The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Proposed Amendments to Charter School Regulations, 603 CMR 1.00
| To: | Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education |
| From: | Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner |
| Date: | March 16, 2010 |
The recently-enacted education reform law (St. 2010, c.12) included significant amendments to the Commonwealth's charter school statute (G.L. c.71, §89). Enclosed with this memorandum are proposed changes to the Board's regulations on charter schools. I am asking for a vote at your March 23 meeting to solicit public comment on these proposed changes. I expect to bring these changes back to you for a final vote in May.
These new regulations do not cover all of the changes in the charter school statute, but only those that require clarification or implementing provisions. Among the topics covered in these proposed regulations are: identification of districts eligible for the higher spending caps; the definition of "proven provider"; criteria for the new categories of Horace Mann charters; provisions relating to recruitment and enrollment; and calculation of surplus assets.
Many of the other changes to the charter school statute do not require clarifying regulations and have already been implemented. For example, the materials that we presented to the Board on proposed new charter schools at the February 2010 Board meeting complied with the new standards for transparency and accountability in the charter approval process.
I am also enclosing a summary chart prepared by our Charter School Office describing the three types of Horace Mann charters for which districts can now apply. This chart will be included in the application materials for the 2010-11 application cycle, as a guide for potential applicants.
Associate Commissioner Jeff Wulfson and Director of Charter Schools Mary Street will be present at the March 23 meeting to answer any questions.
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