10 Miss. Code. R. 402-3.1
Ratings and Criteria
Evaluators will use the following criteria to rate applications. Within each section, specific criteria define the expectations for a well thought out response that "Meets the Standard." Evaluators will rate the responses by applying the following guidance:
Rating Characteristics
Meets or Exceeds the Standard (3) The response reflects a thorough understanding of key issues. It clearly aligns with the mission and goals of the school. The response includes specific and accurate information that shows thorough preparation.
Partially Meets Standard (2) The response meets the criteria in some aspects, but lacks sufficient detail and/or requires additional information in one or more areas.
Does Not Meet Standard (1) The response is significantly incomplete; demonstrates lack of preparation; is unsuited to the mission and vision of the district or otherwise raises significant concerns about the viability of the plan or the applicant's ability to carry it out.
An application that merits a recommendation for approval should present a clear, realistic picture of how the school expects to operate; be detailed in how this school will raise student achievement; and inspire confidence in the applicant's capacity to successfully implement the proposed academic and operational plans. In addition to meeting the criteria that are specific to that section, each part of the proposal should align with the overall mission, budget, and goals of the application.
Recommendations for approval or denial will be based on the written application (narrative and attachments) and applicant capacity interviews. On each bulleted criterion, indicate a numerical score in the right-hand column indicating your impression of the applicant's response based on the rating system that has been provided. Provide brief comments to support your ratings in the far right column and enter page numbers from the full PDF document to support your comments. In the "Additional Comments" box at the end of each section, please list one or more suggested interview questions. Finally, please tally a composite score for each section of the proposal.
Sections for Conversion Charter Schools and Education Service Providers are specific to only those applicants. Although the same rating system will be used, the points from these sections will not be aggregated with points from other sections.
If the application meets or exceeds the standard in four of five criteria, the team will proceed to the capacity interview. Those applications deemed substantially incomplete or failing to meet the standard in four of five criteria will be cut. Mississippi law states, "The authorizer must (a) Grant charters only to applicants that have provided evidence of competence in each element of the authorizer's published approval criteria, and in the case of an applicant that currently operates one or more schools in any state or nation, clear evidence that the management or leadership team of the charter school or schools currently operated by the applicant has produced statistically significant gains in student achievement or consistently produced proficiency levels as measured on state achievement test; (b) base decisions on documented evidence collected through the application review process; and (c) follow charter-granting policies and practices that are transparent, based on merit and avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance thereof." Mississippi Code Section 37-28-19"2" Thus, an initial or amended charter application, to be approved, must be ready to be incorporated into a charter agreement.
Qualifying Checklist
To be completed prior to applications being submitted for full proposal review
____ Applicant met application due date and time
____ Applicant is NOT a private school seeking conversion into a charter school
____ Applicant provided proof of United States citizenship for all governing board members and school leadership team members
____ Applicant is a nonprofit organization
____ Applicant is contracting with an Education Service Provider that is a nonprofit organization
Recommendation Summary Complete this page last
OVERALL SCORE & RECOMMENDATION: ____________
Would you recommend that the MS Charter School Authorizer Board approve this application for a public charter school:
Explain your recommendation in the Summary Comments section below.
Check one (required)
____ Deny
____ Approve with Appropriate Amendments
____Approve
SUMMARY COMMENTS (1,200 character maximum)
Summarize your assessment of the application focusing on key strengths and concerns, as applicable.
Evaluator Signature: Date: Printed Name:
10 Miss. Code. R. 402-3.1