44
Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 1 - Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Document Submitted: November 1, 2005 Revised: February 16, 2006

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 1 -

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School

Charter Document Submitted: November 1, 2005

Revised: February 16, 2006

Page 2: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 2 -

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 4

Mission Statement ....................................................................................................................... 4 Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Summary...................................................................................................................................... 4

ELEMENT ONE: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM .............................................................................. 6

AEACMS Plans to Educate.......................................................................................................... 6 Proposed Curriculum and Instructional Program......................................................................... 7 Addressing the Needs of All Students ....................................................................................... 10 Monitoring of All Students .......................................................................................................... 10 What It Means To Be an Educated Person in the 21st Century ................................................. 11 How Learning Best Occurs ........................................................................................................ 11

ELEMENT TWO: MEASURABLE PUPIL OUTCOMES............................................................... 14

ELEMENT THREE: METHOD OF MEASURING PUPIL PROGRESS........................................ 15

ELEMENT FOUR: GOVERNANCE .............................................................................................. 16

Corporate Structure ................................................................................................................... 16 Community Involvement ............................................................................................................ 17 Special Education ...................................................................................................................... 17

ELEMENT FIVE: EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS ...................................................................... 18

Administrators' Qualifications..................................................................................................... 18 Teachers' Qualifications............................................................................................................. 18

ELEMENT SIX: HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES ........................................................... 19

ELEMENT SEVEN: ACHIEVING RACIAL AND ETHNIC BALANCE ......................................... 20

ELEMENT EIGHT: ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS..................................................................... 21

ELEMENT NINE: FINANCIAL AUDITS........................................................................................ 24

ELEMENT TEN: STUDENT SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS.............................................. 25

ELEMENT ELEVEN: STRS, PERS AND OTHER RETIREMENT COVERAGE ......................... 27

ELEMENT TWELVE: ATTENDANCE ALTERNATIVES.............................................................. 28

ELEMENT THIRTEEN: EMPLOYEE RETURN RIGHTS ............................................................. 29

ELEMENT FOURTEEN: DISPUTE RESOLUTION WITH THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ...................................................................................................................................... 30

ELEMENT FIFTEEN: PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYER............................................................... 31

ELEMENT SIXTEEN: SCHOOL CLOSURE................................................................................ 32

OTHER CHARTER ELEMENTS................................................................................................... 33

17. Accountability....................................................................................................................... 33 18. Legal Status and Liability ..................................................................................................... 33

Page 3: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 3 -

19. Funding ................................................................................................................................ 33 20. District Services ................................................................................................................... 34 21. Information Exchange .......................................................................................................... 34

School and District – Records, Reports and Visits................................................................. 34 School and Parents – Transferability of Credits..................................................................... 35

22. Internal Dispute Resolution.................................................................................................. 35 23. Mandated Cost Recovery .................................................................................................... 35 24. Administrative Services........................................................................................................ 36 25. Charter Term........................................................................................................................ 36 26. Charter Revisions ................................................................................................................ 37 27. Signatures ………………………………………………………………………………………….36 28. Renaming Rights ................................................................................................................. 37

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Corporate Structure Attachment B: Internal Organizational Structure Attachment C: Executive Principal Resume Attachment D: Biographical Information of Founding Board Attachment E: Potential Teachers Petition Attachment F: Three Year Projected Budget Attachment G: Operational Cash Flow

Page 4: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 4 -

INTRODUCTION Mission Statement Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School (AEACMS) will provide an international atmosphere in which students will develop cultural acceptance that opens their vistas to diverse perspectives, thus translating rigorous interdisciplinary classroom instruction into emerging social responsibility. Students will develop an ethical foundation on which to stand as independent thinkers who are socially secure. The AEACMS student will become a creative, self-assured life time learner. Vision AEACMS will articulate high expectations for all within the learning community through introspective cognitive awareness. The educational program will provide the structure needed to elevate all students beyond their circumstances. Participants will be empowered to achieve their dreams for excellence by tapping their natural curiosities and thirst for knowledge. AEACMS will be committed to the highest standards reinforced by parents, administrators, faculty, staff, and supported by community and business leaders. Every student will be given the opportunities to develop leadership skills, good citizenship, a strong work ethic, and a core value system. AEACMS will base its educational model on the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) seeking to merge this world-renowned structure with the cognitive advantages of second language acquisition, with emphasis on German and Spanish, and based on the California State Standards. The teaching philosophy of AEACMS is best reflected in the quote by Albert Einstein: “The important thing is to never stop questioning.” By tapping into our students’ natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge, we will encourage lifelong questioning of the world which surrounds them. Summary The organizers and operators of the Albert Einstein Academy Charter School, which serves students K-5, plan to open Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School as a continuance of their excellent academic program. During the past three years of operation they have set a standard of excellence and academic rigor which they wish to extend into the middle school years. Second language acquisition (German) and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) are the founding tenets of AEACS (K-5), which has nurtured a population of students who take personal responsibility for their learning. These students, as well as others from the San Diego Unified School District student population need the AEACMS organized around the elements of the International Baccalaureate

Page 5: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 5 -

Middle Years Program (IBMYP), to continue on this path of academic excellence towards International Baccalaureate Diplomas. AEACMS plans to open in September of 2006 with an estimated initial enrollment of approximately 170 6th and 7th grade students with a maximum enrollment of 250 students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. They expect to be located on the premises of the current Albert Einstein Academy Charter School at 3035 Ash Street in San Diego. AEACMS will draw upon the diversity of the San Diego region including economically disadvantaged students while maintaining high performance standards for all students. It will organize as a fiscally separate and segregated division of the Albert Einstein Academies Charter School Corporation (described below), which will also operate the Albert Einstein Academy Charter Elementary School operating under a separate charter. The schools will be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Albert Einstein Academies Corporation , and will share some common administration and back office support. The Albert Einstein Academies Charter School Corporation, to be organized as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, will seek 501(c)(3) non-profit status under Federal law. The charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil or employee on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Admission to the charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her parent or guardian. The charter school shall be a single charter public school located within the boundaries of the San Diego Unified School District.

Page 6: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 6 -

ELEMENT ONE: Educational Program AEACMS Plans to Educate Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle will be a receiver school for Albert Einstein Academy Charter Elementary School and give preference to such students who have successfully completed their studies at the elementary school, in order to provide continuance of their current educational model. Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle will also enroll students graduating from other elementary schools seeking the benefits and challenges of an International Baccalaureate (IB) education. The AEACMS will provide a point of entry for all students, to access the academic advantages of the IB program for San Diego students, without a prerequisite of IB Primary Years Program (IBPYP) participation. The structure of the school will provided a mechanism for success in not only IB Middle Years Program (IBMYP) but also the acquisition of a second language during their middle years which broadens their understanding of diverse cultures and world perspectives. We clearly acknowledge that our goals are broader in that we believe that our objectives must include the responsibility to educate socially responsible, ethical, globally-minded future citizens of the world. Beyond that we embrace the creative energy and natural curiosity of every student as the catalyst for self-initiated lifelong learning. Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School believes its initial student body population will largely reflect an average of the current demographic diversity of AEACS (K-5) which is 20% Hispanic, 68.5% White, 8.5% African American, 2.3% Asian and .8% Filipino and that of the San Diego Unified School District which is 41.9% Hispanic, 25.9% White, 14.5% African American, 7.5% Filipino, 5.6% Indochinese, 3% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander, and .5% Native American. California is a state where the majority population will soon be non-Anglo. Many of the children of this population come to schools seeking assistance in strengthening their native language as well as acquiring strong English language skills. The research overwhelmingly supports the supposition that strength in a child's native language supports growth in English language acquisition (Krashen, l996; Hukuta, l985; Cummins & Swain, 1986). In communities that encourage dual language acquisition, and in programs that support bilingualism, knowing two languages is positively associated with intellectual and academic achievement. Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School plans to educate middle year aged students ages, 11-15 in grades 6-8. As a non-discriminatory school students of all socio-economic levels will be admitted with an estimated population of free or reduced lunch of 30-40%. Second language acquisition and multi-culturalism are foundational elements of the IBMYP so therefore we expect to exceed 50% of our students who are second language speakers, either in the German language which was developed in AEACS (K-5) or speakers of heritages languages which are commonly spoken through San Diego. We

Page 7: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 7 -

acknowledge the advance of bilingualism and will therefore encourage the enrollment of students who currently speak a second language or wish to acquire one. As in any school we will provide systematic scaffolding for at risk students who choose to enroll in AEACMS (6-8). Because of the rigors of the academic program and the demands of second language acquisition, enrolling in the IB program will be very challenging. To ensure academic success we will provide intake testing and parental conferencing to advise parents as to the correct placement for their children.

Proposed Curriculum and Instructional Program The goal of Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School is to provide a culturally and linguistically diverse, academically rigorous and socially responsible educational experience for children of all races, cultures and social economic backgrounds. Higher level thinking skills will be developed through language immersion and the inquiry method of instruction. We will provide each child with both “roots” and “wings”—roots that anchor them with pride in their cultural heritage and wings that promote creative, innovative thinking. The Albert Einstein Academic Charter Middle School will offer academic excellence through the educational pedagogy of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program with emphasis on second language acquisition as a vehicle for instruction. This inquiry-based, thematic education model will require accreditation of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) with stringent standards of excellence in teaching based on best practices world wide. The academic outcomes of this highly successful instructional model are evidenced by the 881 API score of the AEACS (K-5). We anticipate similar academic successes with our target population in the MYP.

The International Baccalaureate was established in 1968 as a means to bring together the best of different education systems worldwide and create a diploma that is universally accepted at universities around the world. Teachers will go through specific training provided by the International Baccalaureate Organization that is designed to give teachers expertise in the methodology of the IB program. Our alignment and future accreditation with IB provides the instructional resources that will build the capacity for our teachers to deliver the instructional program effectively for our students. The International Baccalaureate Program provides an excellent framework that allows the incorporation of existing California Standards and Frameworks and will follow the same scope and sequence. The school will be built upon the specific benchmarks outlined in the California State Academic Standards. In addition the following research-based methods of instruction are expected to be employed:

1. Accommodating individual learning styles

2. Providing direct instruction

3. Utilizing small group work, learning centers, and cooperative learning

4. Individualized tutoring sessions

Page 8: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 8 -

5. Thematic instruction

6. Guest speakers to talk on a variety of topics that may include career 4? options, self-esteem building, peer relationships, citizenship, social skills, good manners, and playground etiquette.

7. Educational field trips

8. Enrichment programs

9. SDAIE instructional methods

This program is intended to be an extension of the current AEACS program to continue the cognitive benefit of interdisciplinary bi-literacy with cultural perspectives that add depth to understanding. Students in the middle school may have the opportunity to study content, e.g. sciences, social sciences, mathematics, visual and performing arts and literary language skills, in a foreign language up to 50% of the time. This strong language emphasis will strengthen the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) by providing a global view of the world’s cultures and the ability to communicate on an advanced level beyond our own borders. IB teaches the traditional subject areas by accentuating their interrelatedness through transdisciplinary study. The connectivity of knowledge allows students to view the world through many perspectives, which are henceforth referred to as areas of interaction. The charter school’s academic focus will be a strong research-based basic skills program emphasizing language arts, computation and mathematical reasoning, a rigorous science and history/social studies program, with an emphasis on technology. Reduced class sizes and extended day opportunities will reinforce the implementation of instruction providing an excess of instructional minutes that are required by the district. It is our intentions to purchase California state standards-aligned curricular materials. AEACS (K-5) currently has purchased the District’s selected adoption materials for all core content areas and we expect that the middle school will do the same as they support our educational programs. The IBMYP includes the following academic components: Language A: Language Arts content standards in reading and writing in their primary language. Language B: The acquisition of a second modern language to create bilateral students in both reading and writing. Humanities: The study of international History and Geography are the gateway to integrated global awareness. Sciences: Teaching the scientific method as the basis for inquiry into the fundamental organization of the natural world through hands-on experimental opportunities to encourage the natural curiosity of the student.

Page 9: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 9 -

Mathematics: Beyond using the basic skills of algebra, geometry, trigonometry probability and statistics, students will develop skills in mathematics and application. Arts: The arts are integrated as a foundational content area to provide opportunities for each student to develop creative expression through visual and performing arts. Physical Education: P.E. is an essential component of a healthy body and therefore a healthy mind, which promotes self-awareness and emotional strength as a foundation to healthy adulthood. The IBMYP educational model supports and AEACMS will adhere to state mandated P.E requirements, i.e., 20 minutes per day at a minimum. Technology: Technology is the gateway of the future in understanding communication trends of the global world. Additionally the AEACMS will provide an educational environment that will enable the students to take personal responsibility for themselves and their world by including the following areas of instruction, interactions, and learning perspectives. • Approaches to Learning: The student develops awareness of how they learn best,

resulting in intellectual responsibility for their own thought processes. • Health and Social Education: The adolescence years present rapid changes in growth

and development, thus awareness of physical and mental health prepares the students to make informed choices as a basis of lifelong healthy decisions.

• Community and Service: This requires students to overcome their egocentrism to

understand their responsibility to the classroom community and the world beyond, encouraging social accountability thus making meaningful contributions to society.

• Environment: Aims to make students aware of the fragility of our world and their

place in the global ecosystem, creating a mechanism by which to measure their decisions and consequences thereof.

• Homo Faber: This area addresses the creative seed in every person that has molded

the evolution of human life with emphasis on nurturing the creative genius in each student.

The Albert Einstein Academies will be staffed with teachers who meet all California credentialing requirements as they apply to charter schools. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will provide a complete program of staff development as outlined above and may participate in selected staff development programs in cooperation with the San Diego Unified School District as opportunities and needs arise. Middle school teachers will have specific training and expertise in teaching their content area. Volunteers will be enlisted to help with auxiliary programs. All faculty and staff will be accountable for ensuring that their students meet the highest standards.

Page 10: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 10 -

Teachers will be identified who are enthusiastic, confident, and child-centered. The highest performing teachers will be attracted by opportunities and freedoms to implement and expand effective teaching methods in a collaborative fashion. Competitive salaries with the San Diego Unified School District will be offered to faculty and staff.

A comprehensive training program will be identified for staff development. Teachers will be on the front line to assure student success and they will be held accountable for professional development. The staff development program will be focused around the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program with both in-service training and participation in IB sponsored training workshops held worldwide. Addressing the Needs of All Students The instructional program is designed to meet the needs of all students. English Language Learners will benefit from the use of Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) instructional methods, Structured English Immersion Programs, Mainstream English Cluster Programs and to support second language instruction. CELDT will be used annually to access English Learners. Gifted students will benefit from small class sizes and small teacher-to-student ratios, individualized instructional plans and instruction that challenges their educational potentials. At-risk students will also benefit from small class sizes and small teacher-to-student ratios, individualized instructional plans, tutoring and skills instruction programs. Special education students will be served by the District Special Education services, requesting Option One as outlined in our MOU. The charter school will support the district's implementation of special education services and will make facilities available in a manner consistent with the district's need to provide services to all special education students. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will implement a Student Study Team which will meet regularly to design and implement support strategies for students with academic or social needs. Students who continue to have ongoing academic challenges that are not resolved will be referred for special education evaluations. The staff of the AEACMS will be instructed regarding the purpose and administration of the Student Study Team and Special Education "search/child find" efforts and referral procedures. English Language Learners will be identified by the Home Language Survey given to all students. Those students whose primary language at home is other than English will be given the English Language Development (ELD) test within 30 days of enrollment. If they qualify as English Language Learners in this test they will be tested annually until they are reclassified. Monitoring of All Students In order to monitor and assess our students AEACMS will gather and analyze a variety of data. The Northwest Evaluation Association’s (NWEA)-Measure of Academic Performance which is aligned with California State Standards (MAP, will be administered up to four times annually to diagnosis deficiencies and to monitor the

Page 11: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 11 -

academic progress of each student. The next step is to compare that data with disaggregated student achievement, including State assessment results, data broken down by quartile ranking, grade, teacher, race and gender. Next, student attendance and discipline records will be compared to the disaggregated student achievement data. The history of professional development trainings and staff attendance will be considered. This data, in concert with our longitudinal tracking of our multiple measures assessments will drive the student intervention and continuous improvement plans for the implementation of our instructional program. What It Means To Be an Educated Person in the 21st Century Albert Einstein believes that educated citizens of the 21st century must have global awareness and a solid foundation in science, math, history and literature and language arts. With such knowledge they will not only be able to keep up with the rapid growth of science and technology, but they will also be able to contextualize and understand its global implications and interconnectedness. While insisting upon thorough study of these traditional disciplines the curriculum accentuates the interrelatedness of such core subjects and so advances a holistic view of learning. This will be accomplished by implementing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. The IBMYP program asks the student to consider issues and problems in their widest scope and to realize that good solutions often draw upon insights one has acquired from many sources. This means helping students recognize relationships between school subjects and the world outside, and to learn to combine relevant knowledge, experience and critical thinking to solve authentic problems. Educated citizens of the 21st century must have a love of learning that will enable them to be lifetime independent learners, so they can adapt quickly and easily to changes in our core knowledge. They must be able to work productively and cooperatively in a multicultural environment. By encouraging students to consider multiple perspectives and intercultural awareness we not only foster tolerance and respect, but may also instill empathy. In addition they must be effective language users adept at writing and speaking, and they must be committed to the intellectual virtues of objectivity, respect for the truth and social and moral awareness. How Learning Best Occurs The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will apply the best of research proven strategies to provide a rich and rigorous academic program. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will be a small school with low student-to-teacher ratios. Small schools consistently provide better learning environments for children. Second only to socioeconomic status, school size is an enormous predictor of student success (Klonsky, 1998). The research strongly emphasizes the superiority of small schools as places where the learning environment is enhanced (Raywid, 1998). The enhanced social relationships of small school environments affects student achievement by increasing trust and positive attitudes toward school among students and staff, while decreasing violence and conflict (Gladden, 1999). Small schools tend to increase student participation across the board resulting in lower dropout rates and higher attendance rates (Fine, 1998).

Page 12: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 12 -

Learning best occurs when parents participate in the educational program and small schools are more likely to encourage parental involvement (Cotton, 1996). When the US Department of Education (1996) focused their research on 4th grade reading comprehension, researchers found, after eliminating confounding variables that a 44-point gap in scores still existed between students with significant parent involvement and students without. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will strive to enhance relationships with parents through a program of parent participation, education about students, parent educational opportunities in technology and higher educational opportunities. Learning best occurs in a collaborative environment. School success is dependent upon collaboration and goals (Schmoker, 1996). Collaboration among teachers, between students and teachers, between parents and teachers and administration and community is necessary for a successful school. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will also emphasize cooperative learning for students. Leaning best occurs in a climate where there are measurable goals. This "beginning with the end in mind" requires a standards-based system that gives direction to academic programs and is designed to ensure proficiency for students. Planning is specifically developed around the “Backwards Design” (Wiggins, YEAR) with the assessment component being defined before the instruction begins. Learning best occurs in a climate of accountability. As Schmoker (1996) so simply states: "What gets measured gets done.” The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School provides a continuous collection and application of data for students, parents, teachers and administrators. Charter schools can positively change the climate of accountability in a district (Gil, 1999). Learning best occurs with highly specialized teachers and staff. Specialized staff development programs provide proactive instructional leadership. Darling-Hammond (1997) states "the single most important determinant of student achievement is the expertise and qualifications of teachers." Learning best occurs in programs that have strong literacy components. Literacy provides a foundation for most academic success. Learning best occurs in a program that incorporates technology. Technological innovations can enhance communication and hence relationships within the academic environment. It also provides students with the knowledge and skills to enter the business and social opportunities of the 21st Century. Learning occurs best when students are immersed in an educational environment that is reflective of their culture. Language arts instruction is most effective when grounded in authentic cultural connections and defined norms. (Lessow-Hurley, 2000).

Page 13: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 13 -

Independent Study While AEACMS envisions itself as a school of daily attendance, independent study programs may be offered for some students. If independent study is provided, the School will comply with state laws relating to independent study as set forth in Education Code § 47612.5.

Page 14: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 14 -

ELEMENT TWO: Measurable Pupil Outcomes Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School students will set and strive to meet state accountability targets as defined by the State Public School Act (1999), the District “Accountability Framework,” and the federal mandates of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Several factors that are related to student achievement which are not measurable such as motivation, school culture and self esteem have a profound impact on mastery. However, AEACMS monitors measurable factors such as parental involvement, quality of teaching, academic environment and student conduct. AEACMS intends to promote its students with:

• Courses of study that meet all requirements for entry into a traditional public school as evidenced through student transcripts.

• Attributes and attitudes of mind, body, and relationships that prepare each student to become contributing citizens of the world.

• Student portfolios documenting progress in core subject areas. In the final year of the program, students are expected to participate in a culminating exhibition presented before peers of their learning community and members of the community. This is designed to demonstrate their proficiencies in all academic areas.

• Evidence of participation in community service activities.

The School will demonstrate student improvement with: • Standardized test scores that compare favorably with District schools that have

similar student demographics. • Achievement of scores on the Academic Performance Index (API) at or above

those targeted by the State and No Child Left Behind (federal) programs and above those API scores of District schools to which AEACMS compares itself .

• Higher student attendance rates than similar District schools. • Higher parent participation and volunteerism than similar District schools. This

will measure student and family commitment to, and involvement in, the School's instructional program.

• Higher staff attendance rates than similar District schools. This will measure staff commitment to, and involvement in, the School's instructional program and staff development initiatives.

Page 15: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 15 -

ELEMENT THREE: Method of Measuring Pupil Progress Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will comply with all state assessment and accountability requirements applicable to charter schools. The School will certify that its pupils have participated in the state-testing program in the same manner as other District students. The School will use District methods to measure these rates: Measurable Outcome Expected Outcome Proposed Assessment Tools Student Achievement CST/CAT6, Star Writing Test and

Fitness Gram Scores above District Average

STAR Testing Scores Student Report Cards, Transcripts

Student Conduct Suspension and Expulsion Rate significantly below District Average

Students Discipline Records

Student Attendance Average Daily Attendance above District average.

ADA attendance reports

Parental Participation Parent Rates of Involvement double the District Average

Volunteer Sign Log, Parent-Teacher Attendance Records

Staff Attendance Staff Attendance Rates above the District average

Staff Absentee Record

Professional Development Every teacher will be IB trained within 5 years

Evidence of attendance at IB training workshops

Teacher Performance Demonstrate curricular knowledge and effective teaching practices

Teacher annual performance evaluations

Community Service All students will participate in community activities annually

Certified participation logs

The School will make available a traditional transcript for each student in order to ease transfer of credits to other schools and to better communicate with parents. AEACMS will maintain contemporaneous written records that document pupil attendance and shall make these records available for audit and inspection. Additionally AEACMS will incorporate the following assessments in order to maintain a high standard of performance and accountability.

1. Multiple assessment measures in Reading and Mathematics to provide trimesteral feedback to parents, students, and teachers regarding educational progress. These assessments will include frequent assessment measures from the standards based curriculum materials, and student portfolios;

2. Other assessment measures of writing on demand, essay exams, exhibitions, and oral presentations, and textbook curriculum testing will be utilized;

3. Standards-based report cards will inform students and parents of academic progress.

These evaluation measures will be employed to inform students, parents, teachers and administrators and drive the curricular adjustments necessary to meet the needs of each student.

Page 16: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 16 -

Staff members will be evaluated annually by the administrators based on the evaluation California standards for teachers and aligned with the educational model espoused by the IBMYP.

An administrators’ evaluation survey will be conducted annually by the Board of Trustees and completed by staff members and parents. Reponses will be reviewed and recommendations,for improvement, if any, articulated.

Twice annual parent surveys will be conducted to measure the levels of parent participation and satisfaction with all aspects of the educational program.

Near the end of each academic year, the Albert Einstein Academy Charter School will prepare for parents, community, and the district, an annual accountability report (SARC). This report will contain measures of student academic progress in math and language arts, student and staff attendance statistics, results of parent surveys, (and) budget descriptions, and API and AYP results.

Element Four: Governance Corporate Structure While Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School intends to collaborate extensively with the San Diego Unified School District, the School shall be operated by a separate legal entity, independent of the San Diego Unified School District. Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will operate as a departmental subdivision of Albert Einstein Academies Charter School Corporation which will be a duly constituted California nonprofit public benefit corporation, governed in accordance with applicable California Corporations Code sections, and established to operate charter schools. As provided for in the California Corporations Code, the corporation will be governed by a Board of Trustees (“Board”), whose members have a legal responsibility for the operation of the school. The purposes of the corporation are to manage, operate, guide, direct, support and promote the Albert Einstein Academies.. See Attachment D, Board of Trustees. The Corporation will be managed by its Executive Principal, with duties and responsibilities as delegated by the Board. The Board of Trustees will have at least five members. The initial Board Trustees will be appointed jointly by the AEACMS Founding Board and the existing Governance Council of AEACS. Members are expected to serve staggered three-year terms. Board members will be selected to represent the community-at-large, the business community and educators. The initial Board of Trustees will be tasked with the responsibility of creating and approving the Bylaws, consistent with this charter. All future board trustees will be selected with skills and experience to match their board responsibilities by a majority vote of the standing Board of Trustees through a nomination process, inclusive of a wide array of stake holders. The Governance Councils will propose nominees to the Board of Trustees. Provided each council makes timely nominations, the Board of Trustees will not be involved in the nomination process. Each Governing Council will be entitled to a

Page 17: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 17 -

non-voting, ex-officio seat on the Board of Trustees. For definitive hierarchy of corporate structure please refer to Attachments A and B. The Board shall meet as frequently as necessary but at least once per quarter, particularly in the first three years of the School’s operation, but no less than two times a year when operations have stabilized. It will record all actions taken and make such actions available to the public in accordance with the California Public Records Act. The Board will conform to all requirements of applicable laws pertaining to open meetings; e.g., the Brown Act. The governing board of San Diego Unified School District shall be entitled to a nonvoting representative on the Albert Einstein Academy nonprofit corporation Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will recommend a representative to the District. Community Involvement Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will engage parents, teachers and community leaders (via the governance councils) during periodic meetings, to advise on the operations of the School program, staff, teachers, students and fundraising, all with the purpose of increasing student achievement. The School will hold approximately four Parent Nights annually, in addition to approximately three annual Parent Workshops where parents and students use projects to learn together. Special Education The School shall be deemed, at least initially, a district public school for the purposes of special education. The District will provide special education funding and services for the School's special education pupils to the extent required by law. Specifically, the District will (A) serve children with disabilities in the same manner as it serves children with disabilities in its other schools; and (B) provide funds in the same manner as it provides funds to its other schools [ IDEA §1413 (a)(5)]. The School will pay to the District a special education encroachment fee for each student, based upon the District-wide average for students at the grade levels served by the School. AEACMS intends to select Option One of Special Education Services menu, as noted in our MOU. The District may provide the School, by mutual agreement, funding instead of services in those cases where the School has the capacity to appropriately meet the needs of its special education students and the District finds it in the best interest of students to do so. The School reserves the right to become a Local Education Agency (LEA) for the purposes of special education and seek admission to a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), other than the District’s. The School will notify the District by October 1 if it intends to elect either of these options prior to the school year when they would take affect. The School will work with District staff, in accordance with the SDUSD Charter School Policy and Guidelines, if and when the School decides to exercise its right to change the vehicle for delivery of special education services. To the extent the School opts for District delivery of special education services, it will support the District's implementation of these services and will make facilities available

Page 18: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 18 -

in a manner consistent with the District's need to provide services to all special education students. ELEMENT FIVE: Employee Qualifications Administrators' Qualifications The Principal, Vice Principal or Lead Teacher or any other administrator at Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School must have leadership abilities and a comprehensive educational vision that is consistent with the school's mission and educational program, including a commitment to an international language approach and International Baccalaureate teaching and training. In addition, the School Principal should possess skills in hiring and supervising and motivating excellent teachers, technological and data-analysis experience, and if possible, business experience. Experience in a school serving high-risk populations, including minority children, is desirable. The administrator will act as liaison to the district. Teachers' Qualifications The most important qualifications for our teachers are: caring about our students; familiarity with or willingness to be trained in the schools curriculum sequence and learning styles; a demonstrable effectiveness in teaching; and a willingness to work hard, to take responsibility and exercise leadership for the school as a whole. Specific qualifications may include: 1. Possession of a California Commission on Teaching Credentialing certificate or

permit as may be required under the charter law; 2. Possesses a willingness to teach and train in the International Baccalaureate

educational model; 3. International, cultural or linguistic experience or knowledge. The school will conform to all legal requirements for charter school teachers, and will maintain a current copy of teacher certificates on file. Credentialing (emergency) permits will only be utilized to employ a teacher in an emergency or temporary situation. The School will comply with the “Highly Qualified” provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Page 19: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 19 -

ELEMENT SIX: Health and Safety Procedures The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will utilize the facilities that will be located within and provided by the San Diego Unified School District located at 3035 Ash Street, San Diego, CA 92102 at the former campus of Brooklyn Elementary. So long as the school occupies District facilities, it will maintain those facilities in accordance with a mutually agreed upon facilities MOU. In the event the school occupies any additional facilities not owned by the District, the school will maintain on file records documenting compliance with fire, health, and structural safety requirements in accordance with SB 1054 (as enacted in 2005), to the extent applicable. Appropriate disaster and safety plans will be developed and visibly posted. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School shall comply with all provisions of Education Code 44237, including the requirement that as a condition of employment each new employee not possessing a valid California Teaching Credential must submit two sets of fingerprints to the California Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining a criminal record summary. The requirements for criminal records review shall meet or exceed District personnel standards. All persons assigned to work at the school will be processed by the personnel department and must undergo a criminal record review. Records of student immunizations shall be maintained, and staff shall honor the San Diego Unified School District requirements for periodic TB tests. AEACMS will require all enrolling students and staff to provide documentation of immunization in accord with requirements of the Health and Safety Code Sections 120325-120375 and CA Administrative Code Section 6000-6075. This includes immunizations for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, peruses, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B as described in Department of Health Services Document IMM-231. The school intends to employ a nurse, as identified in the budget, to provide oversight of immunization requirements and health screenings. The school will provide food services for the students attending the charter school to the extent required by law. The school may contract with the District or any other source to provide such food services. Emphasis will be placed on student behavior with specific development of a code of student conduct which embodies high expectations for all students reflected within the school culture. The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will develop further health, safety, and risk management guidelines in consultation with its insurance providers and risk management experts.

Page 20: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 20 -

ELEMENT SEVEN: Achieving Racial and Ethnic Balance

To create a school community that reflects the diversity of the San Diego Unified School District, the Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will attempt to recruit students, in addition to those matriculating, from a range of ethnic, linguistic, and racial populations. In accordance with the District charter oversight policy, the school commits itself to quantifiable efforts during the first year, and following years, designed to show its commitment to a diverse student body. Recruitment strategies will include the following good faith efforts: • Announcing the School's interest in seeking applications in publications the District

provides for such purposes quarterly. • Expend at least $500 annually on print and electronic media, flyers and direct mail to

recruit applicants of diverse backgrounds; • The development of outreach materials in other languages, including Spanish, to

reach parents who are not English speakers; • Annual Outreach to community groups, agencies and other organizations that have

direct contact with the racial and ethnic communities in the district. • An enrollment timeline that allows for a broad-based recruiting and application

process, and that is aligned with the diverse needs and composition of the prospective population;

• The design and distribution of outreach and informational materials to appeal to the various racial and ethnic groups within the district including two newspapers in different areas of San Diego, monthly until full enrollment is reached;

Outreach meetings/information distribution to reach prospective students and parents to be coordinated at local libraries. The School will maintain auditable records of the above activities, ethnic balance, and expenditures. The School will establish an open enrollment period of at least 60 consecutive days each year within the months of Jan. 1- Mar. 31, Apr. 1-Jun. 30 or July 1-Aug. 31. Notice of the open enrollment period, the admissions process, and the place of any lottery will be included in public literature. This includes the appropriate recruitment materials, advertisements and forums mentioned above.

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will continuously engage in these efforts for the life of the charter, commencing on March 1 of each successive year of the charter, unless these procedures are adopted and revised in writing by the school’s Board of Trustees.

Page 21: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 21 -

ELEMENT EIGHT: Admission Requirements Charter schools are schools of choice. All students in the San Diego Unified School District and all other districts are eligible to attend the Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School. AEACMS will comply with Education Code 47605. First priority will be given to students who live in the District and are matriculating from Albert Einstein Academy Charter School. In order to attain our vision of a racially, economically, linguistically and geographically diverse population, we will develop an admissions process designed to reach out to all families and to enable the school to have a diverse student body. The following admission processes, consistent with non-discriminatory statutes, will be followed:

• Parents of student applying for admission need to complete a non-discriminatory application during one of the school’s open enrollment periods: Jan. 1- Mar. 31, Apr. 1-Jun. 30 or July 1-Aug. 31. If the waiting list exceeds 100 during any given enrollment period, the school may choose to cancel subsequent enrollment period for that school year.

• Parent or guardian must visit the campus at a time of their convenience, or attend one of the scheduled informational meetings during the open enrollment period, at which time a staff member will detail the school’s expectations of both student and family. Evidence of such visit represents school’s efforts to help parents to make an informed educational choice for their child and not as a means of exclusion.

• Students will be required to submit a written essay or taped audition stating why AEACMS is the school of their choice and how they will fit into the international and multicultural setting of the school, as a means of demonstrating a student’s understanding of and commitment to the school’s mission, not to be an exclusionary measurement of performance or skill.

• Once a student is offered a position, the school will conduct an intake assessment and interview with student and parent.

• Student and Parent must sign the School/Home Agreement, Code of Conduct Agreement and Attendance Contract.

The Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will be open to all students including those with special education needs. The AEACMS will support the administration of special education services at the school site by the San Diego Unified School District. Should the Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School receive a number of completed applications from potential students exceeding the number of spaces available within the school, the school will conduct a random public lottery, designed to establish a diverse student population. The following rules and procedures will be used, which will be communicated to all interested parties at least 30 days prior to holding the lottery:

Page 22: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 22 -

1. The school will enlist the services of an outside agency or auditor (preferably the District or an entity recommenced by the District) to monitor and verify the fair execution of all activities related to holding the lottery.

2. The lottery will take place within 30 days of closing each open enrollment period, which will be at least 60 days long.

3. The lottery will take place on the school's campus in a facility large enough to allow all interested parties to observe the drawing, or at another public venue near the school large enough to accommodate all interested parties.

4. The lottery will take place on a weekday evening or other time when most interested parties who wish to attend may do so.

5. All interested parties will know, prior to the holding of the lottery, how many openings are available in the school at the time of the lottery, and in the different grades served by the school.

6. The following preferences will be extended to potential students: • Children of founders will receive a guarantee of admission up to a maximum

of 10%. • Children of employees will receive a guarantee of admission, up to a

maximum of 10%. • Students enrolled in AEACS (K-5) who have been promoted to the sixth grade

will receive a guarantee of admission. • Siblings of students who are presently enrolled in AEACS or AEACMS will

be guaranteed admission as space is available. • Siblings of students who have their names drawn during the lottery shall

receive a guarantee of admission unless the sibling is to enroll in a grade that has all of its spaces already filled in the drawing. The sibling would then be put on the waiting list for admission to that grade, ahead of all others, on the waiting list for that grade.

• Students within the San Diego Unified School District will have priority over students outside of the District.

7. The lottery shall draw names from a single pool of ballots or identified pools of ballots designed to establish a diverse student population.

8. The ballots shall be drawn by a representative of the outside agency or organization confirming the results of the lottery.

9. The drawing shall continue until all names are drawn. Those individuals whose names are drawn after all spaces have been filled will be placed on the waiting list in the order drawn, except if the preferences described above require otherwise.

10. Potential students on the waiting list shall provide contact information to be used in the event space becomes available. Students promoted to AEACMS off (of) the waiting list shall be informed in writing and shall have 10 business days from the date of postage to respond. In addition, the school shall attempt on at least two separate occasions to contact the parents/guardians of promoted students by telephone or e-mail. Those families not responding within the 10-day period will forfeit their right to enroll their student in the school for that school year. When

Page 23: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 23 -

positions come available in each grade, waiting list parents will have the first right of refusal for those positions.

11. The outside organization or agency verifying the fair execution of the lottery shall confirm in writing the lottery was conducted fairly, and the school shall keep on record copies of that confirmation.

Page 24: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 24 -

ELEMENT NINE: Financial Audits Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School will contract with an independent auditor for an annual financial audit that will be produced according to generally accepted accounting principles. AEACMS will transmit a copy of the audit to the District - as well as to the County Superintendent of Schools, the State Controller and the State Department of Education - by December 15 of each year. Should the audit note any exceptions or deficiencies, the School will follow a procedure whereby the School:

• Informs in writing all audit recipients of any exception and/or deficiency the School disputes or believes it has already corrected by the time of submitting the audit, along with supporting documentation;

• Informs all audit recipients in writing of a proposed timetable with benchmarks for the correction of each exception and/or deficiency still outstanding at time of audit submission; and ,

• Resolves all outstanding or disputed exceptions and/or deficiencies to the mutual satisfaction of the District and the School by no later than the following June 30th or other time as may be mutually agreed to.

The School will form an audit committee each fiscal year to oversee the completion of the annual audit of the school's financial affairs. The Audit will verify the accuracy of the School's financial statements, attendance, and enrollment accounting practices, and review the School's internal controls. AEACMS will avail itself of the well-tested plans and systems used by its Board of Trustees to provide information for an independent audit. In addition, the School will:

• Prepare and file with the District on or before September 15 and annual statement of receipts and expenditures of the charter school for the preceding fiscal year (Education code section 42100);

• Prepare and file with the District a preliminary budget on or before July 1, an interim financial report on or before December 15, a second interim financial report on or before March 15, and a final unedited report for the full prior year on or before September 15 (Education Code section 47604.33);

• Respond promptly to all reasonable inquiries regarding its financial records; • As a nonprofit public benefit corporation the School will make provisions for the

liabilities, debts and financial obligations of the school and will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the district for damages resulting from acts of the school; and,

• The School will adhere to the additional financial reporting requirements described in Guideline 5, Element 4 of this policy.

Page 25: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 25 -

ELEMENT TEN: Student Suspensions and Expulsions

The understood purpose of the suspension and expulsion procedures will be to ensure a safe and effective learning environment. Successful procedures will provide for due process, be specific and concrete, and be supported by the school community. AEACMS will regard suspension and expulsion as a last resort. Criteria for suspension and expulsion of students shall be consistent with all applicable federal statutes and state constitutional provisions. All related hearings will conform to the applicable state and federal laws regarding discipline, special education, confidentiality, and access to records. While suspension and expulsion are to be regarded as a last resort, the following represents some of the suggested grounds for such action:

1. The threat, causation, or attempted causation of physical injury to another person; 2. Possession of a weapon (e.g. firearms, knives, and explosives) as grounds for

immediate expulsion; 3. Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer, or being under the influence of any

controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant; 4. Robbery or attempted robbery of another person’s property or school property; 5. Significant damage or attempt to damage school property; 6. An obscene or offensive act or habitual profanity/vulgarity; 7. Persistent failure to respond to correction, especially as to respect for staff, respect

for others (consistent with the State Education Code prohibition against harassment), or persistent and repeated failure to follow student rules.

Prior to suspending a student, if circumstances permit, the student and his/her parents shall be given a written statement of the reasons for suspension. The student and his/her parents shall also be given an opportunity to meet with the school principal to present any evidence as to why a suspension should not be imposed. If circumstances require an immediate suspension, written notice and an opportunity to meet shall be provided to the student and his/her parents within three days of suspension. A student suspension or expulsion may only be applied with the approval of the School Principal or his or her designee(s). The School will provide the student with a written notice of suspension or expulsion and the reasons therefore. A suspension or expulsion may be appealed to a subcommittee authorized by the School Site Governing Council that shall have the right to rescind or modify the suspension or expulsion. The parents or guardians of the student will have ten days from delivery of the written notice of suspension or expulsion to declare in writing their request for an appeal. The

Page 26: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 26 -

subcommittee shall convene a hearing within fifteen days of the receipt of a timely request for an appeal. At the hearing the student shall have the right to representation, the right to present evidence, the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and the right to question School representatives. The written notice to the student of the proposed disciplinary action must advise the student of the above-listed rights, and must specify the date, time, and place of the disciplinary hearing. The subcommittee members will consider evidence and/or testimony as it deems appropriate and render a written decision that shall be in the best interests of the student and the School. That decision shall be final. Written notice of expulsion shall be provided to the student’s former district of residence together with the student’s records to the extent required by law.

Page 27: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 27 -

ELEMENT ELEVEN: STRS, PERS and Other Retirement Coverage To the extent allowed by law, and subject to the decisions of the Albert Einstein Academies Board of Trustees regarding retirement funds, employees of AEACMS may participate in any and all teacher and employee retirement funds such as STRS and PERS. The School may establish other retirement plans for employees that include, but shall not be limited to the establishment of section 403(b) or 401(k) plans and will coordinate such participation, as appropriate, with the Social Security system or other reciprocal system. If the school chooses to participate in STRS, the District agrees to include the School's monthly STRS reports with the District's reports for submission to STRS.

Page 28: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 28 -

ELEMENT TWELVE: Attendance Alternatives Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School is a school of choice. No student is required to attend. Students choosing not to attend AEACMS may attend other public schools within their home school district. The School will provide information about attendance alternatives to inquiring parents or students. Transportation is the parental responsibility for families who choose to attend AEACMS, unless such transportation is provided by the School at its sole discretion.

Page 29: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 29 -

ELEMENT THIRTEEN: Employee Return Rights The right to leave the District and take employment at Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School, as well as the right to return to the District for AEACMS employees who were previously San Diego Unified School District employees, will be as specified in District policies, procedures or collective bargaining agreements addressing this issue with respect to charter schools operated by nonprofit public benefit corporations, or in individual agreements with staff as approved by the School and District.

Page 30: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 30 -

ELEMENT FOURTEEN: Dispute Resolution with the San Diego Unified School District

In the event that the AEACMS or San Diego Unified School District (the “District”) have disputes regarding the terms of this charter or any other issue regarding the school and grantor’s relationship, or the school’s compliance with any provision of law, both parties agree to the following process: In the event of a dispute between the AEACMS and the District, regarding the terms of this charter or any other issue regarding the school and district relationship, both parties agree to appraise the other, in writing, of the specific disputed issue(s). In the event the district believes the dispute relates to an issue that could lead to revocation of the charter, this shall be specifically noted in the written dispute statement the district provides the school. Within 30 days of sending written correspondence or longer if both parties agree, a charter school representative, a district representative, or their designees, shall meet and confer in an attempt to resolve the dispute. If this joint meeting fails to resolve the dispute, the charter representative and the district representative shall meet again within 15 days, or longer if both parties agree, to identify a neutral, third party mediator to assist in dispute resolution. The format of the third-party mediation process shall be developed jointly by the representatives and shall incorporate informal rules of evidence and procedure unless both parties agree otherwise. The finding or recommendation of any arbiter shall be non-binding, unless the governing authorities of the school and district jointly agree to bind themselves. Unless jointly agreed, the process involving the assistance of a third-party mediator shall conclude within 45 days. All mediation and/or arbitration costs and all other costs associated with dispute resolution shall be shared equally by the charter school and the district. In the event the third-party mediation process does not result in resolution of the dispute, both parties agree to continue good faith negotiations. If the matter cannot be mutually resolved, the charter school shall be given a reasonable period of time to correct the violation, unless the district indicates in writing the violation constitutes a severe and imminent threat to the health and safety of the school’s pupils. San Diego Unified School District shall reserve the right to then take any action it deems appropriate and the school reserves the right to seek legal redress for any such actions under the law. In addition, the dispute is not required to be referred to mediation in those cases where the district determines the violation constitutes a severe and imminent threat to the health and safety of the school’s pupils.

Page 31: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 31 -

ELEMENT FIFTEEN: Public School Employer

All employees of the Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School shall be employees of the charter school and not employees of the District for the purposes of the EERA.

Page 32: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 32 -

ELEMENT SIXTEEN: School Closure Should the Charter School cease operation, all assets secured from the appropriation of public funds, including private funds granted or donated to the charter school, and all assets originally transferred to the charter school by the District, shall be returned to the District to the extent permitted by the terms of any grant or gift. All other assets will be distributed in accord with laws and regulations in force that govern the dissolution of non-profit public benefit corporations. The charter will comply with all portions of EC47605(b)(5)(P), including the requirement that there shall be “a final audit of the school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.” Further, the school will notify parents, students, the California Department of Education, districts affected by the closure, and the San Diego County Office of Education. District property that is transferred to the charter school together with the facilities remains District property, is not an asset of the charter school, and must be returned to the District when the school closes.

Page 33: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 33 -

OTHER CHARTER ELEMENTS 17. Accountability AEACMS will abide by the SDUSD "Charter School Accountability Contract for Student Achievement and Sound Charter Implementation" as explicated in Appendix A of the San Diego City Schools Charter School Policy and Guidelines, approved November 27, 2001 and revised June 22,2004. 18. Legal Status and Liability AEACMS will be operated by a nonprofit public benefit corporation. As such, San Diego Unified School District shall not be liable for the debts or obligations of the School. The corporation shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify the District, the Board of Education, its officers and employees, from every liability, claim or demand which may be made by reason of: (a) any injury to person or property sustained by the School, its officers, employees or authorized volunteers; and (b) any injury to person or property sustained by any person, firm or corporation caused by any act, neglect, default, or omission of the School, its officers, employees, agents or students. In cases of such liabilities, claims or demands, the School at its own expense and risk shall defend all legal proceedings which may be brought against it and/or the District, the Board of Education, its officers and employees, and satisfy any resulting judgments up to the required amounts that may be rendered against any of them. The School will obtain General Liability and Auto Liability coverage in the amount of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence, $5,000,000 aggregate, naming the District as an additional insured, and Worker's Compensation insurance within statutory limits. As an alternative, the School may purchase and maintain insurance with limits and coverage as deemed mutually acceptable to the District's risk manager and the School. 19. Funding The School elects to receive funding directly from the State of California through the County Treasurer and the County Office of Education in accordance with applicable law and the State’s block grant program for charter schools. The School through the corporation will act as its own fiscal agent. The District agrees it will use its ability to transfer funds from the School's Treasury Account to the District only with specific permission from the School. While AEACMS does not expect the District to advance to the School future revenues (i.e., smooth out the School's revenue stream), nothing in this charter shall prevent the District from electing to do so at the School’s request. The District agrees to forward the School's full share of local aid to the School's account at the County Treasurer each month when due and to send separate notice to the School of each deposit amount without delay.

Page 34: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 34 -

20. District Services The School and the District will negotiate in good faith on an annual basis to develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) separate from this charter, one that establishes more specifically the financial and service relationship between the two parties. The School’s purchase of goods and services, if any, from the District shall not negate the operational independence of the School from the District. Breach of the MOU shall not necessarily constitute breach of this charter. The School does not anticipate purchasing any optional services from the District other than services for special education, food service, access to professional development, student pupil accounting and testing. Any other services will be selected and negotiated annually as outlined by the MOU. The District, consistent with the charter School MOU, agrees to provide its rationale for determining fair and reasonable pricing of any purchased services. The District may charge for the actual cost of supervisorial oversight of the School not to exceed one percent of annual revenues from general purpose entitlements and categorical block grant funds. In addition, the School agrees to pay the pro-rata share of 3035 Ash Street facilities costs as defined in Education Code Section 47614 (Proposition 39). 21. Information Exchange

School and District – Records, Reports and Visits AEACMS agrees that the School will promptly respond to all reasonable inquiries, including inquiries regarding its financial records. Pursuant to Education Code 47607 the District shall have the right to inspect or observe any part of the charter school at any time, upon reasonable notice. The District agrees it will not do so unreasonably, without notice, or by causing a disruption of student instruction or School operations except in the case of an emergency. The District will conform with the risk management policies of the school in respect to campus safety and security. The School shall provide the District reports as required by current law: • CBEDS • ADA reports J18/19 • Budget J210 - preliminary and final • A school accountability report card using a state approved format • Copies of the annual, independent financial audit And, as an accommodation to the District, the School shall further supply the District:

• Reconciliation of the annual audit with the J210 • Copies of all state mandated test results: STAR (CST/CAT6), CELDT and SABE/2.

Page 35: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 35 -

Finally, on or before September 15, the School will approve, in a format prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, an annual statement of all receipts and expenditures of the School for the preceding fiscal year and will file a copy of that statement with the District. Changes in these reporting requirements may be incorporated by reference into this charter when the District and the School mutually update their MOU (See Funding, Element 19). The charter school shall permit the District to inspect and receive copies of all records relating to the operation of the charter school, including financial, personnel and pupil records, unless the law prohibits disclosure to the District of any such records. The charter school shall promptly comply with all such reasonable written requests(,). Records of the charter school and of any parent corporation shall be considered public records under the Public Records Act (Government Code section 6520 et seq.).

School and Parents – Transferability of Credits

The School shall notify student, parents or guardians of the reasons for its belief that all course credits at AEACMS are as transferable as those of a traditional District school to other schools, and any limitations on such understandings. The School does not anticipate offering courses transferable for high school or college credit. Such notice shall occur via School publications that may include recruiting materials, parent and student handbooks, and occasional newsletters. 22. Internal Dispute Resolution The Board of Trustees will adopt policies and processes for airing and resolving disputes within the school community (other than those between San Diego Unified School District and AEACMS relating to provisions of this charter or the relationship between them, which are covered in Element Fourteen (N), above). The District agrees to refer all complaints regarding operations of AEACMS to the School's Executive Principal for resolution in accordance with the School's adopted policies. However, the District shall have the ability to intervene in and respond to complaints about the operation of AEACMS as is required by law. 23. Mandated Cost Recovery The School will be responsible for recovering from the State all eligible mandated costs applicable to the School. The District shall, within ninety days of receipt or as timely as possible, reimburse the School for the School's pro rata share of mandated costs that the District recovers using the School's enrollment or another basis that incorporates AEACMS to the extent that any such recovery exceeds the actual District cost attributable to the School.

Page 36: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 36 -

24. Administrative Services Albert Einstein Academies Charter School Organization reserves the right to maintain back office services in-house or contract any or all duties with a qualified entity. The School will use templates provided by the SDUSD financial operations office to complete required financial records. The School will annually prepare and submit the following reports to the District and the County Superintendent of the schools as prescribed in education code section 47604.33: • On or before July 1, a preliminary budget for a charter school in its first year of

operation, the information submitted pursuant to subdivision (g) of section 47605 satisfies this requirement.

• On or before December15 an interim financial report. This report shall reflect changes through October 31.

• On or before March 15, a second interim financial report. This report shall reflect changes through January 31.

• On or before September 15, a final unaudited report for the full prior year. The Academies will adhere to the District’s reporting requirement and provide the following reports as required by law: • CBEDS (California Basic Educational Data System). • ADA (Average daily Attendance) Reports J18/19. • SARC (School Accountability Report Card) Albert Einstein Academies Charter School Corporation will contract with an independent auditor. The audit will verify the accuracy of the school’s financial statement and reporting practices. The audit will be conducted in accordance with GAAP as applicable to public schools and in compliance with the audit provisions of the Schools’ charters and charter school legislation. Clear audit reports will be submitted to the District, County Office of Education, State Controller and CDE.

The Board of Trustees will meet routinely to review profit and loss statements, cash flow projections, reports of budget to actual results, and balance sheets. It will also address audit deficiencies, if any, formal or informal, and determine the means for resolving any such deficiencies in a timely fashion. 25. Charter Term The petitioners request the San Diego Unified School District Board of Trustees approve a term of this charter that shall begin for a five-year period on July 1, 2006 and end June 30, 2011. The School justifies this five-year term based on the successful record of the School’s educational design.

Page 37: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 37 -

26. Charter Revisions Material revisions to the charter must be approved by the District's Board of Trustees. However, any proposed revisions to the charter will be presented to the District for a determination as to whether it is a material revision that must be approved by the District Board of Trustees. The District will make its determination and, if required, the District Board of Trustees will consider the revision for approval within 60 days of submission by the School or within a time mutually agreed to. 27. Signatures Attached to this proposal are the signatures of teachers who have a meaningful interest in securing employment with AEACMS. The number of signatures represents at least half of the number of teachers that the School estimates will be employeed by AEACMS in its first year of operation. 28. Renaming Rights Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School, reserves the right, upon reasonable notice to those affected, to rename the School. Such action shall not be considered a material change to the charter and shall not require District approval.

Page 38: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 38 -

Attachment A: Corporate Structure

Page 39: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 39 -

Attachment B: Internal Organizational Structure

Page 40: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 40 -

Attachment C: EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL RESUME

Page 41: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 41 -

Attachment D: Biographical Information of Founding Board

Page 42: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 42 -

Attachment E: Potential Teachers Petition

Page 43: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 43 -

Attachment F: Three-Year Projected Budget

Page 44: Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle Schoolold.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0228/7b3_a.pdf · Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter ... Charter Document Submitted:

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School Charter Petition - 10/15/05 – Revision 1 - 44 -

Attachment G: Operational Cash Flow