Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2010

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Should the Regents approve and issue the proposed first renewal charter of South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts (New York City)?

Background Information

We have received a proposed renewal charter from the Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York for South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts (“the School”).  The School’s charter was initially granted on May 17, 2005.  It currently serves 337 students in grades K-5.  Upon renewal, it will serve 468 students in grades K-5 for the remainder of the renewal term.  The School's mission is: “In an effort to represent the community’s prestige, the South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts is a model of excellence providing its youngsters with a constructivist and child-centered curriculum.  Our intellectually challenging and standards based curriculum is enriched by our international perspective, the arts and our dual language program.  Our students receive a well-rounded education that uses the arts to promote excellence in all areas: cognitive, social, emotional, and moral.  Our school meets or exceeds New York State Learning Standards, aligns student learning to those standards and supports teachers with professional development opportunities.  Our community, our parents, and staff are empowered to participate meaningfully in our school to strengthen its potential for success.”

The School has contracted with a management partner, Victory Schools, Inc.  The School will provide instruction from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for 180 days per academic year.  The School’s instructional methods and strategies include: data driven instruction, project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, technology-based instruction, and community partnerships.  

The New York City Department of Education held a public hearing in Community School District 7 on January 28, 2010 regarding this proposed renewal charter.  Four comments were made in favor of the renewal. 

Complete copies of the above are available for your review by contacting Sally Bachofer at (518) 474-1762.  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 approves and issues the first renewal charter of the South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts as proposed by the Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including May 16, 2013.

Reasons for Recommendation

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

Timetable for Implementation

The Regents action for the South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts will be effective immediately.