Post on 23-Jul-2020
STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORITY
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2013
Steve Canavero Ph.D., Director Kathleen Conaboy, Chair 1
Historical Context
The Case of Minnesota – Pioneer in School Choice Mid-1980s – first-in-the-nation statewide school choice 1991 – Nation’s first law enabling formation of charter
schools
2G 2
History
US Public Education - 350+yr tradition Charter Concept - 22 yrs and evolving
Charters 2.0: Focus on Performance (Academic) Two systems converging? Ends may be more clearly defined but not means (core
autonomy)
3G 3
The Charter School
Charter Schools Semi-autonomous public schools Budget, Curriculum/Instruction, Personnel Student health and safety
Accountable for results Compliance vs Performance
Must have a sponsor – “Charter” between two parties – school’s board and sponsor
Charter - expires, requires action (renewal) to perpetuate Each Charter School is governed by its own Board Emerging Trend - Clear shift to focus on the role of the
sponsor
4G 4
National Landscape
1991 – Minnesota 1997 - Nevada 2012 (November)
Washington – allow for the formation of charter schools Georgia – Re-established independent chartering
board
957 sponsors in 42 states and D.C. oversee 5,613 schools (5.8%) serving >2million students (4.2%).
5G 5
State Public Charter School Authority
Nevada Law
6G 6
Charter Authority: Statutory Base
Created by SB 212 in 2011 Session: It’s Alive! Transfer SBE Authority and Schools Purpose (NRS 386.509) Authorize high-quality charter schools; Provide oversight, ensure schools maintain high standards,
preserve autonomy, and protect public interests; and Serve as a model of best practices.
October 2011 office established January 2012 Seven Member Board Seated New Agency - 305
7G 7
Charter Authority: Statutory Base
SPSCA may employ staff as it deems necessary (NRS 386.5125) 9 FTE (MA I – in recruitment)
Deemed a Local Education Agency (NRS 386.5135) FY13 Title I - $971,800 Title IIa - $238,537 Title III - $5,200 (migrant)
Fee based revenue: Up to 2% of money apportioned to SPCSA schools (NRS 386.570)
8G 8
Nevada Charter School Law
Ranking by NAPCS 2011 NV improved #23 to #20 2012 NV #20 to #22
Improvement due to: Creation of statewide authorizer; Strengthened authorizer accountability; Improved authorizer funding provisions; and Enhanced oversight and monitoring requirement.
Areas for improvement: Increasing operational autonomy; Equitable operational funding; and Access to capital funding and facilities.
9G 9
Principles and Standards Published by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA)
Quality Authorizing: The Practice
10G 10
Model Practices
Two competitive NACSA grants Evaluation Grant Implementation Grant Application Decision Making (completed) Academic/Organizational/Financial Frameworks Performance-Based Charter Contract
Grant supported development of strategic plan NGA grant – Promising practices in ICBs NGA grant proposal – Clarifying LEA status
11G 11
SPCSA Activities
Priorities and Performance Budget Activities (Modeled after NACSA P&S for Quality) Quality Charter School Authorizing
Agency Commitment and Capacity Comprehensive Application Process Performance Contracting Contract Oversight Merit Based Renewal/Non-renewal
Technical Assistance and Support Applicants, Operators, Governing Body Federal/State Categorical Programs
12G 12
Further Improvements 2013
Assembly Bill 205 Performance based charter contracts Revisions to lottery method
Potential bill addressing charter school access to low cost capital for facilities Senator Hammond
Potential clean-up bill Clarify the role of the Nevada Department of Education Sponsor or sponsors Remove sponsor activities from NDE responsibility
13G 13
SPCSA: By the Numbers
14G 14
Schools
Alpine Academy – Washoe County
Beacon Academy – Clark County (Statewide Distance Education)
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas – Clark County
Elko Institute for Academic Achievement – Elko County
Discovery Charter School – Clark County
The Honors Academy of Literature – Washoe County
Imagine School at Mountain View – Clark County
Nevada Connections Academy – Washoe County (Statewide Distance Education)
Nevada State High School – Clark County
Nevada Virtual Academy – Clark County (Statewide Distance Education)
Oasis Academy – Churchill County
Pinecrest Academy – Clark County
Quest Academy – Clark County
Silver Sands Montessori Charter School – Clark County
Somerset Academy of Las Vegas – Clark County
Silver State Charter Schools – Carson City (Statewide Distance Education)
15G 15
Authority Board
Chair – Kathleen Conaboy (Governor Sandoval) Vice Chair – Elissa Wahl (Governor Sandoval) Member – Robert McCord (Horsford) Member – Nora Luna (Horsford) Member – Michael Van (CSAN) Member – Marc Abelman (Oceguera) Member – Melissa Mackedon (Oceguera)
16G 16
0
5
10
15
20
25
FY 05 FY 06 FY 07 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14
FY 05 to FY 13 Number of Active Charter Schools by Fiscal Year Estimated FY14
Authority SponsoredCarson City SponsoredChurchill County SponsoredClark County SponsoredDouglas County SponsoredWashoe County Sponsored
17G 17
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
NDE/Authority Charter School Student Population by School Years
13,805
18G 18
Considerations
Shifting from compliance to performance. Relational to contractual.
Are quality and quantity inversely proportional? What can be learned from Denver, Chicago,
Louisiana, and Missouri where charters outperform? Essential practices are just that…essential
Nearly 100% require annual, independent, financial audits
Only 42% use expert panels that include external members to review new applications
19G 19