The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Charter Schools - Charter Amendment for Lowell Community Charter Public School (Grade Span and Maximum Enrollment)
Pursuant to the charter school regulations, 603 CMR 1.11(1), the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) must approve certain changes in the material terms of a school's charter. I recommend that the Board approve Lowell Community Charter Public School's (LCCPS) request to expand its grade span and increase its maximum enrollment. The school's request is described in detail below, in preparation for a discussion and vote at the Board's meeting on December 17, 2013.
This year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) received requests from twelve existing schools for increases in their maximum enrollment, changes to grades served, and changes to the sending districts specified in the schools' charters. Because some requests relate to other pending matters, my recommendations regarding these requests will come to the Board over the next three months.
Lowell Community Charter Public School
The board of trustees of LCCPS, serving grades K-6, requests approval for a charter amendment to add grades K1, 7, and 8 to its grade span and to increase its maximum enrollment by 160, from 640 to 800 students. A copy of the school's request is attached.
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Lowell |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Non-regional | Maximum Enrollment | 640 |
| Year Opened | 2000 | Grade Span in Charter | K-6 |
| Year(s) Renewed | 2005, 2010 | Students on Waitlist | 132 |
| Mission Statement: "The mission of Lowell Community Charter Public School (LCCPS) is to graduate creative, confident and independent thinkers, global citizens and leaders who give back to their community. We will provide a comprehensive education giving students the knowledge, skills and ways of thinking that ensure their success in high school and preparation for the opportunity to go on to college. We expect our students to strive for excellence in academic achievement and personal conduct within a joyful, supportive culture. The diversity within our students, staff, families and community and the many nations from which we come is a source of strength and an opportunity for learning." | |||
In February 2010, the Board renewed the charter of LCCPS, placed the school on probation, and imposed conditions on the school's charter related to academic success, implementation of a school-wide corrective action plan to address academic performance and governance, and reducing the school's maximum enrollment from 900 to 610 students and its grade span from K-8 to K-4. In February 2013, the Board removed LCCPS from probation and removed the conditions on the school's charter related to academic success and the development and implementation of a corrective action plan. Strong improvement in LCCPS' academic results since 2010, and evidence of improved structures, systems, administrative management, and oversight of the school by the board of trustees supported the Board's decision last February. While the school showed evidence of strong improvement in all accountability areas at that time, I deferred consideration of a similar amendment request last year and encouraged LCCPS to return with its request to add grades and additional seats, pending the school's continued success.
LCCPS has requested to return to its original K-8 grade configuration; to add a preschool program for four-year-olds; and to increase its maximum enrollment by 160, from 640 to 800 students, over the next two years. LCCPS has requested to add a preschool (K1) grade in 2014-2015 to provide an early education program for 50 students while continuing to maintain an entry point at kindergarten for new five-year-old students. The implementation of grades 7 and 8 will occur as the present sixth grade students are promoted. Lowell Public Schools currently offers preschool programs at most of its elementary schools but not for all four-year-olds. LCCPS's request is consistent with the structure for preschool throughout most of the Lowell Public Schools. The primary elementary and middle school configuration in Lowell Public Schools is PK-4, and 5-8.
In its request, the school reported the following reasons for the proposed charter amendment:
- To provide a strong K-8 educational program to serve their student population, 91.4% identified as High Needs in 2013, including a two year kindergarten with access for four and five year olds;
- To address the challenges of recruiting and retaining families for a K-6 grade span configuration that differs from the district's configuration; and
- To mitigate financial hardship caused by the reduced enrollment and the school's fixed operational costs.
Because Lowell has been identified as a district performing in the lowest 10 percent based upon MCAS performance for the last two school years and the present charter school enrollment of Lowell residents already exceeds the 9 percent net school spending cap, I must determine LCCPS is a "proven provider" in order to recommend the school's expansion request. Based upon the school's performance in relation to the criteria described in 603 CMR 1.05(2), I have identified the board of trustees of LCCPS as a proven provider. A copy of the Department's analysis is attached.
The Department received approximately 30 letters of support from families of students enrolled in LCCPS and a petition signed by approximately 127 parents, as well as other letters of support submitted by members of the charter school community and greater Lowell. The Department also invited the superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools to submit comment on the school's request and it is attached for your reference. The Lowell superintendent expressed concern about attrition of special education students from LCCPS back to the Lowell Public Schools. The Department is currently developing additional guidance to provide more clarity to both charter schools and districts about the appropriate process for potential out-of-district special education placements During the Department's review, LCCPS' attrition rates were noted as a specific concern, and the school provided additional information regarding the attrition trends over the past four years which the school attributes in large part to the grade re-configuration required by the school's probation. Attrition information is attached for your reference.
We have reviewed the amendment request of LCCPS, and it appears reasonable and consistent with the charter school statute and regulations. The Department's review of 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 is attached. Because of the charter school's continued solid academic performance, including its Level 1 status for two years; its overall success in recruiting, retaining, and successfully serving a high needs student population; and its compliance with applicable state, federal, and local law, I recommend that the Board approve the school's request. A motion for approval is attached for your consideration.
Determination Regarding Other Amendment Requests
After careful consideration of the charter amendment requests submitted by the boards of trustees of Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School; Community Charter School of Cambridge; Holyoke Community Charter School; and Sturgis Charter Public School, I am not recommending approval at this time. I have encouraged these schools to address concerns identified by the Department before further consideration of these requests. Information regarding a charter amendment request submitted by the board of trustees of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is also provided to you in a separate memorandum for this month's meeting.
If you have any questions regarding this recommendation or require additional information, please contact Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner (781-338-3222); Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner (781-338-6500); or me.
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