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Georgia State Chater Schools
Achieve Outstanding 2023 Graduation Rates
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Georgia's State Charter Schools celebrated impressive graduation rates for the 2022-2023 school year. Among the state charter schools serving high school students, a significant majority—seven out of nine—surpassed the statewide average of 84 percent. Most of these schools also exceeded the performance of traditional district schools within their respective attendance zones. Furthermore, six state charter schools increased their graduation rates compared to the previous year, exemplifying their dedication to continuous improvement. The results reflect state charter schools’ steadfast commitment to providing high-quality education opportunities to empower the future leaders of Georgia. | *Georgia Fugees Academy had too few students to report a graduation rate publicly. | Georgia school graduation rate reports can be found on the Georgia Dept. of Education’s website, click here. | | |
State Charter Schools Commission Updates & Announcements | |
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State charter schools with charter terms expiring on June 30, 2024, must submit a renewal application to the SCSC during the 2023-2024 school year. The renewal application will be released on November 1st.
Visit the SCSC Charter Renewal page for more information.
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Start-Up Petitions
The start-up petition portal is now open!
Check out the SCSC's new Start a New School webpage for more details and information on the start-up petition cycle.
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Replication Petitions
Existing charter schools seeking to submit a replication petition must submit a Letter of Intent by December 11th.
Check out the SCSC's new Replicate an Existing School webpage for more details and information on the replication petition cycle.
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Upcoming Petitioner Training:
Petition Platform & Budget Webinar
Nov 2, 2-3:30 PM
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Join Our Panel of Charter School Reviewers
The SCSC is seeking knowledgeable individuals to serve as panelists for the review and participation in interviews for the FY24 SCSC Start-Up Charter School Petition Cycle.
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Do you know someone with experience in charter schools who is committed to ensuring that innovative and superior schools of the highest quality are approved in Georgia? If so, please contact Erin.Wright@scsc.georgia.gov with referrals of individuals who may be interested in volunteering as an expert panelist on future SCSC start-up charter school petitions. Panelists must reside in Georgia and agree to fill out a conflict of interest form upon assignment to a proposed charter school’s petition. The SCSC will carefully consider and evaluate all referred panelists before making the final selection for assignment to petitions | |
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As a reminder, Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f), requires every member of a governing board of a state charter school to participate in annual governing board training. State charter school governing board members may attend one of the three governing board training opportunities provided to state charters by the SCSC at no charge to fulfill this obligation.
This year, in an effort to incorporate feedback from board members regarding training delivery methods, the SCSC will provide Governance Training in two parts. Each board member must receive 12 hours of governance training annually. Operational schools may do that by attending either SCSC training or through an alternate provider. Pre-opening schools must complete governance training through the SCSC and may not use an alternate provider until they become operational.
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SCSC-offered Governance Training | |
Part 1: In-Person
Part one will consist of a full day of in-person sessions. There will be three opportunities to attend one of these training events. Completing the full in-person training will earn you 6 governance training hours. Please refer to the Governance Training page for more details and in-person session information.
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Part 2: Virtual
Part two will consist of numerous asynchronous virtual sessions that board members can choose from in order to complete their remaining 6 governance training hours. Board members will receive a link to these trainings directly from SCSC staff after the first in-person session and will have until April 30, 2024, to access and complete their asynchronous sessions.
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Alternate Governance Training
Board members who plan to do partial training through the SCSC and partial training through an alternate provider or complete the entirety of your training through an alternate training provider, please be sure to consult the “Alternate Governance Training - Required Sessions and Hours” document on the SCSC Governance Training page to make sure your alternate training hours are aligned with SCSC requirements.
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School Safety
It is mandatory (O.C.G.A § 20-2-1185) that all public schools develop a safety plan addressing natural disasters, hazardous materials, transportation concerns, weapons and potential terrorist activities. These School Safety Plans are inclusive and require the input and commitment of students, parents and public safety agencies.
Please visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Website for more information.
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Website Monitoring Reminder
State Charter Schools must ensure website transparency compliance. Please utilize this checklist as a resource to ensure that school websites promote transparency and monitoring per SCSC Rule 691-2-.03 (State Charter School Monitoring) and SBOE Rule 160-4-9-.06 (Charter Authorizers, Financing, Management, and Governance Training)
State Charter School Website Checklist
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School Communications Policy
The SCSC School Communications Policy, FAQ and submission form can be found on the School Resources page of the SCSC website.
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Donuts for Teachers Fundraiser
The SCSF’s signature “Donuts for Teachers” fundraiser is back!
From October 23 to November 3, you can purchase Krispy Kreme donuts at $12/dozen for your favorite state charter school (or yourself). Donuts will be provided by another bakery for schools without a Krispy Kreme in the area, and we are running a “buy ten dozen, get an eleventh free” discount. All proceeds will help provide more grant opportunities and resources for Georgia’s state charter schools.
Place your order here
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ESF Teacher Store
Atlanta-area 2023 Shining Star Teachers had the opportunity to “shop” for school supplies at the Empty Stocking Fund (ESF) Store this month.
These teachers each collected a cartful of school supplies valued at more than $500 for their classroom. SCSF donations help make events like this possible to show appreciation for incredible state charter school teachers!
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RFPs for CSP services
The SCSF is seeking qualified vendors for two technical assistance opportunities to support the FY2022 CSP State Entity Grant to further the work of the Georgia Strategic Charter School Growth Initiative. The RFPs provide details on technical assistance needed for four schools/networks related to strategic plan implementation/possible charter petition support and for facility and finance consulting support for the same schools/networks. Proposals are due on November 13th. For questions, email mneely@scsfga.org.
Strategic Plan Implementation Support RFP
Facility and Finance Support RFP
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State Charter Schools recognized as Distinguished Schools for significant academic achievement
The Georgia Department of Education released the 2022-23 list of Distinguished and Reward Schools. The Distinguished Schools designation recognizes the highest-performing Title I schools in Georgia, while the Reward Schools designation recognizes Title I schools making the most significant improvements.
Four state charter schools were recognized as Distinguished Schools
Academy For Classical Education
Resurgence Hall Charter School
SAIL Charter Academy - School for Arts-Infused Learning
Scintilla Charter Academy
Distinguished Schools are among the highest-performing 5% of Title I Schoolwide and Title I Targeted Assistance schools based on the combined ELA and math content mastery scores from the statewide assessments of the most recent year.
Click here for more details on Distinguished School criteria.
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Georgia Department of Education Updates & Announcements | |
GaDOE ESEA State Plan Amendment
On February 1, 2023, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) submitted a request to amend its consolidated State plan under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). After some revision, the U.S. Department of Education approved GaDOE's amendment request on October 4, 2023. The approved changes include modifications to the state’s accountability tool, the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI), as well as the adoption of a tiered identification system for schools needing comprehensive or targeted support and improvement (CSI, TSI and ATSI).
One of the biggest changes is that GaDOE will no longer calculate a CCRPI Grade Band or CCRPI Single Scores. CCRPI Grade Band scores are one of the metrics included in the academic section SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework. However, you may recall at its July board meeting, the SCSC adopted an updated CPF. The updated CPF accounts for the SCSC calculating CCRPI Grade Band scores in the event that the GaDOE does not generate these scores. As such, 2022-2023 CPF scores will include CCRPI Content Mastery, CCRPI Progress and CCRPI Grade Band scores and relevant comparisons for state charter schools.
Please reach out to Katie Manthey, katie.manthey@scsc.georgia.gov, with any questions.
For a detailed list of approved changes see GaDOE's 2023 ESEA Consolidated State Plan Amendment Summary of Changes.
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GaDOE Assessment Updates
October 2023 Assessment Updates
Fall 2023 Assessment Updates for Teachers
For more information and past GaDOE Assessment updates, click here.
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Professional Learning & Development Opportunity | |
Financial Review Open Office Hours Sessions
GADOE is offering several monthly open office hours sessions throughout FY 2024. The sessions will include various topics related to state and federal financial compliance that will be beneficial for all school district finance staff.
Registration Link
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GCSA Financial Management Courses
Enrollment is open for GCSA's Financial Management Courses. The Financial Management Certification Program is offered virtually and is comprised of six courses. Each course is split into two, four-hour sessions in the same week. GCSA is offering three courses this fall and six additional courses this spring. Attendees can register for individual courses or the entire program.
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Title I, Part A: Office Hours
Nov 8, 9:30-10:30 AM
Full calendar for 2023-24
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Office of Rural Education & Innovation (REI) Partnerships: Office Hours
Nov 8, 8:30-9:30 AM
Full Calendar for Fall 2023
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ESOL Munch & Learn Series
Nov 8, 12-1 PM
Full Calendar for 2023-24
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DRC BEACON Training Opportunity - Using BEACON to Inform Instruction
Nov 9, 10 AM-12 PM
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PLCs for Induction Level Leaders Focus: Leader Retention
Nov 2023 - May 2024
Info & Registration
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Updated WIDA Self-Paced Workshops for 2023-2024 For Teachers of English Learners
Info & Registration
Workshops available until Aug 2024
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ESSER: Office Hour
Nov 16, 10-11 AM
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Knowledge Building for K-3 Leaders:
Setting the Foundation for Structured Literacy Transformation
Oct 2023 - Jun 2024
Info & Registration
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Teacher Personalized Learning Bootcamp:
Leveraging Student Voice & Choice
Nov 15-16
Info & Registration
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Georgia’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Webinar Series
Georgia’s MTSS is a data-driven prevention system designed to meet the needs of the whole child by implementing a continuum of tiered supports that contributes to increased student success and overall district and school improvement.
Sep 7 - Nov 9
Info & Registration
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Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A: Cross Functional Monitoring Training
Multi-day & Location Training Event
Oct 11 - Nov 2
Info & Registration
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Knowledge Building for Leaders:
Setting the Foundation for Structured Literacy Transformation
Free Training Workshops for PLCs sponsored by the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy in partnership with GaDOE.
Sep 2023 - Jun 2024
Info & Registration
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Georgia State University hosts Functional Behavior Assessment/Behavior Intervention Plan (FBA/BIP) Process Training
4-day, in-person training
FBA/BIP Training East Region GA
FBA/BIP Training West/Central Region GA
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Empowering Educators Conference, 2024
For K-12 educators and related stakeholders of students with disabilities and those who learn differently.
Info & Registration
| | A private professional networking space to engage with other educators across the state. | | |
GaDOE’s Professional Learning platform for Georgia school and district staff and education partners.
| | The one-stop-shop site for Georgia educators to provide quick access to GaDOE educational resources, GA Standards of Excellence, data dashboards, professional learning, and GaDOE applications. | |
Funding & Engagement Programs | |
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GaDOE Competitive Grants
Periodically, funding is available for GaDOE to award to districts and schools in the form of competitive grants, solidifying this commitment to Georgia's students. In an effort to streamline communication and create a consistent application process, all competitive grant opportunities can now be accessed below.
GaDOE Grant Opportunities
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Safer Georgia Schools Grant, Round 2
The Safer Georgia Schools Grant, Round 2 is intended to support the health & safety of students in GA through funding for programs and activities, equipment and supplies to improve infrastructure, professional development, and personnel. Up to $250,000 per district is available.
Applications Due: Nov 3, 5 PM
Program Information
Application
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K-5 Numeracy Development Grant
The K-5 Numeracy Development Grant is intended to provide funding for evidenced-based numeracy interventions to effectively support students in mathematics classrooms. Up to $25,000 per school and $100,000 per district is available.
Applications Due: Nov 15, 5 PM
Program Information
Application
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AP Teacher Training Grant
The Advanced Placement (AP) Teacher Training Grant is intended to support local school districts’ efforts to improve the academic achievement of students and to increase access to college-level courses across the state. A minimum of $700 per school, with a maximum of $15,000 per district, is available to provide financial support for teachers to receive training during the summer of 2024 and allow schools to offer the respective AP courses during the 2024-2025 school year or the 2025-2026 school year. Georgia public school districts are eligible to apply.
Applications Due: Dec 15, 5 PM
Program Information
Application
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Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program Grant
The 21st CCLC grant is intended to support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Applicants may request funds ranging from $50,000 to $350,000 per year based on need and proposed services to the target population. Any public or private organization is eligible to apply.
Applications Due: Jan 30, 2024
Program Information
Application
Webinars
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The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, nonrenew, or terminate state charter school contracts in accordance with Georgia law. | |
Copyright © 2023 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | |
