Title:

REVISED: PATTERSON ACADEMY OF THE ARTS APPLICATION FOR CHARTER SCHOOL STATUS

Requested Action:

THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DENY THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY PATTERSON ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO OPEN A CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR.

Summary Explanation and Background:

Patterson Academy for the Arts submitted a proposal to open a charter school serving 250 students in grades 9-12 for 2008-2009 and growing to 450 students by the fifth year of operation. The application was received by the August 1, 2007 deadline.

“The Patterson Academy for the Arts integrates technology with core subjects to promote mastery of academic skills and content, prepares students for college, and graduates independent thinkers, dynamic workers and active citizens.  The ultimate goal for our (missing word) today is to encompass quality education and occupational craft to mold successful young adults for a new tomorrow.”  (Application, page 1)

The proposed location for the school was not identified in the application.

The District has a well developed process designed to provide potential charter school operators every opportunity to submit a successful proposal.  Each applicant receives a Charter School Applicant and Governing Board Information Kit consisting of:

·         Charter School Application:  Processes, Procedures, Guidelines and Timeline

·         Technical Assistance Guide to help the applicant understand what the reviewers look for during the review of applications

·         Attachment A Checklist of Contract Deliverables

·         Suggested Guidelines for Charter School’s Governing Board

·         Charter School Matrix used by District staff to review applications.

·         Review Team Guidelines (Rubric) provides the criteria standards used by the Charter School Review Committee to evaluate applications.

Patterson Academy for the Arts participated in the following services provided by the District that are designed to assist the applicant in the preparation of a proposal:

·         Orientation for Applicant and Governing Board conducted by District staff to address questions and discuss the application requirements and processes (March 5, 2007)

·         General Operations Help Session conducted by District staff (April 26, 2007)

·         Submission of a rough draft application for review and feedback (May 15, 2007)

·         Individual Help Session for Governance Plan (May 30, 2007)

·         Individual Help Session for Operations (June 1, 2007)

·         Individual Help Session for Academic Design (June 12, 2007)

·         Submission of a draft budget (June 19, 2007)

·         Individual Help Session on draft budget (June 27, 2007)

The application for Patterson Academy for the Arts was submitted on August 1, 2007. Members of the Charter School Review Committee were each provided relevant copies of the proposal and they individually reviewed and scored their respective sections of the application. A proposal is required to address five major components:  Academic Design; Governance Plan; Facilities/Location; Financial Operations; and Operations.  Patterson Academy for the Arts’ proposal was weak and did not receive a passing score.

The application received an overall score of 502 points out of 1124 points (843 is the minimum passing score).

1.      The application failed in two (2) of the three (3) threshold areas that are required for approval:  Academic Design and Financial Operations.

 

Component	Applicant Score	Max Score	Minimum Passing Score
Academic Design	219	564	423*
Governance Plan	99	132	99*
Facilities/Location	4	16	12
Financial Operations	58	212	159*
Operations	122	200	150
Total	502	1124	843
* Threshold requirement which must be met in order for application to be recommended for approval.

 

2.      The following comments are representative of some of the concerns and weaknesses noted by the reviewers:

·         The applicant did not respond to the question concerning measurement of learning outcomes nor discuss alignment of assessment with the curriculum;

·         The applicant did not name a reading program for Level 1 readers nor for non fluent Level 2 readers;

·         The curriculum was not aligned with the Sunshine State Standards;

·         The educational programs described in the application are not unique and no different than those offered by the District;

·         The application did not include specific accommodations that would be made for ESE students;

·         The applicant did not answer all questions in the Budget portion of the Financial Operations section omitting responses relating to start up funds, funding sources, alignment of budget with academic design, cash flow, payroll, financial safeguards, internal controls; and,

·         The application did not include a Safety Plan nor a Drop-Out Plan.

 

Therefore, based on the overall quality of the application as well as the failing score, the Charter School Review Committee recommendation is to deny the application for Patterson Academy for the Arts. 

         

Upon learning of the District’s intent to recommend denial of the application October 8, 2007, Patterson Academy of the Arts requested an opportunity to present objections to the Committee’s conclusions.  They were offered the opportunity to have a hearing or submit written objections, and elected to submit objections in writing.

 

The Committee carefully considered the objections individually and found limited new information was provided and did not alter the original score.

 

A full staff report is available and has been made available to the applicant.  Any questions and/or additional information can be provided upon request.

New Century Commission Recommendation/OPPAGA Recommendation/Council of Great City Schools Recommendation:
NONE

Financial Impact (Including HR/headcount/Source of Funds):
NONE

For Additional Information, contact:

Lorenda Tiscornia, Coordinator, Charter Schools, Operations 390-2039

Dr. Sally Hague, Director, School Choice/Pupil Assignment, Operations 390-2082

Mr. Doug Ayars, Jr., P.E., Chief Operating Officer 390-2007