Bethany Charter School Frequently Asked Questions

(Please note that negotiations between the charter school and school district will further determine many of these issues)

1. What is the purpose of ORS Chapter 338?

The Oregon Public Charter School Legislation was passed in May 1999 to encourage the creation of new innovative and more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system.

2. What are the goals for public charter schools?

The Oregon Public Charter School Legislation has set forth the following goals:

  1. Increase student learning and achievement
  2. Increase choices of learning opportunities for students
  3. Better meet individual student academic needs and interest
  4. Build stronger working relationships among educators, parents and other community members
  5. Encourage the use of different and innovative learning methods
  6. Provide opportunities in small learning environments for flexibility and innovation which may be applied, if proven effective, to other public schools
  7. Create new professional opportunities for teachers
  8. Establish different forms of accountability for schools
  9. Create innovative measurement tools
3. What is the best way to get started?

Research shows that the single most important attribute of successful public charter schools is a clear sense of purpose or mission that is shared by parents, students, staff and the governing board. One way to begin crafting a common vision is to turn each of the above goals into a "How are we going to.?" question. The discussions and debates that answer these questions should develop into a clear and compelling sense of purpose and can be translated into a mission statement.

4. Why is it so important to begin with a mission statement?

http://www.uscharterschools.org/tech_assist/ta_mission.htm

The mission statement is a powerful tool and, when properly constructed, empowers everyone in the school to assume responsibility for the school and its ultimate direction. It tells the world what is valued or important at the particular school and how the school is different from other public schools. It will guide the school's decision-makers in every aspect of planning and operations. It provides a sense of ownership to the entire school community

5. What are the elements of a good mission statement?
1. Values

The City On A Hill Charter School in Boston, MA states "it is dedicated to rekindling in urban youth the hunger for learning, the respect for hard work, the commitment to public service and the passion for democracy." http://www.doe.mass.edu/cs.www/cs.cityonahill.html

2. Educational Approach

Edison School will be characterized by, "individualization and high standards, no tracking, diverse teaching methods, individualized approach to instruction, personalized learning contracts, and imaginative use of technology."

3. Curriculum Focus

Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School's mission is to, "provide for the performing arts, offering students demonstrating interest and ability access to professional, creative performing arts experience." http://www.doe.mass.edu/cs.www/cs.pioneer.html

4. Customer Focus

The YouthBuild Boston Charter seeks to, "provide disenfranchised young people with the academic, vocational, social and leadership skills they need to leave life on the streets, rebuild their lives, and take responsibility for themselves, their families, and the revitalization of their community." http://www.doe.mass.edu/cs.www/cs.youthbuild.html

5. Outcomes and Goals

At City on a Hill Charter School all students must be able to, "write a well structured and interesting essay; defend their views on various subjects, converse in a second language, analyze a scientific experiment." http://www.doe.mass.edu/cs.www/cs.cityonahill.html

6. Who can sponsor a public charter school?

The local school district is the sponsoring agent for the charter school. It is recommended a working relationship with the school district be established during the planning stages.

7. What is the process for applying to become a public charter school?

A written proposal must be submitted to the local school board. The school district has 15 days after the receipt of the proposal to inform the charter school whether or not the application is complete. Attached is a checklist of items that must be included in the proposal. A copy of the proposal must also be submitted to the Department of Education.

Please contact Joni Gilles at (503) 378-3600 ext. 2276 or joni.gilles@state.or.us on how to submit the proposal.

8. What is the timeline once the proposal has been deemed complete?

The school board has sixty days to hold a public hearing. The proposal must be approved or disapproved within thirty days after the public hearing.

9. What happens once the proposal has been approved?

Once the proposal has been approved, the public charter school applicant and the sponsoring school district develop a written charter.

10. What happens if the proposal is denied?

The school board must provide written reasons for the denial and suggested remedial measures. The applicant can resubmit a revised proposal. The school board has twenty days after receiving the resubmitted proposal to either approve or deny it.

11. What happens if the resubmitted proposal is still not approved?

If the resubmitted proposal is not approved, the applicant may appeal the decision to the State Board of Education. The Board will attempt to mediate a resolution between the applicant and the local school board.

12. Can a religious or private school apply to be a public charter school?

No, any tuition based or religious affiliated school may not convert to a public charter school.

The law allows for only new public schools, schools within schools or existing alternative educational programs to apply for public charter school status.

13. How many students must be enrolled in a public charter school?

The public charter school must serve a minimum of twenty-five students.

14. How do I find out about available facilities?

It is helpful to have a liaison with the district. The local ESD can (to the extent that it is available) provide information of vacant, under-utilized or unused private and public buildings.

15. Who pays for the building?

This is negotiated between the applicant and the sponsor and is stipulated in the charter agreement.

16. Do public charter school teachers and administrators need to be licensed by TSPC?

Fifty percent of the total FTE (full time equivalency) must be certified teachers and/or administrators. The other fifty percent must be registered by the Teachers Standards & Practices Commission. For example, if the total FTE for a public charter school was 4 (approximately 32 hours a day) then 16 of those hours could be assigned to a person who was not a licensed teacher. The staffi ng situation of each charter school may be dependent upon what entity acts as employer.

17. Can a public charter school limit the admission of certain students?

No, the law clearly states that admission based on ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, income level, and proficiency in English language or athletic ability is prohibited. The only qualification for admission can be grade or age.

18. Can priority be given to certain students?

The only priority can be to students enrolled the previous year a nd to siblings.

19. What happens if there are more students that want to attend the school than there is space available?

An equitable lottery system must be established.

20. Can an out of district student attend a public charter school?

Yes, but only if there is space available. Not more than twenty percent of the students in a public charter school can come from out of the district.

21. Are public charter schools expected to provide special educational services?

Yes, special education services must be provided a nd will be specifically agreed upon in the charter agreement. An IEP may be rewritten to reflect the new educational environment, but this must be mutually agreed upon by the IEP team. More information can be found in this handbook and at the following websites:

22. Are public charter schools required to administer the state and local assessments?

http://www.ode.state.or.us/asmt/index.htm

Yes, all benchmark level and CIM assessments are required.

23. How does a charter school receive assessment materials?

The sponsoring school district is responsible for providing testing information and materials to the charter school.