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

Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School - Progress Report on Renewal Conditions

This memorandum provides you with an update regarding Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School (Banneker) in Cambridge. In January 2006, the Board of Education imposed three conditions upon the renewal of the charter for Banneker. Below is a summary of information gathered regarding the school since January 2006. The Charter School Office will continue to monitor the school's progress. No further action by the Board is required at this time.

The three conditions imposed on the charter for Benjamin Banneker are as follows.

1. The Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School will make Adequate Yearly Progress in the aggregate and no longer be identified in English language arts and mathematics under the Massachusetts School and District Accountability System when results are reported for the 2007-2008 school year.

2. The Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School will meet or make substantial progress each year towards meeting the goals in its Accountability Plan for 2006-2011 in the area of student academic success.

3. For the 2006-2007 school year, enrollment at the Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is limited to 325 students. When the school demonstrates that both academic success conditions above have been met, enrollment may increase to a maximum of 350 students.

Condition 1 - Adequate Yearly Progress

While condition 1 cannot be fully assessed at this time and requires assessment by December 2008, Banneker made Adequate Yearly Progress in the aggregate and for subgroups in English language arts and mathematics in 2007. The school's accountability data for 2007 can be found at http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/ayp/ayp_report/school.aspx?fyCode=2007&orgcode=04200205.

Condition 2 - Progress Toward Goals in Accountability Plan

Banneker met Condition 2 for the 2006-2007 school year. The school made significant progress toward meeting its goal for faithfulness to its charter, met most of its academic performance goals, and met or exceeded each of its organizational viability goals. Additional detail can be found in the site visit report for year twelve at http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/ayp/ayp_report/school.aspx?fyCode=2007&orgcode=04200205.

Condition 3 - Maximum Enrollment

Banneker is meeting Condition 3. The school reduced its enrollment to 325 students and may not increase its enrollment until the Department determines that Conditions 1 and 2 have been met. The earliest Banneker could increase its enrollment to 350 is for the 2009-2010 school year.

If you would like a hard copy of the documents referred to in this memorandum, have any questions, or require additional information regarding Banneker, please contact Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, at 781-338-6500; Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, at 781- 338-3200; or me.