Family & Community Alternative Learning
Charter Schools Best Practices

Community Day Charter Public School

Replicating the School Model

Topics:	School Mission School Culture and Classroom Management Practices Organizational Capacity Instructional Practices At-risk Learners Developing, refining, and documenting curricula School-wide or individual professional development programs Practices in Instructional Leadership Internal and/or external student assessment systems Using school-wide and individual student assessment data to inform curriculum and instruction Community involvement Special education students and English language learners Board oversight and governance practices School compliance Budgeting and long range fiscal planning strategies Fiscal policies and procedures Annual reporting requirements
Mission:	The mission of CDCPS is to provide a Kindergarten through grade eight school that will draw upon our considerable experience in working together as a community to develop and implement a curriculum that discovers and supports the special characteristics and unique learning styles of each student. We will engage that student in meaningful learning experiences for the purposes of clearly stated goals in the areas of understandings, knowledge, skills, habits and social competencies. The curriculum will be embedded in the reality of city life and will reinforce the positive aspects of our city: its culture, art and economy, its working class history and strong work ethic. Our educational philosophy, curriculum and teaching methods are informed by an understanding that learning takes place in the context of family and that family must be supported in ways that make learning for the child possible.
Goals:	1. To create a new charter school in Albany, NY based on the design principles and practices of CDCPS
Summary:	School Replication. Based on the success of Community Day Charter Public School, a foundation supporting a group of charter school founders in Albany, NY approached school leaders and teachers about engaging in a school replication project. Supported by The Brighter Choice Foundation of Albany, NY, teachers and leaders of Community Day Charter Public School worked with the founders of Albany Community Charter School to replicate the design principles and practices of CDCPS. Teachers and administrators of CDCPS worked closely with the school founders to write the charter application and implement the program. These included participating in meetings, professional development sessions, and the sharing of numerous resources.
Partner(s):
Dates:	01/01/2005 01/01/2006 01/01/2007
Contact:	Laura Richane, Director of Educational Initiatives (lrichane@thecommunitygroupinc.org/978.682.6628)
Resources:	Contact the school for associated resources.
Federal Charter Schools Program Funds?	No

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