nea community learning center k-12 public charter school proposal
TRANSCRIPT
Nea Community Learning Center
K-12 Public Charter School Proposal
Nea Community Learning Center
Our Goals with the Nea Community Learning Center
Replicate the successful ACLC educational Model for more families
Fulfill the original ACLC vision for a K-12 school
Fully Implement the Alameda Community’s Vision for Public Education
Nea Community Learning Center
Responsible Kids become Responsible Citizens
Learners take responsibility for their:• Learning: Time & Project Management
• Democratic Community: Serve on all Committees, Judicial, etc.
Adults model self governance in a democratic community• Parents: On Board, finance, other committees
• Facilitators: Run the school and share administrative duties
Nea Community Learning Center
Introduction - Core Action Team
Maafi Gueye –NCLC Lead Facilitator Paul Bentz – CLCS / CEO /
Development Director Lowry Fenton – CLCS / CFO Elementary Action Team
• Linda McCluskey
• James Venable
• Betsy Weiss
Nea Community Learning Center
NCLC Consultants
Peter Laub – VP EdTec (NCLC Budget)
Carrie Blanche – ACLC’s Resource Specialist for AUSD Special Education Services
Nea Community Learning Center
Introduction of Charter Petitioners
All Charter Petition Signers Present
Please Stand
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Introduction of CLCS / ACLC Governing Board
All CLCS / ACLC
Governing Board Members Present
Please Stand
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Introduction of NCLC Supporters
All NCLC Supporters
Please Stand
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Criteria for the Evaluation of a New Charter Petition
Ensure the charter petition does not fail on these criteria:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational
program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school. (2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully
implement the program set forth in the petition. (3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures
required by subdivision (a). (4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of
the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive
descriptions of all of the following: Ed. Code § 47605(b).
Nea Community Learning Center
The NCLC Charter Presents a Sound Educational Program
The NCLC seeks to replicate the highly successful ACLC Educational Model• Alameda County’s first and only charter school
to receive the “California Distinguished School Award”
• U.S. News and World Report’s Bronze Award – Top 8% of high schools in the nation
• API Rating of 10 for five years in a row
• Recipient of prestigious state Dissemination Grant to replicate model programs
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What State Superintendent Jack O’Connell Says… “Schools like (ACLC) with a good track
record should be replicated.”
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ACLC has, and NCLC will work to close the achievement gap
Ethnic Group Achievement Differentials
-40.0%
-20.0%
0.0%
20.0%
% P
oin
ts v
s. o
vera
ll a
vera
ge
ACLC Math
Alameda Math
ACLC ELA
Alameda ELA
ACLC Math 1.0% 0.6% -4.3%
Alameda Math 15.0% -25.5% -24.2%
ACLC ELA 7.2% -1.1% -3.3%
Alameda ELA 9.5% -26.9% -21.0%
Asia/Pac.Isl./ African Hispanic
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NCLC Core Action Team brings a track record of successful implementation at K-12 schools.
Core Action team Includes: Maafi Gueye – 22 years of science/math teaching
experience, 6 years of experience in the ACLC educational model, current ACLC Assistant Lead Facilitator
Paul Bentz – ACLC Founding Facilitator, 12 Years of experience in the successful ACLC educational model, 21 years of experience as a 6-12 science facilitator, 7 years of experience operating a charter school in a sound financial manner, ACLC charter school startup experience
Lowry Fenton – Has been around ACLC for 12 years as a parent, Community Board Member for 5 years, current CLCS / CFO for 3 years
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K-5 Team Experience is also Substantial
Linda McCluskey James Venable Betsy Weiss
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Linda McCluskey AUSD Teacher of the Year – 1997 AUSD Team Diversity Member Media Center Teacher, Science Teacher (K-8) Paden
School – 4 years Special Day Class Teacher – (3-5) Miller School – 4
years Teacher/Director (Pre K-3) Sara Project Day School –
12 years Credentials: Elementary Education, Special
Education, Mathematics, Administrative Leadership (K-12)
Nea Community Learning Center
James Venable
Title 1 Coordinator / Literacy Coach – Washington School, BTSA Support Provider
30 years experience teaching in grades K-5 Reading and Writing Expert – Started NCTE
Reading Initiative at Washington School, Consultant to schools on Louisville Writing Project
Credentials: Master of Arts in Teaching, Clear Multi-subject, Cross Cultural Language and Academic Development Certification
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Betsy Weiss 20 years of Elementary Teaching Experience – (K-5)
including 10 years of K-1 Multiage Grouping AUSD Mentor Teacher – 4 years
• Math, Science, Best Practices, and Development Education
Title 1 Reading Teacher/Literacy Coach – 5 years Owner/Director/Teacher – Secret Garden Preschool – 5
years Credentials: MS Environmental Education, Elementary
Credential
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Petition has Required Signatures
The petition exceeds the staff signature count requirement by 200%. All are highly qualified credentialed teachers with vast educational experience.
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Petition Contains Required Statements
The petition does contain affirmations for each of the conditions.
The NCLC will be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.
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NCLC Community Outreach
NCLC will market the school to all members of the community• In an effort to reach out to all parts of the community
and achieve an ethnic balance representative of AUSD, NCLC has requested from AUSD mailing labels for all K-12 families so that it can market to all of them in multiple languages.
NCLC will admit its learners by a random lottery system described in the charter
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NCLC Will Serve All Learners
NCLC will serve all learners regardless of disability or special education needs (13% of ACLC’s current learner population receive services)
NCLC will not dis-enroll learners except under extreme conditions – expellable offences described under state law (ACLC charter school has only dis-enrolled 4 learners in its 8 year history)
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A Description of the Educational ProgramB Measurable Learner OutcomesC Method of Measuring Learner OutcomesD Governance StructureE Employment QualificationsF Procedures to Ensure the Health and Safety of Pupils and StaffG Method of Achieving Racial and Ethnic BalanceH Admission RequirementsI Annual, Independent Financial AuditsJ Disciplinary Procedures including Suspension and ExpulsionK Manner of Retirement Coverage for StaffL Public School Alternatives for Pupils Who Do Not Choose the Charter SchoolM Rights of Return for Charter EmployeesN Dispute Resolution ProceduresO Education Employment Relations ActP School Closure Procedures
Petition addresses Ed. Code § 47605(b).
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…Ed. Code § 47605(b). continued
The petition has 160 pages of detailed descriptions to meet this requirement.
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In Conclusion
We are all here tonight for the same reasons:• Provide quality education for all students
• Provide parent/student choice within the public school system
• Student Success - Whatever It Takes!
Thank you. We are available to answer any questions from the Board as well.
Nea Community Learning Center
Together We Can Make a Difference
Nea Community Learning Center
Nea Community Learning Center Vote Yes on January 8th!