

Requirements

RFP Process

Evaluation Team Review