SCSC Recognized as Exemplary Charter School Authorizer for Second Consecutive Year | |
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For the second year in a row, the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) has been recognized as an exemplary charter school authorizer, according to a recent evaluation conducted by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA).
“The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia is a quality authorizer, with a strong culture of commitment, leadership, and judgment," said the NACSA evaluators. "The Commission was rated Exemplary. With strengths in a significant number of basic standards. A majority of the growth areas identified relate to the advanced criteria, which signals an existing authorizing approach that is strong and thorough.”
NACSA’s evaluation was conducted in alignment with the Georgia Principles and Standards for Charter School Authorizing, which are informed by national best practices and aligned with state law. These standards promote accountability and guide authorizers, including local boards of education, the State Board of Education, and the SCSC, in implementing high-quality authorizing practices.
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State Charter Schools Commission Updates & Announcements | |
School Year 2024-25 CPF & Renewal Criteria Updates | |
The SCSC Board approved the staff's recommendations to update the academic section of the Comprehensive Performance Framework (CPF) at the September Board Meeting. These updates aim to enhance transparency and provide Georgia families with clearer insights into the performance of state charter schools. Additionally, the Board approved updates to the charter renewal criteria to ensure schools continue to meet rigorous standards.
Click the links below to learn more.
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FY25 Monitoring
The SCSC administrative portal is open for FY25 Operations and Fiscal monitoring submissions. Schools received an update regarding the submission deadline today, September 30, 2024. Schools can expect to receive initial monitoring results in January 2025. Learn more below.
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FY25 Start-Up and Replication Petition Cycles | |
The SCSC Board approved the staff's recommendations to initiate the FY25 Start-Up and Replication petition cycles at the September board meeting.
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FY25 Start-Up Petition
The FY25 Start-Up Application Portal opens on November 1, 2024, and will close on March 14, 2025. Changes to the petition include adding a Letter of Intent requirement for the start-up cycle, updating the FY25 petition priorities to add a grade band consideration, adding additional questions to the ESP Addendum to evaluate an established operator’s capacity to scale, and clarifying petitioner orientation requirements.
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FY25 Charter Replication
The SCSC has adjusted the replication timeline to be the same as the SCSC’s start-up application timeline to better align with local district denial requirements for petitions with a defined attendance zone. Schools that are eligible to replicate must submit a Letter of Intent by December 31, 2024, and a Replication Petition by March 14, 2025.
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Did You Know?
Reporting Season Continues
FTE & CPI CYCLE ONE
FTE and Certified Personnel Index (CPI) reporting begins October 1. As schools know accurate FTE and CPI reporting is crucial to optimizing the funding state charters receive through the Quality Based Education (QBE) school funding formula and Charter School Supplement.
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Official Count Date - Tuesday, October 1, 2024
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Initial Transmission Deadline - Tuesday, October 8, 2024
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Duplicate Resolution - Tuesday, October 15, 2024
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FTE signoff - Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Deadline for Superintendent’s sign-off
Visit the Georgia Department of Education’s Full Time Equivalent (FTE) page for more information.
SUBMITTING TO CVIOG IS NOW EASIER
The SCSC met with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG), which is responsible for the site on which schools post their budgets and audits. CVIOG has added all our schools to its system, which will make it easier for schools to upload required documents. Annually, the SCSC will update them on new state charters, so the CVIOG information will be kept current. To submit documents to CVIOG, set up a user account by visiting the CVIOG Portal login page.
FY24 AUDITS DUE TO THE SCSC
By now all schools have selected an auditor using the SCSC’s Approved Auditor Program to audit their financials from FY 2024 (2023-2024 school year). Audits are due to the SCSC on November 1, 2024. Last year all schools except for one submitted on time.
Let’s make it 100% this year!
COMPLETION REPORTS
Grant Completion Reports are due 30 days after the grant award period ends. Since many federal grant awards for federal FY 2024 end on September 30, the completion reports will be due to the GADOE on October 30. Visit the Georgia Department of Education’s Financial Review page for information including submission dates for other reports that may apply to state charter schools.
The SCSC is here to support schools. If you have any questions regarding reporting requirements, please contact Carmen Freemire, Finance Senior Director, at carmen.freemire@scsc.georgia.gov.
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Georgia Department of Education Updates & Announcements | |
Professional Learning & Development Opportunity | |
GCSA Financial Training Courses Offered This Fall
Expand your financial knowledge and skills by ENROLLING TODAY in GCSA's Financial Management Courses! Our courses are tailored to address the unique financial issues facing charter schools. GCSA’s Financial Management Certification Program is offered virtually, consisting of six courses, each divided into two sessions of four hours within the same week. Registration is open to all interested charter school employees and their board members. Attendees can register for individual courses or the entire program.
Scholarships are available for state charter school participants. Learn More.
- Policy Development, Implementation & Evaluation: Monday, Sept. 30 & Wednesday, Oct. 2
- Procurement, Payroll & Compensation: Monday, Oct. 21 & Wednesday, Oct. 23
- Internal Controls & Effective Financial Oversight: Monday, Nov. 18 & Wednesday, Nov. 20
- Audit Preparation & Best Practices: Tuesday, Dec. 3 & Wednesday, Dec. 4
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Georgia RESAs & GaDOE Updates
Every other Wednesday, 9 a.m.
Next Sessions: Oct 4, Oct 16, Oct 30
Info & Schedule
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FY25 Academy of New
Federal Programs Leaders
Monthly, Next Session:
Oct 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Info & Registration
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Federal Programs Timely Talks
Monthly, Next Session: Oct 22, 10-11 a.m.
Info & Registration
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EIP and REP Technical Assistance Chats
Monthly, Next Session: Oct 9, 12-1 p.m.
Info & Registration
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2024 GaDOE Accountability Updates
3rd Wednesday of the month
Next Session: Oct 16, 12-1 p.m.
Info & Registration
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FY25 Mckinney-Vento Updates
Next Session: Oct 17, 10-11 a.m.
Info & Registration
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Improving Outcomes for
Federally Identified Schools
Monthly, Next Session: Oct 23, 10-11 a.m.
Info & Registration
| | A private professional networking space to engage with other educators across the state. | | GA Learns houses more than 100 courses. New courses are added monthly, covering various topics that support professional growth and classroom instruction. | | The one-stop-shop site for Georgia educators to access educational resources, GA Standards of Excellence, data dashboards, professional learning and applications. | |
Funding & Engagement Programs | |
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GaDOE Competitive Grants
Periodically, funding is available for GaDOE to award to districts and schools in the form of competitive grants, solidifying this commitment to Georgia's students. In an effort to streamline communication and create a consistent application process, all competitive grant opportunities can now be accessed below.
GaDOE Grant Opportunities
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School-Based Health Center Planning Grant, Round 2.1
The School-Based Health Center Planning Grant, Round 2.1 is intended to support a six-month planning process to explore the establishment of a school-based health center within CSI, TSI, ATSI, Tier IV schools, and all rural districts. This grant funds a six-month planning process, up to $10,000, between Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and their schools, a medical sponsor, and the community. The total amount available to each school that follows through with the planning and startup of a new school-based health center is $1 million. LEAs may apply on behalf of an eligible school in their district.
Applications Due:
Oct 15, 5 p.m.
Grant Info
Application
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Teacher Grants for Innovation
Are you a teacher with an innovative project designed to improve learning outcomes and make a measurable impact on your students' lives? Through the Georgia Teachers Initiative, the Georgia Foundation for Public Education is awarding between $500 and $2,500 in Teacher Grants for Innovation to Georgia public school teachers to help bring your creative ideas to life. This grant will remain open, and applications are received on a rolling basis.
Applications for each monthly round are due on the 15th of each month. Winners are announced on the 15th of the following month.
Grant Info & Application
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The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, nonrenew, or terminate state charter school contracts in accordance with Georgia law. | |
Copyright © 2024 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | |
