The SCSC Approves New State Charters
& One Replication Charter
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The SCSC Board of Commissioners approved charters for three state charter schools to open in Fall 2023. The Anchor School and Sankofa Montessori were approved at the SCSC's July board meeting. Utopian Academy for the Arts was approved at the August board meeting to replicate with their second state charter and fourth Georgia charter school, overall. Each of these schools proposes a unique educational approach to serve students and their communities. Congratulations to The Anchor School, Sankofa Montessori and Utopian Academy for the Arts! | |
The Anchor School, Sankofa Montessori | |
Utopian Academy for the Arts | |
SCSC Updates & Announcements | |
FY23 Operational Performance Monitoring | |
The FY23 Operational Performance Monitoring Cycle is underway. See below for updates. | |
- The deadline for submitting documentation for the Policy, Procedures, and Practice review was 11:59 pm on September 7, 2022. If your school did not meet the submission deadline, please contact the SCSC Legal Programs Coordinator at [email protected] immediately. The Policy, Procedure, and Practice review is a compliance “snapshot.” The SCSC will not consider amended or supplemental information provided after the submission deadline.
| - School health and safety visits will conclude on September 14, 2022.
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- As a reminder, SCSC monitoring results may be available to schools before the end of the calendar year. If a school believes that the SCSC made an error in issuing its monitoring results, the school must file a dispute through the SCSC Administrative Portal within fourteen days of receiving the results. Procedures for filing a dispute will be included in the monitoring results document. Disputes received after the applicable timeframe or those not transmitted through the SCSC Administrative Portal will not be reviewed.
- Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and evidence of remediation are due six (6) weeks after monitoring results are issued. Please plan accordingly.
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The SCSC held its August board meeting on August 31, 2022. At the August meeting, Executive Director Lauren Holcomb introduced the SCSC's Fall 2022 Intern, Molly Gassman, and bid a warm farewell to Noah Hawkins, who completed his Spring and Summer 2022 internships with the commission. Kristen Easterbrook, Director of Charter Development, presented the SCSC's FY23 training calendar.
Additionally, Katie Manthey, Director of Research and Accountability presented academic accountability updates, including a review of how the CCRPI is broken down and a proposal for how scores will be calculated moving forward. Ms. Manthey also shared the SCSC's evaluation of the Leader Advisor Program, which assists new school leaders and those experiencing challenges in the areas of operational efficiency and student achievement.
Concluding the meeting, commissioners voted on two petition recommendations. Erin Wright, Associate General Counsel, first announced the SCSC staff's recommendation for the replication petition for Utopian Academy of the Arts be approved for a five-year charter term. Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation. Then commissioners voted to move the tabled July recommendation to the floor and voted to approve the staff's recommendation that the petition for Virtual Preparatory Academy of Georgia be denied.
The next SCSC monthly board meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2022, at 10 AM. Click below for the 2022 SCSC board meeting calendar.
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Academic Accountability Update | |
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In the absence of CCRPI Progress and overall scores for the 2021-2022 school year, the SCSC staff are proposing alternate measures by which state charter schools can demonstrate academic performance.
SCSC staff presented proposed alternate academic measures to Commissioners at the August 31, 2022, board meeting. The proposal is open to public comment and feedback until 5 PM Friday September 30, 2022. Please provide written feedback to Katie Manthey, SCSC Director of Research and Evaluation, [email protected] or Scott Riley, SCSC Research Analyst, [email protected]
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SCSC Training Opportunities & Events
The SCSC offers various training opportunities throughout the year. See below for the most up-to-date information about SCSC-offered training.
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Petitioner Bootcamp
Sept 21
The Petitioner Boot Camp prepares potential petitioners for the SCSC charter petition process.
Registration Link
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Petitioner Webinar Series
Nov 2, 9 & 15
The SCSC will offer a series of webinars following the Petitioner Bootcamp to assist applicants in the petition development process.
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New Schools Orientation
Jan 18 & Mar 22, 2023
This training equips newly approved state charter schools with the tools and resources that they need for a strong start in their first year.
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Book Wagon Visits Schools
The State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia (SCSF) brought their Book Wagon to celebrate the start of the school year to Atlanta SMART Academy, Liberty Tech, Amana Academy West, the International Charter Academy of Georgia, and Ivy Preparatory Academy. More than 600 elementary school students selected a book from the variety of high-quality, high-interest books provided. The SCSF's Book Wagon is a part of the organization's efforts to encourage reading and literacy. Books were provided through the generosity of the SCSF's donors and a grant from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). To learn more about the SCSF or to make a donation, visit the SCSF's website.
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FY23 Reporting Calendar & Upcoming Deadlines | |
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has released the FY23 Reporting Deadlines calendar. Please note that most deadlines are established by 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 upcoming data collection cycles.
- Sept 7: Student Record - Data Cleanse
- Oct 4: Student Class
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Funding & Engagement Programs | |
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Communications Commission announced that 20 of the nation's internet providers have committed to lowering costs for low-income households, a step that will essentially provide free high-speed internet for those participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP lowers internet costs for eligible families by up to $30 a month through grant funding. For Georgia residents to get their share of the funding, families need to sign up for themselves.
Communicating about this program to eligible families is the largest barrier to implementing this program. The ExcelinEd team has developed resources to share to help students whose families may qualify for this free- and reduced-priced internet service.
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GaLEADS Teacher Evaluation Pilot
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is launching a pilot for a new teacher evaluation system that emphasizes teacher growth and elevates the educational profession. The pilot will feature a comprehensive system that informs effective instructional practices, promotes personalized professional development, and offers teacher leadership pathways.
The Georgia Leadership and Educator Acceleration & Development System (GaLEADS) allows teachers to improve their craft, share strengths, and be recognized for contributions to the profession, instead of a punitive tool that limits measures of teacher effectiveness to high-stakes tests.
GaDOE is recruiting LEAs from across the state to ensure a sampling that reflects differences in geography and system size. The GaLEADS Teacher Evaluation Pilot Application is now open. Click the link for more information and the application.
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Employee Assistance Program
for all Public-School Teachers & Staff
Georgia’s Public Education Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a partnership between Kepro and GaDOE, and will be provided at no cost to districts, schools, or employees. This program is designed to support the mental health and wellness of teachers and staff and will allow access to mental health counseling, financial and legal resources, work/life referral services, and more.
Services are available starting today, and teachers and staff will receive additional access information directly from GaDOE or their district or school. The EAP is free, confidential, and supportive – neither the state nor local districts or schools will have access to information shared in counseling or consulting sessions.
A toolkit of resources to assist as you communicate with your staff is linked here.
GaDOE will be hosting 1-hour Q&A sessions with Kepro, and Georgia Teacher of the Year Michael Kobito on September 12th and 13th. To learn more about resources available through the EAP, register through the link below.
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Georgia Center for School Safety Website | On July 18, 2022, the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency announced the launch of a new website, the Georgia Center for School Safety (GCSS). The website will allow Georgia schools, district staff, community partners, and the public to access school safety training, resources, and guidelines. In-person and online trainings include active shooter response, bus safety, de-escalation, emergency operations planning, school safety assessments, and severe weather. | GA School Safety 2022 Regional Symposium Series | |
Chief Tony Pustizzi, one of the key speakers at this year’s Georgia School Safety and Homeland Security Conference, is coming back to Georgia with his presentation, “The Parkland Massacre Through a Police Chief’s Eyes”, at five regional locations (see attached flyer). This 2022 Regional Symposium Series is hosted by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). All classes are free, but attendees must register utilizing the links below.
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Chatham County – September 6th – Beach High School Auditorium – Register at bit.ly/22chatham
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Gwinnett County – September 9th – Buford High School – Register at bit.ly/22gwinnett
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Polk County – September 12th – Cedartown High School Fine Arts Building – Register at bit.ly/22polk
Classes will be 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. If you have questions, please contact GEMA/HS by email at:
[email protected].
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CDC's updated COVID-19 Operational Guidance | |
The CDC has released their updated Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning. This update is part of the CDC’s efforts to simplify and streamline existing guidance. The main updates include:
- Removing prior recommendations for cohorting, quarantine, and Test to Stay procedures.
- Limiting recommendations for screening testing to certain high-risk situations when the COVID-19 Community Level is high or in response to an outbreak.
These updates are intended to make it easier for schools to assess their risk and take necessary actions to protect students and staff.
| FY2023 Juvenile Prevention & Intervention Grants Program | |
FY2023 Juvenile Prevention and Intervention (JPI) Grant Program will be used for violence reduction and to increase support for the mental health needs of at-risk youth or involved with the justice system. Applicants are limited to school districts, local county commissions, and city governments. Priority consideration will be given to applications who propose to work with schools.
FY2023 JPI Grants Program Request for Proposals
If you have questions about the grant, please contact Stephanie Mikkelsen at CJCC by phone at 404.275.6511 or by email at: [email protected]
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Funding & Professional Development Opportunities | |
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GCSA Financial Management Certification Program
Register now! for GCSA’s Financial Management Certification Program. Their fall cohort kicks off on Monday, September 12. This year’s program is offered virtually, and each course is split into two, four-hour sessions in the same week. GCSA will offer any courses that you miss during our spring semester.
This training is specifically designed to build the expertise and knowledge of charter school leaders and board members who oversee school financial operations. However, registration is open to all interested charter school employees. GCSA’s rigorous program is tailored to address the unique financial issues facing charter schools.
**Scholarships are available for state charter school participants.**
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Drop-In Q&A Session
Drop-In sessions provide an opportunity for new and veteran Federal Programs and Finance Directors to collaboratively discuss the successes and challenges of implementing Consolidation of Funds. GaDOE staff will provide program updates. There is no set agenda, and the meeting is not recorded.
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GaDOE Accountability
Lunch & Learn
GaDOE Accountability Lunch and Learn webinars are held the third Wednesday of each month through November from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Register for the upcoming session by clicking the links below. SCSC accountability points of contact should be sure to tune in for important information related to accountability data reporting and CCRPI.
Please note, the GaDOE Accountability Specialist assigned to your school may have changed. Please review the Accountability Specialist List for the most current information.
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Academy of New
Federal Program Leaders
New Federal Programs leaders are encouraged to attend this year-long series of monthly informational sessions designed to support new leaders in navigating program requirements, guidance, and deadlines. Each session is designed to offer four timely topics. Participants can join the sessions most relevant to their work.
For registration and session topic, click below.
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The SCSC is seeking candidates for the following
positions to join our growing team!
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Follow the SCSC for real-time news and updates. | |
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 © 2022 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | | |
