• • Notes from CEO Bill Sims - Submit your MOU's!
• • OAEP Conference April 25 - 27, 2010
• • OAPCS Workshop 7:  Know Your Accountability Data
• • eTech Technology Spring Institute
• • Attention All E-Schools!!! Join the E-School Consortium.
• • State unveils distibution plan for Race to the Top federal education funds
• • School Improvement through Collaboration
• • New Program at Harvard: Closing the Achievement Gap
• • SLIYS '10: Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars Deadline extended
• • School Improvement Grant (SIG) - update
• • TECHie Camp 2010:  Educating, Exciting and Empowering students with technology!
• • New Associate Member: Rea and Associate
• • Parent Membership Program - "Be A Brick"

Duncan Urges New Aid to Save Education Jobs
April 14, 2010 
by Alyson Klein
The education secretary testifies that Congress should act to help states and districts avoid massive layoffs. For the full article click here

Three Different Charter Schools with One Common Goal
ideastream®’s Ida Lieszkovszky reports on three of Cleveland's highest performing charter schools that may share the same management umbrella, but have very different approaches to educating students.
For the full article click here

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Funding Opportunity:
The Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination (AEMDD)
For the full article click here

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Funding Opportunity:
Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program
For the full article click here

Winning Back Homeschoolers
With the defection of local families causing a steep dip in its enrollment, a rural Ohio district goes virtual to stem the tide. For the full article click here

New Appropriations for Charters
For the full article click here

Congress Ties Federal Charter School Spending to Quality Controls
For the full article click here

Horizon Science Academy Cleveland Named Best High School by U.S. News & World Report
For the full article click here

Advocacy

Events

Quality Values and Principles

As the head of an association with specific policy interests, I was particularly intrigued by a statement made recently by David Frum, formerly with the American Enterprise Institute, and currently editor of the FrumForum.Com. He said, “We can’t let the political imperatives crowd out the policy imperatives.”  The context of the comment had to do with the Health Care bill but the notion is more universal.

When it comes to our current policy interests, there is much focus on “Race-to-the-Top,” and I have written quite a bit recently in this journal about “R2T” or a.k.a.“RttT.” Political interests aside, there are pragmatic consequences to this policy imperative that community charter schools need to understand. And it gets confusing. So I’ve decided to write again on this topic to accomplish two things. The first is to continue to try to bring clarity to the confusing buffet of federal opportunities that are currently on our plates, even though we may not have put them there. The second is to be clear about what the action items are, assuming that you want to indulge.

Clarification number one: Race-to-the-Top funds and School Improvement Grants are not the same, nor are their applications structurally connected; however, they both need to be understood so that your community charter school doesn’t wind up defaulting on the potential for significant program funding.

Race-to-the-Top funds are a share of $4.3 billion in federal funds for states whose applications are approved. Ohio’s was not approved in Phase 1 but Ohio is reapplying for Phase 2. If approved in Phase 2, Ohio’s share goes through the state education department and 50% of the dollars must go directly to the schools (LEAs) “based on their Title 1-A shares for the most recent year.” In order for schools to be eligible, they must fill out a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and submit it to the state. Over 2/3 of charter schools submitted MOUs in Ohio which was a good thing, not only strengthening Ohio’s application (to be able to report such a high participation rate by charters) but also because it was the ticket that allowed these schools entrée to participation in these funds. Eighty-five percent of OAPCS members submitted MOUs.

What is the MOU? 
It’s a memorandum of understanding that says if you participate (receive R2T funds) you will abide by the guidelines of the MOU to use the funds for student achievement improvement, closing achievement gaps, longitudinal data strategies for student achievement improvement, linking student data to teacher compensation, turning around poorly performing schools, among other things. Charter schools need to have their school head sign the MOU and the chairperson of their board of directors. If you filled out the MOU for Phase 1 you still must fill out the new MOU for Phase 2. Phase 1 MOUs are no longer valid. The Race-to-the-Top MOU can be downloaded here on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) web site. Every charter school should get on board to take advantage of this opportunity for school improvement development, especially if state budgets are likely to be cut in the next budget round. The Ohio Department of education has indicated that IF the state wins approval for Phase 2 that there will be a guaranteed “floor” allowance for participating schools. If all 323 charters participate, that floor would be approximately $25,000 per school. If fewer participate, then the floor could exceed $25,000. Don’t leave these financial opportunities on the table!

Okay, so what are School Improvement Grants? 
These are competitive federal grants specifically for turning around chronically under-performing schools. They are provided to schools through a competitive process in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000 per building (each year for 3 years) for implementing a school improvement plan that is focused on the specific reasons that caused the building to be identified for school improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act. Schools have to use the Ohio Improvement Process as approved in the Differentiated Accountability proposal approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

The ODE was required to identify 5% of its lowest performing schools as a part of this process. These schools were then tiered (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3). Tier 1 schools are alleged to have the most need. Tier 3 schools on the other hand are alleged to have the least (excepting dropout recovery schools) and may in fact have been placed in the Tier 3 category simply because of problems with one or two sub-groups. Go here for more information about the tiers. The Tier 1 and 2 schools have to implement one of four turnaround models: closure, turnaround, restart, or transformation. For more information about these models go here. Tier 3 schools are not subject to the turnaround models, just plans for improvement on the specific indentified reasons for their inclusion.

Who is eligible? 
The formal answer is this: Title I eligible schools identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring (Tier 1,2,3) that demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to use the funds to provide adequate resources in order to raise substantially the achievement of their students so as to enable the schools to make adequate yearly progress and exit improvement status. The SIGs are competitive, and schools have to meet their annual performance goals to get continued funding in years 2 and 3. If they meet, then it is a one-page application to renew for year two and year three. Dropout recovery schools not included in Tier 1 or 2, but are eligible for Tier 3 School improvement Grants

What’s the application process?
Eligible community schools must submit a competitive grant application to secure School Improvement Grants. Guidance for this application process can be found on the ODE website here. Tier I and Tier II schools will receive funding priority, with the remaining funds allocated to the Tier III schools.

The eligible community school submits its comprehensive district plan and the school improvement plans along with a budget and budget details through a competitive process in the CCIP. Each grant application will be scored and rank ordered. Successful grant applications will then be funded. Revisions may be made throughout the funding cycle. A SAFE account is needed to input data into the CCIP. (For help navigating the CCIP, click here.)

Because of the short timelines related to these two funding opportunities, participation requires immediate attention. The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools help from the ODE recently held a workshop for members to walk them through this process. If you have further questions, contact Marianne Lombardo at the Ohio Alliance.

In conclusion, regardless of politics and political biases, these are both significant funding and reform opportunities for community charter schools, but participation requires action. Download the MOU forms from the Ohio Department of Education ASAP.
 
We encourage charters to submit their MOUs as early as possible. Districts and community schools eligible for the funding floor will need to submit their MOU by May 3, 2010 at 4 p.m., and all remaining MOUs will be due on May 14, 2010 at 4 p.m.

If you are listed Ohio school eligible for School Improvement Grants, go here and start that application process immediately. Applications are due April 30, 2010.

– Bill Sims

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OAPCS strongly recommends attendance at the 2010 Spring Ohio Association of EMIS Professionals (OAEP) Conference. The Conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, and registration is available at the OAEP website – www.oaep.net. This conference provides the opportunity to learn invaluable information about EMIS processing requirements and to network with peers. Sessions specific to Community Schools are included.

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OAPCS is repeating it's highly acclaimed "Know Your Accountability Data" workshop July 1, 2010. At this workshop, participants will review their submitted end of year EMIS data and preview how their Local Report Card rating will be determined. Marianne Mottley, of the Ohio Department of Education, will be the key presenter, and Karlyn Geis, from the Office of Community Schools will be on hand to answer questions about the school closure provisions. The workshop is scheduled for 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
 
Goals of the workshop are:
1. Use the Secure Data Center to access the Accountability Workbook
2. View your Preliminary Local Report Card
3. Understand Where Kids Count and the Accountability IRN
4. Drill down into data to illuminate areas that affect your school rating
5. Calculate your Performance Index, AYP subgroups, and Safe Harbor
6. Understand the School Closure provisions
7. Know how to show key data to teachers and board members
 
Use the Secure Data Center to access the Accountability Workbook
2. View your Preliminary Local Report Card
3. Understand Where Kids Count and the Accountability IRN
4. Drill down into data to illuminate areas that affect your school rating
5. Calculate your Performance Index, AYP subgroups, and Safe Harbor
6. Understand the School Closure provisions
7. Know how to show key data to teachers and board members
 
To register, please go to the OAPCS website at www.oapcs.org, and click on the events link. The cost of the workshop is $100 for members and $200 for nonmembers.

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The Technology Spring Institute 2010 is a one day opportunity, sponsored by eTech Ohio, which will take place on Thursday, May 20. This education centered, technical training event will be held in Columbus at the Quest Business Center. The purpose of the Technology Training Institute is to foster a community of learners amongst school and university technical staff by offering technical professional development. This technical professional development event provides attendees access to training and resources that support their roles and responsibilities in leading, planning and supporting their organization's technology systems. More news and information will be forthcoming about featured speakers, hands-on learning stations, and topical listings of sessions being offered by your technical peers.

Registration Details: Registration is just $50.00 a person.
Registration for the event is now open at www.etech.ohio.gov/go/tech-institute-registration.

Participants are required to register for each individual session through eTech Ohio's Hall Pass System. Each session is limited to 25 participants for Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) sessions and 15 participants for Hands-on lab sessions.

Registration for each session will open on April 14

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OAPCS E-School Consortium was created to provide a forum for e-school operators to discuss common advocacy, operational, technical and academic issues. It is also a forum for sharing best practices and virtual school innovation.

OAPCS E-School Consortium is an informal gathering of e-school professionals. Its agenda is the product of its members. The OAPCS provides meeting facilities and a conference bridge for those interested in participating by phone. The OAPCS also provides an e-school community board through its website to enable and encourage ongoing discussion between consortium meetings. 

If you are interested in joining, please email Jennifer Brzoski at jbrzoski@oapcs.org or contact her at 614-744-2266 ext.205 

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Minimum guarantees would boost aid to 293 school districts, ensuring them $100,000 each, and 105 charter schools, giving them $25,000 each.

By Catherine Candisky, Columbus Dispatch

To entice more school districts and charter schools to back Ohio's plan for winning federal Race to the Top education money, state officials are guaranteeing them a minimum amount of funding.
 
State Superintendent Deborah Delisle today unveiled how the $400 million. Ohio is seeking would be distributed, pledging a funding floor to ensure a minimum share to districts and charter schools who sign agreements to participate.
 
Federal rules require the education money to be distributed based on a district or charter school's percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
 
Under Ohio's plan, Cleveland schools would get the biggest share, $21.6 million over four years. Columbus stands to receive $15 million.
 
Minimum guarantees would boost aid to 293 school districts, ensuring them $100,000 each, and 105 charter schools, giving them $25,000 each.
 
The figures assume all 614 school districts and roughly 320 charter schools sign memorandums of understanding pledging to partake. If fewer agree as is expected participating districts would get more.
 
But before anyone sees a dime, Ohio must improve its application for second-round funding. One of 16 state finalists in the first round, Ohio ultimately lost out to Delaware and Tennessee, the only two states awarded funding.
 
"It's clear that Ohio has to increase commitments from (districts)," Delisle said. "We certainly can't lose any."
 
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Delaware and Tennessee won funding in large part because both secured statewide participation. Federal reviewers were critical of Ohio and other states for not getting enough support.
 
Ohio is asking school districts and charter schools to submit "memorandums of understanding" by May 14 signed by the superintendent, school board president and teachers' union representative. Those who signed agreements for first-round funds must submit a new one for the second round.

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Call for Best Practices

In this time of unprecedented attention to education reform, we invite you to add to the national dialogue.
 
The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Ohio Grantmaker’s Forum, KnowledgeWorks, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and KidsOhio, with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, are seeking
 
Best Cooperative Practices between Charter and Traditional Public Schools.
 
Fifty best practices will be selected for publication and wide dissemination throughout the education community and to national and state opinion leaders and policymakers.
 
In order to find these transcendent cooperative practices, we have issued a national Call for Papers. If your organization has a good example of charters and traditional schools working together, please contact Amy Black, National Conference Manager at ablack@oapcs.org, for information on how to make your submission.

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Closing the Achievement Gap: Strategies for Excellence with Equity will help you to understand the the key elements for raising achievement and closing gaps — and to create a coherent strategy for doing so. When you return to your school or district you will be able to organize key stakeholders around a vision that is manageable and makes sense. We invite you to apply online today and join our community of learners.

Application deadline: May 14, 2010   Click here for more details

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The OSU Department of Linguistics will be holding a Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars (SLIYS, pronounced "slice") for high school students. This is a week-long summer event designed for students interested in the study of language.  There will be two sessions held on OSU's main campus during July 2010. SLIYS '10 is open to high school students from entering sophomores to seniors who are interested in foreign languages. An exciting program has been developed filled with activities aimed at helping participants become better students of language. They will learn, among many other things: how to make "exotic" sounds from other languages; why people speak with a foreign accent; how to avoid typical errors that may make their speech sound non-native; the various ways that cultural differences are expressed in language; and how languages differ in terms of sounds, writing systems, and the meaning and structure of words/sentences. The deadline for applications has been extended. For more information, visit the SLIYS website at http://linguistics.osu.edu/SLIYS/ or contact Dr. Julia McGory at mcgory.1@osu.edu.

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Many school leaders attended OAPCS’s School Improvement Grant Workshop held on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the State Library of Ohio.  Attendees were provided hands-on information on how to write a successful School Improvement Grant.  Evaluative criteria and guidelines were shared at the meeting.
 
OAPCS reminds schools that the deadline for submitting a SIG grant, via the CCIP, is April 30, 2010.  We are encouraging ALL eligible schools – Tier 1 and Tier 3 alike (there are no Tier 2 charter schools) – to participate in this competitive grant opportunity. $2,000,000 a year per building, for up to three years, can be awarded, if the school demonstrates performance goals. This is an unprecedented opportunity for needed resources to help struggling schools.  Grant activities should be driven by the needs determined in the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP). The OIP leads schools through their data to determine where interventions are most needed, and seeks to illuminate the root cause. Grant funds can be used for extended school year and day, data systems, coaching, curriculum and software, professional development and training (including Summer institutes), literacy programs, teacher incentives, among others. If you have questions about the School Improvement Grant, please contact Marianne Lombardo, at (614) 744-2266 ext. 201, mlombardo@oapcs.org.

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TECH CORPS has partnered with Ohio State to offer TECHie Camp on campus between June 7, 2010 and August 20, 2010.  TECHie Camp is a full day, week long summer program designed to engage rising 3rd – 5th and 6th – 8th grade students in hands-on, interactive activities focused on Robotics, Web Development, Programming, and Android App Development. TECHie Camp puts students in the role of creating and designing with technology--not just using and consuming it. The overarching goal of TECHie Camp is to engage students in activities that can stimulate a deeper interest in and understanding of technology; as well as provide opportunities for them to express their creativity. TECHie Camp is a program of TECH CORPS Ohio. To register visit www.techiecamp.org.

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Rea and Associates is a regional accounting firm with a team of government specialists, Rea & Associates performs audits, GASB 34 GAAP conversions and other compilations for school districts state-wide.

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