Meeting of the Board of Regents | June 2010

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - 9:35am

sed seal

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

TO:
FROM:	John B. King, Jr.
SUBJECT:	Charter Schools: Proposed Second Renewal Charter for The Renaissance Charter School
DATE:	June 8, 2010
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Should the Regents approve the proposed second renewal of The Renaissance Charter School (New York City)?

Background Information

We received a proposed renewal charter from the Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York for The Renaissance Charter School (“TRCS” or “the School”). The School’s charter was initially granted on April 4, 2000. It currently serves 525 students in grades K through 12. Upon renewal, it will serve 541 students in grades K through 12, throughout the proposed renewal term. The School’s mission is “to provide a comprehensive academic program aligned with the New York State learning standards that fosters educated, responsible, humanistic young leaders who will through their own educational development and personal growth spark a renaissance in New York City and beyond. Its graduates will be global citizens with an abiding respect for peace, human rights, the environment, and sustainable development.”

The School does not have a management partner. The School will provide instruction from 8:10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for 180 days per academic year.

The New York City Department of Education held a public hearing in Community School District 30 on January 25, 2010 regarding this proposed renewal charter. Over 40 comments were made and received, all in favor of the proposed renewal.

Recommendation

VOTED: That the Board of Regents approves and issues the second renewal charter of The Renaissance Charter School, as proposed by the Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including May 17, 2015.

Reasons for Recommendation

(1) The charter school described in the proposed charter meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicants can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; and (3) approving and issuing the proposed charter is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law.

Timetable for Implementation

The Regents action for The Renaissance Charter School will be effective immediately.

New York State Education Department

Summary of Charter School Renewal Information

Summary of Applicant Information

Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School: The Renaissance Charter School “TRCS” or “the School”)

Address: 35-59 81st Street, Jackson Heights, New York 11372

Board of Trustees President: Andrew P. Jackson

Renewal Period: May 18, 2010 – May 17, 2015

Opening Date: September 2000

District of Location: New York City Community School District 30, Queens

Charter Entity: Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York

Institutional Partner: N/A

Management Partner: N/A

Grades Served and Projected Enrollment per Year:

Renewal Year Grades Served Enrollment

2010 - 2011 grades K through 12 541

2011 - 2012 grades K through 12 541

2012 - 2013 grades K through 12 541

2013 - 2014 grades K through 12 541

2014 - 2015 grades K through 12 541

Renewal Application Highlights

Charter Entity Findings

The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) found that the School has generally implemented its key design elements. The School has met the student academic outcome measures included in the key elements. NYCDOE states that the School has a strong sense of community and a shared commitment to high student achievement. In addition, NYCDOE reported that the school leaders have a collaborative, data-driven approach to problem solving, which brings about effective and timely improvements. The depth and breadth of the curriculum and supporting partnerships provide students with a wide range of learning opportunities to engage them and to raise achievement. The School is making good use of data to inform decision-making and to ensure students achieve their goals; and that highly effective professional development, shared leadership and extensive collaboration has resulted in some innovative and excellent teaching. In the last several years, the School has outperformed Community School District 30 on New York State assessments. High parent satisfaction is evidenced by positive sentiments on the annual parent survey as well as by parents re-enrolling their children. The attendance rate has met its target goal in the last few years. The School’s board has functioned effectively in furthering the School’s mission and vision, and maintains sound finances and internal controls.

In 2005, the School was granted a five-year renewal, providing the School an opportunity to build on the successes made in its initial charter. NYCDOE has again recommended a second renewal of five years consistent with the terms of the second renewal application.

Evidence of Educational Soundness/ Attainment of Educational Objectives

The School opened in September 2000 as a conversion from a traditional New York City public school. The student achievement results for the School are shown in Tables 1 through 9.
The School provides instruction in each subject in the seven general curriculum areas and the proposed curriculum is aligned to all 28 NYS learning standards.
In 2008-2009, the School scored higher than its district of location in the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics exams.
The School has been deemed “In Good Standing” under the New York State (NYS) Accountability System from 2006-2009.
The School earned an “A” on its New York City progress report in 2008 and 2009.
In 2008-2009, the School’s aggregate Performance Index (PI) of 191 on the NYS ELA and 196 on the math exams met the Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) set forth in the NYS accountability system.
In 2008-2009, the School met its goal that, “eighty-five percent of the graduating class will be accepted to institutes of higher learning.” At the end of the school year, 92.1% of the graduating class was accepted to institutions of higher learning.
In 2008-2009, the School met its goal that “by year four of the charter, 70% of K through 8 students will meet or exceed standards in State ELA and math examinations.” Ninety-four percent of TRCS student scored at levels three and four in mathematics and 81% of students scored at levels three and four in English language arts.
The School employs a structured immersion strategy to help English language learners (ELL) achieve proficiency in English.
In 2008-2009, the School served 56% students eligible for free or reduced lunch; and 10.1% students with disabilities (SWD).
In 2008-2009, the School served 3.6% ELL.
The School’s population during 2009-2010 is 41.9% Hispanic, 21.1% Black, 21.5% White, 15.1% Asian and 0.4% Native American.
The School has a 180-day school year from September to the end of June.
The School provides instruction from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for grades K through 5; 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for Grade 6; and 8:10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for grades 7 through 8, from Monday through Friday.
Over the last two years, average daily attendance at the School has exceeded 90%.
The teacher retention rate during the 2008-2009 school year was 94.8%. The School has had two principals since converting to a charter in the year 2000.

Table 1*

2008-2009

Grades 3 through 8 State ELA and Math Assessments