ACADEMIC SERVICES DIVISION

ACADEMIC SERVICES

In other words, Chapters 4, 5, and 6 of your charter

SECTION 59-40-20. Purpose.

This chapter is enacted to:

(1) improve student learning;

(2) increase learning opportunities for students;

(3) encourage the use of a variety of productive teaching methods;

(4) establish new forms of accountability for schools;

(5) create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site;

(6) assist South Carolina in reaching academic excellence; and

(7) create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system, with the goal of closing achievement gaps between low performing student groups and high performing student groups.

MEET THE TEAM

Robert Compton, Ph.D.

Assistant Superintendent

Courtney Mills

Director of Academic Programs

Beckie Davis

Director of Special Education Services

Vamshi Rudrapati

Director of Federal Programs

Jean Epps, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Assessment

The Academic Services Division is responsible for the oversight, support, and evaluation of academic compliance and performance, equitable access, and safety for the charter schools authorized by the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Primarily, the division focuses on three areas of a school’s charter: educational program, goals and objectives, and student performance. The division evaluates these three areas using a variety of data sources that include annual reports, summative and interim assessments, compliance reviews, and information gathered from site visits. Through monitoring and technical assistance, the division also holds schools accountable for compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations including the South Carolina Charter Schools Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other Federal Title Programs.

ROBBIE COMPTON, PH.D.

Responsible/lead contact for: Academic Services Division

Student Services Related Health

Safety

Counselors

Nurses

Operations Related Transportation

Section 504 and 508 District Compliance Officer

ACADEMICSCourtney Mills, Director of Academic Programs

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Charter Schools Fulfill academic plan of the charter

Curriculum

Instruction

Interim Assessments

Academic “innovation”

Authorizer Implement oversight and monitoring

activities that evaluates a charter school’s faithfulness to fulfilling the academic expectations of the charter.

Confirm that the Charter School meets the performance expectations set forth in the District’s Academic Performance Framework and, in instances when expectations are not being met, provide an opportunity for the Charter School to demonstrate that it is making sufficient progress towards the District’s expectations.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Responsible/lead contact for: State Standards

Academic Regulations/Flexibility

Accountability Data Reporting

Academic Data Analysis

Educator Evaluation (ADEPT/TAP)

Textbooks

WHAT SCHOOL LEADERS NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

Familiarize yourself with the Bookshelf, check the Reporting Calendar frequently (or assign someone to)

Familiarize yourself with the school’s charter, ensure adherence to the educational program components

If you are ever in doubt, ask the District for guidance (not the state)

Most District communication is sent via email – be sure to read thoroughly (or assign someone to)

SPECIAL EDUCATIONBeckie Davis, Director of Special Education Services

SPECIAL EDUCATION (IDEA)

Charter Schools • Charter schools are not exempt

from federal laws that cover equal rights, access and discrimination

• Students attend charter schools by choice of their parents or guardians rather than by assignment by a school district

Authorizer Pursuant to SC charter school law, the

sponsor of a charter school is the charter school’s LEA and the charter school is a school within that LEA

The SCPCSD retains responsibility for special education and must ensure that students enrolled in its charter schools are served in a manner consistent with LEA obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law

ALL OF YOUR CHARTERS SAY YOU WILL COMPLY WITH IDEA

● This means regardless of the philosophy of your charter, you are required to provide a continuum of services to students with disabilities.

● This means you need to be prepared to serve whoever walks through your door.

● This means you cannot tell a parent, “We can’t serve your child” or “We don’t do that here” or “We don’t have those kinds of services” or “We only provide inclusion services”.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

All aspects of your services, including personnel, are up to the school:

Ensuring your school is adequately staffed to meet all students’ needs is the school’s responsibility; this includes all sped staff:

Teachers

paraprofessionals (1-on-1, shadow, assistant, …)

related service providers (OT, PT, SLT, school psychologist, …)

What we’ve learned . . . . Your special education coordinator can make (or break) your school.

Familiarize yourself with the Bookshelf’s IDEA section

FEDERAL PROGRAMS: TITLE I, TITLE II, TITLE III, CATE/PERKINSVamshi Rudrapati “Mr. V.”, Director of Federal Programs

•Title I – Federal funding for low income families (Lunch Forms)

•Homeless

•Title II - Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals

•Title III - Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient (Home Language Survey)

•IDEA Finance – Students with Disabilities

•CATE/Perkins- Career and Technology Education

Federal Programs

WHAT SCHOOL LEADERS NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

Bookshelf

ASSESSMENTSJean Epps, Ph.D., Coordinator of Assessment