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

Charter Renewal - Initial Discussion for KIPP Academy of Lynn Charter School

This month, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) will have its initial discussion of the charter renewal application of KIPP Academy of Lynn Charter School (KAL). The Board will vote on this renewal at its meeting on January 27, 2009.

KIPP Academy of Lynn Charter School

KAL, a Commonwealth charter school, is located in Lynn. The school opened in 2004. KAL is chartered to serve grades 5-8 with a maximum enrollment of 340. It is currently serving 333 students in grade 5 through grade 8. As described in its original charter application, the school's educational model follows that of the national KIPP organization.

The mission statement of KAL reads: "KIPP Academy Lynn will create an environment where the students of Lynn will develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college, and the world beyond."

Basis of Recommendations Regarding the Renewal of Charters

The charter school regulations state that "[t]he decision by the Board to renew a charter shall be based upon the presentation of affirmative 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" 603 CMR 1.12. Consistent with the regulations, recommendations regarding renewal are based upon the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (Department) evaluation of the school's performance in these areas. In its review, the Department has considered both the school's absolute performance at the time of the application for renewal and the progress the school has made during the first four years of its charter.

The superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools, the district sending students to KAL, was invited to submit written comment to the Department regarding the renewal of the school's charter. No written comment was received from the superintendent.

The accountability process for charter schools recognizes that in exchange for increased freedom, a school must demonstrate results within the term of its five-year charter or risk non-renewal. The summary document that follows this memorandum was prepared for you as a compilation of the school's record for the term of this charter.

Recommendation for Renewal

Based on the evidence gathered in the attached Summary of Review and as further summarized below, I recommend that the Board renew the charter of KAL.

Areas of Charter School Accountability

I. Faithfulness to Charter

• KAL follows the educational program of the national Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) which focuses on four areas: high-quality instruction, character development, a focus on results, and more time on task.
• The school maintains a strong, school-wide behavior management system.
• KAL runs an extended day and extended year: 197 school days, 7:20am-5:00pm Monday through Thursday, 7:20am-3:00pm on Friday, and two Saturdays per month from 9:00am-1:00pm.
• All students visit college preparatory high schools and colleges in the area.

II. Academic Success

• MCAS results are strong, with an aggregate Composite Performance Index (CPI) of 85.9 in English language arts (ELA) and 87.0 in mathematics in 2008.
• KAL made AYP in ELA and mathematics in the aggregate and for subgroups in all years, 2006 to 2008; no AYP determination was made in 2005. Under NCLB the school has no status in ELA and mathematics.
• Curriculum materials are largely teacher-created, with teachers writing highly detailed lesson plans that align with national KIPP standards and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
• Teachers consistently use a wide variety of instructional strategies and multiple modalities. In addition, lessons frequently involve movement, singing, chanting, and rhythmic responses.

III. Organizational Viability

• KAL is fiscally sound and stable.
• There are currently eight members on the board of trustees, one of whom has been with the board since 2005. The board understands its role to be that of governance and oversight.
• The head of school is the school's founder.
• The school reports high levels of parent satisfaction through the results of a parent survey.
• KAL maintains nearly full enrollment and a lengthy waiting list.

IV. Dissemination

• KIPP Academy Lynn was approved for a math dissemination grant by the Department in November 2006. Teachers from local elementary schools visited KIPP to see the school's math program in action and participated in professional development workshops. The school chose not to apply for a continuation of the grant in 2007-08.
• In addition, KIPP regularly hosts visitors from a wide range of schools and other institutions including students, teachers, professors, and professionals from a variety of fields.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, at 781 338-6500, or Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, at 781 338-3200, or me.

   Summary of Review