Starting a Public Charter School ð STEPS TO GET YOU STARTED

 

 

Understand Charter

School Law

#1

Charter Schools are PUBLIC

schools of choice.

A charter school is a public school operated by

a group of parents, teachers and/or community

members as a semi-autonomous school of

choice within a school district. It is given the

authority to operate under a contract or

"charter" between the charter school governing

board and the local board of education

(sponsor). A public charter school is subject to

certain laws pertaining to school district public

schools, is released from others and must

operate consistent with the charter agreement.

ÿisit the oregon department of

education charter schoolwebpage

Oregon Revised Statute (ORS)

The Charter School Laws

ORS Chapter 33ó:

Public Charter Schools

The Charter School Rules Oregon OAR ðó1 Division 2ñ: Administrative

Public Charter Schools

Rules (OAR)

Public charter schools must

apply to the school district

in which the public charter

school will operate.

Once you know where you want to open your

school, find the local school district policy on

public charter schools. District policies are

typically accessible online with a quick Google

search. Most relevant policies will be in the

"community relations" section. The proposal, or

charter application, must comply with the district

policy and the state laws/rules.

search the oregon school boards

association policies for our district

Where do you want to operate?

#2

Relationship

The Charter School-Sponsorrelationship is a criticalelement to success. From the early stages of development to years into

a charter school's operation, the relationship

between the school and the sponsor can be one of

the defining elements of the school's success.

Whenever possible, it is important to focus on

nurturing a collaborative relationship. Since the

charter school students may matriculate into the

sponsor's schools and the charter's performance

data is included in the sponsor's overall

performance, it is helpful to leverage the charter

school as a value-added to the sponsor's portfolio

of education options.

Write an Application

#3

Cast the vision of your school

so everyone can "see" it...

in writing.

Writing a strong application to start a public

charter school is the most important step in the

development process. You must clearly

articulate the vision in such detail that the

sponsor and application evaluators can

imagine what the school will be like when it

opens. The application needs to address all of

the requirements in the law, the policies, and

offer a compelling description of how this

school will be a good choice for students.

Download the model application at

ODE's Charter Schoolwebsite.

Pro Tips

01

02

03

DO make sure you have addressed everything required in law and policy before you submit.

DON'T cut and paste articles or curriculum. The sponsor needs to be confident YOU can operationalize a comprehensive school.

DO look at other successful applications and visit high quality charter schools to ensure you can describe your program.

This is the easiest part you

will do in the life of the

charter school.

It is very difficult to navigate the application

process with a school district. And, it is important

to remember that it is still easier than the first

day you open the doors to your school and have

children, parents, and staff. Talk to a few charter

schools that opened in the last year or two and

hear their story. Ask for advice and what they

might do differently. Remember, you are always

being evaluated and every meeting is modeling

what the future will be like, for both parties.

Download the most recent list of

public charter schools in oregon.

Submit Your Application

#4

The Process

Alternative proposal process outline

Students at the Center

#5

Don't let the adult issues get

in the way of serving kids.

So much of starting a public charter school and

public school operation is mediated by adult

business that it is easy to lose sight of what

you started out to do. Whatever it takes, find a

routine that keeps you focused on your mission

and keep students at the center. When it

seems too hard or when you find yourself

struggling to make progress, remind yourself

that it's all about the kids and that you should

model the same behavior and determination

you expect of them.

ÿisit the oregon department of

education studentswebpage

"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of

success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow."

WILLIAM POLLARD

CHARTER SCHOOL SPECIALIST OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ka t e p a t t i s on

kate.pattison@state.or.us 503-580-5749 (v/t)

Questions? Contact: