STATEPUBLICCHARTERSCHOOLAUTHORITY

2016CALLFORQUALITYCHARTERSCHOOLSSUMMERCYCLEREQUESTFORPROPOSALS

SchoolsOpeningFall2017andBeyond

ReleasedMarch15,2016

ApplicationTrackC:

Start-UpApplicant(CommitteetoForm)SeekingtoReplicateAHighPerformingCharterSchoolWithoutEMOSupportorCMOAffiliation

SectionI:IntroductionfromBoardChairAdamJohnson

DearCharterApplicant,

OnbehalfoftheStatePublic CharterSchoolAuthorityandour23,000incrediblestudents,wethankyou for yourinterestinapplyingtooperateahigh-performingschoolinNevada.Whetheryouareapplyingtooperateasinglecharterortoaddtoanexistingnetworkofschools,weunderstandthetremendousamountofworkandcommitmentrequiredtoopenandrunahigh-performingschool.

Thedevelopmentandreleaseofthis Call forQualityCharterSchools andRequestforProposals(RFP)markstheSPCSA’s fourthgenerationofcharterauthorizingandreflectsthesweepingeducationreforms adoptedduringthe2015LegislativeSession.Someofthosestatutorychangeswillnottakeeffectuntilthewinterof 2016andsome regulations maynotcomeintoeffectimmediately.However,we havedesignedthis processtoassistapplicantsduringthesummer2016applicationcycleinmeetingthe newrequirementsnow.Hopefully,this approachwillmitigatetheneedtomodifyyourplansinthe nearterm.

TheSPCSAis committedtoqualityineveryaspectofouroperation,andwefirmlybelievethatqualityauthorizingleadsto qualityschools.Wearecommittedtograntingchartersonlytothoseteamswhoclearlydemonstratetheacademicvisionandfinancialandoperationalcapacitynecessarytogovernandoperatehigh-performingschools.We welcomeapplicants whoseektoservestudents inoururbancore,ourgrowingsuburbs,and our ruralandNativeAmericancommunities.

Ourstatutoryresponsibilitycompelsus toprovideourstudentsandfamilies withtheverybestoptionsthechartercommunitycanprovide.Tothatend,wewillcontinuetopartnerwithexperiencedevaluatorslocallyandacrossthecountrytoreviewtheapplications wereceive.Weareconfidentthatwehavecreatedademanding,thorough,andtransparentapplicationandreviewprocess.

Asyoucompleteyourapplication,pleasefeel freetocontactourteamwithanyquestionsvia daTwitteraccountat@NevadaCharterswhichweinviteyoutofollowforupdatesthroughoutthis and futureapplicationcycles.

Again,thankyou for yourinterestinjoiningourefforttobuildanddelivera high qualitypublicschooloptiontoeverystudentinNevada.

Sincerely,

AdamJohnson

BoardChair

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Section II: Instructions

OPERATORAPPLICANTINSTRUCTIONS

Specifications

  • It istheresponsibilityoftheapplicanttoensurethat thecontentis complete,detailed,andeasilyunderstoodandfollowedbyreviewers;externalexperts;andparents,families,andthegeneralpublic.
  • ThisRFPmaybecompletedwithresponsesfollowingeachquestion(e.g.,thequestionsfollowingtheheadingsParent and CommunityInvolvement,Driving forResults,HumanResources,etc.).Pleaseleave the textof thequestioninthedocumenttofacilitatereviewandpublictransparency.
  • Allnarrativeelements oftheapplicationmust betyped with1-inchpagemargins and11-pointCambriafont,single-spaced.
  • Allheadings must bein11, 12, or14pointCambriafont.
  • Tables maybeineither11or10pointCambriafont.
  • Eachmajorsection(ExecutiveSummary,MeetingtheNeed,AcademicPlan,etc.)mustbeginonaseparatepage,asindicatedintheRFPdocument.
  • Allpages mustbeconsecutivelynumberedinthefooter,includingallattachments.
  • Thetableofcontentsmustidentifythepagenumber ofeach majorsectionofthe narrativeandeach requiredattachment.
  • SchoolsareencouragedtoutilizeMicrosoftWord’scross-referencingfeatures toallowforautomaticupdatestopagenumberswithinthedocumentforanyelementdiscussedinmorethanonesection.Simplyreferringreviewerstocontentinanothersectionorexpectingreviewerstoseekoutandinferananswerfrom informationwhichmayormaynotbefoundinanattachmentis unacceptableandwillbedeemedunresponsive.Petitioners areexpectedtoexerciseappropriatejudgementinbalancingresponsivenesswithexcessivelyduplicativecontent.Itishighlyadvisabletoanswerthequestionposedandreferthereviewertoadditionalcontextualinformationthat willinform reviewwithtransitionalandreferentialphrases such as“As discussedingreaterdetailintheSection_____beginningonpage ,theschoolwill...”and“Reviewers seekingmoreinformationon_____maywishtorefertothesectionlabeled beginningonpage____. Morespecifically,theschoolwill...”
  • Referencesandcitationsshouldbeplacedinthefooter.
  • Thenameofeachmajorsectionandattachment,e.g.“Attachment 1,” etc.mustbe placedinthefootertofacilitateeasyreviewandnavigationofthematerials.Bookmarkingofindividualsections andattachmentsinAcrobatis stronglyencouragedtoenhancereadabilityandfacilitateathoroughreview.
  • SchoolsareencouragedtouseMicrosoftWord’sstylesfeatures( forbookmarkingandcross-referencing,andfacilitatethegenerationofthetableof contents andotherfeaturesthroughtheheadingstyles functionality.
  • Ifaparticularquestiondoesnotapplytoyourteamorapplication,simplyrespondwithanexplanatorysentenceidentifyingthereasonthisquestionisnotapplicabletoyourteamorproposalANDincludingtheterm “notapplicable” withinthesentence.
  • Allquestions,includingthoseidentifiedas“NotApplicable”andtablesnotutilizedmustbe leftinthedocument. Responsesmaynotexceed100 pagesofnarrativeresponsesandtables,meaningthatthefinalsubmission,includingallRFPquestions(whichconstitute23pages),mustbeequaltoorless than123pages.Tableswhichareaccompaniedwithdirectionspermittingtheschooltomodifythenumberofrows andtocustomizethedesignatedcontentmaybechangedas indicated.
  • Attachments are notincludedinthe narrativepagelimit.
  • Allrequiredattachmentsshouldbeclearlylabeledanduploadedinthefileformatspecifiedandwiththefile namesprovided.
  • ApplicantsMUSTsubmitapplications electronicallyfollowinginstructions providedbytheSPCSA.Allotherattachmentsmaybeformattedattheapplicant’s discretion.Alldocuments,otherthanbudgetdocuments anddatasubmissions bettersuitedtoExcel,mustbesubmittedasPDFdocuments.All PDFdocuments,otherthanthoseindividual pages containingsignatureswhichareinsertedintoconverteddocuments,mustbesubmittedasfullyconverted(notscanned)documents.1
  • ApplicationCoversheet
  • ProposalNarrativeTemplate—Note:TherearefourseparateRFPsoutliningdifferentapplicantmodels.Pleaseselectthe correct one.Applicantsareencouragedto bookmarkeachsectionofthePDFdocumenttofacilitatethoroughreview.
  • CharterSchoolBoardMemberInformationSheetTemplate—Note:ThereareseparateStartUpandExperienced CMOBoardMemberversions.
  • BoardMembershipTemplate
  • IncubationYearPlanningTable
  • FinancialPlanWorkbook(submitinExcel)
  • Thefollowingis alistofattachments toaccompanytheapplication:

1.Letters ofCommunitySupport/Partnership(preferablyPDFconversionbutmaybescannedtoPDF)2

______

1Pleasenotethattheapplicationsubmissionportalhastwofilelimitations:anindividualfilecanbenomorethan10megabytesinsize.Moreover,thereisanoveralllimitpersubmissionformof20megabytes.Applicantsarestronglyencouragedtolimitthenumberofscannedpagesanduseappropriatetoolstoreducethesizeofscannedpagestopreventuploadingissues.

2Asnotedabove,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtolimitthenumberofscannedpagesduetofilesizelimitationswhichareinherenttotheapplicationsubmissionportal.

2.Leadershipteamjobdescriptions

3.Resumesandstudentachievementdata forschoolleader(Note:identifiedschool leaderisstronglyrecommendedforStart-Upapplicants)

4.Competencies usedforschoolleaderselection

5.Teacherevaluationtool(s)

6.Schoolleaderevaluationtool(s)

7.BoardMemberTemplate

8.BoardMemberInformationSheets

9.BoardBylaws,Codeof EthicsandConflict ofInterestPolicies

10.IncubationYearPlanningTable

11.College/UniversityDualCreditagreementdocumentation(ifapplicable)

12.Operationalexecutionplan

13.ProofofFacilityCommitment(ifapplicable)

14.Insurancecoverage

15.Budgetnarrative

16.FinancialPlanWorkbook

17.ReplicationSchoolhistoricalfinancialdocuments

18.ReplicationSchoolachievementandauditdata

  • Whensubmittingresumesandbiographies ofcommitteetoformmembers,proposedboardmembers andstaff,labeleach documentwiththeindividual’s affiliationwiththeproposedschool(planning/committeetoform member,boardmember,principal,teacher,etc.)andcombinethefilesintoasingleconverted PDFdocument.Bookmarkingofindividualsections isstronglyencouragedtoenhancereadabilityandfacilitateathoroughreview.
  • Completeallsheets intheFinancialPlanWorkbook.
  • Reviewallelements ofyourapplicationforcompletenessbeforesubmitting.Incompleteapplicationswillnotbeaccepted,andapplicantsarenotabletoamend,revise,orsupplementtheirapplicationafterithasbeensubmittedunlesstheSPCSA,atits solediscretion,requestsadditionalinformationortheSPCSAboardvotestorejecttheapplicationandtheapplicantchoosestoresubmita revisedapplicationduringthestatutoryresubmissionwindow.
  • Applicantsarestronglyencouragedto maintainfinalMicrosoftWordversions ofallwrittenmaterials.Intheeventthatanunsuccessfulapplicantelectstoresubmitanapplicationwithadditionalcontentanddocumentationduringthestatutoryresubmissionwindow,theapplicantwillbeexpectedtousetheTrackChangesfunctiontoidentifyanyadditions or deletionstotheapplication.Specific formatrequirementsforsuchresubmissionswillbefurnishedtoapplicantspriortothebeginningoftheresubmissionwindow.
  • Applicantsareremindedthat all applicationsubmissionsarepublicrecordsand are postedontheSPCSAwebsite.Onceaschoolisapproved,itis expectedthatthecompletecharterapplicationandanysubsequentamendmentswill be postedontheschool’s websiteorwillotherwisebemadeavailableviaelectronicmeansuponrequestfromanymemberofthepublic.Toensurethebroadest rangeofaccessibilityforpublicdocuments,theSPCSAstronglyencourages applicantstoconsulttheAccessibilityGuidanceofferedbyourpeerauthorizer,theMassachusettsDepartmentofElementaryandSecondaryEducation: TheusageoftheMicrosoftstyles featurediscussedearlierwillalsohelptofacilitateaccessibility.

SubmissionInstructions

1.To beeligibletosubmitafull proposalfortheSummer2016applicationcycle,applicantsmustfirstsubmit theNoticeof Intentby5:00pmPTon June1st, 2016.ApplicantswhohavesubmittedaNoticeofIntentforaprevious roundmustsubmitanewNoticeofIntenttoallow forplanningofreviewingactivities andotherauthorizingwork.TheSummer2016CycleNoticeofIntenttoApplyis awebform whichcanbeaccessedat

2.Applications should bepreparedusingthe templates andonlinesubmissionprocess establishedbytheSPCSA.

3.InordertocompleteandsubmityourRFPpacket,you willneedtomeetthefollowingminimumtechnologyrequirements:

a.AlocalcopyofMicrosoftOfficeWord2007andMicrosoftOfficeExcel2007

b.AlocalcopyofAdobeAcrobatStandardorProfessionalorathirdpartyPDF-creationsolutionthatallowsforconverting,combining,andconsecutivelypaginatingfilesintoportabledocumentformat

c.AlocalcopyofMicrosoftOfficeProjectandMicrosoftOfficeVisioorothersoftwareoraschool-selectedsuitableweb-basedequivalent(e.g.Lucidchartforflowcharts)withthecapacitytoproducedetailedGanntcharts,flowcharts,andexplanatorygraphics forinclusionintheMicrosoftWordnarrative or therequestedattachments

d.MicrosoftInternetExplorerVersion9oraboveORGoogleChromeVersion40 or above

e.AreliableInternetconnection

f.Alaptop ordesktopcomputerwithatleast50MboffreespacetostoredownloadedRFPdocuments andlocalcopies ofyourRFPsubmission

4.Applicants mayuploadproposals upto5:00pm PTonJuly15, 2016.Oncetheproposalissubmitted,applicantswillbeunabletoaccess,edit,or reviseproposals.TheSPCSA ExecutiveDirector,may,athissolediscretion,grantabriefextensionoftheapplicationwindowintheeventthatthe Authorityobserves aconnectivityorserverissuerelatedtotheportal.Applicants arestronglyencouragedtouploadapplicationdocuments wellbeforethedeadline.

5.Thesubmissionportalislocatedat at5:00pmPT onJuly15,2016.Besuretoallowadequatetimetouploadalldocumentswellbeforethe deadline.Latesubmissions, includingapplicationsthatarepartiallyuploaded,willnot beaccepted.Pleasenotethattheapplicationsubmissionportal hastwo filesizelimitations:anindividual filecanbenomorethan10megabytesinsize.Moreover,thereis anoveralllimitpersubmissionformof20megabytesintotal.Applicantsarestronglyencouragedto limit thenumberofscannedpagesanduse appropriate toolstoreducethesizeofscannedpagesto preventuploadingissues.

6.Youwilluploadeachelementoftheapplication(e.g.,CoverSheet,Proposal,FinancialWorkbook,attachments,etc.)separatelyusingtheonlineportal.

7.TopermittheAuthoritytoaddresspublic transparencyrequirementsduringboardmeetings,twocompletepapercopiesoftheapplicationmustbereceivedwithin5businessdaysof thesubmissionoftheonlineapplication.Each paperapplicationmustincludeanassurancethatitis identicaltotheelectronicsubmission.TheSPCSAreserves therighttodirectapplicantstosubmitadditionalpapercopies.Thepapercopyoftheapplicationwillnotbereviewed bystafforexternalreviewers.

8.Charterproposalsare read andscoredbyanexternalteam of evaluatorsfrom Nevadaandacrossthenation,eachofwhomhas expertiseinacademics,operations,and/orfinance,as wellas thecommunitiesbeingserved.

GuidanceandResourcesforApplicants

Applicantsareencouraged tofamiliarizethemselveswithcurrentNevadalawandregulationsrelatingtocharterschools.As Nevada’sstatutesandregulationsarecontinuingtoevolve,itisadvisabletomonitorandevaluateallchanges toensurethatanyproposedelements meetcurrentexpectations.TheAuthoritydoesnothavethecapacityorthestatutoryauthoritytoprovideindividualguidanceorlegaladvice.Charterschoolapplicants areencouragedtoconsulttheCharterSchoolAssociationofNevadaandanattorneywhoiswellversedincharterschool lawforguidanceininterpretingthoseelements ofstatuteand regulationforwhichthe Authorityhasnotincorporateditspolicyexpectations inthis document.

NevadaRevisedStatutes:NRS386.490etseq.containsthe vastmajorityoflawpertainingtocharterschools:

Duringthe2015legislativesession,thestateadopted anumberof reformsrelatedtocharterschools.Keybillswhichpassedinclude:

  • SB509:Balances additionaloperatingflexibilityforcharterschoolswithbroad changesincharterschoolauthorizingandaccountability:
  • SB460:Providesforanaccountabilityframeworktoevaluatetheperformanceofasmallsubsetofcharterschoolswhichhaveamissiontoexclusivelyserveopportunityyouth,studentswithdisabilities,andotherparticularlyvulnerablepopulations:
  • SB208:Codifiesexistingminimumexpectations regardingthenotificationoffamilies whenanewcharterschoolis scheduledtoopeninacommunityandchangestheexpectations aroundrecruitingandenrollingstudents:
  • SB390:Permitsbutdoes notrequirecharterschoolstogiveadmissionspreferencetostudentswhoattendovercrowdedschools orunderperformingschoolswithina2mileradius ofacampus:
  • SB200:Permitsbutdoes notrequirecharterschools onmilitarybases togiveadmissionspreferencetostudents ofpersonnelresidingonoremployedbythemilitarybase:

NevadaAdministrativeCode:As astatewith abienniallegislature,Nevadarelies heavilyonitsregulatoryframeworktoprovideguidanceontheinterpretationandexecutionofitslaws.Theprovisions ofNAC386.010through 386.47governtheadministrationofthestate’scharterschoolprogram:

ThestateadoptedanumberofchangestotheNACregardingcharterschoolsduringthe2014interim.Mostofthesemodificationsreflectthecreationof theSPCSAin2011andthecreationofacharterschoolaccountabilitysystem in2013.Someofthesechanges havenotyetbeencodifiedintotheexistingNAC:

R036-14A:

R069-14A:

R075-14A:

R076-14A:

Duetothelegislativechangesduringthe2015session,applicants shouldanticipatethatmanyoftheseregulationswillberevisedtoreflectthemostcurrent lawduringthe winter of 2015andthespringof2016as Nevadacontinuestoadoptbestauthorizingandoversightpracticesandpoliciesfrom otherleadingcharterschoolstates.

PursuanttoSB509,theAuthoritymayrequirethatschoolsenterintoamendedandrestatedchartercontractsas aconditionofgrantinganamendment;this mechanismallows ustorequireschoolstodevelopadditionaltechnicalamendments andcontractualchangesasstatutoryandregulatoryrequirementsevolve.

Additionally,theStateofNevadarecentlyreceivedafederalCharterSchools Programgrant. Charterschoolapplicantsarestronglyencouragedtoreviewthefederalnon-regulatoryguidancerelatedtotheCharterSchoolsProgramandtoconsulttheeligibilityandapprovalcriteriaforthosegrants.AcopyoftheapprovedCSPgrantapplicationcanbefoundat CSPgrantfromtheNevadaDepartment ofEducationorthattheamount willmeetthe fullstartupneedsoftheschool.Itis importanttonotethat,pursuanttofederallawandtheconditions ofthegrantprogram,thesefunds cannotbeusedto payforfacilities.

AdditionalGuidanceandResourcesforSchools

TheNevadacharterschoolmovementandtheSPCSAhaveundergonedramaticchanges inthepastfouryearsasaresultoflegislativechangesinthe2013legislativesessionandthesweepingeducationreforms adoptedduringthe2015legislativesession.As notedabove,thepolicyandoperatinglandscapeforcharterschoolshas undergonesignificantshifts,includingsomechangeswhichhaveyettobecodifiedintoregulationandstandardpractice.

Inlight ofthesechangesand the Authorityboard’s deepcommitmenttoaccountabilityandcontinuous improvement,theexpectations andstandards forcharterapplicationapprovalandforongoingoperationhavecontinuedtoevolveandourprocesshas becomeincreasinglymorerigorous.Consequently,applicantsarestronglycautionedagainstexcessiveborrowingof languagefrom“boilerplate”Nevadacharterapplicationmaterialandsampleresourcesthatarewidelyavailableontheinternet,includinglegacymaterialsonavarietyofstatewebsites,anddocuments maintainedforasubsetofexistingschools ontheSPCSAwebsite.

Astheyplantheirschools,theCommitteestoFormofStart-Upcharterschools inconjunctionwithanEMO areencouragedtoreach outnotonlytoNevada’sleading4and5starschools,butalsotothetop performingcharterschools inleadingcharterschoolmarkets,includingnotonlystatesin thewesternUnitedStates,but alsoschools inplaceslikeNewYork,Massachusetts,andtheDistrictofColumbia.Whiletherearesomecontextualdifferencesbetweenstates,youwill find thatmanyofthesenetworkshaveexperiencedchallengesastheyhave grownandcansharelessons learnedabout howtogrowintentionally,strategically,and effectively.

Applicantsareencouraged toavoid quotingentirestatutes orregulations,orincludingdocumentsthatcanreferredtoratherthanprovidedintheirentiretyintheapplication.DonotprintmaterialsofftheNevadaDepartmentofEducation’swebsiteor theStatePublicCharterSchoolAuthority’swebsiteforinclusionintheapplication;theReviewTeam canaccess thosewebsites ifnecessary.Includingdocuments andstatutes andregulationsintheirentiretywillresultinanunmanageablylargeapplication.Ratherthanquotingorincludingtheentiretextofstatute,regulationand/ordocuments intheapplication,includeonlyrelevantexcerpts orsummarizethe statute,regulationordocument.Donothesitatetoprovidecitations ofrelevantstatutes orregulations alongwith athoughtful,originaldiscussionofhowtheschoolintendstoimplementtherequirements ofthelaw,regulation,orprocess inawaywhichisfullyalignedwiththemission,vision,andprogram outlinedintheapplication.Indesigningtheir policies,processes,andprocedures,schoolsareencouragedtoconsiderthewho,what,where,when,andwhyforeach elementintheschool’s operatingsystem.

OverviewoftheSummer2016ApplicationandApplicationCycle

Thetablebelowdetails someofthedifferencesbetweeneligibleapplicanttypes andtracks:

TrackA:Start-UpApplicant / TrackB:Start-UpApplicant
Contracting withEMO / TrackC:Start-UpApplicant
IndependentlyReplicating aProvenSchoolModel / TrackD:ExperiencedNon-Profit
ApplicantWhichAlreadyGoverns HighAchievingCharterSchools
EligibleApplicant / CommitteetoForm / CommitteetoForm / CommitteetoForm / Non-ProfitCharterManagementOrganizationWhichDirectlyHoldsChartersinNVorOtherStatesorNevadaNon-ProfitAffiliateofSuchaCMO
MayApplicantContract
withEducationManagementOrganization(ForProfit/Non-Profit)? / No-NotPermitted forTrackA / Yes-RequiredforTrackB / No-NotPermitted forTrackC / Yes-Permitted But NotRequiredfor TrackD
SchoolType(s) / NewSchoolModelCreated byApplicant / NewSchoolModelorSuccessfulExistingSchoolModelDevelopedbyEMO / Replication:SuccessfulExisting SchoolModelWhichApplicantWantsto“Clone” inNewLocation / Successful SchoolModelDevelopedbyCMO

WiththeSummer2016charterapplicationcycle,theStatePublic CharterSchoolAuthorityhasadoptedamultipletrackapplicationformatwhichfeaturesquestions focusedonthe particularacademic,financial,organizational,andgovernanceopportunities andchallengesassociatedwithavarietyofcommonapplicantprofiles,includingthoseindividuals seekingtostartaschoolontheirown,thosegroupswhichhaveelectedtocontractwith aneducationmanagementorganization,andsuccessfulgoverningboards ofcharterschoolswhich areseekingtooverseenewschools in Nevada.

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Successfulapplicantsforeach trackwillsharemanyofthesamecharacteristics.

SuccessfulApplicants WillDemonstrate…

TrackA / TrackB / TrackC / TrackD
Governance / StrongFoundingTeamwithCapacitytoTransparently andAccountablyGovernMulti-MillionDollarPublicEntity / StrongFoundingTeamwithCapacitytoTransparently andAccountablyGovernMulti-MillionDollarPublicEntity / StrongFoundingTeamwithCapacitytoTransparently andAccountablyGovernMulti-MillionDollarPublicEntity / StrongGoverningTeamwithProvenTrackRecordofTransparentlyandAccountably Governing aMulti-MillionDollar PublicEntity
Leadership / SchoolLeaderwithExemplary TrackRecordofAcademicResultswithSimilarModel/Population / SchoolandNetworkLeaderswithExemplaryTrackRecordofAcademicand OperatingResultswithSimilarModel/Population / SchoolLeaderwithExemplary TrackRecordofAcademicResultswithSimilarModel/Population / SchoolandNetworkLeaderswithExemplaryTrackRecordofAcademicand OperatingResultswithSimilarModel/Population
StrongOperatingTeamwithTrackRecordofTransparently andAccountablyOperating aMulti-MillionDollarPublicEntity
AcademicAccountability / PromisingSchoolModelLikely toProduce4/5 StarResultswithTargetPopulation / ProvenSchoolModelWithTrackRecordofProducing4/5StarResultswithTargetPopulation / ProvenSchoolModelWithTrackRecordofProducing4/5StarResultswithTargetPopulation / ProvenSchoolModelWithTrackRecordofProducing4/5StarResultswithTargetPopulation
FiscalAccountability / Strong SchoolFinancialModelLikelytoResultinIncreasingAnnualFundBalances
StrongBusiness PlanWorthyof PublicInvestment / Strong SchoolFinancialModelWith TrackRecordofIncreasing AnnualFundBalances
TrackRecordofCleanAudits / Strong SchoolFinancialModelWith TrackRecordofIncreasing AnnualFundBalances
StrongBusiness PlanWorthyof PublicInvestment / Strong SchoolandNetworkFinancial ModelWithTrackRecordofIncreasingAnnualFundBalances
TrackRecordofCleanAudits
BusinessRelationships / TransparentandAppropriateClient/VendorRelationshipwithAnyIdentified ServiceProviders / TransparentandAppropriateClient/VendorRelationshipwithReputableEMOandotherIdentified ServiceProviders / TransparentandAppropriateClient/VendorRelationshipwithAnyIdentified ServiceProviders / TransparentandAppropriateClient/VendorRelationshipwithAnyIdentified ServiceProviders

Prospectiveapplicants whoareunsureofwhichapplicationtrackismostsuitablefortheirparticularproposalareencouragedtocontacttheStatePublicCharterSchoolAuthoritybyphone at775-687-9174or via email .

TheStatePublic CharterSchoolAuthorityviewsthegrantingofthecharterasaninvestmentofpublicdollars andthepublic trustintheservice of public schoolchildren.Theevaluationofeachapplicationandeachapplicantrevolves aroundthesameessentialquestion:will this schoolbeanacademic,organizational,financialsuccess? Theapplicationis evaluatedbasedonthestrength oftheplanineachofthosedomains,whileapplicants areevaluatedbasedontheircapacitytoexecutetheprogram they’veproposedbothbasedonthecoherence,thoroughness,andthoughtfulness ofeachelementoftheapplicationandonthedatagatheredduringboththecapacityinterviewprocess andbackgroundresearchandduediligenceonbothproposed members ofthe governingboard andproposedstaffmembers.

Developingahighqualitycharterschoolapplicationis achallengingandtime-consumingendeavorthatrequiresextensivecollaborationbyallmembers ofthecommitteetoform thecharterschool.Readingandmakingrecommendations oncharterapplications andapplicants isalso atime-consumingactivityforSPCSAboardmembers,staff,andtheexternalevaluatorswhom theAuthorityworkswithtoensureadiversityof perspectivesandexpertiseinthe reviewprocess.

It is importanttonote thatincontrasttootherstatewideindependentcharterschool boardauthorizerswithsimilarlysizedportfolios,theSPCSAcurrentlyhasverylimitedstaffapprovedtomanageschoolcommunications,thecharterapplicationprocess,theamendmentrequestprocess,thepre-openingprocess fornewcharterschoolsandnewcampuses,performancemanagementofexistingchartercontracts,ortheprocess forrenewingandclosingcharterschoolsbasedonperformanceissues.AllStatePublic CharterSchoolAuthorityemployees otherthantheDirectorareprimarilyfundedas eitherstateagencyfiscalsupportstafforas stafftotheagency’sdistrict-like localeducationagencyfunction.Consequently,schoolsarecautionedthattimelines forreviewandfeedbackmaybesubjectto changeormodification.

TheSPCSAplans toopenaWinterapplicationcycleinJanuary2017.Schoolsapprovedinthis cyclewouldbeabletoopennoearlierthanFall2018.Due totheshortamountoftimebetweencharterapprovalandopening,successfulapplicantsunderthis timelinelikelywill beexperiencedapplicantsandthosereplicatingaprovenmodelwithsignificantexternalsupport.Prospectiveapplicants whoareunabletosubmitanapplicationwhichmeetstheirownhighstandards duringthesummerroundarestronglyencouragedtobeginworkingonanapplicationWinter2017cyclesassoonas possible.Developingahighqualitycharterschoolis achallenging,butrewardingendeavor.Theapplicationprocessisrigorousbydesign.Manyofthenation’smostsuccessfulcharterschoolsexperiencedsetbacks andinitialdenials andhad togobackandsignificantlyrevisittheirinitialplans andassumptionsandexpandtheircapacityandlevelofcommitment.Whilethereare likelytobesomechangestothetimeline,process,andformatinfutureapplicationcyclesand eventheadditionofnewapplicationmodelsandcycles forspecificapplicanttypes andstrategicallyimportantprogramsasSPCSApolicyandcapacityevolves,theessentialquestions willremainthesame.

FortheSummer2016applicationcycle,allapplicantsarecurrentlycontemplatedtobe onthe samereviewtimeline:

NoticeofIntent / June1,2016
Full ApplicationSubmitted / July15,2016
InitialTechnicalReviewtoConfirmEligibilityand Completeness / July2016
Requests forClarification(atdiscretionofSPCSAstaff) / LateJuly2016
ReviewofApplications by Internaland ExternalReviewers / August--September2016
CapacityInterviews / Late-August/ Early September2016
ReviewerConferenceandGenerationof StaffRecommendations / Mid-September2016
SPCSABoardMeeting:PublicHearing: StaffRecommendation,ApplicantPresentation,BoardVote / October2016
DeniedApplicantsReceiveStaffFeedback / November2016
ApplicantsDetermineifTheyWillAmendand Resubmit forReconsideration;Notify SPCSAStaffWithin10 DaysofReceiptof StaffFeedback;andMakeChangestoApplication / December-January 2016/17
ResubmittedApplications Due / Mid-January2017
ReviewofApplications by Internaland ExternalReviewers / Mid-JanuaryEarly-February2017
ReviewerConferenceandGenerationof StaffRecommendations / EarlyFebruary2017
SPCSABoardMeeting:PublicHearing:StaffRecommendation,ApplicantPresentation,and Board Vote / February2017

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Section III:RequestforProposals

Application – SCHOOLSOPENING FALL 2017

The purpose ofthisRFPisto assessthe potential ofcharter applicantstoproducehigh-qualitystudent outcomes.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 Page Limit

Provide a brief overviewof your proposed school, including:

  • Anoverviewof themissionand visionfor the school
  • Proposed model and target community
  • Theoutcomesyouexpectto achieve
  • The keycomponents of your educational model
  • The values, approach, andleadership accomplishments of yourschool leaderor leadershipteam
  • Keysupporters, partners,or resourcesthat willcontribute to your school’ssuccess

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MEETING THENEED

TARGETEDPLAN

(1)Identifythe communityyouwishtoserve and describe yourinterest inservingthis specificcommunity.

(2)Explainhowyour model,and the commitment toserve thispopulation,includingthe gradelevelsyou have chosen, wouldmeet the district andcommunityneedsand alignwiththemissionof the SPCSA.

PARENTAND COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT

(1)Describe the role to dateof anyparents, neighborhood, and/or communitymembersinvolvedinthe development of theproposed school.

(2)Describe howyouwill engage parents, neighborhood, and communitymembersfromthe timethat the applicationis approved throughthe openingof the school. What specificstrategieswill be implemented to establishbuy-inand to learnparent prioritiesand concernsduringthetransitionprocessand post opening?

(3)Describe howyouwill engage parents inthelifeofthe school (inadditiontoanyproposedgovernance roles).Explain the planfor buildingfamily-school partnershipsthat strengthensupport for learningand encourage parental involvement.Describe anycommitments orvolunteer activitiestheschool will seekfrom, offerto, or require of parents.

(4)Discussthecommunityresourcesthat will be available to studentsand parents.Describe anystrategicpartnershipstheschool will have withcommunityorganizations, businesses, or othereducational institutionsthat are part of the school’score mission, vision, andprogramotherthandual-credit partnersdiscussed insubsequent sections.Specifythe nature, purposes,terms, and scope of services of anysuchpartnerships, includinganyfee-based or in-kindcommitmentsfromcommunityorganizations orindividualsthat will enrichstudent-learningopportunities.Include, asAttachment 1, existingevidence of support fromcommunitypartnerssuch asletters ofintent/commitment,memoranda ofunderstanding, and/orcontracts.

(5)Describe the group’stiesto and/or knowledge of the target community.What initiativesand/or strategies will youimplement to learnfromand engage the neighborhood, community,and broader city?

(6)Identifyanyorganizations, agencies, orconsultantsthat are partners inplanningandestablishingtheschool, alongwith a brief descriptionof their current and planned role andanyresourcestheyhave contributedor planto contribute to the school’sdevelopment. If thegroup is new toNevada, describe howyour previousworkhasprepared you to establishrelationshipsand supports inthisnewcommunity.

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ACADEMICPLAN

MISSION VISION

The missionof yourschoolshould describe thepurposeof yourschool,includingthe students andcommunityto be served and the values to whichyouwilladhere while achieving thatpurpose.Thevisionof yourschoolshould describe whatsuccesslooks like forstudents,forthe schoolas awhole,andforanyotherentities thatare critical to your mission.The missionand visionstatementshould alignwith the purposesoftheNevadacharterschool lawandthe missionofthe StatePublicCharterSchoolAuthorityand serves as the foundationforthe entireproposal.

(1)Provide the missionof your proposedschool and describe howthatmissionwill informyourschool’sdailyactivitiesand students’classroomexperience.

(2)Describe the visionfor your school, clearlyillustratingwhat successwill looklikein terms oflife outcomesfor studentsand the impactonthe local communityand/or larger society.

(a)Articulate clear guidingpurposesand prioritiesthat are meaningful,measurable,andattainable.

(3)Acharterschool must have as itsstated purposeatleast oneof the goalsset forth inNRS

386.520.Please identifythe statutorypurpose(s) of the school and how these alignto themissionand visionof the school.The sixstatutorypurposesare:

(a)Improvingthe academicachievement of pupils;

(b)Encouragingthe use ofeffectiveand innovativemethods of teaching;

(c)Providinganaccuratemeasurement of the educational achievement ofpupils;

(d)Establishingaccountabilityand transparencyof publicschools;

(e)Providingamethod for publicschoolstomeasureachievement based upontheperformance of the schools;and

(f)Creatingnewprofessionalopportunities for teachers.

TRANSFORMATIONALCHANGE

The SPCSA is committed toauthorizing applicants thatseektransformationalchange forthecommunities theyserve,meaning that theoperator:

  • Puts forth a modelthatwillresult indouble-digitacademic gains,and
  • Hasasolid plantomove schools toward the top25%inNevada.Schoolprogressis evaluatedbased onthe SPCSA’s CharterSchoolPerformance Framework(CSPF) and the NevadaSchoolPerformance Framework(NSPF) adopted bytheNevada Department of Education.

(1)Articulate yourapproachto education.Describe the most essential featuresof yourschool thatensureitwillmeet theSPCSA’sambitiousacademicgoals. Specificallydescribe howyourstudents,manyof whomwill not beproficient initially, will experience and practice academicrigor duringthe first yearand subsequent years inwhichyourschool isprogressingtoward the SPCSA’sacademicgoals.

(2)Describe the fundamentalfeatures of your educational model that will driveoutcomesinyourproposed school.Keyfeaturesmayinclude:

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  • Programs(e.g.,curriculum, PD, afterschool program, parent program, etc.)
  • Principles(e.g., no excuses, individualized learning,learnat your ownpace, etc.)
  • Structures(e.g., blended learning, small learningcommunities, smallclasssizes, etc.)

(3)Describe themechanismsbywhich the fundamentalfeaturesyoudescribed in(2) willdramaticallyinfluence student success.Please provide evidencefromyour ownexperienceand/or valid research.

(4)How will you drive growthamongstudents atall achievement levels, acceleratingtheachievement of those whoare most behind?

(5)Provide, asAttachment 18, academicperformancedata for the school modelbeingreplicatedbythe applicant and contact informationfor eachcampusand charterschoolauthorizerintheappropriate tabsof thespreadsheet.

CURRICULUM INSTRUCTIONALDESIGN

The frameworkproposed forinstructionaldesignmustbothreflect the needsofthe anticipatedpopulationand ensure allstudents willmeetorexceed the expectations of the NevadaAcademicContentStandards.

(1)Describe the proposed academicprogramand howit complieswiththe requirements ofNRS

386.550 and NRS389.018.

(2)Describe the instructionalstrategiesthat you willimplement tosupport theeducationplanand whytheyare wellsuited for the anticipated student population.Outline the data,methods, and systemsteacherswill use to providedifferentiated instructionto all students.Please note that SPCSAschoolstypicallystart withstudentsperformingacross a broadspectrumfromyearsbelowgrade level to advancedlearners. Include theprofessionaldevelopment teacherswill receive to ensure highlevels ofimplementation.

(3)Describe the school’sapproachto helpremediate students’academicunderperformance.Detail the identificationstrategy, interventions, andremediationto be implemented.Cite theresearch/rationale for thechosenmethods.Whatstudent academicsupport resourcesshouldyour school expectfromthe EMO orCMO (if applicable)? Howwill you measure thesuccess ofyour academicremediationefforts(inyear 1, year 3, year 5, and beyond? Howwill youcommunicate the need forremediationto parents?Howwill staffingbe structured to ensurethat giftedstudentsare adequatelysupported?

(4)Describe howyouwill identifythe needs of all students.Identifythe research-based programs,strategiesandsupportsyouwill utilize to provide abroad continuum ofservices, ensurestudents’accessto the general educationcurriculum inthe least restrictive environment,andfulfill NV’srequired Response to Interventionmodel.

(5)Explainhowthe school will identifyand differentiate to meet the needs ofintellectuallygiftedstudents ina waythat extendstheir learningand offersthemunique, tailoredopportunities.Please note thatNevada lawclassifiesintellectuallygifted studentsaseligiblefor specificsupportservices. How will staffingbe structured to ensure that gifted studentsare adequatelysupported?

(6)Describe the enrichment opportunitiesthat will beavailable to studentsperformingatorabove grade level aspartof theschool’scomprehensivestrategyto ensure that all pupilsaremakingaccelerated academicprogress.

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(7)Explainhowstudents willmatriculate throughthe school (i.e., promotion/retentionpolicies)and howstakeholderswill be informed of these standards.

PROGRAMS OFDISTANCE EDUCATION(DistanceEducation ApplicantsOnly)

A charterschoolthatwishes to provide distance education(online,virtual,cyber,etc.) courses and/orprograms (NRS388.820-388.874and NAC388.800-388.860) mustsubmit adistance educationapplicationto theNevada Department of Educationpriorto orinconjunctionwith its applicationtothe SPCSA.Forapplicants who donotpropose tooffer aprogramof distance education,pleaseprovide abrief statementexplaining thatthe questions inthis sectionare notapplicable.

(1)Describe the system ofcoursecreditsthat theschool will use.

(2)Describe howthe schoolwill monitor and verifythe participationinandcompletionof coursesbypupils.

(3)Describe howthe schoolwill ensure studentsparticipate inassessmentsandsubmitcoursework.

(4)Describe howthe schoolwill conduct parent-teacher conferences.

(5)Describe howthe schoolwill administer all tests, examinations orassessmentsrequired bystate orfederallawor integral to the performance goals of the charterschool ina proctoredsetting.

PRE-KINDERGARTENPROGRAMS

A charterschoolthatwishes to provide pre-kindergartenservices to students whowilllaterenroll in itsK-12programs mustapplyseparatelyto the Nevada Department of Educationtooffereducationbelowthekindergartenlevelfollowing charterapproval.Approval to offerpre-kindergartencannot beguaranteed.Consequently,revenues and expenditures related to pre-kindergartenshould not beincluded inthe initialcharterapplicationbudget. Please note thatstate-funded pre-kindergartenprograms arenotdirected throughthe state Distributive Schools AccountforK-12education.Inadditionto alimited amount of state pre-kindergarten funding available through theDepartment ofEducation,the SPCSA is also asub-recipient ofafederalgrant to expand earlychildhood services incertainhigh-need communities throughprogramsapprovedbyNDE.Applicants are encouraged toreview resources availableat.Forapplicantswho donotpropose tooffer pre-kindergarten,please provide abrief statementexplaining thatthequestions inthis sectionare notapplicable.

(1)Identifywhether the school plansto offer pre-kindergarteninthe first yearofoperationor anysubsequent year of thecharter term.

(2)Identifywhether the school will offer fee-based pre-kindergartenservices.Ifthe school doesplanto offer fee-based pre-kindergarten, explainhowthe school willensurethatparentswillbe informed bothinitiallyand onanongoingbasisthat bothstate and federallawpreclude a K-12 charter school fromgivingadmissionspreference to studentsto whom ithas previouslycharged tuition.

(3)Describe the school’splans for ensuringthat the pre-kindergartenprogramalignswiththemission, vision, and program of the school’sother gradesandmeets allotherstaterequirements.

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(4)Explainhowthe school’sproposed pre-kindergartenprogrammaymeet the federal pre-kindergartenexpansion grant criteria.

HIGHSCHOOLGRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS AND POSTSECONDARYREADINESS(High

SchoolApplicantsOnly)

High schools approvedbythe SPCSA will be expected to meet orexceedNevadagraduationrequirements.Forapplicants who donotproposetooperate ahighschoolprogram during the initialcharterterm,please provide abrief statementexplaining that the questions inthis sectionare notapplicable.

(a)Explainhowthe school will meetstate requirements.Describe howstudentswill earncredit hours,how grade-point averages will becalculated, what informationwill be ontranscripts, and what elective courseswill be offered.If graduationrequirements for theschool will exceed those required bythe State of Nevada, explainthe additionalrequirements.

(b)Explainhowthe graduationrequirementswill ensure student readinessfor collegeorother postsecondaryopportunities(e.g.,tradeschool, militaryservice, or enteringtheworkforce).

(c)Explainwhatsystemsandstructurestheschool willimplement for studentsatriskfordroppingout and/or not meetingthe proposed graduationrequirements,includingplansto addressstudentswhoare overage for grade, those needingto accesscreditrecoveryoptions, and those performingsignificantlybelowgrade level.

DRIVINGFOR RESULTS

The SPCSA willevaluate the performance of everycharterschoolannually,and forrenewal,replication,and replacement(restart orreconstitution) purposes according to aset of academic,financial,and organizationalperformance standards thatwill be incorporatedinto thecharteragreementand measuredbythe SPCSA CharterSchoolPerformance Framework,the NevadaSchoolPerformance Frameworkadopted bythe Nevada Department of Education,and applicable law andregulation.The academic performance standards considerstatus,growth,and comparativeperformance based onfederal,state,and school-specific measures. The financialperformancestandards are based onstandard accounting and industrystandards forsound financialoperation.The organizationalperformance standards are based primarilyoncompliance withlegalobligationsand state law and regulationand SPCSA policies,including fulfillmentofthegoverning board’sfiduciaryobligations related to sound governance.

Applicants are expected topropose additionalmission-specific goalsto complement orsupplement,butnotreplace,the SPCSA’s performance standardswith school-specific,mission-drivenacademic,financial,ororganizationalgoals.Allsuchindicators, measures,and metrics are expected to berigorous,valid,and reliable.

(1)Describethemission-specificacademicgoalsand targetsthat the school willhave.State goalsclearlyinterms of the measures or assessmentsyou planto use and describethe processbywhichyou will determineand set targets.

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(2)Inthe table below,outlinethe clearlymeasurable annual performance and growthgoalsthatthe school willsetin order to meet or exceed SPCSAexpectationsfor the Charter SchoolPerformance Frameworkindicatorsand tomeetstate expectationsfor student academicgrowth inaccordance withthe Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) adopted bytheNevada Department of Education. Youmayadd or delete rows as needed.Also:

(a)Describe your presumedbaseline and explainhowit wasset.

(b)Articulate howthe organizationwill measure and evaluate academicprogress – ofindividualstudents,student cohorts,sub-groups, campuses(for invitedmulti-siteapplicants),and the entire school – throughout theschool year, at the endof the academicyear, and for the first three yearsof operation.

Goal / Evaluation Tooland Frequency / Baseline / 2017-18 / 2018-19 / 2019-20

(3)Inadditionto mandatorystate testing, identifythe primaryinterimacademicassessmentstheschool will use to assessstudent-learningneedsand ensure progresstowardsSPCSA and stateproficiencytargetsand describe howtheywill be used.

(a)Howwill yousupport teachers indevelopingembedded assessmentsand checksforunderstandinginorder toensure that instructionmeetsstudent needs?

(b)Explainhowyou will knowthat your proposed interimassessmentsare validand reliableindicators of progress.Explainhowthese interimassessmentsalignwiththe school’scurriculum, performance goals for the school and the SPCSA, and state standards.