Board Assessment Tool
This assessment matrix aids in the assessment of a Charter School Board's effectiveness. Leadership Roles, Board Composition, Meetings and Committees are graded in three levels: Strong, Satisfactory and Weak.
SPED: Regulations and Procedures
The Regulations of the Commissioner are available online. Part 200 is the law regulating special education in New York State. The Standard Operating Procedures Manual is a how-to guide explaining the entire special education referral, evaluation, and placement process in New York City. The NYC DOE Protocols for SPED in Charter Schools were developed by the Office…
Building a Charter School Founding Board
The skills and dedication of the personnel who make up the founding charter school Board are essential for a new school's success. These resources will help schools recruit the right board members and get their new boards up and running. Critical board building challenge: How does a charter school board…
MLL/ELL Identification Process
In today's diverse educational landscape, catering to the diverse needs of students is paramount. Among these needs, supporting Multilingual Learners (MLL) or English Language Learners (MLL/ELL) stands as a crucial priority. These students bring a wealth of cultural backgrounds and languages to the classroom, enriching the learning environment. However, to…
Developing a Sound School Budget
This presentation from the New York City Charter School Center explains the proper way to prepare a budget for a new charter school. All revenue streams and cost centers are covered in detail. Learn how to be conservative when projecting both revenues and expenses. A sample budget is included.
New York State Charter Schools Act of 1998 (as amended)
New York State’s law on charter schools changed in important ways in April 2014 and May 2010. The Charter Center created a black-lined version of the Act that visually emphasizes the new provisions in a more legible format. The Charter Center is committed to helping existing and prospective charter schools…
Board Positions
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of board members is an important step in effective governance. These resources will help clarify what the board chair and other board members' roles are, and the characteristics to look for in candidates for particular positions. The Board Chairperson is one of the most important…
Charter Renewal
In addition to hosting regular discussions with the authorizers, the Charter Center has collected these resources and exemplars to assist schools facing the complex project of writing the renewal application and preparing for the renewal evaluation visit. SUNY CSI Renewal Resources, including Handbook, Benchmarks, Application and Recent Renewal Reports at SUNY…
SPED: CSE and Compliance
The September 2010 presentation Common Coordination Issues, from the Brooklyn Charter School Student Support Agency, addresses common coordination issues facing schools with Special Education students. The first half of the presentation covers the NYC Committee on Special Education (CSE), including the structure and function of the CSE, roles and responsibilities of…
Staff Handbook
Clear expectations promote strong performances. A comprehensive staff handbook is the best way to ensure all employees understand the professional standards and culture of the school. Several extensive handbooks are attached, each with particular strengths. SBuffalo’s CS Handbook has thorough sections on social media and computer use and mentions confidentiality…
