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…
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…
This comprehensive guide, developed and originally presented by Rebecca Daverin of Explore Schools, is a great one-stop resource for the most useful ATS functions and reports. Note: If you still need an ATS account, or to request one for a new staff member at your school, complete this form and email it to…
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…
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…
Of all the decisions made by new Charter Schools, few are more important than deciding whether to contract for school management services. Choosing well requires balancing multiple considerations of finance, accountability, personnel, and public relations. This guidebook from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools provides evenhanded, user-friendly advice for…
The Co-Location Handbook" explores the practice of shared space in NYC Public Schools, aligned with the Education Department's mission. Educators collaborate with stakeholders to improve academics and readiness. Since 2015, NYC DOE has promoted positive co-location relationships. The book outlines strategies like effective communication, collaboration, equity, and accountability. It guides…
School facility operations and maintenance exist to support the primary purpose of any school: quality learning. By maintaining a working Operations Guide for your school, all procedures can be memorialized and easily accessed by new and incoming staff. Below are some exemplar Operations Guides that existing charter schools use:
This guide from the NYC DOE's Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) pertains to procedures for requesting services. Included in this guide are: A List of Forms and Documentation; an Explanation of OPT Criteria; and an Explanation of Charter School Responsibilities. The OPT Request for Service form is also included.
Each charter school receives a grant for textbooks, library books and software under the New York State Textbook Law (NYSTL). The grant is administered by the NYC DOE, so all purchases with these funds must be processed through the FAMIS purchasing portal. As a result, every school should have at…
