STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORITY

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2013

Steve Canavero Ph.D., Director Kathleen Conaboy, Chair 1

Historical Context

The Case of Minnesota – Pioneer in School Choice Mid-1980s – first-in-the-nation statewide school choice 1991 – Nation’s first law enabling formation of charter

schools

2G 2

History

US Public Education - 350+yr tradition Charter Concept - 22 yrs and evolving

Charters 2.0: Focus on Performance (Academic) Two systems converging? Ends may be more clearly defined but not means (core

autonomy)

3G 3

The Charter School

Charter Schools Semi-autonomous public schools Budget, Curriculum/Instruction, Personnel Student health and safety

Accountable for results Compliance vs Performance

Must have a sponsor – “Charter” between two parties – school’s board and sponsor

Charter - expires, requires action (renewal) to perpetuate Each Charter School is governed by its own Board Emerging Trend - Clear shift to focus on the role of the

sponsor

4G 4

National Landscape

1991 – Minnesota 1997 - Nevada 2012 (November)

Washington – allow for the formation of charter schools Georgia – Re-established independent chartering

board

957 sponsors in 42 states and D.C. oversee 5,613 schools (5.8%) serving >2million students (4.2%).

5G 5

State Public Charter School Authority

Nevada Law

6G 6

Charter Authority: Statutory Base

Created by SB 212 in 2011 Session: It’s Alive! Transfer SBE Authority and Schools Purpose (NRS 386.509) Authorize high-quality charter schools; Provide oversight, ensure schools maintain high standards,

preserve autonomy, and protect public interests; and Serve as a model of best practices.

October 2011 office established January 2012 Seven Member Board Seated New Agency - 305

7G 7

Charter Authority: Statutory Base

SPSCA may employ staff as it deems necessary (NRS 386.5125) 9 FTE (MA I – in recruitment)

Deemed a Local Education Agency (NRS 386.5135) FY13 Title I - $971,800 Title IIa - $238,537 Title III - $5,200 (migrant)

Fee based revenue: Up to 2% of money apportioned to SPCSA schools (NRS 386.570)

8G 8

Nevada Charter School Law

Ranking by NAPCS 2011 NV improved #23 to #20 2012 NV #20 to #22

Improvement due to: Creation of statewide authorizer; Strengthened authorizer accountability; Improved authorizer funding provisions; and Enhanced oversight and monitoring requirement.

Areas for improvement: Increasing operational autonomy; Equitable operational funding; and Access to capital funding and facilities.

9G 9

Principles and Standards Published by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA)

Quality Authorizing: The Practice

10G 10

Model Practices

Two competitive NACSA grants Evaluation Grant Implementation Grant Application Decision Making (completed) Academic/Organizational/Financial Frameworks Performance-Based Charter Contract

Grant supported development of strategic plan NGA grant – Promising practices in ICBs NGA grant proposal – Clarifying LEA status

11G 11

SPCSA Activities

Priorities and Performance Budget Activities (Modeled after NACSA P&S for Quality) Quality Charter School Authorizing

Agency Commitment and Capacity Comprehensive Application Process Performance Contracting Contract Oversight Merit Based Renewal/Non-renewal

Technical Assistance and Support Applicants, Operators, Governing Body Federal/State Categorical Programs

12G 12

Further Improvements 2013

Assembly Bill 205 Performance based charter contracts Revisions to lottery method

Potential bill addressing charter school access to low cost capital for facilities Senator Hammond

Potential clean-up bill Clarify the role of the Nevada Department of Education Sponsor or sponsors Remove sponsor activities from NDE responsibility

13G 13

SPCSA: By the Numbers

14G 14

Schools

Alpine Academy – Washoe County

Beacon Academy – Clark County (Statewide Distance Education)

Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas – Clark County

Elko Institute for Academic Achievement – Elko County

Discovery Charter School – Clark County

The Honors Academy of Literature – Washoe County

Imagine School at Mountain View – Clark County

Nevada Connections Academy – Washoe County (Statewide Distance Education)

Nevada State High School – Clark County

Nevada Virtual Academy – Clark County (Statewide Distance Education)

Oasis Academy – Churchill County

Pinecrest Academy – Clark County

Quest Academy – Clark County

Silver Sands Montessori Charter School – Clark County

Somerset Academy of Las Vegas – Clark County

Silver State Charter Schools – Carson City (Statewide Distance Education)

15G 15

Authority Board

Chair – Kathleen Conaboy (Governor Sandoval) Vice Chair – Elissa Wahl (Governor Sandoval) Member – Robert McCord (Horsford) Member – Nora Luna (Horsford) Member – Michael Van (CSAN) Member – Marc Abelman (Oceguera) Member – Melissa Mackedon (Oceguera)

16G 16

0

5

10

15

20

25

FY 05 FY 06 FY 07 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14

FY 05 to FY 13 Number of Active Charter Schools by Fiscal Year Estimated FY14

Authority SponsoredCarson City SponsoredChurchill County SponsoredClark County SponsoredDouglas County SponsoredWashoe County Sponsored

17G 17

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

NDE/Authority Charter School Student Population by School Years

13,805

18G 18

Considerations

Shifting from compliance to performance. Relational to contractual.

Are quality and quantity inversely proportional? What can be learned from Denver, Chicago,

Louisiana, and Missouri where charters outperform? Essential practices are just that…essential

Nearly 100% require annual, independent, financial audits

Only 42% use expert panels that include external members to review new applications

19G 19