Ivy Academy

Appeal Hearing

Introduction

• Brief Procedural Background

• Comment on Evaluation Process

• Essence of Ivy Academy

• Standard for Review

• Evidence in Support of Ivy Academy

• Conclusion

Procedural Background

• State application form received by HC and State – one week before deadline

• Two denials from HC

Procedure, continued

• 1st denial – two page grading rubric with just a few vague reasons for point deductions

• 2nd denial – 10 page grading rubric with more complete and more objective reasons for point deductions.

Question

• If the complete objective response was provided with first HC evaluation would we even be to the appeals stage?

Comment on the Procedure

Who is Ivy Academy?

Personal – 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio

84 total students per teacher

!!! Public School !!!

• Aligned with HCDE Strategic Plan

• Aligned with purpose of charter school law

• Serving at risk and other students

Learning Environment

• Small Class Groups

• Themed learning

• Project-based learning

• Outdoor “classrooms”

• Longer class periods

Standard for Review

…contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district or community…

Tenn. Code Ann. §49-19-108(3)

Contrary to Existing NeedNCLB History

• History of AYP in district

• 6 High Priority schoolsin HC system on 2007- 2008 list

Tennessee Department of Education – Report Cardwww.state.tn.us/education

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies

• Goal: High academic achievement from proficient to advanced.

• Strategy: Team with local universities, business and community leaders to make students competitive in the global arena

• Ivy: Already has partners helping design educational opportunities for students

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies

• Goal: Move from proficient to advanced.

• Strategy: Innovative ideas and strategies

• Ivy: Our innovative teaching methods and environment are ideas and strategies that will help HCDE achieve this goal

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies

• Goal: Empower Schools with Freedom and Flexibility

• Strategy: Expand curriculum to provide successful enrichment programs …research-based programs used as academic designs…field studies of selected programs

• Ivy: Our life-skills and other enrichment programs will implement this strategy and we can be an in-house study providing data for HCDE’s success

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies

• Goal: District Accountability

• Strategy: Put resources and decision-making close to the classroom

• Ivy: This is also part of the intent of the charter school law and we look forward to being able to put our energy where it serves best: with students in the classroom.

Purpose of Charter School Law

• Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods

• Provide greater decision making authority to schools and teachers in exchange for greater responsibility for student performance

• To provide an alternative means within the public school system for ensuring accomplishment

Tenn. Code Ann. §49-13-102

Conclusion – Ivy is:

• Aligned with the HCDE Strategic Plan’s Goals and Strategies

• Aligned with the purpose of the charter school law

• Prepared to begin operations with the approval of charter status

• Aggressively dedicated to succeeding

It Would Contrary to the Best Interests of

• Students – The at-risk population exists and would be denied the opportunity to shift within the HC system to an environment that will help them succeed…tragic

• School District – To refuse to avail themselves of a ready, willing, and able agent of its own strategies for success under its 2011 plan…counterproductive

• Community – To deny this unique and timely approach for HC and Ivy to partner for success and reap both local and possibly national recognition…illogical

It’s About

Students and teachersLearning together

Photo & Clip Art Credits

• http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/illustration/hoops.jpg

• http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/742/38966.JPG

• http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/accomp/question_mark%20(WinCE).jpg

• http://casweb.ou.edu/home/news/events/images/aboutus_4students.jpg

• http://orise.orau.gov/images/news/2005/arc-ornl-2005-01.jpg