Majority of State Charter Schools Outperform on 2020-2021 Comprehensive Performance Framework
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The SCSC published the 2020-21 Comprehensive Performance Framework (CPF) results after presenting the results to the SCSC board of commissioners at a called SCSC board meeting on April 11. The CPF performance standards align with the core components of strong charter schools and reflect the SCSC organizational mission to provide students with better educational opportunities than they would otherwise receive in traditional district schools. Each area of the framework answers a question through a series of indicators.
- Academic Performance: Is the school offering students a better educational opportunity than they would otherwise receive in the traditional district school?
- Financial Performance: Is the school financially viable?
- Operational Performance: Is the school as an organization effective, compliant and well-managed by the governing board?
2020-21 Performance Highlights
A majority of state charter schools met performance standards in all sections (academics, finances and operations) of the CPF in the 2020-21 school year. Additionally, the percentage of state charter schools meeting academic and financial performance standards increased from prior years.
- 87% (33 of 38) of state charter schools met academic performance standards in 2020-21, up from 76% in 2018-19. (Due to the COVID pandemic no academic data were available for the 2019-20 school year.)
- 92% of state charter schools met financial performance standards in 2020-21, up from 79% in 2019-20.
- 79% of state charter schools met operational performance standards in 2020-21, which is down from 97% in 2019-20.
The full CPF results presentation can be found here.
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SCSC Meetings
The SCSC held a called board meeting on April 11th, 2022. At this meeting, Director of Research and Evaluation Katie Manthey, Chief Operations Officer Morgan Felts and General Counsel Cerrone Lockett presented the 2020-2021 state charter school performance results to the SCSC board.
The next SCSC monthly board meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2022, at 10 AM. A list of upcoming meetings for 2022 can be found on th e meetings page of the SCSC website.
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Governance Training Requirements
The SCSC has completed all of its Governance Training opportunities for FY22.
Eligible governing board members who have not yet received Governance Training through the SCSC for FY22 will need to arrange to receive training through an approved alternate provider by June 30, 2022.
Information on how to complete training through an alternate provider can be found here.
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Three State Charter Schools Named 2022 Advanced Placement Honor Schools
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In March, State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods named 239 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools from 88 LEAs for 2022. Georgia Cyber Academy was named an AP Access & Support and AP Expansion school, Academy for Classical Education was named an AP Expansion and AP Stem school, and Georgia Connections Academy was named an AP Expansion school.
2022 AP Honor Schools are named in eight categories based on the results of 2021 AP courses and exams. Categories and descriptions that state charter schools were named are below. Click here for the full announcement.
Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
AP schools with 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2020 to May 2021 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2020.
Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses. (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles)
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Academy for Classical Education Senior Named 2022 Georgia Scholar
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Congratulations to Academy for Classical Education senior Ann Elizabeth Howard for being recognized as a 2022 Georgia Scholar! Georgia Scholars are students who carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school and performed excellently in all courses.
A total of 216 graduating seniors from across Georgia have been recognized as 2022 Georgia Scholars, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced today. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for their diploma. For more information and full program criteria click here.
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Art of Connection Virtual Gallery
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State Charter Schools Foundation Board Members
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The SCSF will have two board member openings on July 1st. The SCSF is looking for the following types of board members who support charter schools:
- individuals who are in a position to help spread the word about state charter schools to a broad audience
- individuals who have the ability to help grow the SCSF's base of financial support
- individuals of the business/corporate community who value innovative public education
- individuals from rural communities
- individuals from urban communities and/or experience working with low-income and minority families
- preference given to persons of color who represent the diverse makeup of our schools
Board members may not be current state charter school employees, governing board members, or contractors. The SCSF looks forward to the input of school representatives in upcoming stakeholder meetings!
Please email mneely@scsfga.org for more information and a referral to the Governance Committee.
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Shining Star Teacher Nominations Now Open
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Every year, the SCSF recognizes exceptional educators at Georgia's state charter schools through the Shining Star Teacher program. Families, students, coworkers, and members of the community may submit nominations for teachers who they believe have gone over and beyond this school year. Selected teachers will be featured on our website and social media accounts, and they will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and certificate. Nominations are now open! Please tell us about your exceptional state charter school educator today. Sponsorship opportunities for Shining Star Teachers are available. Sponsors will be recognized on the SCSF website and social media accounts and may have the opportunity to help celebrate with our honored teachers. Read about last year's Shining Stars and keep up with news on the program on the SCSF website.
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GaDOE Office of Whole Child Support Updates
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SAVE THE DATE: 2022 Georgia School Safety & Homeland Security Conference
Make plans to join the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency and the Georgia Department of Education Office of Whole Child Supports on June 21-23, 2022 for the 2022 Georgia School Safety & Homeland Security Conference. The conference will be held at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center and will feature sessions on a wide range of topics including cyber security and HB 156 Reporting, threat assessment training, social media threats and updates to the school safety plan template. Visit www.GASchoolSafety.com for registration and special hotel rates. Please contact Christopher Allen at Christopher.allen@gema.ga.gov if you have any questions.
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FY22 Reporting Calendar & Upcoming
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The State Charter Schools Commission’s (SCSC) FY22 Reporting Deadlines calendar is available on the SCSC website here. Please note that most deadlines are established by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and are subject to change. The SCSC makes every attempt to maintain all dates as accurately as possible. However, all schools are encouraged to stay up to date on any changes to the timeline made by GaDOE. Any failure by a state charter school to meet deadlines established and enforced by the SCSC and GaDOE will be reflected in the school’s assessment through the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework. Please see below for important data collections deadlines coming up.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
- Student Class Collections, Start Date, Cycle June
Sunday, May 15, 2022
- Special Education - Postsecondary Outcomes (FY 20-21 Exiters)
- Special Education - FY21 CEIS Student Events Data Upload
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
- Student Class Collections, Initial Transmission Deadline, Cycle June
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Funding & Professional Development Opportunities
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Resources from Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN)
As state charters begin designing, planning and implementing summer/afterschool learning opportunities, the SCSC wants to bring awareness to the resources from the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN):
Summer Planning Toolkit -- This guide is designed to support local education leaders in jump-starting their summer planning. In this guide, you will find key elements of high-quality summer programs, quality improvement supports, youth recruitment and retention strategies, insight into funding streams for summer learning, and a collection of planning and implementation tools and resources.
Summer Planning Webinars -- GSAN, in partnership with the National Summer Learning Association, is hosting a series of webinars to demonstrate how to utilize and optimize the toolkit in your summer planning:
Introduction to the GSAN Summer Planning Toolkit:
Funding Streams for Summer Learning
Apr 20, 2022 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Outreach for Strong Attendance:
Youth Recruitment and Retention
Apr 26, 2022 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Best Practices in Out-of-School Time:
Moving from Theory to Action
May 3, 2022 2:00 – 3:30 pm
FY22 Project AWARE Applications
The Georgia Department of Education Office of Teaching and Learning is currently accepting applications for the FY 2022 Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) State Educational Agency Grant. The Georgia Department of Education will partner with three (3) Local Education Agencies to promote the healthy development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence.
“The purpose of Project AWARE is to develop a sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services. It is expected that the recipients will build a collaborative partnership that includes the State Education Agency (SEA), the Local Education Agency (LEA), the State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), community-based providers of behavioral health care services, school personnel, community organizations, families, and school-aged youth. Based on a public health model, this partnership will implement mental health-related promotion, awareness, prevention, intervention, and resilience activities to ensure that students have access and are connected to appropriate and effective behavioral health services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration expects that this program will promote the healthy development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence in school settings.”
The grant will provide up to $1,800,000 per year for up to five (5) years to each SEA awarded the grant. Georgia was awarded the FY 2014 and FY 2020 grants. Interested LEAs should carefully review a) the Project AWARE SEA website, b) the Project AWARE Funding Opportunity Announcement for details, and c) complete the LEA application by COB on April 1, 2022. LEAs will be notified by April 8, 2022, if their district has been accepted as part of the SEA application. The SEA application is due by May 2, 2022.
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Free Yearlong Science of Reading Course on the Cox Campus
COX Campus has launched their latest free course in their K-3 Science of Reading series! This is part one of their K-3 Yearlong Learning Journey, a series focused on the practical application of the Science of Reading. A great resource and training course for educators and parents!
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GCSA 2022 Incubator
The GCSA Incubator is now accepting applications for their 2022 program beginning July 2022. This program is designed to support independent, self-motivated educators and business leaders with the knowledge and expertise to lead a charter school as an administrator. Successful charter school administrators are those who:
• Demonstrate the ability to inspire team members and motivate supporters;
• Evidence a visionary approach to finding new solutions;
• Build teamwork and culture that reinforces accountability;
• Commit to serving all students with a specific dedication to those most in need;
• Efficiently coordinate and manages multiple complex projects simultaneously; and
• Foster community and stakeholder support for responsive collaboration.
Applicants can either apply as individual candidates or a team with an identified lead (teams will be given strong preference) to create a charter school. Incubator candidates who begin the program with a team serving as a founding governing board have the strongest track record of success.
Learn more about GCSA Incubator programs here and apply for the 2022 program support here.
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"Title I, Part A" Support & Guidance for Charters
"Metro Meets" for Metro Charters
Facilitated by Title I Education Program Specialists, these are timely, relevant information regarding requirements and deadlines. Facilitators point to support documentation on the website and link to specific guides. The meetings are not recorded, and ample time is allowed for Charter networking and Q&A. For the charters who have been participating, the Q&A section has been very helpful.
Register for upcoming sessions:
"Title I, Part A Budgeting Basics"
This self-paced course is available in the Georgia Learns PD Platform, accessed by LEAs through SLDS. All Title I coordinators with less than 3 years of experience are encouraged to complete the course and receive a badge. All experienced Title I coordinators are encouraged to access the course as a reference to resources and screencasts that cover all aspects of the budgeting process including:
- processes of stakeholder input, collaboration and planning that should occur before the Title I, Part A budget is entered in the Consolidated Application
- how to determine Title I eligible schools and how to allocate funds to eligible schools
- understanding flexibilities available for leveraging federal funds to best meet prioritized needs
- general federal spending provisions, budgeting options and itemization
- understanding the logistics and requirements for completing and submitting the Title I, Part A budget in the Consolidated Application
- and much more.
Please take advantage of this new resource, highly encouraged for Charters.
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GaDOE Professional Learning Events
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April 19, 4:30-5:30 pm: Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices
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April 21, 10-11 am: GaDOE McKinney-Vento Evaluation Process
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April 22, 9:30-10:30 am: Supporting Staff and Student Wellness
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April 22, 10-10:30 am: Equitable Services Drop-In Session
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April 22, 9-9:30 am: Title 1, Part A Pooling Meeting - Cohort 2
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April 22, 11-11:30 am: Consolidation of Funds Drop-In Q&A Session
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May 6, 10-10:30 am: Equitable Services Drop-In Session
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May 6, 11-11:30 am: Consolidation of Funds Drop-In Q&A Session
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May 19, 10-11 am: GaDOE McKinney-Vento Evaluation Process
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State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia
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For real-time updates and announcements:
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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.
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Copyright © 2022 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved.
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