Table of Contents Applicant Information Sheet Executive Summary Proposed Plans A. Educational Plan.............................................................................................................................. 6 A.1 Mission and Purpose of the Proposed Public Charter School ........................................................... 6 A1.a Educational Needs of the Target Student Population. .............................................................. 6 A1.b Mission and Philosophy. ...................................................................................................... 17 A1.c Educational Focus. ............................................................................................................... 18 A1.d Goals. .................................................................................................................................. 25 A.2 Charter School Curriculum ............................................................................................................ 26 A2.a Student Learning Standards .................................................................................................. 26 A2.b Resources and Instructional Materials................................................................................... 31 A2.c Methods of Instruction.......................................................................................................... 41 A2.d Student Progress and Achievement....................................................................................... 45 A2.e Students with Exceptional Needs.......................................................................................... 52 A2.f English Language Learners. .................................................................................................. 56 A2.g Strategies for Providing Intensive Academic Support. .......................................................... 58 A.3 Student Performance...................................................................................................................... 59 A3.a Gateway Measures. .............................................................................................................. 59 A3.b Leading Indicators................................................................................................................ 60 A.4 Support for Learning...................................................................................................................... 62 A4.a Parent Involvement/Family Engagement............................................................................... 62 A4.b Community Participation...................................................................................................... 66 A4.c School Organization and Culture. ......................................................................................... 67 A4.d Extracurricular Activities. .................................................................................................... 69 A4.e Safety, Order, and Student Discipline. .................................................................................. 70 A4.f Professional Development for Teachers, Administrators, and Other School Staff................... 71 A4.g Structure of the School Day and Year................................................................................... 74 B. Business Plan................................................................................................................................. 78 B.1 Planning and Establishment........................................................................................................ 78 B1.a Profile of Founding Group.................................................................................................... 78 B1.b Planning Process .................................................................................................................. 82 B1.c Corporate Structure and Nonprofit Status of the School ......................................................... 83 B.2 Governance and Management..................................................................................................... 83 B2.a Board of Trustees ................................................................................................................. 83 B2.b Rules and Policies ................................................................................................................ 88 B2.c Administrative Structure....................................................................................................... 90 B2.d School Management Contracts ............................................................................................. 92 B.3 Finance ...................................................................................................................................... 93 B3.a Anticipated Sources of Funds ............................................................................................... 93 B3.b Planned Fundraising Efforts ................................................................................................. 96 B3.c Financial Management and Accounting ................................................................................ 98 B3.d Civil Liability and Insurance ................................................................................................ 98 B3.e Provision for Audit............................................................................................................... 99 B.4 Facilities .................................................................................................................................... 99 B4.a Identification of a Site .......................................................................................................... 99 B4.b Site Renovation.................................................................................................................. 100 B4.c Financing Plans for Facilities.............................................................................................. 101 B4.d Building Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 101 B.5 Recruiting and Marketing......................................................................................................... 102 B5.a Outreach to the Community................................................................................................ 102 B5.b Recruitment of Students ..................................................................................................... 103 B5.c Future Expansion and Improvements .................................................................................. 105 C. Operations Plan ........................................................................................................................... 107 C.1 Student Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................... 107 C1.a Timetable for Registering and Enrolling ............................................................................. 107 C1.b Policies and Procedures for Enrollment, Withdrawal, Suspension, and Expulsion of Students .................................................................................................................................................... 107 C.2 Human Resources Information ..................................................................................................... 110 C2.a Key Leadership Roles......................................................................................................... 110 C2.b Qualifications of School Staff............................................................................................. 112 C2.c Staffing Plan....................................................................................................................... 113 C2.d Employment Policies.......................................................................................................... 118 C2.e Volunteers.......................................................................................................................... 119 C.3 Arrangements for Meeting District and Federal Requirements ...................................................... 120 C3.a Health and Safety. .............................................................................................................. 120 C3.b Safety................................................................................................................................. 121 C3.c Transportation .................................................................................................................... 121 C3.d Enrollment Data. ................................................................................................................ 121 C3.e Maintenance and Dissemination of Student Records. .......................................................... 121 C3.f Compulsory Attendance Laws............................................................................................. 122 C3.g Subchapter B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973........................................................................................................... 122 C3.h Title I of the Improving America’s Schools Act ................................................................. 122 C3.i Civil Rights