Request for petitions for

Academic objectives, plans, and waivers

2. 
   What are your school’s performance objectives for the proposed charter term?
   

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  As background for your answer to this question, please see the CCRPI and Beating the Odds goals (Attachments A and B) and review the PowerPoint found on the Charter Schools Division’s website. These goals will be included in your charter contract.
  
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  In your answer to this question, you will list the specific areas you will target to achieve your CCRPI and Beating the Odds goals.
  
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  For example, you may choose to target Math or ELA to raise your overall CCRPI score – because your current Math or ELA scores are dragging your CCRPI score down.
  
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  As a way to be competitive on Beating the Odds, you may also choose to focus on closing the gap in your school between educationally advantaged and educationally disadvantaged students – or you may choose to ensure gifted students are well-served, since average-performing gifted students will lower your Beating the Odds ranking compared to schools and districts with high-performing gifted students.
  
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  Indicate the expected rate of student performance growth in each year of the proposed charter term.
  

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  You are encouraged to include all or some of the components of the current draft of the Georgia Department of Education’s College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI).
  
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  You are urged to include cohort measures that show the progress over time of a single cohort of students.
  
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  You are also urged to include national norm-referenced test results among your performance measures.
  
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  Be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based (SMART).
  

3. 
   How will the charter school governing board, management, instructional leadership, faculty and staff know that students are on track to meet these academic goals?
   
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     What assessments will the school administer to obtain performance data for each student?
     
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     Describe how the school will obtain baseline achievement data.
     
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     Describe how the school will benchmark student growth.
     
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     Explain how the charter school will work with the local school system to participate in all state-mandated assessments.
     
4. 
   What specific actions will the school’s management, instructional leadership, faculty and staff take to ensure student performance objectives are met during the proposed charter term?
   

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  Describe the focus of the curriculum.
  
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  Describe the educational innovations that will be implemented.
  
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    See APS Addendum for follow-up questions.
    
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  Provide a clear explanation of how the innovations will increase student achievement.
  
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  Describe why the innovations are appropriate for this unique school.
  
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  Describe the anticipated teacher-to-student ratios and the rationale for maintaining these ratios.
  
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  If this is a charter high school, describe how the charter high school will determine that a student has satisfied the requirements for high school graduation, including the credits or units to be earned and the completion credentials to be awarded.
  

5. 
   What are the school’s plans for educating special populations? (Reciting the requirements of law and rule is not sufficient)
   
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     See APS Addendum for follow-up questions.
     
6. 
   Describe how the charter school will meet the needs of students identified as gifted and talented.
   
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     Describe how the charter school will provide state and federally mandated services for students with disabilities.
     

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  Describe how the charter school will provide state and federally mandated services for English Language Learners (ESOL).
  
1. 
   Which of the specific actions in the academic plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines?
   

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  Although you will be granted a broad flexibility waiver if you are granted a charter, please demonstrate why a charter is necessary for this school by providing examples of significant components of your academic plan for which you need a waiver. Please also identify the specific waivers that are required to allow the implementation of those components.
  

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  In addition to describing what is innovative or distinctive about the proposed instructional, please describe the methods and supporting materials that will be used to provide high quality instruction and educational programs.
  
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  Explain how your innovative program is research-based and standards-driven. What research supports your belief that this approach will work with your anticipated student population.
  
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  Discuss how your school will address the needs of those students who do not perform at grade level in the proposed school. What actions will the school take to help students make the kinds of progress that will enable them to achieve at grade level or higher? What long-range interventions will be established to address the needs of these students?
  
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  Describe your school’s instructional technology plan, ensuring that all students and teachers are prepared to use technology as a tool for learning.
  
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  The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Department of Special Education has developed guidelines for charter schools outlining specific responsibilities for charter schools and Atlanta Public Schools. What is your plan for compliance with these guidelines?
  
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  Describe the policies and procedures that will ensure adherence to federal Child Find Procedures.
  
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  Explain how the school’s innovative curriculum and approach to instruction will be designed or adapted to serve children with special needs. How and when will parents be involved in the aforementioned processes?
  
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  Pursuant to federal and state special education regulations (including LRE and FAPE), describe how the charter school will provide the continuum of special education services to eligible students.
  
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  Describe the job duties and responsibilities of the employee who will oversee your school’s special education program.
  
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  Describe how your school will coordinate its special education program with Atlanta Public Schools in order to ensure compliance with all aspects of IDEA.
  

Charter Schools are mandated by Georgia statute to participate in the administration of state assessments. Materials for these assessments are provided by the state. The Charter School, as part of the local education agency, will administer all state assessments during the APS system-testing window. Charter Schools, at their expense, may implement additional assessments.

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  Describe the school’s plan to obtain student performance data for each student, including how the baseline standard of achievement shall be determined in order to meet the goals and objectives stated in the petition. Describe what baseline data will be submitted to APS no later than November 15 of the school’s first year.
  
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  Describe plans to formally and informally assess student performance in the core academic areas and other areas of interest to stakeholders. Describe how the charter school’s assessment plan will measure improvement and over what period of time.
  
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  Provide a statement detailing how the charter school shall comply with the accountability provisions of O.C.G.A. §20-14-30 through §20-14-41 and federal accountability requirements. Describe how the charter school will work with Atlanta Public Schools to participate in all state-mandated assessments.
  
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  If students will participate in charter-initiated assessment programs, describe the assessments, when testing will occur, how data will be collected and managed, and how data will be used to drive instruction and improve student outcomes.
  
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  For charter schools containing high school grades, describe the method for determining that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation required by the State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.47.
  

The school agrees to have its academic, financial and organizational performance measured using the APS Performance Framework metrics. Decisions regarding renewal, probation and closing will be based upon the school’s results, as defined by the framework.

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  Describe the charter school’s core values and the type of unique culture the school aims to develop. Explain the strategies the school will employ to develop a positive culture that is supportive of students, faculty, and families.
  
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  Summarize the school’s discipline policy, code of conduct and appeals process for the general student population and students with special needs. Please describe how you will provide due process for students facing expulsion and how you will prepare expelled students for placement after expulsion.
  
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  Describe your school’s bullying policy; according to the Georgia Department of Education’s Bullying Law O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4. What will you do, specifically, to convey the “No-Tolerance” policy to parents, students and school staff? Please describe, step-by-step, the actions that will be taken should a student, parent or staff member suspect that bullying has occurred?
  
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  Describe provisions for providing students with counseling services and health services. Please describe how your school will keep and manage student health records.
  
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  Describe the rules and procedures concerning how the school will address grievances and complaints from students, parents, and teachers, including the role of how the governing board will play in resolving such grievances and complaints.
  

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  Provide a list of organizations that have committed to partnering with your school and explain the potential nature of the partnerships. Include letters of support from your partners All partnerships listed in the petition must have letters of support. Describe the steps you have taken to develop any strategic partnerships and your plans to further develop additional partnerships. Explain how the partnerships will be utilized, before, during or after school. Describe how the partnership will benefit the students, parents/family and/or staff. If the partner will be involved during the school day, explain how the partner’s program will be integrated into the school program. (these should be included in the Appendix).
  
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  Describe how parents, members of the community and other interested parties will be involved in the school after approval, including governing board involvement.