TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPER

 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPER

No: 2006-09

 

Reconstitution of Double F Charter Schools

 

Background

Reconstitution is the process of dramatically altering the governance, administration, and

instructional systems and personnel to improve educational outcomes. A double F charter school

and its authorizer may choose to reconstitute the school rather than close the school.

 

Discussion

Reconstitution includes the termination of the existing charter contract and the development and

approval of a new charter contract for the same school. This new contract must require:

 

•

 

A reconstituted charter school governing board - over 50% of the members must be new to

the board.

•

 

A reconstituted staff - school instructional administrators are replaced and instructional staff

that did not produce student achievement gains are replaced.

•

 

An authorizer approved action plan that includes research-based improvement strategies

targeting the school’s specific deficiencies.

•

 

A statement in this new contract of guaranteed future school grade performance above F or,

if too small to receive a grade, improved student performance based on analysis of student

data. (Pre-reconstitution school grade performance history will no longer apply). If the

school receives an F grade for their first year under reconstitution, it must be closed by the

authorizer.

 

If an authorizer determines not to close a double F charter school, it must submit a reconstitution

plan to the Department of Education addressing each of the requirements listed above. This plan

must include how each of the elements have been or will be addressed, including what standards

have been used or will be used to determine which instructional staff are to be replaced for not

producing student achievement gains.

 

The Department of Education must approve the reconstitution plan.

 

Contacts for Additional Information

The Florida Department of Education, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice,

website can be found at: http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org

 

For questions and information on charter schools, contact Karen Hines-Henry at 850-245-0502 or

karen.hines@fldoe.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increasing the Quantity and Improving the Quality of Educational Options

 

Contact Information:

Karen Hines-Henry

850-245-0502

karen.hines@fldoe.org

Independent Education

and Parental Choice

 

August 2006