Volume I, Issue 1 September 18, 2002 Welcome to the first issue of Board Briefs, a publication of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS). The purpose of this brief is to provide accurate, timely information to the charter community, the legislature, and to the general public on the current news and activities of this Board and the charter schools we sponsor. We hope that you will provide us with feedback and information that may be applicable for dissemination in this bulletin. Since this issue coincides with the beginning of the school year we felt it would be appropriate to provide you with updated statistics on the charter school landscape. Sponsor ASBCS State Board Districts (9) Total Charter Schools 244 63 25 332 Charter Sites 332 84 45 461 Estimated Student Count 47,000 14,000 3,500 64,500 % of student count by sponsor 73% 22% 5% 100% August Summary New Charter School Application and Transfer Application– In collaboration with individuals from the charter community, the Board adopted new applications for 2003-2004. Both are available on our website at www.asbcs.state.az.us. Fingerprint Clearance Card –The Legislature, in special session this summer, approved Senate Bill 1008, which requires all persons engaged in instructional work directly as a classroom, laboratory or other teacher or indirectly as a supervisory teacher, speech therapist or principal shall have a valid class one or class two fingerprint clearance card. Guidance regarding the changes was sent via email to all schools sponsored by this Board. It is also available on our website at www.asbcs.state.az.us. September Summary AZ LEARNS – The ASBCS and members of the charter community have had the opportunity to hear presentations and be included in workgroups pertaining to the new student accountability system. School labels will be public information on October 15. MAP and AIMS scores are used to determine elementary labels. AIMS scores and graduation and drop out rates are components of the high school formula. For a detailed description of AZ LEARNS, a PowerPoint presentation is available under School Resources at www.asbcs.state.az.us. The State Board of Education will meet September 23, 2002 to adopt the new student accountability system. School Stuff – We’d like to include the good things that are happening at your school in Board Briefs. Please share with us some “good news” and we will try to include it in future issues. Arizona State Board for Charter Schools 4105 North 20th Street, Suite 280 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 ● Tel: (602) 468-6369 ● Fax: (602) 468-1682 E-mail: charter_school_board@pop.state.az.us ● Web: www.asbcs.state.az.us Volume I, Issue 2 October 21, 2002 October Board Meeting Summary Alternative School Status Update – Of the 146 applications submitted for Alternative School Status, 58 were submitted for individual charter school sites sponsored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. Kristen Jordison, Executive Director of this Board, will be one of three members of a review committee whose recommendations will be forwarded to the State Board of Education for a decision on October 28, 2002. Additional Accrediting Entity for Charter Schools – The Board voted unanimously to recognize and endorse the American Academy of Liberal Education (AALE) accreditation process as another accreditation option for Arizona charter schools. This accrediting process requires schools to show documented gain in student learning and financial and administrative strength, while allowing schools to make their own decisions regarding teacher certification. AALE is currently reviewing three Arizona charter schools and is anticipating the accreditation of the top 10-20% of charter schools in Arizona. Other accrediting options for charter schools include the Association for Performance Based Accreditation (APBA) and North Central Accreditation (NCA). Intel Volunteer Program is Benefiting Charter Schools – Nineteen Arizona charter schools received a combined total of $26,400 from Intel for unrestricted use through the Intel Volunteer Matching Grant Program. For every 20 hours employees volunteer, the Intel Foundation will match those hours with $200. For additional information on this program visit www.intel.com/education or email Eugenia Echols at eugenia.r.echols@intel.com. Good Things are Happening Phoenix School of Academic Excellence was recently awarded $24,750 after applying for a capacity building grant. The school became eligible to apply after a special education on-site monitoring found them “in compliance” in all five monitored areas. ~ James Madison Preparatory School was recently notified by Exceptional Student Services of their eligibility to apply for this grant based on the “in compliance” ratings received after its on-site monitoring. Presidio High School was the only Arizona school to be awarded a grant from the Grant to Reduce Alcohol Abuse Program. The three-year $164,587 award includes components that specifically address the aspects of drinking that are tied to cultural heritage and outreach prevention programs. Tempe Preparatory Academy was one of only two schools in the state to meet the EXCELLING criteria of the Arizona LEARNS Achievement Profiles. Accolades to these schools for their accomplishments! Board Briefs is a publication of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. The purpose of this brief is to provide accurate, timely information to the charter community, the legislature, and to the general public on the current news and activities of this Board and the charter schools we sponsor. Arizona State Board for Charter Schools 4105 North 20th Street, Suite 280 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 ● Tel: (602) 468-6369 ● Fax: (602) 468-1682 E-mail: charter_school_board@pop.state.az.us ● Web: www.asbcs.state.az.us Volume I, Issue 3 December 13, 2002 December Board Meeting Summary New Charter Schools Approved – Eight new charters were approved to begin operation for the 2003-2004 school year. Schools were approved for both Northern and Southern Arizona and in the Phoenix metropolitan area. New schools include: Arizona Academy of Excellence Belle Affeld Beloved Humanities Academy Pantano Middle School Pueblo High School Academic and Personal Excellence Charter High School Montezuma Middle School Portales High School Veritas Preparatory Academy These were the first of the new applications to be approved. The deadline for submission of applications for consideration to open for the 2003-2004 school year is December 13, 2002. Mid-year Charter Transfers – Upon the approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, two charter schools were considered for and granted mid-year transfers. Both Ann Clare Learning Academy, Inc. and Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. will be signing contracts transferring their sponsorship to this Board. SIG Grant Presentation – Dr. Lynn Busenbark of the Exceptional Student Services Division of the Department of Education provided the Board with information on the newly awarded Arizona State Improvement Grant and the program benefits for charter schools resulting from the implementation of this grant. New Charter Board Staff – Michele Diamond was introduced to the Board as the newest member of the staff. Michele brings 8 years of finance and performance auditing experience and will be a great asset to the team. I hope you join us in welcoming her. Good Things are Happening Destiny Community School’s 2nd and 3rd graders orchestrated their own food drive and collected 1,245 cans among a population of 96 students. “The students have become very responsible workers and great business associates,” says Debbie Wainwright of her Peoria School District second graders who participated in the Mini-Mall Day sponsored by EduPreneurship. EduPreneurship used money from a PCSP dissemination grant to fund the training and implementation of this program that teaches elementary students economics via a token money system. Program participants included 3 charter schools and 1 traditional school and involved over 300 students and 50+ adults. New School for the Arts had an inaugural opening showcasing their new facility at 1216 E Apache Blvd., in Tempe. We congratulate this school in working with the city of Tempe in the redevelopment of Apache Blvd. Accolades to these schools for their accomplishments! Board Briefs is a publication of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. The purpose of this brief is to provide accurate, timely information to the charter community, the legislature, and to the general public on the current news and activities of this Board and the charter schools we sponsor. Arizona State Board for Charter Schools 4105 North 20th Street, Suite 280 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 ● Tel: (602) 468-6369 ● Fax: (602) 468-1682 E-mail: charter_school_board@pop.state.az.us ● Web: www.asbcs.state.az.us