THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
TO:		EMSC-VESID Committee
FROM:		Jean C. Stevens
SUBJECT:		Charter Schools: Renewal Charters
DATE:		March 13, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL:		Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Decision

 

Should the Regents approve the staff’s recommendations regarding the proposed renewal of the charters for the Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School, the Community Partnership Charter School, and the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School in New York City received from the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

          Required by New York State Education Law §2852.

 

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee on March 19, 2007 for action. 

 

Procedural History

 

The New York Charter Schools Act of 1998 requires the Board of Regents to review proposed charters and renewal charters that are submitted to it from other charter entities in accordance with the standards set forth in subdivision two of New York State Education Law Section 2852.  After review, the Board of Regents may either (a) approve and issue the charter or renewal charter as proposed by the charter entity, or (b) return the proposed charter to the charter entity for reconsideration with the written comments and recommendations of the Board of Regents.

 

Background Information

 

          We received three applications for renewal from the Trustees of the State University of New York (“SUNY”) that will be presented to you at your March meeting. The applications are for renewal of the following:

 

·       Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

·       Community Partnership Charter School

·       Harbor Science and Arts Charter School

 

          Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School (BECS): The Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School (the “School”) is located in New York City Community School District 16 in the borough of Brooklyn.  The initial charter for the School was issued on March 19, 2002.  The School used 2002-2003 as a planning year, and officially opened for instruction in the fall of 2003.  The School currently serves 630 students in grades K through 7. The School is managed by National Heritage Academies, a not-for-profit educational management company which operates two other charter schools in New York State (Buffalo United Charter School and Southside Academy Charter School (Syracuse)).

 

          Charter schools that have taken one or more planning years seek renewal with no more than three years of school and student performance data.  SUNY believes that the limited time of operation makes it difficult for their staff to determine any trends in student performance and to make a well-reasoned determination as to whether the School should be renewed for a full term of five years.  The School’s charter will expire on March 19, 2007 unless an extension of its charter is granted.  At its January meeting, SUNY approved a “short-term planning year renewal”, to extend the School’s charter through and including July 31, 2008.  Upon approval of the extension, the School will add an eighth grade in 2007-2008 as contemplated by its original charter.   SUNY seeks Board of Regents approval of the School’s proposed first renewal charter. Staff recommends that the Regents approve the School’s first renewal charter based on evidence of educational and fiscal soundness, evidence of parent and student satisfaction, and evidence of improved student performance.

 

          Community Partnership Charter School (CPCS):  The Community Partnership Charter School (the “School”) is located in New York City Community School District 13 in the borough of Brooklyn.  The initial charter became effective on April 4, 2000. In March 2005, the School was granted a short-term renewal of its charter up through and including June 30, 2005.  In May 2005, the School was granted a renewal of its charter up through and including July 31, 2007.  The School currently serves 288 students in grades K through 5. The School does not have a management company.  CPCS is an institutional partner of the Beginning with Children Foundation (BwCF).  BwCF also serves as an institutional partner to the Beginning with Children Charter School located in New York City Community School District 14 in the borough of Brooklyn.

 

          The chartering entity requested a short-term renewal because the School had an ambiguous or mixed record of educational achievement, but effectively implemented measures to correct deficiencies.  Over the past two years, the charter entity finds that the School has gathered solid evidence of academic achievement, continues to implement the charter, operates in a fiscally sound manner and is governed in a manner that supports the intent of Article 56.  The chartering entity entered into an agreement with CPCS on January 29, 2007 to renew the School for a period of five years. Staff recommends the Regents approve the School’s third renewal charter.

 

          Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (HSACS):  The Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (HSACS) is located in New York City, in the borough of Manhattan.  The initial charter became effective on April 4, 2000. The School opened in September 2000 serving grades 1 through 6. In March 2005, the School was granted a short-term renewal of its charter up through and including June 30, 2005.  In May 2005, the School was granted an additional renewal of its charter up through and including July 31, 2007.  The School is currently serving 211 students enrolled in grades 1 through 8.    Throughout the charter period, HSACS has consistently met or come close to meeting its academic program accountability plan goals.  On the State’s English language arts and mathematics examinations in 2004-05 and 2005-06, HSACS outperformed its local school district and enabled a higher proportion of students to achieve proficiency than would be predicted by the performance of comparable public schools across the State.  Staff recommends Regents approval of the School’s third renewal charter.

 

Complete copies of the above are available for your review by contacting James C. Viola at 518-474-4817 and Shelia Evans-Tranumn at (718) 722-2796.

 

Recommendation

 

Staff recommend that the Board of Regents take the following actions:

 

VOTED:   That the Board of Regents approve and issue the first renewal charter of the Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School as proposed by the Trustees of the State University of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term ending on July 31, 2008.

 

VOTED:  That the Board of Regents approve and issue the third renewal charter of the Community Partnership Charter School as proposed by the Trustees of the State University of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term ending on July 31, 2012.

 

VOTED:  That the Board of Regents approve and issue the third renewal charter of the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School as proposed by the Trustees of the State University of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term ending on July 31, 2012.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

The Regents action for the Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School will become effective immediately.  The Regents action for the Community Partnership Charter School and the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School will become effective on August 1, 2007[MSOffice1] .

New York State Education Department

 

Summary of Charter School Renewal Information

 

Summary of Applicant Information

 

 

Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School:  Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School (BECS)

 

Address: 856 Quincy Street, Brooklyn, New York 11221

 

Board of Trustees President:  Kay Madati

 

Renewal Period:  March 20, 2007 - July 31, 2008

 

District of Location:  New York City Community School District 16, Region 8

 

Charter Entity:  SUNY Board of Trustees

 

Institutional Partner(s):  None

 

Management Partner(s):  National Heritage Academies

 

Grades Served per Year:  K-7(K-8)

 

Projected Enrollment per Year:  630 (740)

 

 

Renewal Application Highlights

 

The school is applying for a one-year short-term planning year renewal and proposing to add grade 8 during the renewal phase of the charter. 

 

Evidence of Educational Soundness/Attainment of Educational Objectives

 

• For the Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School (“BECS” or “the School”) performance on State assessments, see Attachment 1.
• For grades 3-6, the School has achieved a Performance Index of 157 on State assessments in English Language Arts and 166 in Math.
• The School has had a mixed record of academic success.  Five principals have led this school since its inception in 2002.  The School took a planning year from 2002-2003.
• The School has not met its accountability goals in two of three years of operation.  The School has demonstrated progress in increasing the number of proficient students.  In the third year of operation, the percentage of proficient students in ELA increased from 31 percent to 60 percent.  Proficiency in mathematics increased from 55 percent to 70 percent.
• The School has modified and augmented the curriculum over the course of the charter.  The School no longer uses Core Knowledge.  Reading instruction is provided through Open Court Reading.  Math instruction is offered through Saxon Math in grades 2, 3, 5 and 6.  Students in grades 1 and 4 use SRA Real Math.
• The School utilizes a large number of substitute teachers.
• BECS is in good standing under the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.
• The School benefits from consistent leadership on the Board of Trustees. 

 

Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact

 

• Through the term of the charter, the School has been a fiscally weak but stable educational institution.  The School required a loan of $1.7 million in 2005-2006. 
• The School is housed in a 57,000 square foot facility which was built and is owned by the management company, National Heritage Academies.  The lease payment for 2006-2007 is projected to exceed $2.5 million.
• The School does carry significant long-term debt.
• The potential fiscal impact upon the District is represented below.  Please note that these projections are based upon several assumptions, which may or may not occur: that all existing charter schools will also exist in the next five years and serve the same grade levels as they do now; that the charter schools will be able to meet their projected maximum enrollment; that all students will come from New York City and no other districts; that all students will attend everyday for a 1.0 FTE; that the District’s budget will increase at the projected rate; that the per pupil payment will increase (and not decrease); and that the per pupil payment will increase at the projected rate.

 

Potential Fiscal Impact of the Renewal of the Charter for

Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

(New York City CSD 16/Region 8 – Brooklyn)

 

School Year	Number of Students**	Projected Payment*	Projected Impact
2007-2008	740	$6,353,640	.0373%

* Assumes a 3 percent annual increase in the District’s budget from the base of $17 billion in 2004-2005 and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil per year from the 2004-2005 rate of $8,586.

 

Evidence of Parental and Student Satisfaction and Community Support

 

• According to the findings of the most recent parent survey, the participation rate was 61% and the satisfaction rate of respondents was 90%. The targeted participation rate was 75%.
• The School’s parent liaison works principally as a recruiter, not as a coordinator of parental involvement activities. 
• The School is at full enrollment and had a waiting list of 260 students at the end of the 2003-2004 school year.  The School has a waiting list of 770 students.

Summary of Charter Entity’s Findings and Recommendations

 

• The School has had mixed success academically.  The School has begun to show improvement while taking steps recommended by the charter entity.
• The School’s Board of Trustees provides oversight and manages the School in a fiscally sound manner.  NHA is contractually obligated to fund any financial deficits incurred by the School.  During the first three years of operation, this total has amounted to $2.8 million.
• The School has demonstrated organizational effectiveness and viability through its structure and operational approach.
• The Charter Schools Institute (“CSI”) reviewed the lease agreement between the School and NHA.  CSI asserts the lease is satisfactory and that the facilities are adequate to accommodate the addition of grade 8.

 

Recommendation

 

Approve the recommendation.

 

Reason for Recommendation

 

(1) The charter school meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the charter school has demonstrated the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; and (3) approving the proposed renewal 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.

 

 

Attachment 1

Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

Performance on New York State Assessments

 

		Percent of Students
Assessment	Year*	% Level 1	% Level 2	% Level 3	% Level 4	Performance Index
Grade 4 ELA	2003- 2004	15.4	56.4	25.6	2.6	113
Grade 4 ELA	2004- 2005	7.5	62.7	26.9	3.0	123
Grade 3-8 ELA**	2005- 2006	4	34	58	4	157
Grade 4 Math	2003- 2004	15.8	60.5	23.7	0	108
Grade 4 Math	2004- 2005	7.7	36.9	52.3	3.1	148
Grade 3-8 Math**	2005- 2006	6	21	62	11	166

*2003-2004 was the first year BECS students were enrolled in grades in which New York State administered examinations.

** Percentages of students performing at Levels 1-4 are rounded to nearest whole number.

 

Attachment 2

Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

Enrollment Plan

 

GRADE	2006-2007 Projected Enrollment	2007-2008 Projected Enrollment
Kindergarten	80	100
First	75	100
Second	100	100
Third	100	100
Fourth	75	100
Fifth	75	75
Sixth	75	75
Seventh	50	50
Eighth	n/a	40
TOTAL	630	740

 

 

Attachment 3

Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

Change in Net Assets 2002-2003 through 2005-2006*

 

Fiscal Year	Change in Net Assets
2002-2003	N/A
2003-2004	$27, 049
2004-2005	$27, 493
2005-2006	($2,877)
2006-2007	N/A

*Source: Audited Financial Statements provided as a part of each Annual Report.

 

New York State Education Department

 

Summary of Charter School Renewal Information

 

Summary of Applicant Information

 

 

Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School:  Community Partnership Charter School (CPCS)

 

Address: 241 Emerson Place, Brooklyn, New York 11205

 

Board of Trustees President:  Mimi Clarke Corcoran

 

Renewal Period:  August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2012

 

District of Location:  New York City Community School District 13, Region 8

 

Charter Entity:  SUNY Board of Trustees

 

Institutional Partner(s):  Beginning with Children Foundation

 

Management Partner(s):  None

 

Grades Served per Year:  K-5

 

Projected Enrollment per Year:  300

 

Renewal Application Highlights

 

The School is applying for a five-year renewal. 

 

Evidence of Educational Soundness/Attainment of Educational Objectives

 

• For the Community Partnership Charter School (“CPCS” or “the School”) performance on State assessments, see Attachment 1.
• The School has outperformed local district schools on New York State ELA and Math tests. 
• For grades 3-5, the School has achieved a Performance Index of 154 on State assessments in English Language Arts and 166 in Math.
• In 2005-2006, 81.3 percent of students were proficient on the New York State Science examination.  79.4 percent were proficient on the New York State Social Studies examination.
• CPCS uses Houghton-Mifflin’s Reading 2005 for a literacy program which includes supplemental materials for differentiated instruction.  The School also uses the Lucy Caulkins program for writing.  Math instruction is provided through the McGraw Hill Mathematics series.
• Classrooms in Grades K-2 are staffed by two teachers. 
• The School employs two full-time professional development coordinators focused on literacy and math, respectively.
• CPCS is in good standing under the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

 

Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact

 

• Through the term of the charter, the School has been a fiscally sound educational institution.  The School has maintained positive fund balances and managed cash flow for each year of operation.
• The School does not carry any long-term debt.
• The potential fiscal impact upon the District is represented below.  Please note that these projections are based upon several assumptions, which may or may not occur: that all existing charter schools will also exist in the next five years and serve the same grade levels as they do now; that the charter schools will be able to meet their projected maximum enrollment; that all students will come from New York City and no other districts; that all students will attend everyday for a 1.0 FTE; that the District’s budget will increase at the projected rate; that the per pupil payment will increase (and not decrease); and that the per pupil payment will increase at the projected rate.

 

Potential Fiscal Impact of the Renewal of the Charter for

Community Partnership Charter School

(New York City CSD 13/Region 8 – Brooklyn)

 

School Year	Number of Students**	Projected Payment*	Projected Impact
2007-2008	300	$2,939,294	.0158%
2008-2009	300	$3,071,563	.0161%
2009-2010	300	$3,209,783	.0163%
2010-2011	300	$3,354,223	.0165%
2011-2012	300	$3,505,163	.0168%

* Assumes a 3 percent annual increase in the District’s budget from the base of $17 billion in 2004-2005 and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil per year from the 2004-2005 rate of $8,586.

 

Evidence of Parental and Student Satisfaction and Community Support

 

• Parent satisfaction surveys have been administered annually.  In 2005-2006, 171 of 245 total families responded (70 percent) to the CPCS survey.
• 81% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the school culture and educational philosophy.  84% approved of the quality of teaching.  89% were satisfied with opportunities for parents to participate in the School.
• 96% of parents believe students and teachers respect one another.  84% of parents believe their child is being challenged academically in school.  93% of respondents feel CPCS provides a safe learning environment for children.
• The student attrition rate was less than 7 percent.
• The School missed the target daily student attendance rate of 95%.  During 2005-2006, the CPCS average daily student attendance rate was 93%.

Summary of Charter Entity’s Findings and Recommendations

 

• The chartering entity (the Charter Schools Institute) finds the following:
  • CPCS is “an educationally sound entity that will increase student learning and achievement during the next charter period.”
  • The School “will be operated in a manner and consistent with the Charter Schools Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations and its proposed charter.”
  • “Approving the School to operate for another five years will materially further each and every purpose of the Charter Schools Act.”
  • The School has met or come close to meeting the academic goals set in its accountability plan and has demonstrated steady progress in academic attainment.
  • The School is an effective and viable organization with respect to corporate governance and meeting legal requirements. 
  • CPCS is in stable fiscal condition.  This condition is likely to continue as long as the School is located within a building owned by the New York City Department of Education. 
  • Enrollment demand is sufficient to meet projected enrollment during the next charter period. 
• CPCS’ School Climate Survey was issued with a response rate of 70 percent.  74 percent of respondents reported overall satisfaction with the School.  According to the charter entity, on 11 of 12 quality indicators, more than 80 percent of respondents were satisfied with the performance of CPCS.
• The chartering entity recommends the charter be renewed for a full term of five years.

 

Recommendation

 

Approve the recommendation.

 

Reason for Recommendation

 

(1) The charter school meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the charter school has demonstrated the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; and (3) approving the proposed renewal 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.

Attachment 1

 

Community Partnership Charter School

Performance on New York State Assessments

 

		Percent of Students
Assessment	Year*	% Level 1	% Level 2	% Level 3	% Level 4	Performance Index
Grade 4 ELA	2003- 2004	11	56	31	2	122
Grade 4 ELA	2004- 2005	13	36	36	16	140
Grade 3-8 ELA**	2005- 2006	7	26	62	5	161
Grade 4 Math	2003- 2004	2	51	42	4	143
Grade 4 Math	2004- 2005	4	11	49	36	181
Grade 3-8 Math**	2005- 2006	5	18	58	19	172

*2003-2004 was the first year CPCS students were enrolled in grades in which New York State administered examinations.

** Percentages of students performing at Levels 1-4 are rounded to nearest whole number.

 

Attachment 2

 

Community Partnership Charter School

Change in Net Assets

2000-2001 through 2006-2007*

Year	Change in Net Assets
2000-2001	-
2001-2002	$781,346
2002-2003	$227,180
2003-2004	$345,276
2004-2005	$333,825
2005-2006	$250,199
2006-2007	N/A

*Source: Audited Financial Statements provided as a part of each Annual Report.

New York State Education Department

 

Summary of Charter School Renewal Information

 

Summary of Applicant Information

  

Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School:  Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (HSACS)

 

Address:  1 East 104^th Street, Suite 603, New York, NY 10029

 

Board of Trustees President:  Alvin Patrick

 

Renewal Period:  August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2012

 

District of Location:  New York City Community School District 4/Region 9         

 

Charter Entity:  SUNY Board of Trustees

 

Institutional Partner(s): None

 

Management Partner(s):  Boys and Girls Harbor Incorporated (BGH)

 

Grades Served per Year: 1-8 (1-8)                

 

Projected Enrollment per Year:  222 (228)

 

Renewal Application Highlights

 

The school is applying for a five-year renewal.

 

Evidence of Educational Soundness/Attainment of Educational Objectives

• The Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (HSACS) serves a diverse student population. Based upon the most recent data (figures rounded) provided by SUNY, the School has a student body that is comprised of approximately 79% Black, 20% Hispanic and one percent White.
• Nearly 67% of the students are eligible for the Free Lunch program and 16% for the Reduced Lunch program.
• The School is currently serving 26 students with disabilities (SWD) and zero students with limited English proficiency (LEP).
• The School has met most of its academic performance goals in English language arts (ELA) and math, and has made significant progress toward the attainment of the goals in its academic program accountability plan.
• On the State’s ELA and math exams in 2004-05 and 2005-06, Harbor continually outperformed its local school district and enabled a higher proportion of students to achieve proficiency than would be predicted by the performance of comparable public schools across the State. 
• The School’s 2005-2006 eighth grade results were particularly strong. This suggests the students are well-prepared for high school when they graduate.
• For the performance of the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School (HSACS) on State assessments, see Attachment 1. 
• The School has made adequate yearly progress (AYP) according to the State’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability system and is deemed to be “In Good Standing.”
• The School’s current principal has held the role for the past four years (since 2003-2004).  She is the instructional leader of the building.
• The School has struggled with teacher certification.  At present, however,, only four (or 29 percent) of its teachers are uncertified. 
• The School reports a constant improvement in student order and discipline.
• The renewal charter will include the following new elements:
  • A summer readiness program for grades 2 and 3.
  • For grades 1-5, at least two teachers in the classroom at all times.
  • Smaller class sizes in grades 6-8.
  • Emphasis on basic literacy and numeracy in grades 1-3, with at least 60% of the academic time devoted to these subject areas.
  • Remediation classes for students who are at-risk and in need of extra ELA and/or math instruction.
  • Implementation of a system of interim assessments.

 

Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact

·       The School has met its financial reporting requirements.  

·       SUNY reports that the School requires constant reminders about timeliness and is often one to two weeks late in submitting reports.

·       The School completed the 2005-06 year in weak but stable financial condition, finishing with a net asset deficiency of $57,806. 

·       The School has maintained adequate cash flow.

·       The School has no long-term debt and has fixed assets of $35,219.

·       The School has not always operated on a balanced budget and as a result has accumulated net asset deficiency (see Attachment 2).  Poor fiscal results in fiscal year 2002 were the overriding cause of the deficiency.

·       The School relies heavily on the staff of the Boys and Girls Harbor, Incorporated (BGH) for its financial operation.

·       The support of the BGH has added to the fiscal stability of the School. 

·       The School has provided SUNY with a “reasonable and appropriate five-year fiscal plan for the term of a future charter.”

·       The annual financial statement audit reports have all had unqualified opinions.

·        Projected fiscal impact for the years of the renewal is shown below.

 

Projected Fiscal Impact of the Renewal of the

Harbor Science and Arts Charter School

(New York City CSD 4/Region 9 – Manhattan)

2007-08 through 2011-2012

School Year	Number of Students	Projected Payment*	Projected Impact
2007-08	222	$2,301,330	.0124%
2008-09	228	$2,469,887	.0129%
2009-10	228	$2,581,032	.0131%
2010-11	228	$2,697,179	.0133%
2011-12	228	$2,818,552	.0135%

·     Assumes a 3 percent annual increase in the District’s budget from the base of $17 billion in 2004-2005 and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil per year from the 2004-2005 rate of $8,586.

 

Evidence of Parent and Student Satisfaction and Community Support

• Parent survey results collected in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 showed a 95% average rate of overall satisfaction for the School.
• Survey results indicate that parents expressed a great deal of satisfaction with teaching, learning, culture and atmosphere.
• The survey results showed an average return rate of 94% in the last two years.
• The School’s average daily attendance rate for the last three years was 94%.
• The School reports that enrollment and retention rates exceed the goals set forth in the School’s accountability plan.
• The School has consistently operated at or above full enrollment.
• The School’s waiting list holds 86 students.
• The School reports that the average rate of return of students was 94% in the last two years.
• The School states the average teacher retention in the last two school years was 85%.
• The School has a Parent Teacher Association and two parents sit on the School’s board.

 

Summary of Charter Entity’s Findings and Recommendations

 

SUNY's Charter Schools Institute (CSI) 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.  SUNY states the academic program is effective; students have demonstrated solid achievement in ELA and math. In the last two years, the School has outperformed Community School District 4 on New York State assessments. Almost half the students are enrolled in afterschool programs run by Boys and Girls Harbor Incorporated.  High parent satisfaction is evidenced by a high response rate and strong positive sentiments on an annual parent survey as well as by parents re-enrolling their children.  The attendance rate was just shy of its target goal. The School’s Board of Trustees has taken an active oversight role in monitoring new components of the educational program.  The School’s fiscal plan projects a modestly improved financial position over the proposed renewal charter period. The School is planning to continue to operate at its current site but has also indicated it will search for new space to allow for the School to further increase enrollment.

 

In 2005, the School was granted a two-year renewal, providing the School an opportunity to build on the successes made primarily in its fourth year of operation. CSI indicates “the key elements to be addressed in the next charter period are already built into the school structure and ongoing school practices. As such the design elements are reasonable, feasible, and achievable.”  At the end of the two-year renewal, the Charter Schools Institute and the State University Board of Trustees recommend that the renewal application for the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School be approved for a full term of five years, granting the School the authority to provide instruction to students in grades one through eight, with a maximum enrollment of 228 students and consistent with the other terms of operation set forth in its application for renewal.

 

 Recommendation

 

• Staff recommends that the Board of Regents approve the third renewal to the charter and grant an extension to the provisional charter for a period of five years from August 1, 2007 up through and including July 31, 2012.

 

 Reason for Recommendation

(1) The charter school meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the charter school has demonstrated the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; and (3) approving the proposed renewal 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.

 

Attachment 1

 

Harbor Science and Arts Charter School

Performance on State Assessments

		Percent of Students
Assessment	Year	% Level 1	% Level 2	% Level 3	% Level 4	Performance Index
Grade 4 ELA	2001	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 4 ELA	2002	9.0	64.0	27.0	0.0	118
Grade 4 ELA	2003	0.0	43.0	52.0	4.0	147
Grade 4 ELA	2004	0.0	62.5	37.5	0.0	137.5
Grade 4 ELA	2005	4.0	22.0	59.0	15.0	170
Grade 3-8 ELA	2006	2.0	26.0	64.0	8.0	170
Grade 4 Math	2001	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 4 Math	2002	30.0	30.0	40.0	0.0	110
Grade 4 Math	2003	4.0	39.0	57.0	0.0	153
Grade 4 Math	2004	4.0	52.0	40.0	4.0	140
Grade 4 Math	2005	0.0	15.0	63.0	22.0	185
Grade 3-8 Math	2006	1.0	20.0	67.0	12.0	178
Grade 8 ELA	2001	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 8 ELA	2002	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 8 ELA	2003	17.0	67.0	17.0	0.0	101
Grade 8 ELA	2004	8.0	69.0	19.0	4.0	107
Grade 8 ELA	2005	8.0	65.0	28.0	0.0	120
Grade 3-8 ELA	2006	2.0	26.0	64.0	8.0	170
Grade 8 Math	2001	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 8 Math	2002	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-
Grade 8 Math	2003	16.0	58.0	25.0	0.0	108
Grade 8 Math	2004	4.0	60.0	36.0	0.0	132
Grade 8 Math	2005	8.0	51.0	41.0	0.0	133
Grade 3-8 Math	2006	1.0	20.0	67.0	12.0	178

 

 

Attachment 2

 

Harbor Science and Arts Charter School

Change in Net Assets 2004-05 through 2005-06*

 

Year	Change in Net Assets
2004-05	86,555
2005-06	($117,661)

*Source: Audited Financial Statements provided as a part of each Annual Report.