La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXXXIX-515
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024
Section CXXXIX-515 - Application Components for BESE-Authorized Charter SchoolsA. The BESE charter school application shall be prepared as a request for applications. Each request for applications shall consist of sections that provide applicants with information on charter schools in Louisiana, an explanation of the application process and timelines, charter school application questions, and any other information which is necessary for an applicant to be able to respond to the charter application questions.B. A framework of all BESE requests for applications, which shall include an assurance that all required sections are or will be included in the final request for applications, must be submitted to BESE by the department prior to the release of the request. In cases of a type 5 charter operator voluntarily relinquishing its charter, the state superintendent of education may issue an emergency request for applications and BESE shall be notified of such action within two business days. The Department of Education may accept charter applications in a single submission or may structure a process to accept applications in a set of sequential, cumulative submissions.C. The charter school application questions contained in the BESE request for applications shall consist of questions in the following areas: executive summary, education program design and capacity, organizational plan and capacity, and financial plan and capacity.D. The charter school application questions for all types of charter schools shall address the following: 2. the role, scope, and mission of the proposed public charter school, including identification of the targeted student population and the community the school hopes to serve;3. admission requirements, if any, that are consistent with the school's role, scope, and mission may be established in accordance with that permitted in R.S. 17:3991 and this bulletin;4. a description of the jurisdiction within which a pupil shall reside or otherwise be eligible to attend a public school in order to be eligible for admission;5. for each elementary and middle charter school, other than a type 2 charter school, a description of the geographic boundaries circumscribing the neighborhood immediately surrounding the charter school from which students residing within may be given preference for enrollment in accordance with R.S. 17:3991;6. the grades to be served each year for the full term of the charter contract;7. minimum budgeted and maximum enrollment per grade per year for the term of the charter contract;8. evidence of community engagement throughout the development of the charter application;9. a description of how the proposed charter school fulfills one or more of the purposes specified in the charter school law and this bulletin;13. evidence that the curriculum meets Louisiana grade progression and ultimately graduation requirements and sets students up to master Louisiana state standards;14. the school plan for identifying and successfully serving students with disabilities, English language learners, students who are academically behind, and gifted and talented students, as applicable, in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations;15. school rules, regulations, and disciplinary practices consistent with the requirements of R.S. 17:252 and that provides adequate due process;21. a clear description of the roles and responsibilities for the governing board, the school's leadership and management team, and any other entities shown in the organization chart;26. proposed governing bylaws;27. explanations of any partnerships or contractual relationships central to the school's operations or mission, particularly education service providers;28. the school's plans for providing transportation, food service, and all other significant operational or ancillary services;29. procedures for parents and staff to file complaints and for the charter to respond;31. description of the school's financial plan and policies sufficient to permit a government audit, including financial controls and audit requirements;32. management and accounting practices to be employed;33. a description of the insurance coverage the school will obtain;34. start-up and five-year budgets with clearly stated assumptions;37. academic, organizational, and financial goals to be achieved within the contract term, and how results will be measured and assessed;41. provisions regarding liability issues;47. provisions regarding the inspection and operation of all fire prevention and safety equipment at the school;48. a plan for collecting data in accordance with R.S. 17:3911;49. a description of any proposed corporate partnerships as specified in Chapter 39 of this bulletin.52. a detailed, hybrid learning plan which outlines the circumstances under which the plan would be implemented and details regarding the school plan to acquire and disseminate technology, track and monitor attendance, utilize a learning management system, provide technical support, and communicate with students, families, and staff.E. For a proposed public charter school that intends to contract with an education service provider for substantial educational services, management services, or both types of services, the request for proposals shall additionally require the applicants to: 1. provide evidence of provider success in serving student populations similar to the targeted population, including demonstrated academic achievement, fiscal responsibility, and organizational effectiveness;2. provide the contract or MOU setting forth the proposed duration of the service contract; roles and responsibilities of the governing board, the school staff, and the service provider; scope of services and resources to be provided by the service provider; performance evaluation measures and timelines; compensation structure, including clear identification of all fees to be paid to the management organization; methods of contract oversight and enforcement; investment disclosure; and conditions for renewal and termination of the contract; and3. disclose and explain any existing or potential conflicts of interest between the school governing board and proposed service providers or any affiliated business entities.;4. provide a detailed plan outlining the mechanisms by which the charter board will oversee and will hold the management organization or vendor to agreed-upon terms, as well as the conditions under which the contractual relationship may be terminated; and5. provide rationale for consideration of an education service provider and evaluation of all providers considered.F. For a public charter school proposal from an applicant that is an education service provider or is using an education service provider that currently operates one or more schools in any state or nation, the request for proposals shall additionally require the applicant to provide evidence of past performance and current capacity for growth, financial audits, and details regarding any previous, pending, or current litigation.G. Type 1 and type 2 charter school applications shall describe how the charter school will serve the percentage of required students defined in the charter school law and in §2713 of this bulletin.H. In the case of a proposed virtual charter school, the request for applications shall additionally require the applicants to provide: 1. a testing plan that meets the requirements set forth in Section 317 of Bulletin 118;2. a plan for delivering instruction in the event of technical and other course delivery problems which prevent normal course delivery;3. a summary of data protection and recovery procedures in the event of catastrophic system failure;4. a staff/teacher acceptable use policy for technology that complies with R.S. 17:3996(21);5. a school electronic communication policy that complies with the federal Child Internet Protection Act and R.S. 17:100.7, including information on school Internet safety and filtering practices and policies;6. a plan for providing professional development appropriate to the delivery method used and the acceptable use and electronic communication policies;7. a plan for providing adequate, timely, and appropriate technical support to students, teachers, facilitators, and instructional coaches;8. a plan for providing orientations to enrolled students, their parents, and their instructional coaches on the course delivery model prior to the beginning of the class;9. a plan outlining the nature, frequency, and location of all required and optional in-person meetings and interactions between parents and school faculty, including but not limited to parent/teacher conferences, open houses, and school community meetings;10. a plan for verifying student participation and performance, including specific intervention procedures the school will take when students are not participating as required;11. a plan for complying with Title 28, Chapter 11, §1119, Health Screening as part of enrollment and the ongoing functioning of the school;12. a plan for student engagement, attendance and truancy; and13. a plan to provide at least 20 percent of instruction to struggling students in-person.La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXXXIX-515
Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in LR 34:1362 (July 2008), amended LR 37:869 (March 2011), LR 37:2383 (August 2011), LR 38:38 (January 2012), LR 38:750 (March 2012), repromulgated LR 38:1392 (June 2012), amended LR 38:1583 (July 2012), LR 38:3118 (December 2012), LR 39:1432 (June 2013), Amended LR 432477 (12/1/2017), Amended LR 44233 (2/1/2018), Amended LR 442130 (12/1/2018), Amended LR 47572 (5/1/2021), Amended LR 50656 (5/1/2024).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(A)(10), 17:3981, and 17:3991.