NCDPI Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates

2017 Charter School Performance Framework Submission Dates - Reminder

OCS collects evidence of operational, financial, and academic compliance through the Charter School Performance Framework (PF). January 2017 begins the collection process for the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework . 

Based on feedback, submissions for the 2017 PF are staggered to allow extended periods of collection and review.  The 2017 Charter School Performance Framework document library is now open for submissions. Your school’s username for the 2017 SharePoint system is the same as your 2016 PF.  

Deadline- March 31, 2017- New Schools Opening in 2016-17 and Previous Operating Schools with Updates from Prior Year Submission (if your school had no compliance issues and there are no changes from your policies submitted last year, you are not required to submit items this for this submission)

                A8- Grievance Policy

                A9- Conflict of Interest Policy

                A10- Nepotism Policy

                A16- Criminal History Policy

                A14- Certificate of Occupancy

Performance Framework Upload Center Instructions - How to Submit Performance Framework Documents

• Step 1 - Review Performance Framework Criteria under the “Criteria” section. Click the small triangle next to each category to read the descriptions.

• Step 2 - Before uploading any documents ensure all files are prepared in PDF format using the naming convention “SchoolName_MeasureName_YY”.

• Step 3 - Under “Upload Documents” section, click “Add Document”. Click “Choose File”, navigate to the file’s location, and affirm your selection. Uncheck “Overwrite existing files”.

• Step 4 - Another dialog box will appear with required fields. Select the “LEA” and “Measure”. Enter  “Contact Name” and “Contact Email”. Click “Check-In” to complete upload process. The uploaded documents will display under the “Upload Documents” section.

• Step 5 - Repeat Steps 1-5 for all documents. A confirmation email will be sent for each uploaded document. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your upload did not go through correctly.  Please try uploading the document again.

Please refer to the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework Resources for item specifics (included in the document list). To access the system, please go to https://leadpincgov.sharepoint.com/sites/lea/Pages/pfp.aspx.

For questions regarding the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework please contact Cande Wood at (919) 807-3493 or Cande.Wood@dpi.nc.gov

Moving forward we are asking that all Charter School requests for SharePoint assistance be requested through the Support Center by calling 919-807-4357 to help ensure you are getting the assistance you need as soon as possible. While the monthly submissions are due on the last day of the month, please do not wait until the last day to submit as you may need technical assistance. The Service Support Center can take several days to address password resets and other technical support.

Attachment:    PF Resources

Scam Alert   Please see the attached article regarding a potential scam for NC Schools. Several of our charter schools were contacted as well and had their attorneys draft appropriate responses.   Attachment:     ‘PLEASE BE EXTRA VIGILANT:’ NC SCHOOLS WARNED ABOUT EMAIL SCAM SEEKING PRIVATE INFO

Office of Charter Schools (OCS) at the Collaborative Conference on Student Achievement (CCSA) - Session Presentations

Below are the presentations and resources for the sessions delivered during the Office of Charter Schools focus session at the Collaborative Conference on Student Achievement in Greensboro, NC. 

Digital Learning Initiative for Charter Schools – Dr. Jeni Corn (Friday Institute) and Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin (NCDPI) - Presentation

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) – Amy Jablonski (NCDPI) - Presentation

NAIP: A New and Improved Process to Teacher Evaluation – Jonathan Bryant, Tiffany Moceri, Kyle Pierce and Melissa Peterman (Lincoln Charter School) - Presentation

Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Monthly Audible (Webinar)   This month’s OCS Audible (webinar) will be held Tuesday, March 28 at 9:00 am. The webinar will feature a discussion on the Digital Learning Initiative with Dr. Jeni Corn (Friday Institute) and MTSS with Dr. Amy Jablonski (NCDPI). Webinar access information is provided below:   Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/851360541 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (872) 240-3412 Access Code: 851-360-541

State Employees Credit Union Foundation (SECU) High School Scholarship Opportunity - Reminder

Since the SECU Foundation was established in August 2004, it has awarded annual $10,000 “People Helping People” four-year scholarships – increasing from two to three in 2014 – to graduating seniors attending North Carolina Charter Schools.  These scholarships will be awarded to students attending one of the 17 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina. These funds are made possible through the contributions to the Foundation by members of State Employees' Credit Union.

In order to ensure that each charter high school’s graduating seniors are able to be considered for this opportunity, each charter school must establish a Scholarship Selection Committee.  The Committee from each charter high school will be responsible for nominating a graduating senior for the scholarship.  Each school must submit its nominees to the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools.  The nominee information for each school will be reviewed/evaluated and the SECU will award scholarships to three candidates statewide.

The attached information will provide each school’s Scholarship Selection Committee with eligibility criteria, procedures, and information. 

Key points in the attached information:

• Each school has flexibility in establishing its formal application process, but should ensure that every graduating senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 is considered for the SECU Foundation “People Helping People” Scholarship

• Scholarship recipient information from each school must be received by 5:00 pm EST on April 13, 2017 to the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools.

• Each school should submit an alternate or first runner up student in the event the first nominee is unable to accept the scholarship (if selected).

• Each school must submit  copies of nominations and any accompanying information to Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith via email at deanna.townsend-smith@dpi.nc.gov. 
  
      

The Office of Charter Schools appreciates the dedication and hard work by the members of each school’s Scholarship Selection Committee.  Your diligence and integrity enable the “People Helping People” scholarship program to continue providing important support to our college-going students. Please contact Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith @ deanna.townsend-smith@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the program.

Note:  

The SECU Foundation also provides each North Carolina Community College two (2) $5,000 scholarships.  Recipients are selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee at the community college.  If you have a student who will be attending a community college and exemplifies the membership philosophy of credit unions, “People Helping People”, please direct them to the Financial Aid office at the community college.  

Attachment:    SECU Documents 

NC School Jobs   Schools interested in utilizing the NC School Jobs by PeopleAdmin system must complete a quick workbook that will allow for a final system configuration.  Please contact Mr. Craig Tucker at craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov to get this workbook or if you have any questions or concerns. Please include NC School Jobs in the subject line.

State Board of Education Review Panel to Hear Kestrel Heights Charter Appeal

A State Board of Education Review Panel will meet Tuesday, April 4, at 9:30 a.m., to receive information regarding Kestrel Heights Charter School’s appeal of the State Board’s decision to amend its charter to serve grades K-8 only. The meeting will take place in the 7th Floor Board Room, Education Building, 301 N. Wilmington Street, Raleigh.

Representatives from both the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Kestrel Heights Charter School will each have 45 minutes to present information to panel members. At the conclusion of the presentations, the panel will convene in closed session to deliberate and formulate a recommendation for State Board of Education consideration at its April 5 meeting.

This meeting will be audio streamed for those who cannot attend. Questions regarding this meeting may be directed to NCDPI Communications at 919.807.3450.

NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Updates

67th Conference on Exceptional Children - Call for Proposals and Poster Displays

The Exceptional Children Division is pleased to announce Call for Proposals for general conference instructional sessions and poster displays for the 67th Conference on Exceptional Children is open through April 28, 2017. Please see the attached for more information.

Attachment:      Call+for+Proposals.pdf

Office of Civil Rights (OCR)/Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) Updates    Those LEAs and Schools that were not open in the school year 2015-16 are not required to participate in this collection.   All LEAs and Charters may now complete the OCR/CRDC Submission in the Federal Portal.   The NCDPI has completed correcting errors that were generated in the Federal Submission Portal upon upload.  After review and update, LEAs and Charters may now certify their data in the Federal Submission Portal.   Please be aware that errors may still exist in some LEAs and Charters.  The submission may not be certified until all errors are corrected.  To see LEA and Charter School Errors and Warnings, click the Reports Link at the top right of the Federal Submission Portal home page.  Navigate to the Error Resolution Report for Advanced Users report and click Download Error Resolution Report.   All collections must be certified by April 24, 2017.   Resources from the OCR:   Looking for some guidance on how to use the Submission Tool?  Please click this link:  https://crdc.grads360.org/#communities/pdc/documents/7728 The guide is for the 2013-14 collection and an updated reference is pending, but it should get you used to navigating the system.   Please contact Terra Dominguez with any questions regarding the OCR/ CRDC process at terra.dominguez@dpi.nc.gov.

NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Update

NCVPS has become an essential part for many district and charter school HR plans. If a school unexpectedly loses a teacher, NCVPS often has the capacity to assume instruction for all the teacher’s courses. Sometimes schools cannot find a qualified candidate locally or one who is willing to relocate. NCVPS has a large network of highly-qualified North Carolina teachers who can fill the role for that school.  

Our instructional leaders and support teams work closely with the school’s leadership team during the transfer process, and our tech team helps the school meet the necessary technology requirements.  

Please contact Dr. Mia Murphy at mia.murphy@ncpublicschools.gov if you have any questions for NCVPS. 

NCDPI's Technology Support Center Knowledge Base LEA/Charter School coordinators, data managers and staff that support the Home Base suite of tools can access the Technology Support Center Knowledge Base.  Inside is an extensive library of resources available to users 24/7.      Our knowledge base includes:   Knowledge Base Articles, ‘How To’ Guides  FAQ's, Quick Reference Documents  Tips, Hints and More! Links to other support resources - e.g. NC-SIS webpage and PowerSource   Users can request access at: http://servicedesk.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/home     Knowledge Base Quick Reference Doc at:  http://bit.ly/HomeBaseKB     Check back often - New resources are added regularly!

NCDPI Newsletters   Finance Officers' Newsletter Friday, March 17, 2017   NCDPI Joins NC Business Community for Students@Work℠ Week  March 20, 2017 Superintendents' Weekly Message   March 23, 2017 - Home Base Biweekly Update   2017 Governor's School Selections Announced

Charter Schools In the News

NC State Superintendent Visits Lincoln Charter

Denver, NC ­-  NC State Superintendent Mark Johnson made a Listening Tour stop at Lincoln Charter School, Lincolnton Campus on Friday, March 17th.  The stop was a part of his NC Education & Innovation Tour.  Johnson pledged to hear directly from teachers, parents and the community as he travels across the state.  Lincoln Charter is the first charter school to be part of Johnson’s listening tour. Please see the attached press release for full details of the visit.

Attachment:   NC State Superintendent visits Lincoln Charter   

American Renaissance Executive Director Search

IMPORTANT REMINDER – EDDIE is the authoritative source for NC public school numbers and demographic information, is used by multiple NCDPI technology systems including; Accountability, PowerSchool, NC School Report Cards, and is used to meet federal reporting requirements.  LEAs and charter schools are responsible for ensuring their data in EDDIE are complete, accurate, and current.  EDDIE is located at: http://apps.schools.nc.gov/eddie