Meeting of the Board of Regents | September 2009

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Should the Regents approve and issue the proposed first renewal charter of Leadership Preparatory Charter School (New York City)?

Background Information

We have received a proposed renewal charter from the Trustees of the State University of New York (“SUNY”) for Leadership Preparatory Charter School (“the School”).   The School’s charter was initially issued on December 11, 2005.  The School used 2005-2006 as a planning year, and officially opened for instruction in the fall of 2006.  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 December 10, 2010.  At its May 2009 meeting, SUNY approved a “short-term planning year renewal,” to extend the School’s charter up through and including July 31, 2011.  During the renewal period, the School will add a fifth grade in 2010-2011 as contemplated by its original charter. 

The School tested its third grade for the first time during the 2008-2009 school year. Its ELA and mathematics exam scores exceeded the scores of Community School District 13 during the 2008-2009 school year. The School currently serves 329 students in grades K-4.  It will serve 396 students in grades K-5 by the end of this proposed renewal term.  The School's mission is “to prepare students to excel in demanding college-prep high schools and colleges and to contribute to their communities as leaders.”  

The School has contracted with Uncommon Schools, Inc. (USI) as its management partner.  USI is a not-for-profit educational management company, which operates 11 other charter schools in Brooklyn, NY.  Based on the application, the School will provide instruction from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for 186 days per academic year.  The School’s educational philosophy includes the expectation of excellence; recruiting and retaining excellent teachers; issuing ongoing assessments; focusing on literacy; using research-based curricula; and promoting character development and parental involvement. 

The New York City Department of Education held a public hearing in CSD 13 on September 8, 2009 regarding this proposed renewal charter.  No comments were made or received. 

Additional information concerning this renewal application may also be found on the Board of Regents website at http://www.regents.nysed.gov/

Recommendation

VOTED: That the Board of Regents returns the proposed renewal charter of the Leadership Preparatory Charter School as proposed by the Trustees of the State University of New York, with the following comments and recommendations: that the resubmission provides a curriculum, including the fifth grade, which addresses and is aligned with all 28 New York State learning standards.

Timetable for Implementation

The Regents action for the Leadership Preparatory Charter School will become effective on December 10, 2010.