Nea Community Learning Center

K-12 Public Charter School Proposal

Nea Community Learning Center

Our Goals with the Nea Community Learning Center

Replicate the successful ACLC educational Model for more families

Fulfill the original ACLC vision for a K-12 school

Fully Implement the Alameda Community’s Vision for Public Education

Nea Community Learning Center

Responsible Kids become Responsible Citizens

Learners take responsibility for their:• Learning: Time & Project Management

• Democratic Community: Serve on all Committees, Judicial, etc.

Adults model self governance in a democratic community• Parents: On Board, finance, other committees

• Facilitators: Run the school and share administrative duties

Nea Community Learning Center

Introduction - Core Action Team

Maafi Gueye –NCLC Lead Facilitator Paul Bentz – CLCS / CEO /

Development Director Lowry Fenton – CLCS / CFO Elementary Action Team

• Linda McCluskey

• James Venable

• Betsy Weiss

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NCLC Consultants

Peter Laub – VP EdTec (NCLC Budget)

Carrie Blanche – ACLC’s Resource Specialist for AUSD Special Education Services

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Introduction of Charter Petitioners

All Charter Petition Signers Present

Please Stand

Nea Community Learning Center

Introduction of CLCS / ACLC Governing Board

All CLCS / ACLC

Governing Board Members Present

Please Stand

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Introduction of NCLC Supporters

All NCLC Supporters

Please Stand

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Criteria for the Evaluation of a New Charter Petition

Ensure the charter petition does not fail on these criteria:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational

program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school. (2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully

implement the program set forth in the petition. (3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures

required by subdivision (a). (4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of

the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive

descriptions of all of the following:            Ed. Code § 47605(b).

Nea Community Learning Center

The NCLC Charter Presents a Sound Educational Program

The NCLC seeks to replicate the highly successful ACLC Educational Model• Alameda County’s first and only charter school

to receive the “California Distinguished School Award”

• U.S. News and World Report’s Bronze Award – Top 8% of high schools in the nation

• API Rating of 10 for five years in a row

• Recipient of prestigious state Dissemination Grant to replicate model programs

Nea Community Learning Center

What State Superintendent Jack O’Connell Says… “Schools like (ACLC) with a good track

record should be replicated.”

Nea Community Learning Center

ACLC has, and NCLC will work to close the achievement gap

Ethnic Group Achievement Differentials

-40.0%

-20.0%

0.0%

20.0%

% P

oin

ts v

s. o

vera

ll a

vera

ge

ACLC Math

Alameda Math

ACLC ELA

Alameda ELA

ACLC Math 1.0% 0.6% -4.3%

Alameda Math 15.0% -25.5% -24.2%

ACLC ELA 7.2% -1.1% -3.3%

Alameda ELA 9.5% -26.9% -21.0%

Asia/Pac.Isl./ African Hispanic

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NCLC Core Action Team brings a track record of successful implementation at K-12 schools.

Core Action team Includes: Maafi Gueye – 22 years of science/math teaching

experience, 6 years of experience in the ACLC educational model, current ACLC Assistant Lead Facilitator

Paul Bentz – ACLC Founding Facilitator, 12 Years of experience in the successful ACLC educational model, 21 years of experience as a 6-12 science facilitator, 7 years of experience operating a charter school in a sound financial manner, ACLC charter school startup experience

Lowry Fenton – Has been around ACLC for 12 years as a parent, Community Board Member for 5 years, current CLCS / CFO for 3 years

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K-5 Team Experience is also Substantial

Linda McCluskey James Venable Betsy Weiss

Nea Community Learning Center

Linda McCluskey AUSD Teacher of the Year – 1997 AUSD Team Diversity Member Media Center Teacher, Science Teacher (K-8) Paden

School – 4 years Special Day Class Teacher – (3-5) Miller School – 4

years Teacher/Director (Pre K-3) Sara Project Day School –

12 years Credentials: Elementary Education, Special

Education, Mathematics, Administrative Leadership (K-12)

Nea Community Learning Center

James Venable

Title 1 Coordinator / Literacy Coach – Washington School, BTSA Support Provider

30 years experience teaching in grades K-5 Reading and Writing Expert – Started NCTE

Reading Initiative at Washington School, Consultant to schools on Louisville Writing Project

Credentials: Master of Arts in Teaching, Clear Multi-subject, Cross Cultural Language and Academic Development Certification

Nea Community Learning Center

Betsy Weiss 20 years of Elementary Teaching Experience – (K-5)

including 10 years of K-1 Multiage Grouping AUSD Mentor Teacher – 4 years

• Math, Science, Best Practices, and Development Education

Title 1 Reading Teacher/Literacy Coach – 5 years Owner/Director/Teacher – Secret Garden Preschool – 5

years Credentials: MS Environmental Education, Elementary

Credential

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Petition has Required Signatures

The petition exceeds the staff signature count requirement by 200%. All are highly qualified credentialed teachers with vast educational experience.

Nea Community Learning Center

Petition Contains Required Statements

The petition does contain affirmations for each of the conditions.

The NCLC will be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.

Nea Community Learning Center

NCLC Community Outreach

NCLC will market the school to all members of the community• In an effort to reach out to all parts of the community

and achieve an ethnic balance representative of AUSD, NCLC has requested from AUSD mailing labels for all K-12 families so that it can market to all of them in multiple languages.

NCLC will admit its learners by a random lottery system described in the charter

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NCLC Will Serve All Learners

NCLC will serve all learners regardless of disability or special education needs (13% of ACLC’s current learner population receive services)

NCLC will not dis-enroll learners except under extreme conditions – expellable offences described under state law (ACLC charter school has only dis-enrolled 4 learners in its 8 year history)

Nea Community Learning Center

A Description of the Educational ProgramB Measurable Learner OutcomesC Method of Measuring Learner OutcomesD Governance StructureE Employment QualificationsF Procedures to Ensure the Health and Safety of Pupils and StaffG Method of Achieving Racial and Ethnic BalanceH Admission RequirementsI Annual, Independent Financial AuditsJ Disciplinary Procedures including Suspension and ExpulsionK Manner of Retirement Coverage for StaffL Public School Alternatives for Pupils Who Do Not Choose the Charter SchoolM Rights of Return for Charter EmployeesN Dispute Resolution ProceduresO Education Employment Relations ActP School Closure Procedures

Petition addresses Ed. Code § 47605(b).

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…Ed. Code § 47605(b). continued

The petition has 160 pages of detailed descriptions to meet this requirement.

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In Conclusion

We are all here tonight for the same reasons:• Provide quality education for all students

• Provide parent/student choice within the public school system

• Student Success - Whatever It Takes!

Thank you. We are available to answer any questions from the Board as well.

Nea Community Learning Center

Together We Can Make a Difference

Nea Community Learning Center

Nea Community Learning Center Vote Yes on January 8th!