2015-18 Authorized by Title V, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (P.L. the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) provides funding to State Educational Agencies with the purpose of expanding the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the nation by providing financial assistance for planning, implementation of new charter school programs; and to disseminate promising practices in order to evaluate the effects of charter schools, including their impacts on student academic achievement, teaching and learning, families, and the community. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has received a competitive grant under this federal program for $8,790,931 for the years 2015-18 to carry out the following objectives within Oregon: 1. To provide funds to post-award, pre-operational charter schools in the development phase in order to increase educational equity and improve the quality of new charter schools statewide through an intensive incubation period. 2. To provide funds to high-quality charter schools in operation for less than three years in order to facilitate implementation of their educational models, professional development, and curriculum, and to provide professional development in educational equity. 3. To facilitate the dissemination of best practices between charter schools and their district school counterparts, and provide an access point for charter schools to share their evidence-based best practices. 4. To strengthen authorizer quality throughout the state by providing high-quality training and professional development to authorizers. In carrying out these objectives, the Oregon Charter Schools Program (OCSP) provides to qualified charter school developers and operators for the planning phase and/or early years of implementation of new charter schools, and to experienced and successful operators through the OCSP grant and assists districts in developing and strengthening charter authorizing practices through high quality professional development and training. grants
Provide the school’s procurement policy and procedures. Policies and procedures must comply with Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.318. E: Submit the school’s plan to manage the performance and financial aspects of the grant, including how Grant Project Goals will be tracked and assessed. The plan should include at least the following components: An overall description of how the grant will be managed, including key personnel assigned to manage specific aspects of the grant. The school’s plan to be compliant, strategic, and responsible with the financial and business aspects of the grant. The school’s plan to have sufficient cash on hand to front initial grant expenditures until reimbursement. The capability of the governing board to oversee the performance and financial components of the grant. The capability of the governing board to submit required reports on grant activities. A detailed description of how performance will be measured against the Grant Project Goals, including specific targets, measures, and metrics for each Goal, as well as a timeline for the implementation and completion of each Project Goal. The school’s plan for financial and programmatic sustainability after the grant period ends and grant funds are no longer available. Attach a copy of the charter school’s conflict of interest policy. F: Charter schools must provide all available student achievement data disaggregated by race, gender, and special population, for every year in operation.
According to the specified grant period, Identify three (3) or four (4) Grant Project Goals. Fully justify each goal in terms of its value in improving student learning and achievement for Oregon students. At least one goal must specifically address how the dissemination project is designed to improve outcomes for historically and educationally underserved students, including how the charter school’s existing educational program helps meet ODE’s goal of reducing and eliminating achievement and opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. Describe how all goals are SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, and Fully describe what data will be used to measure progress on each goal. Both qualitative and quantitative sources of data should be used. Provide a timeline for measuring progress on each goal. Required Criteria Applicant clearly identifies and describes three, (3) or four (4) Grant Project Goals. The number of goals is aligned with the length of the grant term. Applicant fully justifies each goal in terms of its value in improving student learning and achievement for Oregon students. A detailed timeline for assessing progress on each goal is provided. Applicant fully describes how each goal is a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, and At least one goal specifically addresses how the dissemination project is designed to improve outcomes for historically and educationally underserved students, including how the charter school’s existing educational program helps meet ODE’s goal of reducing and eliminating achievement and opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. The sources of data and information used to measure progress on each goal are identified, well described, and reasonable indicators of progress on the goal. Qualitative and quantitative data are described. Strengths: Weaknesses: Point Distribution Points Met few or no criteria Met half or more criteria Met all criteria Base points XX/30 0-9 10-20 21-30 Priority points X/5