The Learning Collective works with charter schools, including those in need of turnaround, to successfully renew their charters. In fact, all charter schools with which we’ve worked to prepare for renewal have successfully achieved renewal.
The Learning Collective occupies a unique niche – our clients include charter schools AND charter school authorizers. Our authorizer clients have included Central Michigan University, Charter Schools Institute of the State University of New York, Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Innovation and Incubation, Education Achievement Authority of Michigan, Indiana Charter School Board, Inglewood Unified School District, Jefferson Parrish Public School System, Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, Nevada Public Charter School Authority, New Jersey Department of Education, New Orleans Public Schools, New York State Education Department, Oakland Unified School District, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission and Washington State Charter School Commission. In fact, we’ve presented at the last three annual conferences of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.
Because we know authorizers, we know what charter schools need to do to renew their charters. Based on more than twenty years of experience, here’s a five-year process we recommend charter schools carry out to achieve renewal and for which we can assist in Years 1-5. See a more detailed list of services we provide here.
Year 1: SOLIDIFY THE FOUNDATION
- Assess Your Vision and Mission: Revisit the school’s vision and mission to ensure they remain relevant and are being effectively enabled. If you have yet to do so, board members and staff map out a 3-5 year plan to support the school’s vision and mission and achieve renewal.
- Strengthen Data Collection Systems: Improve and/or implement systems for comprehensive data collection on student performance, school culture, faculty effectiveness and operational efficiency.
- Expand Community Engagement: Strengthening connections with parents, students, and the wider community. A first step to doing so could be to do a self-review of school culture, similar to what we at The Learning Collective have done in Chicago.
Year 2: IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS
- Invest in PD: Invest in faculty through targeted professional development opportunities that align with your school’s goals.
- Address Your Culture: Take data-informed and substantive steps to support and/or shift school culture and meet students’ and staff members’ social and emotional needs.
- Assess Curricula: Evaluate the efficacy of your current curricula and, if necessary, carry out a curriculum adoption process.
- Enhance Operations: Streamline operations for better resource allocation and efficiency.
Year 3: DEEPEN IMPACT
- Monitor and Evaluate: Implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the effectiveness of programs, and changes made, in Years 1-2. Early in the school year, conduct a multi-day school quality review by a third-party, using a rubric based on your authorizer’s performance frameworks and benchmarks, to help identify your school’s current strengths and areas for improvement.
- Plan Further Improvements: Develop a clear plan for any additional changes to support students and staff and to achieve renewal.
Year 4: PREPARE THE APPLICATION AND PREPARE FOR THE RENEWAL VISIT
- Draft the Application: Conduct a thorough review of achievements, challenges and areas for improvement. Gather input from all school stakeholders. Ensure the draft application accurately reflects the school’s progress and plans.
- Conduct a Mock Renewal Visit: Utilize a third-party to, near the end of the school year, conduct a mock renewal visit that, again, is based on your authorizer’s performance frameworks and benchmarks.
- Plan for a Successful Renewal Visit: Based on findings from the mock renewal visit, plan for and execute improvements to make during the summer preceeding, and early part of, the school’s fifth year.
Year 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL VISIT
- Submit: Submit the completed application, accompanied by evidence of achievements and community support.
- Hold Mock Interviews: Have a third-party host mock renewal interviews and/or focus groups with your school team based on your authorizer’s renewal evaluation criteria.
- Reflect: While awaiting the decision, reflect on your journey and plans for the future, regardless of the outcome.
We’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how we can help your school achieve successful renewal!