The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers - Request for Major Amendment
Pursuant to the Charter School Regulations, 603 CMR 1.11(1), the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) must approve major changes in the material terms of a school's charter. Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMK), a Horace Mann charter school, requests an amendment to increase its maximum enrollment from 220 to 448 students, an increase of 228 students. As required by 603 CMR 1.11, the school submitted evidence that this amendment request has been approved by the local teachers' union and the local school committee. In addition, the Department received a letter from the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools indicating clear and strong support for the amendment request; this letter is attached.
Section 1.11 of 603 CMR contains several criteria that the Commissioner and the Board may consider in reaching a determination regarding a school's request to amend its charter. First, "the Commissioner and the Board may consider a charter school's compliance with applicable state, federal, and local law." Second, the Commissioner and the Board may consider the evidence regarding the success of the school's academic program, the viability of the school as an organization, and the faithfulness of the school to the terms of its charter.
I am recommending approval of the request from EMK to increase the school's maximum enrollment from 220 to 448 students. This request is described in detail below, in preparation for a discussion and vote at the Board's January meeting.
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
The board of trustees of the EMK requests approval for a charter amendment to increase its maximum enrollment cap from 220 to 448 students. EMK received a charter in 1998, and renewed in 2003 and 2008. As a Horace Mann charter school, EMK serves Boston students in grades 9 through 12.
A copy of the school's request is attached.
2011 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Data Summary:
| NCLB Accountability Status | Improvement Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | No Status | On target |
| Mathematics | No Status | On target |
| Adequate Yearly Progress History | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | ||
| ELA | Aggregate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| All Subgroups | - | - | - | - | - | - | No | - | |
| MATH | Aggregate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| All Subgroups | - | - | - | - | - | - | No | - | |
2011 MCAS Student Performance Report:
| 2010 MCAS Student Growth Report: | CPI | Median SGP | % At/Above Proficient | Included in SGP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Grades - English Language Arts | 95.7 | 51.00 | 86 | 33 |
| All Grades - Mathematics | 84.1 | 23.0 | 63 | 33 |
The Department has reviewed this request and it appears reasonable and consistent with the charter school statute and regulations. The school has established a solid educational program, demonstrated academic results, and shown evidence of persistent parent and student demand with a waitlist of 786 students. Additionally, the school has clear systems and structures in place to facilitate a successful expansion. The charter school is in compliance with applicable state, federal, and local law. Given this evidence, and the support of Boston's superintendent, school committee, and teacher's union, I recommend that the Board approve an enrollment increase of 228 students for the EMK. A motion for approval is attached for your consideration.
If you have any questions regarding these amendments or require additional information, please contact me, Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner, or Marlon Davis, Director of Charter Schools, Innovation, and Redesign.
Attachments:
Correspondence from Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
Motion for Board action on Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
Correspondence from Superintendent of Boston Public Schools