Lemoore Elementary University Charter School
Lemoore Union Elementary School District Lemoore, California
School Charter
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of University Charter School is to provide students with the foundation upon which self-reliance and life long learning is built. Students explore their capabilities and interests to fully develop their potential for success. The goal is to inspire and prepare students to be successful learners, workers, and citizens. I. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This charter school shall be known as Lemoore Elementary University Charter School (hereafter "the Charter School"). It is the intention of the charter petitioners that the Charter School be operated by the Lemoore Union Elementary School District in collaboration with West Hills Community College District and seek partnerships with other higher education institutions.. The Charter School will be located on the West Hills College Lemoore campus. The Charter School will be open to all students in grades K-8 and will be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. The Charter School will specifically target students seeking a non-traditional educational setting. The Charter School shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, ability, disability, or place of residence. Students attending the Charter School will be offered an individually designed, standardsbased educational program providing the necessary foundation for success as a life-long learner. The School's educational plan consists of a broad range of goals and objectives to meet the unique educational needs of all students. These goals and objectives are specified in the School’s adopted academic standards, which reflect the standards approved by the California State Board of Education. Use of the latest technology and Internet access will be made available to all students and staff to enhance the student’s educational experience. In addition to individually tailored courses of study at the Charter School, students can extend learning experiences and interests through access to appropriate community college courses. The goal of the Charter School is to provide students with the foundation upon which self-reliance and life long learning is built. Students will explore their capabilities and interests to fully develop their potential for success. The goal is to inspire and prepare students to be successful learners, workers, and citizens.
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Approved May 2
The Charter School will provide students with:
Individualized, learner-centered instruction A standards-based curricula, including multi-age instruction Assessment-based individualized learning plans A comprehensive core curriculum An emphasis on thematically integrated instruction and application. Flexible scheduling that supports individualized interest-based learning Supplemental instructional activities including fieldtrips, tutorials, and projects Access to college-level courses in addition to the core academic program Instructional practices based on current research Technology supported instruction High adult-to-student ratios Parent and community program involvement
The Charter School is committed to providing services for the special needs of all students by incorporating innovative, research supported practices and programs. Special Education and related services necessary for student success will be an integrated component of the instructional program. Additionally, English Language Development, Migrant Education Services, and categorically funded programs for disadvantaged students will supplement a strong, core instructional program. The School shall participate in the Kings County Office of Education Special Education Local Plan Area in order to enhance the educational opportunities for all students. Parents who enroll their children in the Charter School shall share responsibility for their children’s education. The Charter School will support students and parents through implementation of individually designed educational plans, appropriate standards-based curricula, relevant educational materials, and opportunities to extend learning with respect to identified strengths and interests. The Charter School teachers and support staff, in collaboration with West Hills College staff shall advise and assist parents, and students in all aspects of their educational program. Both students and parents shall participate in the development and design of the educational program that is consistent with adopted standards, policies, and appropriate curricula based upon the student's educational needs, interests, and objectives. For purposes of this description, parents include guardians.
In addition to providing K-8 students with innovative, individually designed instruction, the Charter School will assist adult learners who aspire to be instructional paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, and educational researchers. The collaboration with West Hills College provides unique opportunities for on-site parent education, paraprofessional training, teacher certification preparation, teacher/administrator professional development, and educational research.
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University Charter School will provide adult learners with:
An integrated public school, community college, and university program Blended community college and university teacher training On-site professional development opportunities Experiential teacher, paraprofessional, and support staff training Paraprofessional certification and professional development Articulated reference and research resources Technology supported learning and distant-learning opportunities School-based teacher certification program Parent education programs Demonstration classes that integrate practice with theory A forum for educational research MEASURABLE PUPIL OUTCOMES
II.
Measurable pupil outcomes means the extent to which all students of the Charter School attain skills and knowledge specified as goals in the school's educational program. Students will demonstrate competency in specified academic area goals as determined by mastery of the student standards in alignment with the California State Standards. In order to achieve these outcomes students will demonstrate progress towards mastery by these measureable outcomes:
Complete multi-leveled performance tasks in content areas. Demonstrate higher level thinking skills. Demonstrate self-reflection on their academic progress. Be technologically literate. Apply knowledge to solve problems and/or create products. Demonstrate creative and critical communication skills. Demonstrate community awareness and involvement. Demonstrate continual progress toward California/ District/Grade level standards. Read and write proficiently. Understand and demonstrate the ability to function in their environment. Appreciate the world history and its diversity. Apply mathematical principals and operations to solve problems. Apply scientific concepts and skills to explain the world and find solutions to problems. METHODS OF MEASURING STUDENTS PROGRESS
III.
All students will be required to demonstrate achievement of content standards before progressing to the next academic level. The teachers and support staff shall consider each student’s individual abilities, interests, and talents in applying these measurements.
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The Charter School shall administer the mandated State assessments and shall also meet any required State performance standards developed. Every year the Charter School shall conduct an evaluation of student academic performance based on multiple assessment measures to determine if students are achieving academic levels that are at least equivalent to or exceeding those achieved by students in similar type schools both within the District and across the State. Additionally, student progress will be assessed through the current state mandated assessment tools. Other local methods will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Research a community problem to produce a solution. Student-lead conferences and technology presentations. Informal observation by teacher. Base specified assessments on a rubric plus portfolios with writing samples (including self-evaluation) along with longitudinal audio taping of oral reading. Provide regular teacher feedback to students as to progress as well as the promotion of self-assessment. Exams that measure specified expected outcomes and teacher/teacher group assessment. Multi-genre research with rubric. Project assessments that use varied assessment techniques including the use of technology, student interviews, and presentations to teachers, parents, fellow students, community members, or administrators. Standards based performance and standardized assessments including normed and criterion-referenced tests. Student grades. Student work samples. Multi-media presentations. THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OF THE SCHOOL
IV.
The Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees shall govern the Charter School. The current election process for the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees, as governed by state and local statute, will remain in place. The ultimate authority for the governance of the School will remain with this elected Board of Trustees. Policies will continue to be enacted at monthly public board meetings. The Charter School is not a public school conversion school, but rather a new Charter School. A Charter Council consisting of parents, students, Charter School staff members, and representatives from West Hills College will advise the Board of Trustees regarding the operation of the school. The responsibilities of the Charter Council are to recommend revisions to the charter, assist selection of school staff, and provide input to administration with respect to the goals and management of the school.
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Additionally, parent input shall be solicited through parent meetings, conferences, advisory councils, discussion groups, committees and/or surveys. Such input may include, but not be limited to, issues regarding instructional programs, curriculum, school goals, and other school related issues. The Board of Trustees will review the meeting minutes of the Charter Council. Additionally, the School’s governance structure will include a Dean responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school. As required by specific categorical programs, the Charter Council will also function as the School Site Council. Federal and State requirements concerning student records will be maintained. V. QUALIFICATIONS TO BE MET BY INDIVIDUALS TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE CHARTER
All students will be assigned to a California Credentialed teacher. The Charter School may hire additional certificated and non-certificated personnel to assist in providing supplementary instruction, management and support services. All staff will have the necessary qualifications, skills, experience and credentials to fulfill their job descriptions. Job descriptions shall be maintained on file at the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Office. VI. HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Charter School shall comply with all of the requirements of Education Code section 44237 to ensure the safety of employees and students. The Charter School will comply with all applicable laws concerning immunization, health and safety, child abuse reporting and related issues for both employees and students. All employees, student interns and student teachers will furnish criminal record summaries in accordance with Education Code requirements. The District will adhere to existing board policy pertaining to the safety and health of all employees and students. The District will maintain policies and procedures conducive to school safety; responses to natural disasters and emergencies; and blood-borne pathogens, as well as appropriate policies related to student behavior and the administration of prescription drugs and other medicines. The District will maintain policies as a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplace. All information related to the aforementioned policies will be included in the parent/student and employee handbooks and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, as determined by the District and/or Governing Board policies. VII. RACIAL AND ETHNIC BALANCE
The Charter School will have an open enrollment process to achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its students that is reflective of the general population residing within the Lemoore Union Elementary School District. The District will maintain strategies that ensure non-discrimination for all students, including policies granting admission preference to students who live within the current boundaries of the District. The Lemoore Union Elementary School District will maintain and review information concerning the ethnicity of all the Charter School students. If the balance is not reflective 5
of that of the District, the Charter School Council will meet to discuss the imbalance to explore available options and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees to resolve the situation. VIII. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Informational materials regarding the Charter School will be distributed to all parents within the district’s attendance boundaries to indicate the open enrollment policy for all students. Admission will not be determined according to the place of residence of the student or parents so long as they live in Kings County or counties contiguous with Kings County. Students will be considered for admission without regard to ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, language status, or achievement level. Out of district attendance requests shall be subject to review by the superintendent/designee regarding expulsion/suspension and/or other related behavioral issues. The charter school shall comply with all laws establishing minimum age for public school attendance. The requirements for admission shall ensure that students have satisfied all state and locally required immunizations. Prior to admission, all parents shall sign a pact indicating they will adhere to the elements of the Charter agreement. Parents must renew this agreement by signing an annual parent/student contract regarding the charter school outcomes, philosophy, program, and any other applicable requirements. All students’ continued enrollment shall depend upon fulfilling the terms of the annual parent/student contract. In the event that the number of students who wish to attend the school exceed the school’s capacity, a lottery system will be used to determine those selected to attend. Admission preference will be given to siblings of current students and to those students residing within the District’s boundaries. IX. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
An annual financial audit of the Charter School will be conducted by an independent auditor, which shall employ accepted accounting principles and the standards applicable to financial audits. The District will adhere to policies and administrative regulations adopted by the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees Policies and Administrative Regulations and will participate in the Board's annual audit of fiscal and programmatic operations. To the extent required under applicable federal law, the audit scope will be expanded to include items and processes specified in any applicable Office Management and Budget Circulars. The District will comply with Kings County Office of Education audit and accountability practices, though it will retain its rights under the parameters of Charter School law. Any disputes regarding the resolution of audit exceptions and /or deficiencies will be resolved using adopted dispute resolution processes.
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X. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION - ACADEMIC REMOVAL The Charter School will maintain student discipline policies that will be developed by the Charter Council, with parent and student input. These policies will be printed and distributed as part of the Parent/Student Handbook and will describe the expectations of the Charter School for attendance, mutual respect, substance abuse, violence, safety, and work habits. Each parent and student will be required to verify, by signature, that they have reviewed and understand the policies. Students may be suspended and/or expelled if the student or parent violates the elements of the Parent/Student Charter School Compact and/or for violations of the California Education Code 48900 and other provisions of State and Federal statutes regarding student safety issues. Students who fail to demonstrate adequate and appropriate behavior and academic progress toward the student standards, as determined by the professional judgment of the certificated staff and the Parent/Student Charter School Compact will be subject to dismissal from the school and will be returned to that student’s neighborhood school or local school district. Special Education students shall not be subject to academic removal. Adequate and appropriate progress will be determined on a case-by-case basis by an Administrative Review Committee using student data and their professional judgment. The due process for suspension and expulsion will follow District policies and regulations as adopted by the District Board of Trustees. Policies and regulations will conform to applicable federal law regarding students with exceptional needs. All students being considered for expulsion may be suspended pending the presentation of the facts to an Administrative Review Committee or Board of Trustees. The Administrative Review Committee, if utilized, will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. District policies and regulations regarding suspension and expulsion appeal procedures will be followed. XI. STRS, PERS, AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION All new and existing employees of the Charter School will participate in STRS, PERS, and Social Security, as appropriate. The district will continue to make appropriate contributions to the relative accounts and programs. XII. PUBLIC SCHOOL ALTERNATIVES Enrollment at the Charter School is entirely voluntary on the part of the students who enroll. Attendance at the student’s neighborhood school or district of residence public school shall be an option for all students who do not choose to attend the Charter School. XIII. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES The District acknowledges that no employee can be forced to work at the Charter School. All Charter School employees, who are current district employees, will volunteer to
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transfer to the Charter School and agree to work under the Charter. Current permanent status employees who transfer to the Charter School shall maintain permanent status with the District, but such employees may be transferred from the Charter School to another district operated school without cause. All new employees will be informed, before hiring, of the Charter School status. Once a new employee signs a contract with the district to work at the Charter School, that employee is deemed to be a Charter School employee. The Charter School will continue to have the same governance structure and the same working conditions for all staff that has been in effect since the beginning of the 20032004 school year. Teachers will have all of the rights under the Lemoore Elementary Teachers Association CTA/NEA and the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the California Education Code, and the Lemoore Union School District Board Policy except where outlined in the CBA. In the event of a dispute between the District and any employee, related to this provision of the Charter, the dispute resolution process that follows this section shall be implemented. XIV. PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES RELATING TO PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER Any disputes that arise from the provisions of this Charter shall be resolved by District policy. Should a dispute arise at the staff level, the Dean will meet with the staff member in an informal setting to discuss and attempt to resolve the dispute. The informal meeting shall take place within five working days from the day the staff member registers the complaint. If the two parties are unable to resolve the dispute, the aggrieved party will put his/her complaint in writing and submit it to the District Superintendent. The Superintendent will meet with the two parties within five working days from the date he/she receives the written complaint. The Superintendent will render a decision within five working days. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final. XV. DECLARATION AS EXCLUSIVE EMPLOYER The District shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the District for the purposes of the Education Employment Relations Act. AMENDMENTS OF THE CHARTER The Charter Council may accomplish minor refinements or clarifications of the proposed Charter during State review for approval and with the consensus of Charter School certificated employees. Substantive changes, required by changes in State regulations and/or needs of the District, must be approved by a majority of Charter School’s certificated teachers and the Governing Board of Trustees. These changes will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.
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Material revisions and amendments shall be made pursuant to the standards, criteria, and timelines in Education Code 46705. The Charter School will be non-sectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and other operations. The Charter School will not discriminate with regard to ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability. ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNING BOARD AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Each year, following release of the Academic Performance Index (API) by the State, an annual report will be prepared and presented, outlining the accomplishments, challenges, and recommendations of the Charter School status. Staff and Charter Council input will be integral to the preparation of the annual report. This document will be submitted to the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees, as well as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE). CHARTER PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE The Charter School Planning Steering Committee and the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees may accomplish minor refinements or clarifications of the proposed Charter during state review for approval. The Governing Board of Trustees must approve substantive changes, required by changes in State regulations and/or needs of the District. These changes will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. Material revisions and amendments shall be made pursuant to the standards, criteria, and timelines in Education Code 46705. The Charter School will be non-sectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and other operations. It will not discriminate with regard to ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.
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