District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Charter Renewals for Seven Charter Schools

I am recommending that the Board of Education renew the charters for the following seven charter schools:

• Boston Collegiate Charter School
• Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School
• Excel Academy Charter School
• Four Rivers Charter Public School
• Health Careers Academy Charter School
• Rising Tide Charter Public School
• Smith Leadership Academy Charter Public School

For each school, we have provided you with a memo outlining the Department's findings based on our evaluation of the school's academic success, organizational viability, faithfulness to its charter, and dissemination of successful educational practices. Your materials also include a more detailed Summary of Review on each school. The Board received the materials on three of these schools (Boston Collegiate, Excel Academy, and Smith Leadership Academy) at the December meeting also, but did not reach this agenda item.

At the Board's January 22nd meeting, Associate Commissioner Jeff Wulfson and Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, will explain how the Department reviews charter schools for renewal and respond to any questions you may have about the review process. Along with representatives from the schools, they will also respond to any questions you may have about these seven schools. Following the discussion, the Board has the option to waive its bylaw that calls for discussion at one meeting and a vote at a subsequent meeting, in order for the Board to vote on these recommended charter renewals at this month's meeting. We have enclosed a motion for a vote on renewal of each of the seven charters, for use if the Board wishes to vote on any or all of them on January 22nd.