South Carolina Public Charter School District Performance Framework

1. South Carolina Public Charter School DistrictPerformance Framework Dana C. Reed, Assistant Superintendent of Performance Standards Courtney Mills, Director of Accountability Bobby Rykard, Fiscal Analyst

2. What is the Performance Framework? • 3-part document (academic, fiscal, organizational) that sets forth expectations of performance and compliance. • Basis for school evaluation, monitoring, and intervention that informs the SCPCSD Board’s high- stakes decision making.

3. Charter Life Cycle

4. Guiding Questions Performance Framework

5. Performance Framework Goals • Focuses on outcome measures that align with the goal of providing a high-quality education for all students. • Allows for greater transparency between the SCPCSD and the charter schools it authorizes by setting clear standards for charter school success. • Provides continuity of charter cycle with consistent language from the application to renewal. • Allows stakeholders, including SC families, to make informeddecisions about charter school performance and quality.

6. Next Steps • SCPCSD Board approval (August) • TA session for school leaders/board chairs (September) • Development of data collection methods necessary for implementation (Fall) • Implementation year (2014/15) • Issue an annual report to each school (with the exception of first year schools) that reflects how many standards the school exceeded, met, did not meet, or fell far below, depending on the section of the framework (February 2015)

7. Note • There is a lot of fluidity surrounding academic accountability and that will necessitate revisions to the framework in the future. • For example, HSAP was administered for the last time this summer. • For the first year roll-out of the framework, we will have HSAP data to plug into the framework. • After the first year of implementation, we will need to revise the framework to reflect the assessment that will be secured by the SCDE.

8. Academic Performance • Academic Performance Courtney Mills Director of Accountability

9. Academic Performance • “Authorizers are charged with holding schools accountable for high standards of academic performance. This framework focuses purposefully on quantitative academic outcomes as a basis for analysis to be used in high-stakes decisions.” NACSA Core Performance Framework and Guidance, page 8 • “Each authorizer and charter school must enter into a contractual agreement stating that student performance of all students . . . is the most important factor when determining to renew or revoke a school's charter.” SC Board of Education Regulations 43-601.VII.(B)(2)

10. Academic Data Sources • Assessment Data (August) • ESEA Grades (October) • State Report Cards (November) • Annual Report (December) • Quarterly Reporting

11. Academic Performance Indicators • Student Achievement (Absolute) • Student Achievement (Growth) • Comparative Performance • Post-Secondary Readiness • State and Federal Accountability • Charter-Specific Academic Performance Goals

12. Financial Performance • Financial Performance Robert (Bobby) Rykard Financial Analyst

13. Bobby Who???

14. Purpose of Financial Framework • To annually assess the financial health and viability of schools • To provide interventions and on-going monitoring and technical assistance where appropriate based on risk factors • To ensure a sound financial foundation in support of academic achievement

15. Financial Performance Review Process • Preliminary Review and Preliminary Rating Annually • Existing Schools • Quarterly Follow-Up • Schools Where Standards Not Met • New Schools as Technical Assistance in First Year • Final Rating – Upon Completion of Follow-Up Analysis

16. Financial Performance Framework Timeline (Draft) • November 1 – School audits due to SCPCSD • December 31 – Preliminary ratings finalized • January 31 – Follow-up analysis finalized • February 28 – Final ratings finalized

17. Preliminary Ratings • Meets Standard • Sound Financial Viability • Not Meeting Standard • Indicates Some Financial Risk(s) • Far Below Standard • Identifies Significant Financial Risk(s) • Requires Further Analysis • Potential Financial Risk or Insufficient Information Requiring Additional Review for Determination

18. Source Documentation • Audited Financial Statements • Due November 1st to SCPCSD • Using Accrual-Based Accounting • Following Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

19. Source Documentation • School Audit: • Statement of Financial Position or Statement of Net Assets (Balance Sheet) • Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets or Statement of Activities (Income Statement) • Statement of Cash Flows • Board Approved School Budget • Charter Application • Current Enrollment • Debt Schedule

20. Financial Performance Indicators • Near-Term Indicators • Current Year • To Identify Immediate Risk • Sustainability Indicators • Long-Term • On-going to Identify Risk to Financial Sustainability

21. Financial MeasuresShort-Term Indicators • Does the school have the ability to cover it’s current liabilities with current assets? • Does the school have adequate cash on hand to pay expenses?

22. Financial MeasuresShort-Term Indicators • Is the school able to meet its enrollment projections? • Is the school able to meet its debt obligations or covenants?

23. Financial MeasuresSustainability Indicators • Is the school living within its available resources? • Is a reasonable proportion of the school’s assets financed through debt?

24. Financial MeasuresSustainability Indicators • Does the school have a positive change in cash balance from one period to another? • Does the school have the ability to cover its debt obligations in the current year?

25. Final Ratings • Meets Standard • School overall financial record during preliminary review indicates sound financial viability. • School meets requirements after follow-up analysis after previously being identified as “Not Meeting Standard” or “Far Below Standard” • Not Meeting Standard • SCPCSD concludes there is a financial risk(s) requiring additional monitoring and/or intervention. • Far Below Standard • SCPCSD identifies significant financial risk(s) requiring additional monitoring and/or intervention.

26. Financial PerformanceResults • Used for determining level and frequency of school monitoring • Used to target technical assistance and professional development • May be used in determinations for charter renewal • May be used in part for determination of probation or “Letters of Caution” • May be used as part of determination for school closure

27. SCPCSD Compliance Policy • Letters of Caution • Issued when there is evidence that potential non-compliance may occur • Letters of Non-Compliance • Issued when non-compliance has occurred • Policy is not progressive!!! (Letters of Caution are not required prior to a Letter of Non-Compliance)

28. Questions/Concerns?

29. Contact Information Bobby Rykard rrykard@sccharter.org (803) 734-0669

30. Organization • “A Quality Authorizer implements an accountability system that effectively streamlines federal, state, and local…compliance requirements while protecting schools’ legally entitled autonomy and minimizing schools’ administrative and reporting burdens.” NACSA Principles and Standards, page 16

31. Organizational Framework • Expectations the charter school is required to meet through state and federal law, the Charter, or the Contract: • Spend public funds responsibly; • Practice sound governance; and • Adhere to laws and charter requirements • Balance between appropriate oversight and infringement on autonomy

32. Organization Indicators • EDUCATION PROGRAM • ACCESS and EQUITY • GOVERNANCE (including accountability of management) • SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT (facilities, health, and safety) • STUDENTS/EMPLOYEES • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT and OVERSIGHT • REPORTING