Nevada Ed-Watch: SPCSA 12/8/23

State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA)

Ano ang SPCSA at ano ang kanilang pananagutan? Itinuturing na isa sa mga distrito ng paaralan ng Nevada, ang SPCSA ay nagtataguyod at nangangasiwa sa mga pampublikong charter na paaralan. Ang Awtoridad ay binubuo ng pitong hinirang na miyembro na responsable sa pangangasiwa sa mga pamantayang pang-edukasyon at pagpapatakbo at pagpapanagot sa mga naka-sponsor na paaralan sa akademikong tagumpay ng mga mag-aaral.

Gaano kadalas nagpupulong ang Lupon ng SPCSA? Ang SPCSA ay karaniwang nagpupulong minsan sa isang buwan, karaniwan tuwing Biyernes.

Mag-click dito para sa iskedyul at materyales ng pagpupulong ng SPCSA.

Maaari bang makisali ang mga miyembro ng komunidad sa SPCSA Board Meetings? Bagama't ang lahat ng mga pagpupulong ng SPCSA ay karaniwang idinaraos sa publiko sa gusali ng Nevada Department of Education sa Carson City at sa gusali ng Nevada Department of Education sa Las Vegas (1st floor boardroom), ang lahat ng mga pulong ay ginaganap na ngayon dahil sa krisis sa COVID-19. Maaaring tingnan ng mga miyembro ng publiko ang pagpupulong online sa pamamagitan ng link sa web page ng Pampublikong Paunawa ng SPCSA at ang agenda at anumang mga materyal na sumusuporta ay matatagpuan dito . Maaaring magbigay ng pampublikong komento sa anumang agenda item sa simula ng pulong, o pampublikong komento tungkol sa anumang bagay na may kaugnayan sa SPCSA ay maaaring ibigay sa pagtatapos ng bawat pulong ng Lupon. Maaaring gamitin ng mga miyembro ng komunidad na nagbibigay ng pampublikong komento ang sumusunod na linya ng tawag sa kumperensya: 1-312-584-2401; extension 3952176# na may limitasyon sa oras na tatlong minuto bawat speaker. Bilang kahalili, ang pampublikong komento ay maaaring isumite nang nakasulat sa publiccomment@spcsa.nv.gov, at anumang naturang pampublikong komento na natanggap bago ang pulong ay ibibigay sa Awtoridad at isasama sa nakasulat na mga minuto ng pulong.

Mag-click dito para sa listahan ng lahat ng Miyembro ng SPCSA.

Mag-click dito para sa isang listahan ng lahat ng mga paaralang itinataguyod ng SPCSA.

Friday, December 8, 2023

State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting

I-access ang agenda ng pagpupulong at pag-playback .

Ano ang nangyari sa pagpupulong na ito?

Pampublikong Komento #1

Kasama sa mga highlight ng pampublikong komento ang:

• Gratitude to the SPCSA for the opportunity to serve kids through proposed school Thrive Point Academy of Nevada

Ulat ng Executive Director ng SPCSA

Kabilang sa mga highlight mula sa ulat ang:

• Executive Director Update: SPCSA’s recently appointed Executive Director, Melissa Mackedon, shared an overview of activities since appointment to the role. These initiatives included participation in the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) conference, engagements with Governor Lombardo’s education team, and conversations with each SPCSA staff member and school leaders to gather feedback on what the SPCSA is doing well and potential sticking points that may require adjustment or amendment to inform future decision-making.
• Delinquent Schools’ PERS Contributions: SPCSA has been in contact with schools that have outstanding PERS obligations to address the remaining amounts. To mitigate this issue in the future, the SPCSA has incorporated PERS obligations into the pre-opening requirements for new schools and will offer training.
• New Charter Schools Pre-Opening Checklist: Four schools scheduled to open in the 2024-2025 school year include Do & Be Academy of Excellence, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy Nevada, Rooted School Las Vegas, and Vegas Vista Academy, and a fifth school, Thrive Point Academy of Nevada, received approval to open later in this agenda. Each school will receive a pre-opening process memo with requirements as well as a pre-opening checklist which includes 85 items related to governance, enrollment, administration, staffing, personnel, facilities, academic programming, finance, SPCSA check-in calls, and trainings — including newly added training on PERS and Infinite campus. Explore the memo on new charter schools and the draft checklist.
• New Charter School Enrollment and Facility Update:
  • Do & Be Academy of Excellence is not yet in a lease but is considering three properties. Enrollment is open now through March 15, 2024, with lottery on the same day.
  • Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy Nevada has not finalized a facility but is evaluating two potential sites. One site would require amendment as it is outside of the approved zip codes. Lottery will take place at the end of March 2024.
  • Rooted School Las Vegas has signed the deed on a permanent facility and acquired 23 applications.
  • Vegas Vista Academy has established a facility and the lottery will be held on February 5, 2024.

    The Executive Director will provide the board with written monthly updates on school enrollment and facilities.

Board Conditionally Approved Thrive Point Academy’s Resubmitted Application

Thrive Point Academy is a proposed alternative high school that will open in the 89107 zip code with 300 students in year one. Thrive Point Academy’s resubmitted new charter school application was approved with the following conditions:

• Enrollment will be capped at 450 students in year two and each remaining year of the charter contract. The school may apply for an amendment to increase enrollment on a fixed cap once approved for the Alternative Performance Framework (APF) by the Board.
• The SPCSA will defer the issuance of academic notices until the school is eligible to apply for the APF. If not approved, notices will be issued.
• By January 15, 2024, the school will submit a report on which staff members will provide strong levels of support while enrollment is capped at 450 and identify who will oversee the duties of specific roles not yet filled.
• By March 15, 2024, school will provide a detailed plan with policy and procedures for the oversight of special student populations.
• School must complete the SPCSA pre-opening process for new charter schools.

Explore the recommendation memo and the application.

Board Took Action on Charter School Contract Renewal Applications

Honors Academy of Literature was approved for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Pinecrest Academy of Nevada was approved for an eight-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Nevada Virtual Charter School was approved for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Board Approved the Charter Application and Rubric for 2024 Applications

Revisions include requesting additional information in the Notice of Intent, providing more self-assessment opportunities during the application trainings, and updating three sections of the rubric to include criteria focused on evaluating the “ability of applicants to establish a high-quality charter school.” 

Explore the presentation, application, and application rubric.

Board Reviewed Four-Year Graduation Rates for the Class of 2024

The four-year graduation rate for SPCSA Class of 2022-23 was 83.8% – the fourth consecutive year that the SPCSA has outperformed the state. Additionally, seven SPCSA student groups outperformed their state groups, including various English Learners and students with disabilities. More than half of SPCSA graduates earned an Advanced or College and Career Ready diploma. 

Galugarin ang presentasyon .

Board Reviewed 2023-24 School Year Enrollment Data

The official SPCSA enrollment for 2023-24 is 61,883 students, and remains the third largest local education agency in Nevada. Over 45% of SPCSA students are enrolled at Title I schools. Year-over-year, enrollment rates increased for students identifying as Asian, Hispanic/Latino, or Two or More Races, as well as students who identify as economically disadvantaged, English Learners, and students with disabilities. 

Galugarin ang presentasyon .

Board Reviewed the 2024 Demographic and Academic Needs Assessment

The Academic & Demographic Needs Assessment is an evaluation of student demographic information, the academic needs of students, and the needs of students who are at risk of dropping out. When reviewing charter school applications, the Authority must consider the degree to which the proposed charter school will address the needs identified in the Needs Assessment. SPCSA is required to update the Needs Assessment by January 31 of each year.

Findings this year are consistent with previous years: English Language Learners, economically disadvantaged students, IEPs,  and students in transition as well as Native, Black, and Latino students are underperforming relative to their peers. The same student subgroups, with the exception of economically disadvantaged students, have lower rates of graduation.

Explore the Needs Assessment.

Board Heard an Overview of SPCSA’s Organizational Performance Framework

The performance framework measures the success, financial viability, and effectiveness of the school/organization. Principles of the Organizational Performance Framework include defining organizational benchmarks, treating schools the same, enabling school flexibility and autonomy, protecting public interest, and ensuring schools respect the rights of students, staff, families, and public.

Explore the Organizational Performance Framework.

Board Heard an Overview of the SPCSA’s Financial Performance Framework

Principles of the Financial Performance Framework include financial benchmarks, treating schools equitably, providing schools with flexibility and autonomy, and ensuring transparency is provided to the public.

Explore the Financial Performance Framework.

Long-Range Calendar (susunod na 3 buwan):

Ang mga item sa agenda sa susunod na dalawang pulong ng lupon ng SPCSA ay inaasahang kasama ang:

• Estado ng SPCSA
• Financial and Organizational Performance Framework results
• Annual report to Nevada Department of Education
• Update sa mga bagong paaralan

Explore the calendar.

Pampublikong Komento #2:

Walang pampublikong komento sa boardroom o online.

The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, January 26, @ 9:00 a.m.