The State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved a two-year “Short Term Planning Year” renewal of the charter of the International Charter School of Schenectady. The renewal, approved during the Trustees’ regular monthly meeting held at Albany, will allow the school to operate long enough to make a case for full renewal.

“Because of a scheduled planning year and the time required to negotiate an agreement with the Schenectady School District regarding facilities and enrollment, the International Charter School of Schenectady did not open its doors until the third year of its charter,” said James D. Merriman, Executive Director of the Charter Schools Institute.

The Short-term Planning Year Renewal was created for those charter schools that come to renewal with less than four years’ data regarding school and student performance, the minimum for determining any trends in student performance. These schools can apply for the expedited two-year Short-term Planning Year Renewal, which, upon approval, allows them to gather at least four full years of data before applying for a full five-year renewal.

“The International Charter School of Schenectady has operated soundly and is likely to improve student learning and achievement during the two-year renewal period,” said Merriman. “In two years the school will have the chance to present sufficient data to be analyzed as part of the Institute’s full renewal review.”

Charter schools are public schools of choice created by parents, educators, and community leaders, open to all students – tuition free – and designed to improve learning and provide public school choice. Operating under a five-year performance contract, or “charter,” these schools are freed from red tape and top-down educational bureaucracy in exchange for rigorous accountability for student achievement. Public charter schools must adhere to all health, safety and civil rights laws.

As with the full, five-year renewal application process, the International Charter School of Schenectady application had to respond to three basic questions:

1. Is the school an academic success?
2. Is the school and effective, viable organization?
3. Is the school fiscally sound?

Along with the application itself, the Institute reviewed all available student performance data and reports on the school’s operation, including visit reports and annual audits. The Institute also solicited comment from the general public, including school districts in which charter school students reside.

The Institute then prepared a report of its findings and recommendation, which was forwarded to the school for review of accuracy. The report was then transmitted to the State University Board of Trustees Committee on Charter Schools, which advanced the application to the Board of Trustees for approval.

The Institute’s renewal report is available at:
http://www.newyorkcharters.org/charterny/renewalreports.html

The Trustees also voted to approve over $1 million in federal grants to help develop and implement academic programs at two public charter schools in Albany and one in the Bronx. The grant funds were made available through the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) which provides funding for a wide range of planning and implementation costs faced by public charter schools.

Federal guidelines require the planning portion of the grant be used to assist schools in the refinement of rigorous academic programs, the development of assessment and accountability designs, and the professional development necessary to successfully implement such plans once students arrive.

The implementation portion of the grant may be used to inform the community about the public charter school, acquire the operating equipment, systems, and educational materials or supplies necessary for successful implementation of the proposed educational program. It also may be use to acquire and/or develop curriculum as well as other initial operating costs not met from state or local resources.

Grant Summaries follow:

School: Achievement Academy Charter School
Location: Albany
Projected Enrollment: 75 students in grade 5
(2005-06)
Type of Grant: CSP Planning and Implementation Grant
Amount Awarded: $350,000 over three years

School: Grand Concourse Academy Charter School
Location: Bronx
Projected Enrollment: 225 students in grades K-3
(2005-06)
Type of Grant: CSP Planning and Implementation Grant
Amount Awarded: $349,970 over three years

School: KIPP Tech Valley Charter School
Location: Albany
Projected Enrollment: 90 students in grade 5
(2005-06)
Type of Grant: CSP Planning and Implementation Grant
Amount Awarded: $349,910 over three years


The Charter Schools Institute was created by the University Trustees to administer their responsibilities under the Charter Schools Act of 1998, including the review of applications, assisting in the development of charter school accountability plans, and considering charters for renewal. The Institute has become recognized as a national leader in the public charter school movement, providing extensive experience in charter schools and all aspects of public education, including curriculum, school operations, accountability, fiscal oversight and program development.