LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Inter-Office ...laschoolboard.org/sites/default/files/Tab 3d. Pacifica 2 Renewal.pdf · Pacifica Community Charter School #2 (Pacifica) until June

INFORMATIVE – Board Report ### TO: Charter Schools and Innovation Committee DATE: March 6, 2008 FROM: Gregory McNair, Associate General Counsel II Office of the General Counsel SUBJECT: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR PACIFICA COMMUNITY CHARTER

SCHOOL #2 AMENDMENT FOR CHARTER EXTENSION I. Background The Charter Schools Division has recommended the extension of the charter term for Pacifica Community Charter School #2 for 3 years based upon an analysis of the school’s academic, operational and fiscal performance. The analysis of the school’s academic performance included a comparison of the academic achievement of the charter school’s students to the academic achievement of two sets of comparison District schools:

1. The residence schools the charter school students would have otherwise attended (“Resident Schools”); and

2. District schools of similar demographic characteristics (“Demographically Similar Schools”).

II. Comparison Resident Schools “Resident Schools” were selected by using the charter school students’ home addresses to identify the District schools they otherwise would have attended. The District schools most represented at the charter school were chosen as comparison “resident schools.” The comparison resident schools for the Pacifica Community Charter School #2 are:

1. 24th St. Elementary 2. Baldwin Hills Elementary 3. Braddock Drive Elementary 4. Palms Elementary 5. Shenandoah Elementary 6. Westport Heights Elementary 7. Cochran Middle School 8. Irving Middle School 9. Mark Twain Middle School 10. Palms Middle School 11. Wright Middle School

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Inter-Office Correspondence

III. Comparison Demographically Similar Schools “Demographically Similar Schools” were selected by:

1. Identifying the District schools that are included on the charter school’s API “Similar Schools” list;

2. Identifying demographic characteristics at these District schools that are within 10% of the charter school’s demographic characteristics. Demographic characteristics include:

a. Ethnicity b. Percentage of ELL students c. Percentage of Special Education Students d. Percentage of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch

3. Schools with the greatest number of demographic matches (within 10%) were chosen as comparison “demographically similar schools.”

The comparison demographically similar schools for the Pacifica Community Charter School #2 are:

1. Germain Elementary 2. Justice Elementary 3. Marquez Elementary 4. Nestle Elementary 5. Topanga Elementary 6. Woodlake Elementary 7. Hale Middle School 8. Nobel Middle School 9. Portola Middle School 10. Renaissance Arts Academy 11. Revere Middle School

IV. Attachments Attached please find the following supporting documentation:

• Test score data for the charter school and comparison District “Resident” schools. (Attachment A1-A12)

• Test score data for the charter school and comparison District “Demographically Similar” schools. (Attachment B1-B12)

Should you have questions or comments, please call me at 213 241-2665 or e-mail me at [email protected]. c: Don Davis Jess Womack Jefferson Crain Maribel Medina Ronni Ephraim

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education Report

Bd. of Ed Rpt No. XX-07-08 Page 1 of 7 Board of Education

February 26, 2008

Report Number: XXX-07/08

Date: March XX, 2008

Subject: Pacifica Community Charter School #2

Responsible Staff:

Name

José Cole-Gutiérrez, Executive Director Joyce I. Johnson Aaron Eairleywine Sharon Bradley

Office/Division Charter Schools Division

Telephone No. (213) 241-2665

A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Action Proposed:

Approve the amendment extending the charter term for three years for Pacifica Community Charter School #2 (Pacifica) until June 30, 2011.

Staff Recommendation and Rationale:

Approve the amendment for Pacifica Community Charter School #2. Pacifica’s instructional, operational, and fiscal performances during its most recent one-year term support the granting of the extension.

Background: Pacifica Community Charter School #2 is located near Santa Monica in the southwestern section of the city of Los Angeles. The school opened as a new charter in 2007 as Pacifica Community Charter School #2 after the revocation of the charter for Pacifica Community Charter School #1 in June 2007. Pacifica #2 is a kindergarten through eighth grade school, located in classrooms on a church site, with a first year capacity that accommodates 170-187 students.

Policy Implications:

The Policy for Charter Schools adopted in 2002.

Budget Impact:

Reduced income from State Revenue Limit income and various other income sources to the District.

Issues/Considerations: None

Effect of “yes” vote: The approval of this amendment would grant Pacifica Community Charter School #2 the right to continue operation as an independent charter school under the terms of three years, beginning in July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2011.



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Effect of “no” vote:

The denial of this petition would cause the charter to expire on June 30, 2008

B. BOARD REPORT Action Proposed:

It is proposed that the Board of Education approve the three year extension amendment. Pacifica’s academic, instructional, operational, and fiscal performances support the grnting of the three year extension amendment. The school currently serves approximately 161 students in grades K-8. It is proposed that the extension of the charter for Pacifica Community Charter School #2 (Pacifica) be approved for a period of three years beginning July 1, 2008. Pacifica is located at 3754 Dunn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90034.

Expected Outcomes:

Pacifica is expected to operate its charter school in a manner consistent with local, state and federal ordinances, laws and regulations and the terms and conditions set forth in the charter petition of June 28, 2007. The benchmarks for achievement are set forth in the charter petition and in the amendment.

Board Options and Consequences:

“Yes”/”No” – see Effects of “yes” vote; effects of “no” vote on page 1.

Policy Implications: The Policy for Charter Schools adopted in 2002.

Budget Impact: Reduced income from State Revenue Limit income and various other income sources to the District.

Issues and Analysis: X No legal issues � Legal informative

attached

No legal issues.

Committee Information:

The amendment for Pacifica Community Charter School #2 went before the Charters and Innovation Committee on March 6, 2008.

Reporting Requirements and Benchmarks:

None



February 26, 2008

Accountable Staff:

Gregory L. McNair, Associate General Counsel II Joyce Johnson, Ph.D., CSD Coordinator Aaron Eairleywine, Central Business Advisor Sharon Bradley, CSD Advisor

Applicable Board Delegations:

Delegation to the Charters and Innovation Division Committee to conduct certain public hearings and make recommendations.

Superintendent’s Comments:

None

Miscellaneous Issues and Matters: X Desegregation Impact Statement attached � Division of Accountability and Systemwide Performance x Informative

Instructionally, Pacifica is adhering to most aspects of its charter petition of teaching through projects-based learning. Its goal is to expect students to test well above proficient and become critical thinkers. The staff has made strides in developing and implementing standards-based lessons, often through integrated, cross-curricular units. During the summer of 2007, teachers participated in seven-and-a-half weeks of professional development on a variety of topics including: Habits of Mind, Schools Attuned, Strategic Design (Insight Group) which uses data analysis to align standards-based instruction and assessments, humanistic education with Ruth Beaglehole, Alpine Achievement (NWEA), and Culture of Literacy. The state assessment data available for comparison reflects a growth of 34 points on the school’s API from 643 to 677, meeting the growth targets for all subgroups. For the CSTs, 37% scored Proficient and Advanced and 32% scored Below and Far Below Basic in English Language Arts and 38% Proficient and Advanced and 43% Below and Far Below Basic in Mathematics. Pacifica met 6 of 7 AYP goals. The goal not met was the participation rate in English Language Arts due to parental requests to opt out. Throughout the year, students are assessed on a regular basis using formal and informal assessments in core areas, the results of which teachers analyze and use to inform instruction, for grading and for student and parent conferencing. Multiple assessments are used, including discussions, examination of student work with rubrics, periodic assessments, state-mandated tests, portfolios, and the California Charter Schools Association’s pilot of Alpine Achievement System. Class sizes at Pacifica are low with the student/teacher ratio of 12-13/1 in K-5 and 16-17/1 in Gr. 6-8. State standards, essential questions, daily



February 26, 2008

schedules and activities are posted in classrooms. That teachers were teaching standards-based lessons was clearly evident. The next step for their professional development is to refine their expectations of student work and review their rubrics to ensure academic rigor is present throughout every lesson in all classes. The method of instruction and level of adult support provides ample opportunity for the differentiation of lessons for struggling students, English Learners, and students with disabilities. Through classroom observations, it was noted that students primarily learn the standards through integrated units across English Language Arts, math, science and history/social science curricula using a variety of resources, including state-adopted texts, FOSS kits, chapter books, experiential learning, internet resources, realia, field trips and guest speakers. In a typical class, teachers provide directed lessons while students are on the rug and they then work on small group or individual assignments at tables with the support from a teacher and/or paraprofessional and parent volunteers. Operationally, throughout the one-day review and additional site observations, it was noted that Pacifica adheres to practices and procedures that ensure the safety of students and staff by maintaining a secured campus and through emergency planning. The administration has worked to upgrade classrooms by painting them and securing new signage. As a result of an environmental grant, students learn through hands-on experiences during projects, such as recycling and ecosystems, as well as community partnerships. Some of the vegetation, including in the courtyard area, are a result of this effort. There has been an attempt to reduce the clutter on campus, such as in the computer area. The campus is free of litter and graffiti and is neatly landscaped through efforts of the school community, although classrooms vary in their level of efficient organization.

For special education, Pacifica utilizes the Welligent system and complies with the MCD. On a daily basis, parents, teachers and administrator hold an SST meeting to address specific students’ needs and to develop subsequent action plans for intervention and follow-up. All teachers are highly qualified. Because a teacher left the school mid-year, the school is working to employ a credentialed teacher at this time. Pacifica complies with the Brown Act, and regularly posts the agendas and minutes of its board meeting that are held every two weeks.



February 26, 2008

Fiscally, Pacifica Community Charter School #2 has reversed its net assets from a -$69, 500 in 05/06 to net positive assets of $1,207. The charter school’s financial position has improved. It has made an effort to monitor expenses and revenue and has had positive cash flow for 06/07.

Respectfully submitted,

DAVID L. BREWER III Superintendent of Schools APPROVED & PRESENTED BY: APPROVED BY: GREGORY L. MCNAIR DONALD L. DAVIS Associate General Counsel II Chief of Staff Office of the General Counsel



February 26, 2008

DESEGREGATION IMPACT STATEMENT (DIS) PACIFICA COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL #2

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. ____ - 07/08 ------------------, 2008

I. Category of Proposed Action:

The proposed action would extend---------renew the charter status of Pacifica Community Charter School #2 and provide an approximate total of 190 students in grades K-8.

II. Summary Description of Current District Practice:

Charter schools are schools of choice by legislation and are open to any student in the State of California. Charter schools are granted single charter status for a maximum of five years. It should be noted, however, that although State legislation allows students to attend a charter school from any area in the state, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is under Court Order, Crawford v. LAUSD, which applies to all schools within or chartered through the LAUSD. Any modifications to the Court-Ordered Integration Program must first be approved by the Office of Student Integration Services in the Specially Funded Programs Division of the LAUSD.

III. Proposed Change:

The approval of this charter renewal petition would renew the charter for Pacifica Community Charter School #2 three additional years????????/, beginning July 1, 2008.

IV Effects of This Proposal:

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) does not guarantee availability of Court-ordered Integration funding. The charter school will be responsible for maintaining the Court Order and providing information requested by the LAUSD as set forth in the Charter petition. Modifications or school decisions cannot negatively impact or cause additional costs to the Court-ordered Integration budget.

V. Analyze the Impact of This Proposal on Integration, Desegregation, Re-segregation and/or Segregation:

If the Charter goals are met, there should be positive results on the five (5) Harms of Racial Isolation which are low academic achievement, low self-esteem, lack of access to post-secondary opportunities,



February 26, 2008

interracial hostility and intolerance, and overcrowded conditions. The Court-ordered Integration Program for participating students will operate under various Court Orders for schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Any modification of the Court-ordered Integration Program must first be approved by the Office of Student Integration Services in the Specially Funded Programs Division of the LAUSD.

VI. If proposed action affects negatively any desegregation program, list other option(s) identified:

If the District Court-ordered Integration Guidelines are followed, there will not be a negative effect on the District’s Court-ordered Integration Program.

PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:

Joyce Johnson, Ph.D. SHARON L. CURRY Coordinator Assistant Superintendent Charter Schools Division Office of Student Integration Services

Documents

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Inter-Office ...laschoolboard.org/sites/default/files/Tab 3d. Pacifica 2 Renewal.pdf · Pacifica Community Charter School #2 (Pacifica) until June