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Five Georgia State Charter Schools Excel,
Exiting CSI & TSI Identification
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Five Georgia State Charter Schools have achieved remarkable success in exiting the Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) identifications, as designated under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Each year, in accordance with ESSA requirements, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) identifies schools in need of additional support, categorizing them as requiring either CSI or TSI assistance from GaDOE's Office of School and District Improvement.
GaDOE's annual release includes a list of schools that were previously identified for additional support but have shown progress by making the necessary improvements to exit the CSI or TSI categories within a single year.
These five state charter schools have achieved this remarkable milestone:
Baconton Community Charter School
Cirrus Academy
Fulton Leadership Academy
Georgia Connections Academy
Georgia Fugees Academy
Their dedication to continuous improvement, and their ability to exit the CSI and TSI identifications highlights their commitment to providing a high-quality education to their students. Congratulations to these state charter schools on their achievements!
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State Charter Schools Commission Updates & Announcements | |
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State charter schools whose charter terms are set to expire on June 30, 2024, and have submitted their renewal applications by the SCSC deadline, are scheduled to participate in renewal interviews from January 29 to February 9, 2024.
The SCSC Board is scheduled to vote on renewal recommendations during the February 28, 2024, board meeting.
Visit the SCSC Charter Renewal page for more information.
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Start-Up Petitions
The start-up petition portal is now open.
The application deadline is
March 15, 2024.
Visit the Start a New School webpage for more information.
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Replication Petitions
The replication petition portal is now open.
The application deadline is
May 3, 2024.
Visit the Replicate an Existing School webpage for more information.
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Monitoring Results
Initial operations and fiscal monitoring results were issued on January 9, 2024, from the SCSC Administrative Portal to the email address linked to the school’s portal account. The appeal window closed at 11:59 p.m., January 16, 2024.
Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)
CAPs are due February 20, 2024, and must be submitted to the SCSC Administrative Portal. The SCSC will not review CAP submissions for adverse practice scores.
Questions & Resources
Operational monitoring questions: Tiffany Leach - Associate General Counsel, Tiffany.leach@scsc.georgia.gov
Fiscal monitoring questions: Carmen Freemire - Director of School Finance, Carmen.freemire@scsc.georgia.gov.
Schools are encouraged to review the 2024 Monitoring Handbook available on the SCSC Administrative Portal School Resources page, the school’s monitoring results cover letter and the CAP submission instructions for further guidance.
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LEA Legal Obligations Resource Update | |
The SCSC has updated its LEA Legal Obligations Guidance.
Schools may access the resource here or on the Operations Guidance page of the SCSC website.
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Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f), requires every governing board member of a state charter school participate in annual governing board training. Governing board members may attend one of the three governing board training opportunities provided by the SCSC at no charge to fulfill this obligation.
This year, in an effort to incorporate feedback 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.
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SCSC-offered Governance Training | |
Part 1: In-Person
Full day, in-person sessions. There will be three opportunities to attend one of these training events. Completing one full in-person training will earn you 6 governance training hours. Please refer to the Governance Training page for more details and session information.
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Part 2: Virtual
Asynchronous, virtual sessions. Board members can choose to complete their remaining 6 governance training hours. Board members will receive an access link directly from the SCSC after the first in-person session and have until April 30, 2024, to access and complete their virtual sessions.
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Upcoming Training:
February Governance Training
Feb 6, 2024, 9 AM
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Alternate Governance Training
Board members who plan to do partial training or complete all training through an alternate training provider should review the “Alternate Governance Training - Required Sessions and Hours” document on the SCSC Governance Training page to make sure your alternate training follows SCSC requirements.
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SCSC Announces the Departure of
Chief Operations Officer Ms. Morgan Felts
With deep appreciation and a touch of sadness, the SCSC announces that Ms. Morgan Felts will be stepping down as the Chief Operations Officer of the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC), effective February 29, 2024.
Since joining the SCSC staff in 2015, Ms. Felts has been instrumental in shaping the agency, expertly overseeing petitions, and providing legal guidance before transitioning to her role in agency operations. Her significant contributions, particularly in her role as Chief Operations Officer, have been pivotal in advancing our mission to improve public education through the authorization of high-quality charter schools. As we bid farewell, we extend our heartfelt thanks for her unwavering dedication and service. We wish Ms. Felts the very best in her future endeavors and are confident that her legacy will continue to inspire excellence within the organization.
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ESSER Grant Funds Reminders
The 2023-24 school year marks the final opportunity for schools to utilize their remaining ESSER funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) grant. It's imperative that school takes proactive steps to maximize the impact of these funds on educational opportunities for your students. See the following reminders for the 2023-24 school year:
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Addressing Learning Loss
Schools are required to reserve a minimum of 20% of their grant award to address learning loss by implementing evidence-based interventions. However, this 20% threshold is just the minimum. We encourage schools to allocate more funds if needed to effectively address learning loss within their communities.
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Verification Requirement
It's not enough to reserve funds; we must ensure that they are being utilized for their intended purpose. The Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) now requires schools to submit a form confirming that they are meeting the 20% learning loss requirement. This form must be submitted before schools present their carryover budgets to GADOE for approval. You can access the form here.
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Salary Allocation Deadline
For schools using their remaining ESSER funds to pay salaries during the 2023-2024 school year, please be aware that salaries can be charged until September 30, 2024. However, starting October 1, 2024, which marks the beginning of the FY 2025 federal fiscal year, a new funding source must be utilized for salary payments. Keep in mind that employees' salaries are considered obligated when they perform their work, not when they sign their contracts (for reference, see eCFR :: 34 CFR 76.707).
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Federal Grant Awards
In February federal grant awards for the 2023-2024 school year will be adjusted based on the October 2023 FTE count. Revised grant awards will be on the agenda at the next State Board of Education meeting on February 22, 2024. To see your school’s revised grant award use the following link:
GaDOE Meeting Page
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Get to Know Our Team:
Meet the SCSC Staff
The dedicated Team members at the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia contribute their unique talents and expertise to further the SCSC mission of enhancing public education across Georgia.
Get to know the staff
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Executive Director Head's Vision for Georgia's Charter Schools
Donovan Head, the Executive Director of the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, shares valuable insights into his background, priorities, and vision for charter schools in Georgia.
Read the full interview
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Art of Connection: Exhibition of Student Art
The SCSF’s annual Art of Connection: Exhibition of Student Art is back!
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Georgia Department of Education Updates & Announcements | |
Professional Learning & Development Opportunity | |
Inspire Virtual Workshop: A Look At Teacher Resources through
GaDOE Inspire
Feb 5, 3-4 PM
Info & Registration
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Educators Professional Development Resource: Your Path to Professional Growth with Georgia Learns Virtual Training
Feb 19, 4:30-5:30 PM
Info & Registration
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Georgia Milestones Test Setup & Pre-Admin Spring/Summer 2024 Virtual Workshop
Feb 20, 10 AM - 12 PM
Info & Registration
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Empowering Educators Conference, 2024
For K-12 educators and related stakeholders of students with disabilities and those who learn differently.
Feb 23
Info & Registration
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Title I, Part A: Office Hours
Mar 13, 9:30-10:30 AM
Full calendar for 2023-24
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ESOL Munch & Learn Series
Mar 13, 12-1 PM
Full Calendar for 2023-24
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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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PLCs for Induction Level Leaders Focus: Leader Retention
Nov 2023 - May 2024
Info & Registration
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Georgia RESAs & GaDOE virtual statewide conversations for instructional colleagues & educators
Held Bimonthly
Info & Schedule
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Federal Programs Conference
Feb 13-14
Info & Registration
Registration closes on Feb 1
or when capacity is met
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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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The Math & Computer Science CONnect Programs
Provides interactive learning experiences surrounding the state resources for math & computer science. Learn how to implement GA's K-12 Math Standards with fidelity as well as access to a virtual assistant!
Info & Registration
Mathematics
Computer Science
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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
| | 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 access educational resources, GA Standards of Excellence, data dashboards, professional learning and 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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McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children
and Youth Program FY25 Grant
The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth FY25 Grant is intended to support homeless children and unaccompanied youth ensuring equal access to free appropriate public education, including public preschool education. All Georgia public LEAs reporting 150 or more students experiencing homelessness in the 2022-23 school year are eligible to apply. LEAs serving fewer than 150 students can apply as a consortium by collaborating with another LEA to submit a joint application, if collectively the LEAs served 150 or more homeless students in the 2022-23 school year.
Applications Due: Apr 12, 4 PM
Program Information
Application
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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. | | | | |
