Massachusetts Charter Schools

Charter School Office Focus Groups - Summer 2008

Accountability Plan Guidelines Focus Groups

The Charter School Office needs your input! We invite you to an Accountability Plan Focus Group with other charter school leaders. We are beginning the process of revising the Guidelines for Writing Charter School Accountability Plans. This document was prepared in 2004, and is being updated as a part of the overall revision of charter school accountability documents. We are striving to make the new Guidelines helpful and user-friendly, leading to the creation by schools of strong Accountability Plans. Focus groups will be held from 1:00-3:00 pm on the following dates:
    July 9: Malden, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
    July 16: Worcester, Worcester Public Library
    July 29: Springfield, Springfield Public Library
Please register for the session that is most convenient for you at http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=528

Enrollment Lottery and Waitlist Focus Group

We will also be holding one focus group on charter school enrollment policies, lotteries and waitlist procedures with other charter school leaders and enrollment staff. We are in the process of revising our guidance in The Charter School Administrative and Governance Guide (see pages 22+). This document was revised in November 2007, but is being updated in light of many questions that have been raised. It is our hope that revised guidance will lead to smoother enrollment processes at all charter schools. There will be one state-wide focus group on July 16 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm at the Worcester Public Library, immediately following the focus group on Accountability Plans. Please register each person (staff who deal hands-on with enrollment issues are encouraged to join) who will be attending this session at http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=529

Upcoming (more information to follow later)…

    Charter School End of Year Financial Report Trainings: (most likely in early-to-mid-August) At these sessions we will review data submitted as part of the FY07 CSEOYFR submission as well as provide instructions for data submission for FY08.
    Orientation for New Charter School Administrators: (mid-September): This training is for administrators new to their positions at charter schools. Nuts-and-bolts information will be presented during this all-day training.
    Charter School Administrative and Governance Guide Trainings: (September) These sessions are targeted to new charter school board members providing an overview of board responsibilities outlined in the guide.
    Annual Fall Charter Leader Meeting: (Oct/Nov.) Annual all-day conference with various training sessions from a variety of presenters.
Please feel free to contact us charterschools@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3227 to register or with questions.



Last Updated: June 9, 2008



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