William Haft, Vice President of Authorizer Development

March XX, 2012

New Jersey Charter Schools Performance Frameworks

The Charter Bargain

School Autonomy

School Accountability

Improved Student

Outcomes

What is charter school authorizing?

The Authorizer’s Core Responsibilities

• Decide whether to approve or deny each charter school application

• Decide whether to renew or non-renew each operating school

What is a Performance Framework?• Document that sets

forth agreed upon expectations of performance and compliance

• Established in the charter agreement

• Basis for school evaluation, monitoring, and intervention that informs an authorizer’s high stakes decision-making

Accountability

Autonomy

Purpose

Performance Frameworks

Monitoring

Closure Decisions

Replication Decisions

The Performance Framework is used…

Contract Establishment• To set

expectations• Attached to the

contract

Interim Review• As a rubric for

interim and/or annual review

Intervention (if applicable)• To monitor

corrective action expectations

Renewal Review• As a rubric for high

stakes review• Assist in communication

to stakeholders of summary performance (contract period)

Charter Cycle

Finalize• Determine policy

changes, if necessary

• Engage external stakeholders

Adapt and Test• Review existing

practice• Review law• Engage internal

stakeholders• Engage leadership

Generic Frameworks

• Academic• Financial• Organizational• Corresponding

guidance

Overview of Performance Framework Development

Authorizer Guidance

• Definitions of terminology and measures

• Data analysis methodology– Individual measures–Weighting

• How to set targets and conduct analysis

• How to use the framework to make critical authorizer decisions

Intro Generic Revise Test Revise Test Leadership ReviewFinalize

Academic Framework

Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment• Multiple revisions and tests• Revised to align with waiver, new

growth measure, and available data for college readiness

• Weighting the measures and sub-measures

Academic Framework

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

• Proficiency Status

COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE

• District Comparison• Peer Schools Comparison• Sub-Group Proficiency

STUDENT PROGRESS OVER TIME

• School-Wide Adequate Growth• Subgroup Adequate Growth

Academic Framework, Cont.

COLLEGE READINESS

• SAT/ACT• Graduation Rates• Post-Secondary Persistence• Remediation

STATE AND FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• State Accountability System

Financial Framework

Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment• Generic

– Based on authorizer best practice and funder analysis

• Test against a subset of charter schools• Adaptions to the model were not necessary

given the results of the test

Intro Generic

Revise

Test

Revise

Leadership Review

Finalize

Financial Framework

NEAR TERM

• Current Ratio• Unrestricted Days Cash On Hand• Enrollment Variance• Default on Loans

SUSTAINTABILITY

• Total Margin• Debt to Asset Ratio• Cash Flow• Debt Service Coverage Ratio

Organizational Framework

Adapting to New Jersey Needs and Environment• Adapt to New Jersey law• Revise based on office current

review strategies• Determine policy implications

Intro Generic

Revise

Legal Counsel

Revise

Leadership Review

Finalize

Organizational Framework

EDUCATION PROGRAM

• Essential Terms of Charter• Education Standards• Professional Development and Licensure• Education Requirements

STUDENT PROCEDURES / RIGHTS

• Rights of Students• Attendance• Special Needs Populations• Support Services

GOVERNANCE

• Governance Requirements• Management Oversight

Organizational Framework, Cont.

FACITILITES AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

• Safe and Secure Facilities• Safe and Secure Environment

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT

• Reporting and Compliance• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

OTHER INFORMATION

• General Reporting Requirements• Other Compliance

Implementing a Performance Framework

Establish Performance FrameworkSign Performance Framework Into ContractDevelop Tools to Monitor Performance

Evaluate Charter PerformanceUtilize Performance Framework Data to Make High Stakes Decisions About Charter Schools

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