charter renewal realm charter ms 100815 · • realm charter middle school shall meet all statewide...

REALM CHARTER SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION

SUBMITTED TO

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

JULY 1, 2016 – JUNE 30, 2021

REALMCharterMiddleSchoolCharterRenewalPetition2016-2021

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

AFFIRMATIONS....................................................................................................................3

EXECUTIVESUMMARY.........................................................................................................6

ELEMENT1:EDUCATIONALPLAN.......................................................................................13

ELEMENT2:MEASURABLESTUDENTOUTCOMES...............................................................33

ELEMENT3:METHODSOFMEASUREMENT........................................................................40

ELEMENT4:GOVERNANCESTRUCTURE.............................................................................42

ELEMENT5:EMPLOYEEQUALIFICATIONS..........................................................................46

ELEMENT6:HEALTH&SAFETYPOLICIES............................................................................48

ELEMENT7:RACIAL&ETHNICBALANCE...........................................................................51

ELEMENT8:ADMISSIONSREQUIREMENTS........................................................................52

ELEMENT9:FINANCIALAUDITS.........................................................................................53

ELEMENT10:SUSPENSION/EXPULSIONPROCESS..............................................................54

ELEMENT11:EMPLOYEERETIREMENTSYSTEMS................................................................56

ELEMENT12:PUBLICSCHOOLATTENDANCEALTERNATIVES.............................................57

ELEMENT13:EMPLOYEERETURNRIGHTS..........................................................................58

ELEMENT14:DISPUTERESOLUTION..................................................................................59

ELEMENT15:PUBLICSCHOOLEMPLOYER..........................................................................61

ELEMENT16:PROCEDURESFORCLOSURE.........................................................................62

APPENDIXA:LETTERSOFSUPPORT...................................................................................64

APPENDIXB:PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTPLAN............................................................64

APPENDIXC:DATAQUESTREPORT....................................................................................64

APPENDIXD:LOCALCONTROLACCOUNTABILITYPLAN......................................................64

APPENDIXE:BOARDBYLAWS&ORGANIZATIONALCHART................................................64

APPENDIXF:UNIFORMCOMPLAINTPROCEDURE..............................................................64

APPENDIXG:BERKELEYFEDERATIONOFTEACHERSAGREEMENT......................................64

APPENDIXH:SUSPENSION&EXPULSIONPOLICY...............................................................64

APPENDIXI:BUDGET,CASHFLOW&FINANCIALPROJECTIONS..........................................64


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AFFIRMATIONSREALMCharterMiddleSchoolreferredtoas“TheCharterSchool”willfollowanyandallfederal,state,andlocallawsandregulationsthatapplytotheCharterSchool,includingbutnotlimitedto:

• REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallmeetallstatewidestandardsandconductthestudentassessmentsrequired,pursuanttoEducationCodeSections60605and60851,andanyotherstatewidestandardsauthorizedinstatute,orstudentassessmentsapplicabletostudentsinnon-charterpublicschools.[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(c)(1)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallbedeemedtheexclusivepublicschoolemployerofthe

employeesofREALMCharterMiddleSchoolforpurposesoftheEducationalEmploymentRelationsAct.[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(O)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallbenon-sectarianinitsprograms,admissionspolicies,

employmentpractices,andallotheroperations.[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(d)(1)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallnotchargetuition.[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(d)(1)]

• TheCharterSchoolshalladmitallstudentswhowishtoattendtheCharterSchool,and

whosubmitatimelyapplication;unlesstheCharterSchoolreceivesagreaternumberofapplicationsthantherearespacesforstudents,inwhichcaseeachapplicationwillbegivenequalchanceofadmissionthroughapublicrandomdrawingprocess.ExceptasrequiredbyEducationCodeSection47605(d)(2),admissiontoREALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallnotbedeterminedaccordingtotheplaceofresidenceofthestudentorhisorherparentswithintheState.PreferenceinthepublicrandomdrawingshallbegivenasrequiredbyEducationCodeSection47605(d)(2)(B).Intheeventofadrawing,thecharteringauthorityshallmakereasonableeffortstoaccommodatethegrowthoftheCharterSchoolinaccordancewithEducationCodeSection47605(d)(2)(C).[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(d)(2)(A)-(C)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallnotdiscriminateonthebasisofthecharacteristicslistedin

EducationCodeSection220(actualorperceiveddisability,gender,genderidentity,genderexpression,nationality,raceorethnicity,religion,sexualorientation,oranyothercharacteristicthatiscontainedinthedefinitionofhatecrimessetforthinSection422.55ofthePenalCodeorassociationwithanindividualwhohasanyoftheaforementionedcharacteristics).[Ref.EducationCodeSection47605(d)(1)]

• TheCharterSchoolshalladheretoallprovisionsoffederallawrelatedtostudents

withdisabilitiesincluding,butnotlimitedto,Section504oftheRehabilitationActof


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1973,TitleIIoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990andtheIndividualswithDisabilitiesinEducationImprovementActof2004.

• TheCharterSchoolshallmeetallrequirementsforemploymentsetforthinapplicable

provisionsoflaw,including,butnotlimitedtocredentials,asnecessary.[Ref.Title5CaliforniaCodeofRegulationsSection11967.5.1(f)(5)(C)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallensurethatteachersintheCharterSchoolholdaCommission

onTeacherCredentialingcertificate,permit,orotherdocumentequivalenttothatwhichateacherinotherpublicschoolsisrequiredtohold.Asallowedbystatute,flexibilitywillbegiventononcore,non-collegepreparatoryteachers.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSection47605(l)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallatalltimesmaintainallnecessaryandappropriateinsurance

coverage.

• TheCharterSchoolshall,foreachfiscalyear,offerataminimum,thenumberofminutesofinstructionpergradelevelasrequiredbyEducationCodeSection47612.5(a)(1)(A)-(D).

• IfapupilisexpelledorleavesREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwithoutgraduatingor

completingtheschoolyearforanyreason,theCharterSchoolshallnotifythesuperintendentoftheschooldistrictofthepupil’slastknownaddresswithin30days,andshall,uponrequest,providethatschooldistrictwithacopyofthecumulativerecordofthepupil,includingatranscriptofgradesorreportcardandhealthinformation.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSection47605(d)(3)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallmaintainaccurateandcontemporaneouswrittenrecordsthat

documentallpupilattendanceandmaketheserecordsavailableforauditandinspection.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSection47612.5(a)]

• TheCharterSchoolshall,onaregularbasis,consultwithitsparentsandteachers

regardingtheCharterSchool'seducationprograms.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSection47605(c)]

• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywithanyjurisdictionallimitationstolocationsofits

facilities.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSections47605and47605.1]

• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywithalllawsestablishingtheminimumandmaximumageforpublicschoolenrollment.[Ref.CaliforniaEducationCodeSections47612(b),47610]


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• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywithallapplicableportionsoftheElementaryandSecondaryEducationAct.

• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywiththePublicRecordsAct.

• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywiththeFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct.

• TheCharterSchoolshallcomplywiththeRalphM.BrownAct.

• TheCharterSchoolshallmeetorexceedthelegallyrequiredminimumofschooldays.

[Ref.Title5CaliforniaCodeofRegulationsSection11960]______________________________ ________________________

VictorDiaz DateExecutiveDirector


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EXECUTIVESUMMARY HISTORYREALMCharterMiddleSchoolislocatedat2023EighthSt.Berkeley,CA.94710.Theschoolwasestablishedin2012intheBerkeleyCommunityofAlamedaCounty.MISSIONThemissionofREALMCharterMiddleSchoolistocultivateresiliency,developcriticalthinkingskills,advanceknowledgethroughrigorousstudies,andequipstudentstoserveourcommunitiesandtheworldinthe21stcentury.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillservediverseurbanstudentsingrades6-8usingastudent-centeredmodelthatfeaturesproject-basedlearning,anemphasisontechnology,researchandactiononconcernsinthecommunityandactivitiesthatdevelopemotionalresiliency.VISIONREALMCharterMiddleSchool’svisionistoincreaseacademicachievementandsocialresponsibilitybycreatingauthenticandchallenginglearningenvironmentsbasedonfourcentralprogramelements:(1)project-basedlearning,(2)immersivetechnologies,(3)mindfulnessineducation(TransformativeLifeSkills),and(4)participatoryactionresearch.Weseektodevelopineachstudenttheabilityandpassiontoworkwiselyandcreativelyinordertobecomelife-longlearnerswiththeskillsnecessarytocontributetothebettermentofhumankind.Thiswillbeaccomplishedbyimmersingourteachersandstudentsinauthenticandvirtuallearningenvironmentsthatrequirecollaboration,inquiry,criticalthinking,ingenuity,imagination,andactiveproblem-solving.LEADERSHIPCHANGESREALMCharterMiddleSchoolhashadconsistentleadershipsinceitopenedinFall2011.TheinitialPrincipalisnowtheExecutiveDirector,andthecurrentPrincipalhasover10yearsofexperienceasaneducatorandanalumoftheUCBerkeleyPrincipalLeadershipInstitute.CHARTERRENEWALCRITERIAEvidenceofMeetingCharterRenewalStandardsPursuanttoEducationCodeSection47607(b)andtheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,Title5,Section11966.4(a)(1)EducationCodeSection47607(b)requiresthatacharterschoolmustmeetatleastoneofthefollowingrenewalcriteriapriortoreceivingacharterrenewal:

(1) AttaineditsAcademicPerformanceIndex(API)growthtargetintheprioryearorintwoofthelastthreeyears,bothschoolwideandforallgroupsofpupilsservedbythecharterschool.

(2) Rankedindeciles4to10,inclusive,ontheAPIintheprioryearorintwoofthelast

threeyears.


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(3) Rankedindeciles4to10inclusive,ontheAPIforademographicallycomparableschoolintheprioryearorintwoofthelastthreeyears.

(4) (A)Theentitythatgrantedthecharterdeterminesthattheacademicperformanceof

thecharterschoolisatleastequaltotheacademicperformanceofthepublicschoolsthatthecharterschoolpupilswouldotherwisehavebeenrequiredtoattend,aswellastheacademicperformanceoftheschoolsintheschooldistrictinwhichthecharterschoolislocated,takingintoaccountthecompositionofthepupilpopulationthatisservedatthecharterschool.

(4) (B)Thedeterminationmadepursuanttothisparagraphshallbebaseduponthe

following:i. Documentedandclearandconvincingdata.ii. Pupilachievementdatafromassessments,including,butnotlimitedto,the

StandardizedTestingandReportingProgramestablishedbyArticle4(commencingwithSection60640)fordemographicallysimilarpupilpopulationsinthecomparisonschools.

iii. Informationsubmittedbythecharterschool.MustsubmittoSPIforrecommendationandwait30days.

(5) HasqualifiedasanASAMSchool.

ThefollowingshallserveasdocumentationconfirmingthatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolmeetsthestatutorycriteriarequiredforrenewalassetforthinEducationCodeSection47607(b)(AlsoseeAppendixC:CDEDataquestReport):

• REALMCharterMiddleSchoolhadaSimilarSchoolsAPIrankingof4in2013,forademographicallycomparableschoolforoneyear.

ACADEMICPERFORMANCEINDEXThefollowingchartillustratesREALMCharterMiddleSchool’sAcademicPerformanceIndex(API).

YEARAPI'STATEWIDE'

RANKINGAPI'SIMILAR'SCHOOLS

API'GROWTH API'GROWTH'MET'SCHOOL'

GROWTH'TARGET

2015

2014

2013 3 4 744 +10 YES

2012 2 N/A 734 ' NO

2011=15'API'RESULTS

2015'No'API

No'state'mandated'testing'for'2013=14'school'year'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''3=Year'Average'API:'N/A'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''3=Year'Weighted'Average'API:'N/A'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''2013'Statewide'Rank:'3''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''2013'Similar'Schools'Rank:'4


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ThefollowingchartsillustratetheAcademicPerformanceIndexschoolwideandbyidentifiedsubgroup.

BASE GROWTH CHANGE

2014 -- --

2013 -- 744 +10

2012 734 734

BASE GROWTH CHANGE

2014 -- --

2013 -- 741 -17

2012 758 758

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX SCHOOLWIDE

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX HISPANIC

BASE GROWTH CHANGE

2014 -- --

2013 -- 723 -8

2012 731 731

BASE GROWTH CHANGE

2014 -- --

2013 -- 726 -49

2012 775 775

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED


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ANNUALYEARLYPROGRESS(AYP)ThefollowingchartillustratestheAnnualYearlyProgress.

COMPARISONSWITHLOCALSCHOOLSThefollowingarecomparisonswithlocalpublicschools.

• FortheAfrican-Americansubgroup:REALMCharterMiddleSchool’sacademicperformanceiscomparabletoWillardMiddleSchoolandKingMiddleSchool,butoutperformsHerculesMiddleSchoolandDejeanMiddleSchool.

• FortheLatinosubgroup:REALMCharterMiddleSchooloutperformedHerculesHighSchoolandDejeanMiddleSchool

• FortheSocioeconomicallyDisadvantagedsubgroup:REALMCharterMiddleSchooloutperformedHerculesHighSchoolandDejeanMiddleSchool.

• FortheELLsubgroup:REALMCharterMiddleSchoolsignificantlyoutperformedLongfellowMiddleSchool,WillardMiddleSchool,KingMiddleSchool,HelmsMiddleSchool,andDejeanMiddleSchool.

2012 2013 2014 2015

NO NO N/A N/A

NO YES, YEAR 1 -- --

PARTICIPATION RATE 100.0% 100.0% -- --

% PROF. SW 42.0% 47.3% -- --

% PROF HISPANIC 41.2% 44.4% -- --

% PROF ELL 42.5% 40.0%

% PROF SED 41.3% 41.5% -- --

PARTICIPATION RATE 100.0% 100.0% -- --

% PROF. SW 37.0% 36.3% -- --

% PROF HISPANIC 43.1% 35.0% -- --

% PROF ELL 42.5% 29.0%

% PROF SED 36..3% 31.3% -- --

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT

ELA

MAT

H

ANNUAL YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP)

MET AYP


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Longfellow Willard King REALM




African American Latino Socio Economic Status ELL

2013 Growth -6 12 -27 50 11 19 14 -17 5 38 -10 -8 4 -6 1 -47

2012 Base 766 698 705 658 793 793 816 741 780 770 773 723 700 679 705 728

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

API

Score

API Subgroup Comparison, Berkeley Public Schools

DeJean Helms Hercules REALM DeJean Helms Hercules REALM DeJean Helms Hercules REALM DeJean Helms Hercules REALM

African American Latino Socio Economic Status ELL

2012 Growth 36 57 -34 50 20 45 -8 -17 29 52 -8 -8 33 54 44 -47

2012 Base 602 685 607 658 618 713 700 741 621 721 677 723 592 687 737 728

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

API

Score

API Subgroup Comparison West Contra Costa Public Schools


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DEMOGRAPHICSThefollowingchartillustratesourcurrentstudentracial/ethnicdemographics.Studentdemographicsfor2015-16schoolyearinclude:17.4%identifiedasEnglishLanguageLearners(ELL);17%StudentswithDisabilities;1.6%Fosteryouth;and77%thatqualifyforfree/reducedlunch.

PROJECTEDENROLLMENT&GRADEEXPANSIONREALMCharterMiddleSchoolhashadacontinuousenrollmentof300students.Currently,ourschoolhas315enrolledstudentsingrades6-8.Thefollowingchartillustratesprojectedenrollmentforthenext5years.

SELPAPROVIDERREALMCharterMiddleSchoolisitsownlocaleducationalagency(“LEA”)memberoftheElDoradoCountyOfficeofEducationCharterSpecialEducationLocalPlanArea(“SELPA”)inconformitywithEducationCodeSection47641(a).

Asian,4.0% African-American,15.7%

White,10.5%

Hispanic,55.9%

2+Races,9.9%

Didnotstate,4.0%

GRADE 6 GRADE 7 GRADE 8

2016-17 115 100 112

2017-18 100 115 100

2018-19 110 110 110

2019-20 110 110 110

2020-21 110 110 110

PROJECTED ENROLLMENT BY GRADE


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FISCALAUDITSTherewerenoauditfindingsforthepasttwo(2)fiscalauditsconductedforthe2012-13and2013-14schoolyear.ACHIEVEMENTSThefollowingarethelistofachievementsforREALMCharterMiddleSchool.

• SchoolwideimplementationoftheCommonCoreStateStandards• AnnualSchoolwideAPIGrowth• EstablishmentofREALMParentAlliance(100parents)whohaveraised$30,000to

supporttheschool• PartnershipwithLindaDarling-HammondfromStanfordSchoolofEducationformath

andscienceCommonCorecurriculumdevelopment• ProfessionalDevelopmentforteachersonProjectBasedlearningbyProjectHDesign• Renovationofschoolfacilitytoprovide21stCenturyLearningenvironment• Annualgrowthinstudentenrollment• StrategicpartnershipwithnonprofitProjectHDesign(StudioHacademicprogram),

whichledstudentstodesignandbuildtheschoollibrary• REALMCharterMiddleSchoolTeachersjoinedtheBerkeleyFederationofTeachers,

AmericanFederationofTeachers


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ELEMENT1:EDUCATIONALPLAN“Theeducationalprogramoftheschool,designed,amongotherthings,todescribewhattheschoolintendstoaccomplish,toidentifythosewhomtheschoolisattemptingtoeducate,whatitmeanstobean“educatedperson”inthe21stcenturyandhowlearningbestoccurs.Thegoalsidentifiedinthatprogramshallincludetheobjectiveofenablingstudentstobecomeself-motivated,competentandlifelonglearners.Adescription,forthecharterschool,ofannualgoals,forallpupilsandforeachsubgroupofpupilsidentifiedpursuanttoSection52052,tobeachievedinthestatepriorities,asdescribedinsubdivision(d)ofSection52060,thatapplyforthegradelevelsserved,orthenatureoftheprogramoperated,bythecharterschool,andspecificannualactionstoachievethosegoals.Acharterpetitionmayidentifyadditionalschoolpriorities,thegoalsfortheschoolpriorities,andthespecificannualactionstoachievethesegoals.”EducationCode§47605(b)(5)(A)(i-ii).COMPLIANCEWITHLOCALCONTROLFUNDINGFORMULA&LOCALCONTROLACCOUNTABILITYPLANREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillcomplywithallrequirementspursuanttoCaliforniaEducationCode§47605(b)(5)(A)(ii)includingdevelopingannualgoals,forallpupils(i.e.schoolwide)andforeachsubgroupofpupilsasidentifiedinCaliforniaEducationCode§52052,foreachoftheapplicableeight(8)stateprioritiesidentifiedinCaliforniaEducationCode§52060(d).PleaserefertothetableinElement2:MeasurablePupilOutcomesfortheschoolwidegoalsforrelevantsub-groupsandcorrespondingassessments.Beginninginfiscalyear2014-15,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillcomplywithallelementsoftheLocalControlAccountabilityPlanpursuanttoregulationsandtemplatesadoptedbytheStateBoardofEducationandreservestherighttoestablishadditional,school-specificgoalsandcorrespondingassessmentsthroughoutthedurationofthecharter.(SeeAppendixD)TARGETSTUDENTPOPULATIONREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwascreatedasaninnovativelearningopportunityinwhichstudents,parents,andthecommunityareactiveparticipantsanddedicatedcohortsinthestudents’education.InAugust2011,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolopenedwith1006thgradestudents.Eachyearwehaveaddedapproximately105studentspergradelevel.Themiddleschoolhasexpandedtoserveatotalof315students.Sinceitsinception,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolemployedanoutreachstrategydesignedtorecruitastudentbodythatisrepresentativeofthediversityofthesurroundingcommunityandBerkeleyUnifiedSchoolDistrictasawhole.Thisoutreachreflectedaprovisionoflawthatoriginallyaimedtopreventcharterschoolsfromservingaspubliclyfundedenclavesofprivilegeservingjustoneethnicity.Theinitialoutreachgoalwastoachievestudentdemographicsthatreflected:26%AfricanAmerican,9%AsianAmerican,14%Latino,and34%White.


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REALMCharterMiddleSchooldoesnotdiscriminateagainstanychildonthebasisofrace,gender,ability,religion,orsexualorientation.Satisfyinganotherstatedaimofcharterschoollaw,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolhasservedstudentswhoareacademicallylow-achieving.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolispositionedtoservetraditionallyunderservedandunderrepresentedstudentsandpreparethemforcollegeandpost-secondaryopportunities.Currently,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolserves310students;78%qualifyforfreeandreducedpricedlunch,andapproximately58%areEnglishLanguageLearners.Despitethechallengesthatmanyofourstudentsface,webelievethatthrougharigorous,project-basedandtechnologyrichinstructionalprogram,wecanclosetheachievementgapthatplaguestheneighborhoodssurroundingthetargetedschoollocationandprepareourstudentpopulationforademandingpost-secondaryeducation.WHATITMEANSTOBEANEDUCATEDPERSONINTHE21stCENTURYUpongraduation,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudents,aseducatedpeopleinthe21stcentury,willdemonstratethefollowingskills:

• Intellectualopenness:Thestudentpossessescuriosityandathirstfordeeperunderstanding,questionstheviewsofotherswhenthoseviewsarenotlogicallysupported,acceptsconstructivecriticism,andchangespersonalviewsifwarrantedbytheevidence.

• Analysis:Thestudentidentifiesandevaluatesdata,material,andsourcesforqualityofcontent,validity,credibility,andrelevance.Thestudentcomparesandcontrastssourcesandfindingsandgeneratessummariesandexplanationsofsourcematerials.

• Inquisitiveness:Thestudentengagesinactiveinquiryanddialogueaboutsubjectmatterandresearchquestionsandseeksevidencetodefendarguments,explanations,orlinesofreasoning.

• Reasoning/Argumentation:Thestudentconstructswell-reasonedargumentsorproofstoexplainphenomenaorissues;utilizesrecognizedformsofreasoningtoconstructanargumentanddefendapointofvieworconclusion;acceptscritiquesoforchallengestoassertions;andaddressescritiquesandchallengesbyprovidingalogicalexplanationorrefutation,orbyacknowledgingtheaccuracyofthecritiqueorchallenge.

• Interpretation:Thestudentanalyzescompetingandconflictingdescriptionsofaneventorissuetodeterminethestrengthsandflawsineachdescriptionandanycommonalitiesamongordistinctionsbetweenthem;synthesizestheresultsofananalysisofcompetingorconflictingdescriptionsofaneventorissueorphenomenonintoacoherentexplanation.

• Problemsolving:Thestudentdevelopsandappliesmultiplestrategiestosolveroutineproblems,generatestrategiestosolvenon-routineproblems,andappliesmethodsofproblemsolvingtocomplexproblemsthatrequiremethod-basedproblemsolving.


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• CreativityandInnovation:Thestudentdemonstratesoriginalityandinventivenessinworkbydeveloping,implementing,andcommunicatingnewideastoothers;isopenandresponsivetonewanddiverseperspectives;andactsoncreativeideastomakeatangibleandusefulcontributiontothedomaininwhichtheinnovationoccurs.

• CriticalThinking:Thestudentexercisessoundreasoninginunderstanding,makingcomplexchoicesanddecisions,understandingtheinterconnectionsamongsystems,andidentifyingandaskingsignificantquestionsthatclarifyvariouspointsofviewandleadtobettersolutions.

• Collaboration:Thestudentarticulatesthoughtsandideasclearlyandeffectivelythroughspeakingandwriting,whiledemonstratingabilitytoworkeffectivelywithdiverseteams.Thestudentwillalsoexerciseflexibilityandwillingnesstobehelpfulinmakingnecessarycompromisestoaccomplishacommongoalandassumesharedresponsibilityforcollaborativework.

• ICTLiteracy(Information,Communications,andTechnology):Thestudentusesdigitaltechnology,communicationtools,and/ornetworksappropriatelytoaccess,manage,integrate,evaluate,andcreateinformationinordertofunctioninaknowledgeeconomy;usestechnologyasatooltoresearch,organize,evaluate,andcommunicateethical/legalissuessurroundingtheaccessanduseofinformation.

• MediaLiteracy:Thestudentunderstandshowmediamessagesareconstructed,forwhatpurposesandusingwhichtools,characteristicsandconventions;examineshowindividualsinterpretmessagesdifferently,howvaluesandpointsofviewareincludedorexcluded,andhowmediacaninfluencebeliefsandbehaviors;andpossessesafundamentalunderstandingoftheethical/legalissuessurroundingtheaccessanduseofinformation.

HOWLEARNINGBESTOCCURSLearningatREALMCharterMiddleSchooltakesplaceinasmallschoolenvironmentwherestudentsareengagedinarigorous,CommonCore-alignedcurriculumtaughtbyhighlyqualifiedanddiverseteachingfaculty.Studentsareprovidedtheadditionalsupporttheyneedtomasterthecurriculumandgainthelifeskillsnecessaryforsuccess.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolprovidesallstudentswithasafe,andnurturingenvironmentthatexudesaCultureofHighExpectations.REALMCharterMiddleSchool’ssmallschoolsettingallowsstudents,teachers,andstafftodevelopthecommonbondsandpositiverelationshipsthatareconducivetoahighlyeffectiveteachingandlearningenvironment.REALMCharterMiddleSchool’spersonalizedapproach,includinganadvisoryprogram,enableseachstudenttodevelophis/herindividualpotentialtothefullestinachallengingenvironment.Moreover,learningisenhancedatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolbytheintegrationofCommonCorestandardsintotheeducationprogram,whichisastudent-centered,project-basedmodel.Oureducationalprogramisbasedonextensivescientificresearch,ourseniorleadershipteamandstaffwhohaveworkedextensivelywithsimilarstudentpopulationsinbothtraditionalandalternativemiddleschoolprogramsinBerkeleyandvariousothercommunitieswithsimilardemographics.Thecurriculumofproject-basedlearning,immersive


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technology,andcommunityactionpreparesstudentswithauthentic,“real-world”experiences.Theinstructionalprogramiscontinuouslymonitoredandimproved,asstudentneedschangewithdatadrivenmodificationstoourinstructionalpractices.INSTRUCTIONALPROGRAMREALMCharterMiddleSchooloffersanintensiveprogramintegratingacademics,technology,research,resiliency,andsocialactionwithsite-basedmatriculation.Weseektodevelopineachstudenttheabilityandpassiontoworkwiselyandcreativelyinordertobecomelife-longlearnerswiththeskillsnecessarytocontributetothebettermentofhumankind.Thisisaccomplishedbyimmersingourteachersandstudentsinauthenticandvirtuallearningenvironmentsthatrequirecollaboration,inquiry,criticalthinking,ingenuity,imagination,andactiveproblemsolving.Ourprogramusesthefollowingcorestrategies:

• Rigorousandrelevantcurriculumthroughoutthestudents’schedule• Personalizedlearningapproachthatfocusesonidentifyingandmeetingthe

individualizedneedsofeverystudent–throughasmallschoolapproach,leveltesting,personallearningplans,astudentadvisory,andsupplementalsupport.

• Supplementaleducationalsupportthatmeetsafterschool,intheevenings,and/orduringsummertoallowforstudentsonvariouslevelstoseekadditionalunderstandingandsupport.

• Smallschoolenvironmentwithanenrollmentofapproximately300studentsforthe6ththrough8thgradeprogramsatfullcapacity(approximately25studentsperclassroom).

• StudentSupportTeam(SST)withyearsofexperienceindealingspecificallywithBerkeleystudentsstrugglingacademicallyand/orbehaviorallyaswellasdisinterestedstudentsworkingbelowtheirpotential.TheSSTwillfocuson“barrierstolearning.”Someexamplesarehomelessness,employment,substanceabuse,pregnancyprevention,andcourts/probationtonameafew.

• Integratingcommunity-basedorganizations(localandregional)thatprovidementoring,health/sexeducation,sportsandotherafterschoolactivities.

Student-centeredteachingandlearningisimplementedthroughafocusonproject-basedlearninginallsubjectsandgradelevels.Forover100years,educatorssuchasJohnDeweyhavereportedonthebenefitsofexperiential,hands-on,student-directedlearning.Mostteachers,knowingthevalueofengaging,challengingprojectsforstudents,haveplannedfieldtrips,laboratoryinvestigations,andinterdisciplinaryactivitiesthatenrichandextendthecurriculum.“Doingprojects”isalong-standingtraditioninAmericaneducation.TherootsofProjectBasedLearning(PBL)lieinthistraditionbutnowalsoreflecttwoimportantdevelopmentsoverthelast25years.First,therehasbeenarevolutioninlearning


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theory.Researchinneuroscienceandpsychologyhasextendedcognitiveandbehavioralmodelsoflearning–whichsupporttraditionaldirectinstruction–toshowthatknowledge,thinking,doing,andthecontextsforlearningareinextricablytied.Wenowknowthatsocialactivityenhanceslearning:learningoutcomestendtoincreasewhenmoreexplicitlysituatedwithinthecontextofculture,community,andpastexperiences,asinPBL.Thisisapparentinresearchonproblem-basedlearninginthemedicalfield,animportantforerunnerofPBL,andisalsonowsolidlysupportedinresearchonbrain-basedlearning,thatis,researchexaminingcognitivestructuresandprocessesoflearning.Researchshowsthat,inPBL,learnersactivelyusewhattheyknowtoexplore,negotiate,interpret,andcreate.Theyconstructsolutions,thusshiftingtheemphasistowardtheprocessoflearning.Inaddition,cognitiveresearchhasrevealedmuchmoreaboutthenatureofproblemsolving.Educationhasbenefitedfromthisresearch,asteachershavelearnedhowtoeffectivelyscaffoldcontentandactivitiestoamplifyandextendtheskillsandcapabilitiesofstudents.Inadditiontoaligningwiththeabovedevelopmentsinlearningtheory,PBLalsoalignswithhowtheworldhaschanged.Nearlyallteachersunderstandhowtheindustrialculturehasshapedtheorganizationandmethodsofschoolsinthe19thand20thcenturies,andtheyrecognizethatschoolsmustnowadapttoanewcentury.Itisclearthatchildrenneedbothknowledgeandskillstosucceed.Thisneedisdrivennotonlybyworkforcedemandsforhigh-performanceemployeeswhocanplan,collaborate,andcommunicate,butalsobytheneedtohelpallyoungpeoplelearncivicresponsibilityandmastertheirnewrolesasglobalcitizens.Inasense,theneedforeducationtoadapttoachangingworldistheprimaryreasonthatPBLisincreasinglypopular.PBLisanattempttocreatenewinstructionalpracticesthatreflecttheenvironmentinwhichchildrennowliveandlearn.And,astheworldcontinuestochange,sodoesourdefinitionofPBL.Themostimportantrecentshiftineducationhasbeentheincreasedemphasisonstandards,clearoutcomes,andaccountability.PBLengagesstudentsasactiveagentsinthelearningprocessandischaracterizedbyrecurrentcyclesofanalysis,synthesis,action,andreflection.Thetopicbeingstudiedusuallyintegratesconceptsfrommultipledisciplinesorfieldsofstudy.Groupmemberscollaboratewithoneanothertoproduceacollectiveoutcomeoveradesignatedperiodoftime.Thecoreideaofproject-basedlearningisthatrealworldproblemscapturestudentinterestandprovokeseriousthinkingasthestudentsacquireandapplynewknowledgeinaproblem-solvingcontext.PBLiswidelybelievedtobeapowerfulteachingstrategythatpromotesself-directedlearning.Thispedagogicalapproachispartofarevolutionaryparadigmshiftfromtraditionaltoconstructivistapproachesofteachingandlearning.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolhascollaboratedwithProjectHDesignandtheBuckInstituteforEducation,usingprotocolandunit-planningtoolstocreatestrongprojectsthat:

• Tapstudents’inherentdrivetolearn,theircapabilitytodoimportantwork,andtheirneedtobetakenseriouslybyputtingthematthecenterofthelearningprocess;


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• Meettheneedsoflearnerswitharangeoflearningstylesandskilllevels;• Engagestudentsinthecentralconceptsandprinciplesofadiscipline.Theproject

workiscentralratherthanperipheraltothecurriculum;• Integratedisciplinesbyfocusingonthemes,issues,anddeeperinvestigationsoftopics

fromlocaltoglobal;• Highlightprovocativeissuesorquestionsthatleadstudentstoin-depthexplorationof

authenticandimportanttopics;• Use21stcenturytoolsandskills,includingproblemsolving,communication,

collaborationself-management,projectmanagement,andtechnologyuse;• Develophigherorderthinkingskills;• Specifyproductsthatsolveproblems,explaindilemmas,orpresentinformation

generatedthroughinvestigation,research,orreasoning;• Includemultipleproductsthatpermitfrequentfeedbackandconsistentopportunities

forstudentstolearnfromexperience;• Useperformance-basedassessmentsthatcommunicatehighexpectations,present

rigorouschallenges,andrequirearangeofskillsandknowledge;• Encouragecollaborationinsomeform,eitherthroughsmallgroups,student-led

presentations,orwhole-classevaluationsofprojectresults;• Involve,attimes,parentsandcommunitymembersintheeducationalprocess,often

leadingtomoresupportfortheschoolandabetterunderstandingoftheneedsofstudents;

• Promoteteachercollaboration;and• Createahigh-performanceschoolculturethatvaluesbothrigorandrelevance.

COMMONCORE-FOCUSEDPROJECTBASEDLEARNINGThroughaCommonCorealignedproject-basedlearning,studentsareengagedinthecurriculumbyadrivingquestionorauthenticproblemthatcreatesaneedtoknowthematerial.TheDrivingQuestionistiedtocontentstandards,andassessmentisexplicitlydesignedtoevaluatethestudents'knowledgeofthecontent.Inaneraofstandards-basedaccountability,instructionalmethodsmustincorporatehighstandards,rigorouschallenges,andvalidassessmentmethods.PBLisaneffectivevehicleforstandards-basedinstructionandassessment,withmanyadditionaladvantagesdescribedabove.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolcollaborateswithProjectHDesignandtheBuckInstituteforEducationtocreateaschool-wideplanningprocessforprojects.Thisprocesscontinuestoevolveastheinstructionalstaffobservesovertimewhatismosteffectivewiththetargetstudentpopulation.Project-basedLearning(PBL)runsthegamutrangingfrombriefprojectsofonetotwoweeksbasedonasinglesubjectinoneclassroomtoyearlong,interdisciplinaryprojectsthatinvolvecommunityparticipationandadultsoutsidetheschool.AtREALMCharterMiddleSchool,projectsmaytakeseveraldaysorseveralmonths.Project-basedLearningisREALMCharterMiddleSchool’scorestrategyfordeliveringCommonCore-basedinstruction.


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CURRICULARPROGRAMREALMCharterMiddleSchool’scurriculaiscarefullyplannedtoalignwithCommon CorestandardsineachofourcoreareasofEnglish/languagearts,math,science,andhistory/socialscienceforgrades6through8.

Project-basedlearningistheprimaryinstructionalstrategyatREALMCharterMiddleSchool,butnottheonlyone.Somecontentismoreeffectivelydeliveredusingothermethods,includingmanyreading,writing,andnumeracyskills.Thecontentareasectionsbelowdescribethis,includingtheroleofLucyCalkins’Reader’sandWriter’sWorkshopintheEnglishcurriculum.Moreover,traditionalinstructionalmethodsmaybeusedinanyofthesubjectareastoaccomplishanumberofpurposes,i.e.,test-prep,variationofinstructionalmethodstosuitdifferenttypesoflearners,coverageoffoundational/backgroundinformation,andstudyskills,tonameafew.Studentsexperiencemultiple-yearexposuretocontentratherthanstand-aloneone-yearcourses.Ourcurriculumisbuiltonthebeliefthatunderstandingdevelopsovertimefromexposuretoideasandconcepts.Thisapproachsupportseventheleastacademicallysuccessfulstudentsinobtainingbothbasicfundamentalknowledgeandadvancedconceptualunderstandingsofawiderangeofsubjects.AtREALMCharterMiddleSchool,conceptsgraduallyprogressfromsimpletomorecomplicated.Thecurriculumsectionbelowillustrateshowthisfunctionsinthecontentareas.CORECURRICULARMATERIALSREALMCharterMiddleSchoolusesacombinationoftextbooksandnon-textbookbasedresources,supplementedbyproject-basedcurriculum.Specifically,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolisusingthefollowingtextbooksandcoremathandscienceprograms:

• CollegePreparatoryMath(CPM)• FullOptionScienceSystem(FOSS)

ENGLISHREALMCharterMiddleSchool’sEnglishcurriculumisbasedonCommonCoreELA/ELDframeworksandemphasizesthedevelopmentofskillsandstrategiesstudentsneedtobecompetentreaders,writers,andspeakersforcollegelevelwork.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolusesaworkshopformattodevelopstudents’skillsintheseareas,followingLucyCalkins’ReadingandWritingWorkshop,tailoredtotheMiddleSchoollevel.Asappropriate,instructionalstrategiesmayalsoincludedirectskillsinstructionandapplicationinprojects.ReadingandWritingWorkshopisastrongvehicleforEnglishinstructionforthetargetstudentpopulation.ReadingWorkshopplacesapremiumonconnectingstudentswithbookstheylove,byhelpingthemfindtopics,genres,andauthorstheylikeandbyhavingthemreadattheappropriatereadinglevel,notalevelthatisfrustratinglyeasyorhard.WritingWorkshopemphasizeswritingforapurposeandfindingvoiceasauthors.Theseformatsare


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highlyengagingtostudentsandofferthepersonalizationneededtohelpstudentsprogressfasterthantheywouldinahomogenouscurriculum.Allclassroomhaveleveledreadinglibraries,andthisyearagreateremphasishasbeenplacedonnonfiction,memoir,andtechnicalreadingmaterials.REALMCharterMiddleSchooladministersaquarterlyreadingdiagnosticandconductsawritinginterviewevaluatedwitharubricatthebeginningoftheyear.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudentsaretrainedtodoreadingandwritingself-assessments,reflectingupontheiridentitiesasreaders,theirprogressandtheirnewlearninggoals.Informalassessmentonthesecomponentsoccursdailyasteachersobservestudentsreadingandinteractwiththeminsmall-groupstrategysessionsandone-on-oneconferences.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolrubricsreflecthighstandardsforcontent,style,andconventionsinwriting.Students’growthinwritingovertimeisdocumentedinthestudentwritingportfolios,whichagainshouldshowimprovementincontent,style,andconventionsaswellasmasteryofanincreasingnumberofstrategiesandgenres.TheEnglishcurriculumprovidesthecoreofreadingandwritinginstruction,buttheseskillsarealsosupportedacrossthecontentareasasstudentsreadandwriteingenresspecifictootherdisciplines.Studentsreadandwriteaspartofprojects,anotherstrategythatincreasesopportunitiestoreadandwriteforauthenticpurposes,sothattheworkismeaningfultothem,andtheydevelopagreatersenseofthevalueofreadingandwriting.EnglishteacherscollaboratewithotherteacherstoalignwritinginstructioninEnglishwiththatdoneinotherdisciplines.MATHEMATICSREALMCharterMiddleSchool’smathematicscurriculumisbasedonCommonCorestandardsandfollowsanintegratedcurriculumsequenceusingCollegePreparatoryMath(CPM)MakingConnectionscourses1and2andAlgebraConnectionscourse3.CPMteachingstrategiesfocusonhowstudentsbestlearnandretainmathematics.TeachingstrategiesrelyontherecommendationsoftheNationalCouncilofTeachersofMathematics,andarebasedsolidlyonthemethodologicalresearchinteachingmathematics.Theresearch-basedprinciplesthatguidethecourseare:

• Studentsshouldengageinproblem-basedlessonsstructuredaroundacoreidea.• Guidedbyaknowledgeableteacher,studentsshouldinteractingroupstofoster

mathematicaldiscourse.• Practicewithconceptsandproceduresshouldbespacedovertime;thatis,mastery

comesovertime.

AlthoughCPMpredatestheCCSSStandardsforMathematicalPracticebyabout20years,verysimilarpracticeshavealwaysbeenacoreandintegralpartofCPMcurriculummaterials.BecauseofCPM’sbroadexperienceandlonghistorywiththesepractices,theCCSSMathematicalPracticesaredeeplyandseamlesslyinterwovenintothefabricofthedailylessons.Thecoursebalancesproceduralfluency(algorithmsandbasicskills),deepconceptual


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understanding,strategiccompetence(problemsolving),andadaptivereasoning(transferenceandextension).AllofthematerialsweredesignedtoimplementthevisionofMiddleSchoolmathematicsportrayedintheNationalCouncilofTeachersofMathematics(NCTM)CurriculumandEvaluationStandardsforSchoolMathematics(1989)andProfessionalStandardsforTeachingMathematics(1991).ThecompletedcurriculumandtheinstructionalandassessmentpracticesitsupportsalignwellwithNCTM’sPrinciplesandStandardsforSchoolMathematics(2000).Throughinvestigationsofreal-lifecontexts,studentsdeveloparichunderstandingofimportantmathematicsthatmakessensetothemandthat,inturn,enablesthemtomakesenseoutofnewsituationsandproblems.ThesetraitsofCPMmakeitastrongchoiceforthetargetpopulation.Placingmathconceptsinreallifecontextsisengagingtostudentsandgivesthemareasonforlearningmath.Theemphasisonsensemakingalsohelpsmakemathinstructionmorerelevant,notanabstractlanguagelackingintuitiveappeal.Therelativelyheavyinclusionoflanguageinmathematicshelpsstudentsbecomemoreversatilereaders,especiallyasteachersprovidecomprehensionsupportssuchasexplicitcontentvocabularydevelopmenttomakethereadingaccessible.Further,studentswhomightotherwisestrugglewillbeplacedinsupplementalMathSupportclassestaughtbythesameteacher,toprovideongoingsupport.HISTORY/SOCIALSCIENCESocialstudiesinstructionisbasedonCommonCorestandardsandembedscontentknowledgeinactivelearningthatpromotesthinkingskillsusedbypractitionersofsocialsciencedisciplines.ThesocialstudiesprogramemphasizestheHistoryandSocialSciencesAnalysisSkillsintheCommonCorestandardsforgrades6-8.Themaingoalsofthesocialstudiesprogramoverallaretohelpstudentstobuildacommonbaseofessentialknowledge,strengthenacademicskills–especiallythoseskillspertinenttosocialsciencedisciplines,enhanceappreciationofthehumanexperience,andfostercriticalthinking.IdeallyREALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudentsdevelopimprovedabilitiestoidentifyandassessthe‘howandwhy’ofourworldandthehumancondition.Thesocialstudiescurriculumisdesignedwithbothawhole6-12grade-levelhumanitiesarcinmind.Thecurriculumexploreskeyhistoricaldevelopments,butwithemphasisuponasharedsetofanalyticalskills,theHistoryandSocialSciencesAnalysisSkillsintheCommonCorestandards,whichareemployedateachlevelwithincreasingcomplexityandsophistication.Activelearningactivitiesemphasizeprojectsandalsoincludesimulations,debates,speeches,researchpapers,andotherwrittenassignments.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolidentifieskeycontentstandardstaughtformasterythroughdeeperexploration.REALMCharterMiddleSchooldrawsontextbooksfromtheTeachersCurriculumInstitute,whichalignswellwiththeschool’sinstructionalphilosophy.TheseincludetheHistoryAlive!textbook.TCIlessonsandactivitiesarebasedonfivewell-establishedtheories:UnderstandingbyDesign,NonlinguisticRepresentation,MultipleIntelligences,CooperativeInteraction,andSpiralCurriculum.TCIisdistinctiveinitsemphasisonmultiplewaysofknowingandalsosupportsEnglish/language


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artsintegration,studentengagement,differentiationforstudentneeds,andvariedassessmentmodes.REALMCharterMiddleSchooldrawsontheCaliforniaHistorySocialScienceCourseModelsandotherresourcesinlieuoftextbookmaterial.Theseunitsarecomprehensiveofthestandards;providerichlearningactivitiesthatarewellalignedwithREALMCharterMiddleSchool’sinstructionalphilosophy,andprovideseveralstrongauthenticassessmentsembeddedineveryunit.Usingthisapproachstudentsexaminethehistorical,cultural,andpoliticalcircumstancesleadinguptothatmomentandthen,takingontherolesofthosewhofaceddifficultchoicesthenormustfacethemnow,tomakedecisions.Projectsplayanespeciallylargeroleinhistory-socialscienceinstruction,andoften,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolteachersstructurecontentfromnon-textbookbasedresourcesusingthestandards-basedprojectplanningprocess.Theseactivitiesengagestudentinterestandtaphigherorderthinkingskillsthroughinquiry,analysis,application,andcross-disciplinarythinking.SCIENCEREALMCharterMiddleSchool’ssciencecurriculumisbasedonTheNextGenerationScienceStandards(NGSS).Thecurriculumuseshands-onactivitiesandexperimentationtodeepenconceptualunderstandingandfacilitywithscientificmethods.Thescientificthinkingprocessmaybeseenasadevelopmentalsequenceinvolvingthefollowingcognitiveprocesses:observing(usingthesensestogetinformation),communicating(talking,drawing,acting),comparing(pairing,makingone-to-onecorrespondence),organizing(grouping,serializing,sequencing),relating(causeandeffect,classification),inferring(usingsuperordinate/subordinateclassificationandif/thenreasoning,developingscientificlaws)andapplying(developingstrategicplans,inventing).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolusestheFullOptionScienceSystem(FOSS),whichisalignedtoNGSSstandards.FOSShasevolvedfromaphilosophyofteachingandlearningattheLawrenceHallofSciencethathasguidedthedevelopmentofsuccessfulactive-learningsciencecurriculaformorethan40years.TheFOSSProgrambridgesresearchandpracticebyprovidingtoolsandstrategiestoengagestudentsandteachersinenduringexperiencesthatleadtodeeperunderstandingofthenaturalanddesignedworlds.Scienceisacreativeandanalyticenterprise,madeactivebyourhumancapacitytothink.Scientificknowledgeadvanceswhenscientistsobserveobjectsandevents,thinkabouthowtheyrelatetowhatisknown,testtheirideasinlogicalways,andgenerateexplanationsthatintegratethenewinformationintounderstandingofthenaturalanddesignedworlds.Engineersapplythatunderstandingtosolvereal-worldproblems.Thus,thescientificenterpriseisbothwhatweknow(contentknowledge)andhowwecometoknowit(sciencepractices).Scienceisadiscoveryactivity,aprocessforproducingnewknowledge.Thebestwayforstudentstoappreciatethescientificenterprise,learnimportantscientificandengineeringconcepts,anddeveloptheabilitytothinkwellistoactivelyparticipateinscientificpracticesthroughtheirowninvestigationsandanalyses.TheFOSSProgramwas


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createdspecificallytoprovidestudentsandteacherswithmeaningfulexperiencesthroughengagingwiththisactiveparticipationinscientificpractices.

PHYSICALEDUCATIONREALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudentstakePEingrades6-8.MostPhysicalEducation(PE)classesareorganizedbygradeleveltoaccommodatethechangingneedsandabilitiesofgrowingadolescents.Consistentwithourinterdisciplinaryphilosophy,physicaleducationisalsointegratedwithothersubjectsthroughouttheyear.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstrivestooffernon-traditionalPEcoursesaswell,including:BreakDancing,skateboarding,TaeKwonDo,andmore.Thelong-termgoaloftheprogramistoencourageeverystudenttoenjoyathleticsandphysicalfitnessasasourceofwell-beingandpleasurethroughoutlife.Specifically,thephysicaleducationcurriculumdevelopsasenseofself-esteemandself-confidence;increasesphysicalflexibility,strength,andendurance;improvestimingandcoordination;andincreasesskillsinparticularsports(rulesandstrategies).Thecurriculuminterweaveshealthlessons,includingnutrition,anatomy,andbodyfunctions,suchasthecardiovascularandrespiratorysystems.Cardiovascularfitnessisdevelopedthroughperiodicrunsinwhichstudentskeeptrackoftheirtimesandpulserates.Afterawarm-upandstretchperiod,mostclassesfocusonaparticularsport.Additionalsportselectivecoursesareofferedforstudentswhowishtospendmoretimeinphysicaleducation.TheCaliforniaFrameworkforPhysicalEducationisanimportantresourceforinstructionalplanning.FOREIGNLANGUAGEREALMCharterMiddleSchool’sforeignlanguageprogramfocusesondevelopingcommunicativeabilityinSpanish(introductoryandHeritagespeaker),incorporatingtheelementsofspeaking,reading,writing,listening,andculture.Acquiringverbalfluencyandaworkingvocabularyreceivehighpriority.Anemphasisongrammarclarifiescommunicativeintent.Activitiesengagestudents’interestandencouragelivelydiscussion.


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ART&DESIGNREALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudentstakeartanddesigncoursesaspartoftheirelectivewheel.Therangeofartanddesignelectivesincludefineart,instrumentalandvocalmusicperformance,anddesign.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolprioritizeartselectivesthatalignwithitsfocusondesign,practicalapplicationandasamediumforcommunication,especiallyviaspecializedvisualartsmedia.Theartscurriculumprovidesstudentswithartisticavenuesforcreativeself-expressionandtochannelemotionsintocreativeforms,withtheobjectiveofinstillinginstudentsalifelonginterestintheartsaswellastoleranceandrespectfordiversity.PLANFORENGLISHLANGUAGELEARNERSEnglishLanguageLearners(ELL)studentshavefullaccesstoREALMCharterMiddleSchool’seducationalprogramandaresupportedtoachieveEnglishlanguageproficiency.ToidentifyELLs,REALMCharterMiddleSchooladministersthehomelanguagesurveytoallstudentsastheyenroll.AllstudentswhosehomelanguagesurveyindicatesalanguageotherthanEnglishareassessedusingtheCaliforniaEnglishLanguageDevelopmentTest(CELDT)todeterminetheirEnglishlanguageproficiencylevel.StudentsobservedtohaveverylowEnglishproficiencymayalsobeadministeredaprimarylanguageassessmentintheirnon-EnglishlanguagetoidentifytheiracademiclevelsirrespectiveofEnglishproficiency.Wenowhaveafull-timeCELDTcoordinatoronstafftocoordinatetheaboveactivities.TheCELDTisadministeredannuallytoELLstudents.InaccordancewiththeprocessestablishedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofEducation,theREALMCharterMiddleSchoolannualCELDTandCSTdata,teacherobservationsandoptionalparentinputtoidentifyEnglishLanguageLearners(ELL),determinetheirEnglishLanguageDevelopment(ELD)levelsandreclassifyELLstudentsasEnglishproficientwhenappropriate.OnceanEnglishLearnerisidentified,aconferenceisscheduledwiththeparenttooutlinetheinstructionalprogram,theteacher’sroleinitsimplementation,andtheteachers’,parents’andschool’sroleinprovidingsupport.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolcontinuestomonitorthestudent’sperformanceinEnglishforatleasttwoyears.ELLPROGRAMREALMCharterMiddleSchoolprovidesaqualityELLprogramthatenablesELLstudentstoattainEnglishproficiency,toachieveinallacademicsubjectareas,andtohavefullaccesstotherangeofeducationalopportunitiesthatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolprovides.Tohelpstudentsunderstandcontentbeingtaught,teachersusesupportstrategiessuchasprovidinginstructionalmaterialatornearstudents’readinglevelsintheirnativelanguageand/orinEnglish,explicitlyteachingacademicvocabulary,andusingappropriateinstructionalstrategiessuchasSpeciallyDesignedAcademicInstructioninEnglish(SDAIE)methods.Theseincludestrategiesforscaffolding,schemabuilding,textrepresentation,etc.(e.g.,usingclear,slowspeechandsimplervocabularytoexplaingradelevelcontent,visualandkinestheticinstructionalmodes,graphicorganizers,etc.).EnglishLanguageArtsteachershavebeentrainedinDr.KateKinsella’steachingacademicvocabularyforELLstudents.TutoringandhomeworkhelpgiveELLstudents’additionalsupporttokeeppace.Teachersparticipatein


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professionaldevelopmenttodeveloptheskillsneededtoeffectivelyserveELLstudents.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolalsoprovidesformalEnglishLanguageDevelopmentinstructiontoidentifiedELLstudents,eitherina“pullout”programduringtheschoolday,integratedwithintheclassroom,orasaprogramoutsideofschoolhours,asappropriatetostudents’ELDlevelsandindividualneeds.Instructionalsupportstaffandvolunteersmayprovidesupportinthenativelanguageand/orinEnglishasisfeasibleanddesirable.ToensurethattheschooleffectivelyassistsELLstudentsinasuccessfultransitionfromLimitedEnglishProficient(LEP)toFluentEnglishProficient(FEP)status,REALMCharterMiddleSchool:

• PlacesELLstudentsinclassroomswithaqualifiedteacherwhopossessestheappropriatequalifications,suchasaCLADcertificationoritsequivalent

• ProvidesteacherswithprofessionaldevelopmentonbestpracticesinsecondlanguageacquisitionsotheybecomeskilledinclassroomstrategiestomeettheneedsofELLstudents

• EnsuresthatinstructionalmaterialsforELLstudentsandcurriculumframeworksandstandardsarealigned

• Providesinstructionalsupportinthehomelanguage(asappropriate)orinaccessibleEnglishforstudentswiththelowestELDlevelsasisfeasibleanddesirable

• MonitorstheprogressofELLstudentsREALMCharterMiddleSchoolhashiredCLADorBCLADcertified,experiencedteachersandworkwithotherELLspecialistsasappropriatetodevelopeffectiveprogramming.TeacherprofessionaldevelopmentwilladdressstrategiestoprovideELLstudentswithfullaccesstothecurriculum.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolmakesteachersawarethatraisingELLstudents’rateofEnglishacquisitionandoverallacademicperformanceisnotonlyamoralimperative,itisalsoafactorintheAcademicPerformanceIndex(API)andinAnnualYearlyProgress(AYP).InstructionalstaffmonitorsprogressofELLsthroughouttheyeartoensurethatstudentsareontrackformeetinggrowthgoals.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolcomplieswithallapplicablelawswithrespecttoEnglishLanguageLearner(ELL)students,includingthosepertainingtoidentification,provisionofservices,assessment,andreclassification.PLANFORSTUDENTSWHOAREACADEMICALLYLOW-ACHIEVINGREALMCharterMiddleSchooltakesasystematicapproachtoclosingtheachievementgapbyallocatingmultipleresourcesandinterventionstowardsacademicallylow-performingstudents.Traditionally,lowachievingstudentshavebeenidentifiedbyusingstatemeasurements,i.e.STARtest.Unfortunately,statetestingissummativeandisusuallyreceivedatyear’send.Currently,weuseteacher’sgrades,progressreports,quarterlygrades,studentsurveys,self-assessments,andotherformativedatatoidentifythehighest-need(asidentifiedbylow


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grades,highabsenteeism,disciplinaryissuesandsuspendableoffenses)studentsearlierintheschoolyear.First,thesestudentsareidentifiedbytheiradvisor,whoworksone-on-onewiththestudenttodevelopasupportplan.Second,ifproblemspersist,oneofoursupportstaffiscontactedandbroughtintodevelopamorecomprehensiveplan.Thesupportplan(s)mayincludementalhealthsupport,focusedacademicsupport(studyhall),after-schoolone-on-onemeetingswithteachers,officehours,parentmeetingsonaquarterlybasis,etc.Wealsoprovidesummerschoolforstudentswhohavenotpassedclasses,andcreditrecoverythatneedtomakeupadditionalcreditsduringtheschoolday.PLANFORSTUDENTSWHOAREACADEMICALLYHIGHACHIEVINGTraditionally,highachievingstudentshavebeenidentifiedbyusingstatemeasurements,i.e.STARtest.Unfortunately,statetestingissummativeandisusuallyreceivedatyear’send.Currently,weuseteacher’sgrades,progressreports,quarterlygrades,studentsurveys,self-assessments,andotherformativedatatoidentifystudentswhoarehighachievingearlierintheschoolyear.First,thesestudentsareidentifiedbytheiradvisor,whoworksone-on-onewiththestudenttodevelopaplantoremainchallengedinschool,toacceleratewithinaspecificdiscipline,andtobebetterpreparedforhighergradelevelwork.Someexamplesofthisincludeplacingstudentsinhighergradelevelmathand/orELAclasses,differentiatingintheclassroomstogivestudentsappropriate-levelmaterial,focusedoradvancedafter-schoolopportunities,etc.PLANFORSTUDENTSWITHDISABILITIESREALMCharterMiddleSchoolappliedforandwasrecentlyapprovedformembershipintheElDoradoCountySpecialEducationLocalPlanArea(“SELPA”)CharterConsortium.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolreceivesstateandfederalspecialeducationfundingpursuanttotheSELPA’slocalallocationplanandusesthesefunds,supplementedwiththeschool’sgeneral-purposefunds,tobothdirectlyprovideandcontractforspecialeducationandrelatedservicesforeligiblestudents.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolissolelyresponsibleforallofitsspecialeducationcosts,includingthosethatexceeditsspecialeducationrevenues.TheElDoradoSELPAisresponsibleforoversighttoensurethatREALMCharterMiddleSchooliscompliantwithallfederalandstatelawsandregulationspertainingtostudentswithdisabilities.SECTION504Theschoolunderstandsthatitsstudentsmayhaveexceptionalneedsthatarenotgovernedbythetermsofthefederalspecialeducationlaw(IDEA)butwhomayrequireaccommodationsorservicespursuanttothetermsofsection504oftheRehabilitationActandthattheschoolwillberesponsibleforplanningandimplementinganysuchaccommodationsorservices.


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COMPLIANCEWITHLOCALCONTROLFUNDINGFORMULA

REALMCHARTERMIDDLESCHOOLCHARTERELEMENT1–EDUCATIONALPROGRAM

GOALSANDACTIONSTOACHIEVETHESTATEPRIORITIES

PursuanttoEducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(A)(ii),followingisatabledescribingREALMCharterMiddleSchool’sannualgoalstobeachievedinthestateprioritiesschoolwideandforall pupil subgroups, as described in Education Code Section 52060(d), and specific annualactionstoachievethosegoals.LocalControlAccountabilityPlan(“LCAP”)REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillproduceaLocalControlAccountabilityPlan(“LCAP”)usingthe LCAP template adopted by the State Board of Education. Pursuant to Education CodeSection47606.5,onorbeforeJuly1,2015,andeachyearthereafter,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallupdatetheLCAP,includingthegoalsandannualactionsidentifiedbelow.REALMCharter Middle School shall submit the LCAP to its authorizer and the Alameda CountySuperintendent of Schools annually on or before July 1, as required by Education CodeSection47604.33.The LCAP and any revisions necessary to implement the LCAP shall not be considered amaterialrevisiontothecharter,andshallbemaintainedbyREALMCharterMiddleSchoolattheschoolsite.Because each state priority hasmultiple parts, in order to alignwith the goals and annualactions to these multiple parts of each state priority, REALM Charter Middle School hasseparatedoutthestateprioritiesinto“subpriorities.”

STATEPRIORITY#1—BASICSERVICESThedegreetowhichteachersareappropriatelyassigned(E.C.§44258.9)andfullycredentialed,andeverypupilhassufficientaccesstostandards-alignedinstructionalmaterials(E.C.§60119),andschoolfacilitiesaremaintainedingoodrepair(E.C.§17002(d))

SUBPRIORITYA–TEACHERS

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY

100%ofcoreteacherswillholdavalidCATeachingCredentialwithappropriateEnglishLearnerauthorizationasdefinedbytheCA.CommissiononTeachingCredentialing,andwillbeappropriatelyassigned.

ACTIONSTOACHIEVEGOAL

AllcoreteachercandidatesscreenedforemploymentwillholdvalidCATeachingCredentialwithappropriateEnglishLearnerauthorization.SchoolDirectorwillannuallyreviewcredentialstatus.


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SUBPRIORITYB–INSTRUCTIONALMATERIALS


100%ofstudentswillhaveaccesstostandards-alignedmaterialsandadditionalinstructionalmaterialsasoutlinedinourcharterpetition.


AllinstructionalmaterialspurchasedwillbealignedtoCommonCoreStateStandardsandalignedwithourcharterpetition.

SUBPRIORITYC–FACILITIES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Maintainacleanandsafeschoolfacility.


Dailygeneralcleaningbyjanitorialstaffwhowillmaintaincleanliness.Annualfacilityinspectionswillscreenforsafetyhazards.

STATEPRIORITY#2—IMPLEMENTATIONOFCOMMONCORESTATESTANDARDSImplementationofCommonCoreStateStandards,includinghowELstudentswillbeenabledtogainacademiccontentknowledgeandEnglishlanguageproficiency

SUBPRIORITYA–CCSSIMPLEMENTATION


100%ofteacherswillparticipateinannualprofessionaldevelopmentontheimplementationoftheCommonCoreStateStandards.


IdentifyandparticipateinprofessionaldevelopmentandtrainingsontheCommonCoreStateStandards

SUBPRIORITYB–ELSTUDENTS&ACADEMICCONTENTKNOWLEDGE


100%ofELstudentswillgainacademiccontentknowledgethroughtheimplementationoftheCommonCoreStateStandards


ELstudentswillparticipateinCommonCorealignedinstructionandreceiveacademicinterventiontosupportlearning.

SUBPRIORITYC–ELSTUDENTS&ENGLISHLANGUAGEPROFICIENCY

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Annually,ELstudentswilladvanceatleastonelevelontheCELDT.


ELperformanceontheCAASPPassessment,CELDT/ELPAC&Benchmarkassessments.

STATEPRIORITY#3—PARENTALINVOLVEMENTParentalinvolvement,includingeffortstoseekparentinputformakingdecisionsforschools,andhowtheschoolwillpromoteparentparticipation

SUBPRIORITYA–ACHIEVING/MAINTAININGPARENTALINVOLVEMENT

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Maintainparentparticipationatannualschoolwideorientation.


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ACTIONSTOACHIEVEGOAL Parentattendanceatorientation.

SUBPRIORITYB–PROMOTINGPARENTPARTICIPATION


ParticipationinSchoolSiteCouncil(SSC),EnglishLanguageAdvisoryCouncil(ELAC);and/orREALMParentAlliance(RPA).


SchoolprincipalwillworkwithparentsandteacherstorecruitparentstotheSSC,ELACand/orRPAviaflyers,boardagendas,andnewsletters.

SUBPRIORITYC–PARENTSURVEYS

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Solicitparentfeedbackviaannualsatisfactionsurveys.


Annually,theschoolwilladministerastudent,staffandparentssurveysonschooleffectiveness.ResultsofparentsurveywillbepresentedtotheGoverningBoardannually.

STATEPRIORITY#4—STUDENTACHIEVEMENTPupilachievement,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. CaliforniaAssessmentofStudentPerformanceandProgress(CAASPP)statewideassessment

B. TheAcademicPerformanceIndex(API)C. PercentageofpupilswhohavesuccessfullycompletedcoursesthatsatisfyUC/CSU

entrancerequirements,orcareertechnicaleducationD. PercentageofELswhomakeprogresstowardEnglishlanguageproficiencyas

measuredbytheCaliforniaEnglishLanguageDevelopmentTest(CELDT)and/orEnglishLanguageProficiencyAssessmentforCalifornia(ELPAC)

E. ELreclassificationrateF. PercentageofpupilswhohavepassedanAPexamwithascoreof3orhigherG. Percentageofpupilswhoparticipateinanddemonstratecollegepreparedness

pursuanttotheEarlyAssessmentProgram(E.C.§99300etseq.)oranysubsequentassessmentofcollegepreparedness

SUBPRIORITYA–CAASPP:ELA/LITERACYANDMATHEMATICS


IncreasethepercentageofstudentsscoringProficient(StandardMet)ontheCAASPPinELA/Mathby1%annuallybothschoolwideandbynumericallysignificantsubgroup(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged).


1. Schoolwillpurchasecommoncorealignedinstructionalmaterials.2. Schoolwillimplementcommoncorealignedbenchmark

assessments.3. TeacherswillreceiveProfessionalDevelopmentontheCCSSto

ensureclassroominstructionmeetstherigorsoftheCommonCore.


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4. ProvideacademicinterventionandsupportsthroughtheSSTprocessasdescribedinthispetition.

SUBPRIORITYB–API

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Currently,thereisnoAPI,andfuturelegislationlikelytoeliminateAPI.

ACTIONSTOACHIEVEGOAL N/A

SUBPRIORITYC–COLLEGE&CAREERREADY

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY NotApplicable

ACTIONSTOACHIEVEGOAL NotApplicable

SUBPRIORITYD–ELPROFICIENCYRATES


ELstudentswilladvanceatleastoneperformancelevelontheCELDTeachacademicyear.


ELstudentswillreceivein-classinstructionalsupport,whichmayinclude1-on-1teachersupports;smallgroupinstruction;useofSDAIEandELDinstructionalstrategies.

SUBPRIORITYE–ELRECLASSIFICATIONRATES


ELstudentswillbereclassifiedasFluentEnglishProficientannuallyandperformatgradelevelontheCAASPP/SBAC.


ELstudentswillreceivein-classinstructionalsupport,whichmayinclude1-on-1teachersupports;smallgroupinstruction;useofSDAIEandELDinstructionalstrategies.

STATEPRIORITY#5—STUDENTENGAGEMENTPupilengagement,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. SchoolattendanceratesB. ChronicabsenteeismratesC. Middleschooldropoutrates(EC§52052.1(a)(3))D. HighschooldropoutratesE. Highschoolgraduationrates

SUBPRIORITYA–STUDENTATTENDANCERATES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY SchoolwillincreaseADAannually.

ACTIONSTOACHIEVE Schoolwillprovideasafe,nurturingandengaginglearningenvironment


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GOAL forallitsstudentsandfamilies,includingallsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged)enrolled;parents/familieswillbeengagedthroughouttheyear.

SUBPRIORITYB–STUDENTABSENTEEISMRATES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Schoolwillcontinuetodecreasestudentabsenteeismrates.


Studentsandparentswillbeinformedoftheschool’sattendancepolicyasoutlinedintheParent/studenthandbookdisseminatedatthebeginningofeachschoolyear.

SUBPRIORITYC–MIDDLESCHOOLDROPOUTRATES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY CharterSchoolwillretainandpromote98%ofgrade6-8students.


Offeracademicallyengaginglearningenvironmentsforallstudentsincludingsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged).

STATEPRIORITY#6—SCHOOLCLIMATESchoolclimate,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. PupilsuspensionratesB. PupilexpulsionratesC. Otherlocalmeasures,includingsurveysofpupils,parents,andteachersonthesenseof

safetyandschoolconnectednessSUBPRIORITYA–PUPILSUSPENSIONRATES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Schoolwillmaintainsuspensionratesbelow5%.


ContinuetoimplementAdvisoryCoursewithafocusonRestorativeJustice,Social-emotionalCounselingandCrossOrganizationSupportTeam(COST).SchoolwillassessSuspension&Expulsionpoliciesannually.

SUBPRIORITYB–PUPILEXPULSIONRATES

GOALTOACHIEVESUBPRIORITY Schoolwillmaintainexpulsionratesbelow1%.


ContinuetoimplementAdvisoryCoursewithafocusonRestorativeJustice,Social-emotionalCounselingandCrossOrganizationSupportTeam(COST).SchoolwillassessSuspension&Expulsionpoliciesannually.

SUBPRIORITYC–OTHERSCHOOLSAFETYANDSCHOOLCONNECTEDNESSMEASURES(SURVEYS)


Students,familiesandschoolcommunitywillfeelasenseofsafetyandconnectedness.


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ACTIONSTOACHIEVEGOAL Schoolwilladministerannualstudentsurveys.

STATEPRIORITY#7—COURSEACCESSTheextenttowhichpupilshaveaccessto,andareenrolledin,abroadcourseofstudy,includingprogramsandservicesdevelopedandprovidedtounduplicatedstudents(classifiedasEL,FRPM-eligible,orfosteryouth;E.C.§42238.02)andstudentswithexceptionalneeds.“Broadcourseofstudy”includesthefollowing,asapplicable:Grades1-6:English,mathematics,socialsciences,science,visualandperformingarts,health,physicaleducation,andotherasprescribedbythegoverningboard.(E.C.§51210)Grades7-12:English,socialsciences,foreignlanguage(s),physicaleducation,science,mathematics,visualandperformingarts,appliedarts,andcareertechnicaleducation.(E.C.§51220(a)-(i))


Students,includingallstudentsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged,andStudentswithDisabilities)willhaveaccesstoacademicandeducationalprogramasoutlinedintheschool’scharter.


TheCharterSchoolwilldesignitsmasterscheduletomeettheneedsofitsstudentsusingpriorstudentacademicperformance.MasterschedulewillfocusonCommonCoreStateStandards,andincludeAdvisoryandinterventions,asnecessary.

STATEPRIORITY#8—OTHERSTUDENTOUTCOMESPupiloutcomes,ifavailable,inthesubjectareasdescribedabovein#7,asapplicable.

SUBPRIORITYA–ENGLISH


60%ofstudentsincludingsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged,andStudentswithDisabilities)willachievegrowthbetweeneachbenchmarkassessment.


AllstudentswillparticipateintheLiteracyFrameworkforReadingandWriting,smallgroupinstruction,peertutorialsupport,readinginterventionprogram,orallanguageskills,andcollaborationwithteacherstosupportstudent-learninggoals.

SUBPRIORITYB–MATHEMATICS




AllstudentswillparticipateinIntegratedPathwaysCommonCorealignedmath,includingsmallgroupinstruction,peertutorialsupport,incollaborationwithteacherstosupportstudent-learninggoals.


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ELEMENT2:MEASURABLESTUDENTOUTCOMES“Themeasurablestudentoutcomesidentifiedforusebythecharterschool.‘Studentoutcomes’meanstheextenttowhichallstudentsoftheschooldemonstratethattheyhaveattainedtheskills,knowledge,andattitudesspecifiedasgoalsintheschool’seducationalprogram.Pupiloutcomesshallincludeoutcomesthataddressincreasesinpupilacademicachievementbothschoolwideandforallgroupsofpupilsservedbythecharterschool,asthattermisdefinedinsubparagraph(B)ofparagraph(3)ofsubdivision(a)ofSection47607.Thepupiloutcomesshallalignwiththestatepriorities,asdescribedinsubdivision(d)ofSection52060,thatapplyforthegradelevelsserved,orthenatureoftheprogramoperated,bythecharterschool.”EducationCode§47605(b)(5)(B).AllstudentsatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillhaveaccesstoandengageinarigorous,commoncorealignededucationalprogram.REALMCharterMiddleSchool,allstudentswillprogressandreachproficiency.Thisincludesstudentswhoachieveat,above,orbelowgradelevel,areEnglishLearners,orwhohaveidentifieddisabilitiesandusetheiraccommodationsandmodificationsasoutlinedintheirIEP’s.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolhasclearlydefinedschoolwideandstudentoutcomegoalsincompliancewithCaliforniaEducationCodesections47605(b)(5)(B)and52060(d).ThefollowingtabledelineatesREALMCharterMiddleSchool’smeasurableoutcomesthatalignwiththeEightStatePrioritiesandtheschool’sgoalsandactionstoachievetheEightStatePriorities,asidentifiedinElement1ofthischarter(AppendixD).AccomplishmentsineachofthegoalsandoutcomesdirectlysupportourmissiontoprovideeveryREALMCharterMiddleSchoolstudentwithanequitable,nurturing,andeffectivelearningenvironmentthatpromotesthedevelopmentof21stcenturyskills:criticalthinking,effectivecommunication,creativityandcollaboration,withamulticulturalperspectiveandcorevaluesessentialforacademicandlifetimesuccess.

CHARTERELEMENT2:MEASURABLEPUPILOUTCOMESCHARTERSCHOOLOUTCOMESTHATALIGNWITHTHESTATEPRIORITIES

Pursuant to Education Code Section 47605(b)(5)(B), following is a table describing REALMCharter Middle School’s outcomes that align with the state priorities and REALM CharterMiddleSchool’sgoalsandactionstoachievethestatepriorities,asidentifiedinElement1ofthecharter.The LCAP and any revisions necessary to implement the LCAP, including outcomes andmethods of measurement listed below, shall not be considered amaterial revision to thecharter,andshallbemaintainedbyREALMCharterMiddleSchoolattheschoolsite.

STATEPRIORITY#1—BASICSERVICES


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Thedegreetowhichteachersareappropriatelyassigned(E.C.§44258.9)andfullycredentialed,andeverypupilhassufficientaccesstostandards-alignedinstructionalmaterials(E.C.§60119),andschoolfacilitiesaremaintainedingoodrepair(E.C.§17002(d))

SUBPRIORITYA–TEACHERS

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

100%ofcoreteacherswillholdavalidCATeachingCredentialwithappropriateEnglishLearnerauthorizationasdefinedbytheCA.CommissiononTeachingCredentialing,andwillbeappropriatelyassigned.

METHODSOFMEASUREMENT

InitialandannualverificationofcoreteachercredentialasreportedbytheCA.CommissiononTeacherCredentialing;CALPADSreporting;andSchoolAccountabilityReportCard(SARC).

SUBPRIORITYB–INSTRUCTIONALMATERIALS

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

100%ofstudentswillhaveaccesstoCommonCorealignedmaterialsandadditionalinstructionalmaterialsasoutlinedinourcharterpetition.


ThePrincipalwillreviewallinstructionalmaterialsbeforepurchase;schoolmaintainedlistoftextbooksandsupplementalmaterials.

SUBPRIORITYC–FACILITIES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

1. Annually,90%ofFacilityInspectionchecklistswillbeincompliance/goodstanding.

2. 100%ofidentifiedRequiredCorrectionswillbecorrectedwithinthreemonths.

3. Dailycleanlinessspotcheckswillbeperformed.METHODSOFMEASUREMENT

1. AnnualFacilityInspectionReports2. SchoolAccountabilityReportCard(SARC)

STATEPRIORITY#2—IMPLEMENTATIONOFCOMMONCORESTATESTANDARDSImplementationofCommonCoreStateStandards,includinghowELstudentswillbeenabledtogainacademiccontentknowledgeandEnglishlanguageproficiency

SUBPRIORITYA–CCSSIMPLEMENTATION

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

Annually,100%ofteacherswillparticipateinongoingCCSSProfessionalDevelopment;and100%ofteacherswillfollowthroughwithCCSSimplementationintheirclassroom.


• ProfessionalDevelopmentAgendas• ProfessionalDevelopmentPlan• GradeLevelmeetingnotes• Classroomobservationdata• CommonCorealignedinstructionalmaterials

SUBPRIORITYB–ELSTUDENTS&ACADEMICCONTENTKNOWLEDGE


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MEASURABLEOUTCOME

Annually,100%ofELstudentswillgainacademiccontentknowledgethroughtheimplementationoftheCCSS.


• ELStudentPerformanceinCAASPPELA/Math• CELDTAssessment• DRAAssessment• CommonCorealignedbenchmarkassessments• Formative&SummativeCommonCorealignedAssessments• DevelopmentalReadingAssessment• WritingAssessments

SUBPRIORITYC–ELSTUDENTS&ENGLISHLANGUAGEPROFICIENCY

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

ELstudentswillprogressatleast1performancelevelannuallyontheCELDT.


• CELDTAssessments• TitleIIIAMAOReport• ELsubgroupperformanceonCAASPP• Formative&SummativeAssessments• LiteracyBenchmarkAssessments• ProfessionalDevelopmentAgenda

STATEPRIORITY#3—PARENTALINVOLVEMENTParentalinvolvement,includingeffortstoseekparentinputformakingdecisionsforschools,andhowtheschoolwillpromoteparentparticipation

SUBPRIORITYA–ACHIEVING/MAINTAININGPARENTALINVOLVEMENT

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Parentattendanceatannualorientation.


• Sign-insheets• Parent/studenthandbook

SUBPRIORITYB–PROMOTINGPARENTPARTICIPATION

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

ParticipationinSchoolSiteCouncil(SSC),EnglishLanguageAdvisoryCouncil(ELAC);and/orREALMParentAlliance(RPA).


• MeetingAgenda&Minutescommittee(ELAC/SSC/RPA)meetings• Sign-insheets• ParentSurveyresults

SUBPRIORITYC–PARENTSURVEYS

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Ensureatleast25%offamiliescompleteannualparent/familysurveys.


ResultsfromParentSurveyswillbesharedwithallstakeholdersatthebeginningoftheschoolyear


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STATEPRIORITY#4—STUDENTACHIEVEMENTPupilachievement,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. CaliforniaAssessmentofStudentPerformanceandProgress(CAASPP)statewideassessment

B. TheAcademicPerformanceIndex(API)C. PercentageofpupilswhohavesuccessfullycompletedcoursesthatsatisfyUC/CSU

entrancerequirements,orcareertechnicaleducationD. PercentageofELswhomakeprogresstowardEnglishlanguageproficiencyas

measuredbytheCaliforniaEnglishLanguageDevelopmentTest(CELDT)and/orEnglishLanguageProficiencyAssessmentforCalifornia(ELPAC)

E. ELreclassificationrateF. PercentageofpupilswhohavepassedanAPexamwithascoreof3orhigherG. Percentageofpupilswhoparticipateinanddemonstratecollegepreparedness

pursuanttotheEarlyAssessmentProgram(E.C.§99300etseq.)oranysubsequentassessmentofcollegepreparedness

SUBPRIORITYA–CAASPP:ELA/LITERACYANDMATHEMATICS

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

2015CAASPPELA&Mathassessmentresultswillservetoestablishabaselineforgrowthtargets.IncreasethepercentageofstudentsscoringProficient(StandardMet)ontheCAASPPinELA/Mathby1%annuallybothschoolwideandbynumericallysignificantsubgroup(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged).

METHODSOFMEASUREMENT • CAASPPResults

SUBPRIORITYB–API

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

Currently,thereisnoAPI,andfuturelegislationlikelytoeliminateAPI.


N/A

SUBPRIORITYC–COLLEGE&CAREERREADY

MEASURABLEOUTCOME NotApplicable

METHODSOFMEASUREMENT NotApplicable

SUBPRIORITYD–ELPROFICIENCYRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

ELstudentswillprogressatleastoneperformancelevelannuallyusingtheCELDT.

METHODSOF • ELSubgroupperformanceonCAASPP


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MEASUREMENT • CELDTResults• Pre/PostLiteracyAssessments• TitleIIIAMAOReportSUBPRIORITYE–ELRECLASSIFICATIONRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

IncreaseELreclassificationratesannuallyandensureacademicperformanceatgradelevel.


• AnalysisofCELDTresults• CAASPPAssessments• LiteracyAssessments

STATEPRIORITY#5—STUDENTENGAGEMENTPupilengagement,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. SchoolattendanceratesB. ChronicabsenteeismratesC. Middleschooldropoutrates(EC§52052.1(a)(3))D. HighschooldropoutratesE. Highschoolgraduationrates

SUBPRIORITYA–STUDENTATTENDANCERATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME SchoolwillincreaseADAannually.


• DailyAttendanceRecords• ADAreports

SUBPRIORITYB–STUDENTABSENTEEISMRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Schoolwillcontinuetodecreasestudentabsenteeismrates.


• AttendanceRecords• COSTReferrals

SUBPRIORITYC–MIDDLESCHOOLDROPOUTRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME CharterSchoolwillretainandpromote98%ofgrade6-8students.


Offeracademicallyengaginglearningenvironmentsforallstudentsincludingsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged).

STATEPRIORITY#6—SCHOOLCLIMATESchoolclimate,asmeasuredbyallofthefollowing,asapplicable:

A. PupilsuspensionratesB. PupilexpulsionratesC. Otherlocalmeasures,includingsurveysofpupils,parents,andteachersonthesenseof


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safetyandschoolconnectednessSUBPRIORITYA–PUPILSUSPENSIONRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Schoolwillmaintainsuspensionratesbelow5%.


• CALPADSReporting• SARCReport

SUBPRIORITYB–PUPILEXPULSIONRATES

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Schoolwillmaintainexpulsionratesbelow1%.


• CALPADSReporting• SARCReport

SUBPRIORITYC–OTHERSCHOOLSAFETYANDSCHOOLCONNECTEDNESSMEASURES(SURVEYS)

MEASURABLEOUTCOME Student,andparentsatisfactionof75%.

METHODSOFMEASUREMENT • Parentandstudentannualsurveys

STATEPRIORITY#7—COURSEACCESSTheextenttowhichpupilshaveaccessto,andareenrolledin,abroadcourseofstudy,includingprogramsandservicesdevelopedandprovidedtounduplicatedstudents(classifiedasEL,FRPM-eligible,orfosteryouth;E.C.§42238.02)andstudentswithexceptionalneeds.“Broadcourseofstudy”includesthefollowing,asapplicable:Grades1-6:English,mathematics,socialsciences,science,visualandperformingarts,health,physicaleducation,andotherasprescribedbythegoverningboard.(E.C.§51210)Grades7-12:English,socialsciences,foreignlanguage(s),physicaleducation,science,mathematics,visualandperformingarts,appliedarts,andcareertechnicaleducation.(E.C.§51220(a)-(i))

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

100%ofstudentsincludingallsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged,andStudentswithDisabilities)willhaveaccesstoacademicandeducationalprogramasoutlinedintheschool’scharter.

METHODSOFMEASUREMENT • MasterSchedule

STATEPRIORITY#8—OTHERSTUDENTOUTCOMESPupiloutcomes,ifavailable,inthesubjectareasdescribedabovein#7,asapplicable.

SUBPRIORITYA–ENGLISH

MEASURABLEOUTCOME

60%ofstudentsincludingallsubgroups(Hispanic,ELL,SocioeconomicallyDisadvantaged,andStudentswithDisabilities)will


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achievegrowthbetweeneachbenchmarkassessment.METHODSOFMEASUREMENT • Benchmarkassessments–administered3times/year

SUBPRIORITYB–MATHEMATICS

MEASURABLEOUTCOME


METHODSOFMEASUREMENT • Benchmarkassessments–administered3times/year


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ELEMENT3:METHODSOFMEASUREMENT“Themethodbywhichpupilprogressinmeetingthosepupiloutcomesistobemeasured.Totheextentpracticable,themethodformeasuringpupiloutcomesforstateprioritiesshallbeconsistentwiththewayinformationisreportedonaschoolaccountabilityreportcard.”EducationCode§47605(b)(5)(C).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshalladheretoallstatetestingrequirements,includingprovisionsofAB484/2012andanyrevisionsofEducationCodethatareapplicabletocharterschools.AsestablishedintheprevioussectionREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillbeutilizingdiverseassessmentsthatarealignedwiththecurriculumandinstructionalprogram,compliantwithstateexpectations.Theywillbeadministeredaccordingtotheassessmentcyclebelow.

ASSESSMENTSREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwilladministerallstatewidestandardsandwillconductpupilstateassessmentsrequiredpursuanttoEducationCodeSection60605and60851andanyotherstatewidestandardsauthorizedinstatueorpupilassessmentsapplicabletopupilsinnon-charterpublicschools.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolcertifiesthatitspupilswillparticipateinthestate-mandatedtestinginthesamemannerasotherDistrictstudents.Duringallstateassessmentsadministered,ELandSpecialEducationstudentswillreceiveallaccommodationsdesignatedtothemasstatedintheirELand/orIEP/504plans.REPORTINGOFDATAREALMCharterMiddleSchoolisheldaccountableformeetingstateandfederalmeasurablestudentoutcomeswithinaperformance-basedaccountabilitysystem.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillparticipateinallstate-mandatedtesting(CAASPP,CELDT,CAPA,CSTScience,PFT),developsanannualSARCReport,administersReportCards,holdsParent-TeacherConferencesandholdsLocalControlAccountabilityPlan(LCAP)meetingsasmethodstoinformallstakeholdersontheschool’sperformance.Parentsareabletoparticipateandprovideinputintheschool’seducationalprogram.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolusesouraccountabilitydataasameansofevaluatingtheeffectivenessof,andneedfor,newprograminitiatives.

ASSESSMENT GRADES DESCRIPTION SCHEDULECAASPP/SBAC 648 State9Mandated ANNUALLYCST:9Science 8 State9Mandated ANNUALLYPhysical9Fitness9Test9(PFT) 7 State9Mandated ANNUALLYCELDT 648 State9Mandated ANNUALLYDRA9(Reading9Assessment) 648 Local9Assessment ANNUALLYMath9Placement 648 Local9Assessment ANNUALLYInterim9Common9Core9aligned9Assessments 648 Local9Assessment 39times/yearCommon9Core9aligned9Benchmark9 648 Local9Assessment 39times/yearPortfolios 8 Local9Assessment End9of9Year


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ThePrincipalpresentsateachgoverningboardmeetingonenrollment,attendance,studentachievement,professionaldevelopment,andissuespertainingtotheschool.


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ELEMENT4:GOVERNANCESTRUCTURE“Thegovernancestructureoftheschool,including,butnotlimitedto,theprocesstobefollowedbytheschooltoinsureparentalinvolvement.”EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(D).NON-PROFITSTATUSREALMCharterSchoolswilloperateasaCaliforniapublicbenefitcorporationwithIRS501c3status.TherewillbeonegoverningBoardofDirectorsandonenonprofitpublicbenefitcorporationgoverningboththeREALMCharterMiddleSchoolandREALMCharterHighSchool.BOARDRESPONSIBILITIESTheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolBoardofDirectorswillberesponsibleforthefollowingactivities:

1. DevelopannualgoalsfortheschoolandlongrangeplanintheformoftheLocalControlAccountabilityPlan(LCAP)withinputfromtheDirector,teachers,andREALMParentAlliance(RPA).

2. Establishthejobdescription,goals,responsibilities,andevaluationfortheschoolExecutiveDirector.

3. Approveallmajorcontractsover$5000.004. Approvetheschool’sannualbudgetandoverseeingtheschool’sfiscalaffairs.5. AssessREALMacademicgoals,statetestingdata,studentprogress,financialstatus.6. TheBoardofDirectorsistheresponsibleagentfortheaccountabilityrequirements

establishedbytheCaliforniaCharterSchoolsActof1992andtheschool’sCharter.Asapartofthisresponsibility,theboardwillsubmitayearlyprogrammaticperformancereviewtotheBUSD,includinganassessmentoftheschool’seducationalperformanceanditsadministrativeandfinancialfitness.Thisreportwillalsoassesshowwelltheschoolisfulfillingtheprogramsoutlinedinthischarter,specificallyregardingstudentprogress.

7. Receivereportsfrom,andproviderecommendationsto,theREALMDirectorandkeyadministrativestaff.

8. Hiring,discipline,anddismissalofallemployeesuponrecommendationoftheDirector.9. ParticipateininternaldisputeresolutioninaccordancewithschoolUniformComplaint

Policy.10. Negotiateasapplicablewithbargainingrepresentatives.

GOVERNANCESTRUCTURETheBoardofDirectorsmaybecomprisedofeducators,researchers,communitymembers,businessexperts,parents,andlawyers,withthedesiredmixofexperienceandexpertisetoensurethattheBoardofDirectorspossessesthenecessaryskillsfortheschool’ssuccess.ThresholdscreeningcriteriaforallprospectivemembersoftheBoardofDirectorswillbeademonstratedunderstandingofthemissionandvisionofREALMCharterMiddleSchoolandaninterestinservingthecharterschool’stargetstudentpopulation.Otherrelevantcriteriafor


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BoardselectionincludeademonstratedabilitytoactinaleadershipcapacityandacommitmenttodiligentlyfulfilltheirresponsibilitiesasBoardmembers,includingawillingnesstoroutinelyattendBoardmeetings,toactivelyparticipateinBoardworkinggroupsand/orcommittees,andotherwaystoengageinoverseeingtheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolprogram.TheBoardofDirectorshasultimateresponsibilitytooverseetheprogramtoensuretheschool’ssuccess;however,theREALMCharterMiddleSchoolDirector,Principal,andteacherswillcarryouttheday-to-dayoperationsoftheschool.TheDirectorwillberesponsibleforimplementingpolicy,overseeingoperations,andcarryingouttheprovisionsofthecharterandtheBoard’sdirectives.TheteachingfacultywillworkcloselywiththePrincipaltoimplementtheeducationalprogram.TheDirectorwillberesponsibleforhiring,evaluating,andterminatingallprincipalsandkeyadministrativestaff.TheBoardofDirectorswillbecomprisedofbetween5and7votingmemberswithlegal,data,financial,educational,andpedagogicalexpertise.ELECTION,TERM,RECUSAL,&REMOVALPROCESSTheBoardmemberswillbechosenusingthefollowingmethodology:

1. Eachfall,theBoardofDirectorswillacceptnominationsofcandidatestoserveontheBoardofDirectors.Parents,teachers,students,andcommunitymembersinterestedinservingontheschool’sboardwillhaveanopportunitytogivebrief,five-minutepresentationsregardingtheirqualifications.

2. Thethen-seatedBoardofDirectorswilldeterminetheselectionprocessforfillinganyopenparent,teacher,student,andcommunitymemberseatswithanattempttoachievethedesiredmixofskillsandexpertisenecessarytoeffectivelygovernthecharterschool.

3. Inordertoensureconfidentialityinpersonnelmatters,paidstaffthatserveontheBoardwilldisclosetheirconflictsandrecusethemselvesfrommattersdecidingtheirownorotherssalariesorhandlingpersonneldecisionsinvolvingotheremployeesorevaluationofotheremployees.ThedisclosureandrecusalshallbereflectedontheminutesfortheBoardmeeting.

Toestablishcontinuityandsustainabilityforthecharterschool’slong-termsuccess,membersoftheBoardofDirectorswillservethreeyearsinstaggeredterms.Tocreatethestaggeredeffect,theBoardofDirectorsintheopeningyearwillbeelectedtoone,two,andthree-yearterms.REALMBoardmembersorothermembersoftheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolcommunitymayrecommendtheremovalofaboardmemberpursuanttotheBoardofDirectors’removalpolicyandprocedurethatwillbesetforthintheschool’sbylaws.


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STRUCTUREOFTHEBOARDTheBoardofDirectorsfollowstheBrownActandmeetsroutinely.(Expulsionhearingsandotherconfidentialgovernancematterswillbeheldinclosedsession,unlessopensessionisrequestedbytheparentofthechildinquestion,accordingtocurrentlaw).Theboardwillappointamemberaschairperson,andothersassecretaryandtreasurer(ChiefFinancialOfficer).Thesecretarywilltakeandkeepmeetingnotesandberesponsiblefordistributingtheagendainatimelymanner.Twoweeksbeforeeachboardmeeting,thesecretarywillsendoutarequestforagendaitems.Theschool’sDirectorandanymemberoftheBoardofDirectorsmayrequestthatanitembeplacedontheagenda,withultimatediscretiontosettheagendabeingheldbythechairperson.TheagendaforaboardmeetingwillbeemailedtoallBoardofDirectorsmemberspriortothemeeting.Theagendamayalsobepostedontheschoolwebsiteandwillbepostedinhardcopyonthecommunitybulletinboardattheschoolsite.Thetreasurerwillberesponsibleforoverseeingthefiscalsituationofthecharterschool,andwillprovideguidancetotheschool’sprimaryfiscalemployeetoensurethatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolisoperatinginafiscallysolventmanner.BYLAWSAsetofbylaws,reflectingthegovernancestructuredescribedherein,isbeingdraftedbyacommitteeofelectedboardmembers,whowillsubmitthebylawstothefullBoardofDirectorsforconsiderationandapproval(AppendixE).BOARDTRAINING&SUSTAINABILITYREALMCharterSchooliscommittedtocontinuousimprovementandon-goingtrainingtoassisttheBoardofDirectorsinfulfillingitsresponsibilitiestoactasstewardsforthecharterschool.Tothisend,theBoardwillseekappropriatetrainingandeducationalopportunities,bothasafullBoardandindividually.Suchtrainingexperiencesmayincludefull-boardtrainingsessionswithlegalcounselorotherexpertsfamiliarwithpublicschoolgovernance,and/ortrainingsessionswithcharterschoolgovernanceexperts.TrainingandeducationfornewBoardmemberswillalsobecriticaltoensurethatthesenewmembersfullygrasptheirresponsibilitiesasBoardmembersanddeveloptherequisiteexpertiseinpublicschooloversightandmonitoringtobeeffective.Trainingwillalsoincludeaspecificfocusonidentifying,disclosing,andmitigatingconflicts-of-interest,includingbutnotlimitedtoboardmembers’responsibilitiesunderCaliforniaCorporationsCodesectionsandotherapplicableconflictsofinterestlawsthatrequireboardmemberstodiscloseconflicts-of-interest,reclusethemselvesfromvotingonconflictedtransactions,andboardmembers’obligationtoensureduediligenceinreviewofanyconflictedtransactions.TheCharterSchoolshallabidebyaconflictscodeadoptedinaccordancewiththePoliticalReformAct.TheCharterSchoolshallalsocomplywithGovernmentCodeSection1090exceptaswouldpreventemployeesfromholdingapositionontheBoardofDirectorsasdescribedabove.Whenactingonanemploymentcontractwhereanemployeeboardmemberhasafinancialconflictofinterest,theBoardshallcomplywiththePoliticalReformActandtheCorporationsCodeinproceeding.


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NewBoardmemberswillgothroughaninitialorientationandwillbegivenastipendtoattendsupplementaltrainingsessionsinareasofschooloversightwheretheyaredeficient.Theschoolwillensurethatinsurancepoliciesremaininplacetoprovideprotectionagainstgeneralliabilityandboarderrorsandomissions.VOLUNTEERS&PARENTACTIONCOMMITTEESREALMCharterMiddleSchoolbelievesfirmlythatactiveparent,student,andemployeeparticipationinschooloperationsandgovernancehelpsfosterapublicschool’slong-termsustainabilityasasuccessfulprogram.


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ELEMENT5:EMPLOYEEQUALIFICATIONS“Thequalificationstobemetbyindividualstobeemployedbytheschool.”EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(E).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillensurethatalllegalqualificationrequirementswillbemetforteachers,staff,paraprofessionalsandotheradministrativeemployeesoftheschool.Eachcertificatedemployeeatthecharterschoolwillmeetthestatelicensingrequirementsforthepositionthathe/sheholds.Nostatelicensingrequirementsexistformostnon-certificatedpositions.Forallpositions,certificatedandnon-certificated,theemployee,atminimum,needstosatisfactorilymeettheperformancespecificationsrequiredforthepositionandmustpossessthequalificationsrequiredtoperformtheessentialfunctionsoftheposition,asdeterminedbytheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolboardand/ortheDirector.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwilladheretotheNoChildLeftBehind(NCLB)requirementswithrespecttoteachersandparaprofessionalemployees.TeacherswillmeettherequirementsforemploymentasstipulatedbytheCaliforniaEducationCodesection47605(l).Teachersofcore,collegepreparatorysubjects(i.e.Englishlanguagearts,math,science,history/socialscience,specialeducation)willholdaCommissiononTeacherCredentialingcertificate,permit,orotherdocumentequivalenttothatwhichateacherinanon-charterpublicschoolwouldberequiredtohold.TEACHERSREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillemployteachingstaffholdingappropriateCaliforniateachingcertificates,permits,orotherdocumentsissuedbytheCommissiononTeacherCredentialinginaccordancewithEducationCodeSection47605(l).PursuanttotheteacherqualificationrequirementsundertheNoChildLeftBehindAct(NCLB),allREALMCharterMiddleSchoolteachersteachingcoresubjectswillbe“highlyqualified”asthattermisdefinedunderNCLBandfurtherdefinedbyCaliforniastateregulationsimplementingtheNCLBrequirements,asapplicabletocharterschoolssuchasREALMCharterMiddleSchool.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillcontinuetoprovidesupporttotheteachingstafftoensurethatallteachersare“highlyqualified”by;1)postingpositionsinatimelymanner,2)recruitingatlocalcollegesanduniversitiesthathavecredentialingprograms,3)provideBTSAtraining.EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR&PRINCIPAL

• ProfessionalAdministrativeCredentialand/orMastersDegreeinEducationorequivalent

• Atleastfiveyearsexperienceintheeducationfield• Management,administrativeandinstructionalexpertise• Curriculumimplementationexpertise• Experiencewithschoolbudgets• Willingnesstolearnaboutcharterschoolleadership


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CLASSIFIEDSTAFF

• Holdabachelor’sdegreeorhigher• Casemanagementexperienceofatleastfouryears• Bilingual(Spanishpreferred)• Conflictmediationtraining

OTHERSUPPORTSTAFFTheschoolwillseekadministrativeandoperationalstaffwithdemonstratedexperienceorexpertiseintheissuesandworktasksrequiredofthem.Thestaffwillbeprovidedprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiestoensurethattheyremainabreastofallrelevantchangesinlawsorotheroperationalrequirements.Allnon-instructionalstaffwillpossessexperienceandexpertiseappropriatefortheirpositionwithintheschoolasoutlinedintheschool’sstaffingplananditsadoptedpersonnelpolicies.


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ELEMENT6:HEALTH&SAFETYPOLICIES“Theproceduresthattheschoolwillfollowtoinsurethehealthandsafetyofpupilsandstaff."EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(F).Inordertoprovidesafetyforallstudentsandstaff,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolimplementsfullhealthandsafetyproceduresandriskmanagementpoliciesatourschoolsiteinconsultationwithitsinsurancecarriersandriskmanagementexperts.ThesepoliciesareincorporatedintotheCharterSchool’sstudentandstaffhandbooksandarereviewedonanongoingbasisbythePrincipal,ExecutiveDirectorandBoardofDirectors.TheCharterSchoolensuresthatstaffaretrainedannuallyonthehealthandsafetypolicies.Acompletecopyofsuchpoliciesisavailableuponrequest.ThefollowingisasummaryofthehealthandsafetypoliciesatREALMCharterMiddleSchool.HEALTH,SAFETY,EMERGENCYPLAN

• Drillscalendared:Alldrills(earthquake,firedrill)willbecalendaredonceperquartertoensureteachers,staffandstudentsunderstandandknowtheproperemergencyprotocols

• Fire/Earthquake/EmergencyEvacuationDrill/Plan:TherewillbeacomprehensiveemergencyplanincludingbutnotlimitedtospecificpolicyandproceduresforFire/Earthquake/EmergencyEvacuation/LockDownplans.

• Trainings:Allstaffandteacherswillbetrainedtoperformbasicfirstaidandcprtechniques,andwillbetrainedinmandatedreportingforchildabuseannuallybeforethestartoftheyear.

• Supplies:Schoolsitewillbeequippedwiththeappropriatesupplies.• Travelingto/fromcampuswithstaff:Allstaffandteacherswillbeproperlytrainedon

safetyprocedureswhentravelingtoandfromtheschoolsite.Thistrainingwillinclude,butnotlimitedto,saferoutesoftravel,proceduresforcrossingthestreet,andbuddysystemstoensurestudentsafety.

FAMILYEDUCATIONALRIGHTS&PRIVACYACT(FERPA)AllsiteemployeeswillactaccordingtoFERPAActprotectingtheprivacyofstudenteducationrecords.

• StudentPrivacyStatementandVolunteerConfidentialityagreement:Annuallystaff,volunteersandOfficeAideswillsignaconfidentialityagreementcommittedtoprotectingtheprivacyofstudenteducationrecords.

• Email/WrittenCorrespondence:Allstaffmembersandteacherswillabidebystateandfederallawsexcludingpersonalidentifiersinsubjectheadings,postinggradespublicallyorengaginginanyotherbehaviorthatmaybeabreachofconfidentiality.

• EmployeesandVolunteers• CriminalBackgroundCheckandFingerprinting:Allstaffmembersandteacherswill

undergocriminalbackgroundchecksandfingerprintinginaccordancewithstatelaw


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• TBtesting:AllemployeesmustsubmitandmaintainTBclearance.• Leadorganizersofpartneringorganizations:Leadorganizersofpartneringorganizations

whomayworkclosingalongsidestudentswillsubmitcriminalbackgroundchecksandlivescanfingerprints.

• Parent/StudentVolunteers:Itwillbeensuredthatthosewhoarenotrequiredtosubmitacriminalbackgroundcheckandfingerprintswillnotbeleftalonewithstudents.

IMMUNIZATIONS,HEALTHSCREENINGS,MEDICALRECORDS

• Immunizationrecords:Parents/guardianswillberequiredtosubmitany/allimmunizationrecords,updatedorotherwise.Submittingrecordswillbeaconditionofschoolattendance.OfficemanagerwillmaintainpaperrecordsinMainOffice.

• Tdap/WhoopingCoughVaccineBooster:Familiesof6thgradestudentswillbenoticedinQuarter4thatstudentsenteringoradvancingtogrades7-12arerequiredtoshowproofofimmunizationwithapertussis(whoopingcough)vaccinebooster.Familieswillalsobeinformedpriortothestartoftheschoolyear,andatthestartoftheschoolandongoingoftherequirement,makingproofofTdapaconditionofattendingschool.

• Vision,Hearing,Scoliosisscreenings:Schoolsitewillprovideallscreeningsincluding,butnotlimitedto,vision,hearingandscoliosisforappropriatestudentsatappropriategradelevels.

• Medicationform,oncampus:Annuallyparents/guardianswillcompleteaformallowingstudentstohaveoncampusandtakedesignatedmedication.MedicationthatmustremainoncampuswillbelocatedintheMainOfficemaintainedbytheOfficeManager

• Epinephrine,Glucagon:Officemanagersandpertinentstaffwillreceivetrainingsincluding,butnotlimitedtomediationadministrationforEpinephrineandGlucagon

• MedicalinformationandalertinPowerSchool:allmedicalinformationincludingbutnotlimitedtoallergies,immunizationsandmedicalconditionswillbeenteredintostudentdatasystemPowerschool.Inaddition,avisiblemedicalalertwillbeassignedtoany/everystudentwithspecificmedicalneeds.

• Lunchprogramandfoodvendor:Theschoolwillpartnerwithalunchvendorwhoprovidesoptionsandsubstitutesforcommonlyknownfoodallergiesandotherdietaryrestrictions.

• HealthandWellnesscourses:Allstudentswillparticipateinaphysicalactivityclassdaily.

SAFESPACE

• Visitor/Volunteer/SubstituteTeacherCheck-In:TheOfficeManagerwillrequireallvolunteers,visitorsandsubstosignin/outoftheCheck-Inbinderandwearavisible“Visitor”identifier.

• Signin/out:Toensurethesafetyandwhereaboutsofeachstudent,parents/guardiansandstudentswillberequiredtosigninandoutofthebinderinMainOffice.

• Attendance:Teachers/staffarerequiredtotakeattendancewithinthefirst20minutesofthestartooftheclasstoensureknownwhereaboutsofallstudents.


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• Takingclassoffcampus:Teachers/staffmustinformboththeOfficeManagerandtheprincipalofwheretheclasstheclassisgoingandthetimeofarrivalbacktocampus.Teachers/staffmustcompletethesign-outbinderwhenaclasswillbetakenoffcampus.

• Cameras:Theschoolsitewillbeequippedwithcamerasinhallwaysandatentrances/exitstoensurestudentsafety.

• Teacher/StaffProfessionalDevelopment:Teachersandstaffwillreceiveannualprofessionaldevelopmentandtrainingsfor,including,butnotlimitedRestorativeJustice,inclusivecommunities,andsexualharassmenttoimprovestudentbehaviorandbuildschoolculture.

• StudentandFamilyhandbook:StudentsandfamilieswillreceiveandbeexpectedtosigntheStudentandFamilyhandbookoutliningallexpectationsaroundstudentandcampushealthandsafety.

• Greetingstudents,Campussupervision:Beforeschool,duringlunchandatdismissaltime,staffwillbeavailableandsupervisingstudentstransitioningintoafterschoolprogramsorleavingcampus.


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ELEMENT7:RACIAL&ETHNICBALANCE“Themeansbywhichtheschoolwillachievearacialandethnicbalanceamongitspupilsthatisreflectiveofthegeneralpopulationresidingwithintheterritorialjurisdictionofthedistricttowhichthecharterpetitionissubmitted.”EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(G).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstrivestoachievearacialandethnicbalanceamongstitsstudentbodythatisreflectiveofthecommunityitserveswithintheterritorialjurisdictionoftheDistrict.ThefollowingisthemeansbywhichREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillaccomplishthisgoal:

1. Holdseveralinformationalmeetingsandschooltoursduringthewinterandspringofeachacademicyearforprospectivefamilies/students.

2. LocalSchoolrecruiting(EastbayMiddleSchool).3. Directmailingstoareafamiliesinformingthemoftheoptiontoapply.4. UseofSocialMediatoinformcommunity(Facebook,Twitter,BerkeleyParents,

Network,Kickstarter)5. UseofPrintMedia(BerkeleyTimes)


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ELEMENT8:ADMISSIONSREQUIREMENTS“Admissionrequirements,ifapplicable.”EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(H).TheCharterSchoolisnonsectarianinitsprograms,admissionpolicies,andallotheroperations,andwillnotchargetuitionnordiscriminateagainstanystudentbaseduponanyofthecharacteristicslistedinEducationCodeSection220.TheCharterSchoolshalladmitallpupilswhowishtoattendtheCharterSchool.NotestorassessmentshallbeadministeredtostudentspriortoacceptanceandenrollmentintotheCharterSchool.TheCharterSchoolwillcomplywithalllawsestablishingminimumandmaximumageforpublicschoolattendanceincharterschools.Admission,exceptinthecaseofapublicrandomdrawing,shallnotbedeterminedbytheplaceofresidenceofthepupilorhisorherparentorlegalguardianwithinthestate.TheCharterSchoolshallrequirestudentswhowishtoattendtheCharterSchooltocompleteanapplicationform.Afteradmission,studentswillberequiredtosubmitanenrollmentpacket,whichshallincludethefollowing:

1. Studentenrollmentform2. ProofofImmunization3. HomeLanguageSurvey4. CompletionofEmergencyMedicalInformationForm5. Proofofminimumagerequirements,e.g.birthcertificate6. Releaseofrecords

PUBLICRANDOMDRAWINGApplicationswillbeacceptedduringapubliclyadvertisedopenenrollmentperiodeachyearforenrollmentinthefollowingschoolyear.Followingtheopenenrollmentperiodeachyear,applicationsshallbecountedtodeterminewhetheranygradelevelhasreceivedmoreapplicationsthanavailability.Intheeventthatthishappens,theCharterSchoolwillholdapublicrandomdrawingtodetermineadmissionfortheimpactedgradelevel,withtheexceptionofexistingstudents,whoareguaranteedadmissioninthefollowingschoolyear.Admissionpreferencesinthecaseofapublicrandomdrawingshallbegiventothefollowingstudentsinthefollowingorder:

1. Siblingsofcurrentlyenrolledstudents2. StudentswhoresidewithintheBerkeleyUnifiedSchoolDistrict

Attheconclusionofthepublicrandomdrawing,allstudentswhowerenotgrantedadmissionduetocapacityshallbegiventheoptiontoputtheirnameonawaitinglistaccordingtotheirdrawinthelottery.Thiswaitinglistwillallowstudentstheoptionofenrollmentinthecaseofanopeningduringthecurrentschoolyear.Innocircumstancewillawaitinglistcarryovertothefollowingschoolyear.


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ELEMENT9:FINANCIALAUDITSThemanner,inwhichannual,independent,financialauditsshallbeconducted,whichshallemploygenerallyacceptedaccountingprinciples,andthemannerinwhichauditexceptionsanddeficienciesshallberesolvedtothesatisfactionofthecharteringauthority.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(I).AnannualindependentfinancialauditofthebooksandrecordsoftheCharterSchoolwillbeconductedasrequiredbyEducationCodeSections47605(b)(5)(I)and47605(m).ThebooksandrecordsoftheCharterSchoolwillbekeptinaccordancewithgenerallyacceptedaccountingprinciples,andasrequiredbyapplicablelaw,theauditwillemploygenerallyacceptedaccountingprocedures.TheauditshallbeconductedinaccordancewithapplicableprovisionswithintheCaliforniaCodeofRegulationsgoverningauditsofcharterschoolsaspublishedintheStateController’sK-12AuditGuide.TheCharterSchoolwillselectanindependentauditorthrougharequestforproposalformat.Theauditorwillhave,ataminimum,aCPAandeducationalinstitutionauditexperienceandwillbeapprovedbytheStateControlleronitspublishedlistasaneducationalauditprovider.Totheextentrequiredunderapplicablefederallaw,theauditscopewillbeexpandedtoincludeitemsandprocessesspecifiedinapplicableOfficeofManagementandBudgetCirculars.TheannualauditwillbecompletedandforwardedtotheDistrict,theCountySuperintendentofSchools,theStateController,andtotheCDEbythe15thofDecemberofeachyear.ThePrincipal,willreviewanyauditexceptionsordeficienciesandreporttotheCharterSchoolBoardofDirectorswithrecommendationsonhowtoresolvethem.TheBoardwillsubmitareporttotheDistrictdescribinghowtheexceptionsanddeficiencieshavebeenorwillberesolvedtothesatisfactionoftheDistrictalongwithananticipatedtimelineforthesame.AuditappealsorrequestsforsummaryreviewshallbesubmittedtotheEducationAuditAppealsPanel(“EAAP”)inaccordancewithapplicablelaw.TheindependentfinancialauditoftheCharterSchoolisapublicrecordtobeprovidedtothepublicuponrequest.


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ELEMENT10:SUSPENSION/EXPULSIONPROCESS“Theprocedurebywhichpupilscanbesuspendedorexpelled.”EducationCode.Section47605(b)(5)(J).ThisPupilSuspensionandExpulsionPolicy(“Policy”)forREALM(“School”)hasbeenestablishedinordertopromotelearningandprotectthesafetyandwell-beingofallstudents(AppendixH).WhenthePolicyisviolated,itmaybenecessarytosuspendorexpelastudentfromregularclassroominstruction.ThispolicyshallserveasREALMCharterMiddleSchool’spolicyandproceduresforstudentsuspensionandexpulsionanditmaybeamendedfromtimetotimewithouttheneedtoamendthechartersolongastheamendmentscomportwithlegalrequirements.Staffshallenforcedisciplinaryrulesandproceduresfairlyandconsistentlyamongstallstudents.ThePolicywillbeprintedanddistributedaspartoftheStudent/ParentHandbookandwillclearlydescribedisciplineexpectations.AcopyoftheSuspensionandExpulsionPolicycanbefoundinAppendixH.Disciplineincludes,butisnotlimitedto,advisingandcounselingstudents,conferringwithparents/guardians,detentionduringandafterschoolhours,communityserviceonoroffcampus,theuseofalternativeeducationalenvironments,suspensionandexpulsion.Corporalpunishmentshallnotbeusedasadisciplinarymeasureagainstanystudent.Corporalpunishmentincludesthewillfulinflictionof,orwillfullycausingtheinflictionof,physicalpainonastudent.ForpurposesofthePolicy,corporalpunishmentdoesnotincludeanemployee’suseofreasonableforcenecessarytoprotecttheemployee,students,stafforotherpersonsortopreventdamagetoschoolproperty.TheCharterSchooladministrationshallensurethatstudentsandtheirparents/guardiansarenotifiedinwritinguponenrollmentofalldisciplinepoliciesandprocedures.ThenoticeshallstatethatthesePolicyandAdministrativeProceduresareavailableonrequestattheDirector/Principal'soffice.Suspendedorexpelledstudentsshallbeexcludedfromallschoolandschool-relatedactivitiesunlessotherwiseagreedduringtheperiodofsuspensionorexpulsion.AstudentidentifiedasanindividualwithdisabilitiesorforwhomtheSchoolhasabasisofknowledgeofasuspecteddisabilitypursuanttotheIndividualswithDisabilitiesinEducationImprovementAct(“IDEIA”)orwhoisqualifiedforservicesunderSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973(“Section504”)issubjecttothesamegroundsforsuspensionandexpulsionandisaccordedthesamedueprocessproceduresapplicabletoregulareducationstudentsexceptwhenfederalandstatelawmandatesadditionalordifferentprocedures.TheSchoolwillfollowSection504,theIDEA,theAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(“ADA”)andallapplicablefederalandstatelawswhenimposinganyformofdisciplineonastudentidentifiedasanindividualwithdisabilitiesorforwhomtheSchoolhasabasisofknowledgeofa


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suspecteddisabilityorwhoisotherwisequalifiedforsuchservicesorprotectionsinaccordingdueprocesstosuchstudents.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallnotifyBerkeleyUnifiedSchoolDistrictofthesuspensionofanystudentidentifiedundertheIDEIA(orforwhomtheremaybeabasisofknowledgeofthesame)orasastudentwithadisabilityunderSection504andwouldgranttheDistrictapprovalrightspriortotheexpulsionofanysuchstudentaswell.


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ELEMENT11:EMPLOYEERETIREMENTSYSTEMSThemannerbywhichstaffmembersofthecharterschoolswillbecoveredbytheStateTeachers’RetirementSystem,thePublicEmployees’RetirementSystem,orfederalsocialsecurity.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(K).EligibleREALMCharterMiddleSchoolcertificatedstaffcanparticipateintheStateTeachersRetirementSystem(STRS),asapplicabletotheposition,andmakecontributionstotheSTRS.AnyemployeenoteligibleforSTRSshallparticipateinthefederalsocialsecurityprogram,includingclassifiedstaff.ThePrincipalisresponsibleforensuringthatallrequireddeductionsandcontributionsaremade.


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ELEMENT12:PUBLICSCHOOLATTENDANCEALTERNATIVESThepublicschoolattendancealternativesforpupilsresidingwithintheschooldistrictwhochoosenottoattendcharterschools.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(L).NostudentmayberequiredtoattendtheCharterSchool.StudentswhoresidewithintheDistrictwhochoosenottoattendtheCharterSchoolmayattendschoolwithintheDistrictaccordingtoDistrictpolicyoratanotherschooldistrictorschoolwithintheDistrictthroughtheDistrict’sintraandinter-districtpolicies.ParentsandguardiansofeachstudentenrolledintheCharterSchoolwillbeinformedonadmissionsformsthatthestudentshavenorighttoadmissioninaparticularschoolofalocaleducationagencyasaconsequenceofenrollmentintheCharterSchool,excepttotheextentthatsucharightisextendedbythelocaleducationagency.


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ELEMENT13:EMPLOYEERETURNRIGHTSAdescriptionoftherightsofanyemployeeoftheschooldistrictuponleavingtheemploymentoftheschooldistricttoworkinacharterschool,andofanyrightsofreturntotheschooldistrictafteremploymentatacharterschool.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(M).NopublicschooldistrictemployeeshallberequiredtoworkatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolEmployeesoftheDistrictwhochoosetoleavetheemploymentoftheDistricttoworkatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillhavenoautomaticrightsofreturntotheDistrictafteremploymentbyREALMCharterMiddleSchoolunlessspecificallygrantedbytheDistrictthroughaleaveofabsenceorotheragreement.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolemployeesshallhaveanyrightuponleavingtheDistricttoworkintheCharterSchoolthattheDistrictmayspecify,anyrightsofreturntoemploymentinaschooldistrictafteremploymentintheschoolthattheDistrictmayspecify,andanyotherrightsuponleavingemploymenttoworkintheCharterSchoolthattheDistrictdeterminestobereasonableandnotinconflictwithanylaw.AllemployeesofREALMCharterMiddleSchoolareconsideredtheexclusiveemployeesoftheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolandnotoftheDistrict,unlessotherwisemutuallyagreedinwriting.SickorvacationleaveoryearsofservicecreditattheDistrictoranyotherschooldistrictwillnotbetransferredtoREALMCharterMiddleSchool.EmploymentbytheREALMCharterMiddleSchoolprovidesnorightsofemploymentatanyotherentity,includinganyrightsinthecaseofclosureoftheCharterSchool.


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ELEMENT14:DISPUTERESOLUTIONTheprocedurestobefollowedbythecharterschoolandtheentitygrantingthechartertoresolvedisputesrelatingtoprovisionsofthecharter.EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(N).TheCharterSchoolrecognizesthatitcannotbindtheDistricttoadisputeresolutionproceduretowhichtheDistrictdoesnotagree.Thepolicybelowisintendedasastartingpointforadiscussionofdisputeresolutionprocedures.TheCharterSchooliswillingtoconsiderchangestotheprocessoutlinebelowassuggestedbytheDistrict.TheCharterSchoolandtheDistrictwillbeencouragedtoattempttoresolveanydisputeswiththeDistrictamicablyandreasonablywithoutresortingtoformalprocedures.IntheeventofadisputebetweentheCharterSchoolandtheDistrict,CharterSchoolstaff,employeesandBoardmembersoftheCharterSchoolandtheDistrictagreetofirstframetheissueinwrittenformat(“disputestatement”)andtorefertheissuetotheDistrictSuperintendentorDesigneeandDirectoroftheCharterSchool.IntheeventthattheDistrictBoardofTrusteesbelievesthatthedisputerelatestoanissuethatcouldleadtorevocationofthecharterinaccordancewithEducationCodeSection47607,theCharterSchoolrequeststhatthisshallbenotedinthewrittendisputestatement,althoughitrecognizesitcannotlegallybindtheDistricttodoso.However,participationinthedisputeresolutionproceduresoutlinedinthissectionshallnotbeinterpretedtoimpedeoractasapre-requisitetotheDistrict’sabilitytoproceedwithrevocationinaccordancewithEducationCodeSection47607.TheDirectorandSuperintendentorDesigneeshallinformallymeetandconferinatimelyfashiontoattempttoresolvethedispute,notlaterthanfifteen(15)businessdaysfromreceiptofthedisputestatement.Intheeventthatthisinformalmeetingfailstoresolvethedispute,bothpartiesshallidentifytwoBoardmembersfromtheirrespectiveboardswhoshalljointlymeetwiththeSuperintendentorDesigneeandtheDirectoroftheCharterSchoolandattempttoresolvethedisputewithintwenty-five(25)businessdaysfromreceiptofthedisputestatement.Ifthisjointmeetingfailstoresolvethedispute,theSuperintendentorDesigneeandtheDirectorshallmeettojointlyidentifyaneutralthirdpartymediatortoengagethePartiesinamediationsessiondesignedtofacilitateresolutionofthedispute.TheformatofthemediationsessionshallbedevelopedjointlybytheSuperintendentorDesigneeandtheDirector.Mediationshallbeheldwithinseventy-five(75)businessdaysofreceiptofthedisputestatement.ThecostsofthemediatorshallbesplitequallybetweentheDistrictandtheCharterSchool.Ifmediationdoesnotresolvethedisputeeitherpartymaypursueanyotherremedyavailableunderthelaw.AlltimelinesandproceduresinthissectionmaybereviseduponmutualwrittenagreementoftheDistrictandtheCharterSchool.


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DISPUTESARISINGFROMWITHINTHESCHOOLREALMCharterMiddleSchoolrecognizesthatitisbearsprimaryresponsibilitytoaddressandresolveitsowndisputesthroughitsowninternalpoliciesandproceduresandwillseektominimizethenumberofinternalcomplainsanddisputesthatinvolvethedistrict.Disputesarisingfromwithintheschool,includingalldisputesamongandbetweenstudents,staff,parents,volunteers,advisors,andpartnerorganizationsandBoardofDirectorsmembersoftheschool,shallberesolvedbythecharterschoolandtheBoardofDirectorspursuanttopoliciesandproceduresdevelopedbythecharterschoolBoardofDirectors.TheseprocedureswillincludebothaformalUniformComplaintProcessaswellaslessformalprocessesdesignedtominimizethenumberandseverityofinternaldisputes,resolvethosedisputesthatdoariseinajustandexpeditiousfashion,andtoresolvedisputesatthelowestlevelpossiblewithintheorganization.


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ELEMENT15:PUBLICSCHOOLEMPLOYERAdeclarationwhetherornotthecharterschoolshallbedeemedtheexclusivepublicschoolemployeroftheemployeesofthecharterschoolforpurposesoftheEducationalEmploymentRelationsAct(Chapter10.7(commencingwithSection3540)ofDivision4ofTitle1oftheGovernmentCode).EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(O).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolistheexclusivepublicschoolemployerofallemployeesoftheCharterSchoolforcollectivebargainingpurposes.Assuch,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallcomplywithallprovisionsoftheEducationalEmploymentRelationsAct(“EERA”),andshallactindependentlyfromBerkeleyUnifiedSchoolDistrictforcollectivebargainingpurposes.InaccordancewiththeEERA,employeesmayjoinandberepresentedbyanorganizationoftheirchoiceforcollectivebargainingpurposes.CertificatedemployeesatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolhaveorganizedastheBerkeleyFederationofTeachers(BFT),anaffiliateofCaliforniaFederationofTeachers(AppendixG).REALMCharterMiddleSchool’sfirstcomprehensiveagreementwithBerkeleyFederationofTeachers,AFT,Local1078,AFL-CIOwassignedandcompletedonMay8,2015.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolanticipatesthatcertificatedemployeesofREALMCharterMiddleSchoolwilljoinBerkeleyFederationofTeachers,unlessotherwiseagreeduponbetweenREALMCharterMiddleSchoolandBerkeleyFederationofTeachers.CLASSIFIEDSTAFFREALMCharterMiddleSchoolistheexclusivepublicschoolemployeroftheemployeesoftheCharterSchoolforpurposesoftheEducationalEmploymentRelationsAct(“EERA”).REALMCharterMiddleSchoolshallcomplywiththeEERA.DISPUTERESOLUTIONThedisputeresolutionprocessforcertificatedemployeesatREALMCharterMiddleSchoolisdefinedbytheircollectivebargainingagreement.


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ELEMENT16:PROCEDURESFORCLOSUREGoverning Law: A description of the procedures to be used if the charter school closes. Theproceduresshallensureafinalauditoftheschooltodeterminethedispositionofallassetsandliabilitiesoftheschool,includingplansfordisposingofanynetassetsandforthemaintenanceandtransferofpupilrecords.(EducationCodeSection47605(b)(5)(P))ClosureoftheCharterSchoolwillbedocumentedbyofficialactionoftheBoardofDirectors.Theactionwillidentifythereasonforclosure.Theofficialactionwillalsoidentifyanentityandpersonorpersonsresponsibleforclosure-relatedactivities.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstaffwillpromptlynotifyparentsandstudentsoftheCharterSchool,theDistrict,theSanDiegoCountyOfficeofEducation,theCharterSchool’sSELPA,theretirementsystemsinwhichtheCharterSchool’semployeesparticipate(e.g.,PublicEmployees’RetirementSystem,StateTeachers’RetirementSystem,andfederalsocialsecurity),andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofEducationoftheclosureaswellastheeffectivedateoftheclosure.Thisnoticewillalsoincludethename(s)ofandcontactinformationfortheperson(s)towhomreasonableinquiriesmaybemaderegardingtheclosure;thepupils’schooldistrictsofresidence;andthemannerinwhichparents/guardiansmayobtaincopiesofpupilrecords,includingspecificinformationoncompletedcoursesandcreditsthatmeetgraduationrequirements.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstaffwillensurethatthenotificationtotheparentsandstudentsoftheCharterSchooloftheclosureprovidesinformationtoassistparentsandstudentsinlocatingsuitablealternativeprograms.ThisnoticewillbeprovidedpromptlyfollowingtheBoard'sdecisiontoclosetheCharterSchool.REALMCharterMiddleSchoolstaffwillalsodevelopalistofpupilsineachgradelevelandtheclassestheyhavecompleted,togetherwithinformationonthepupils’districtsofresidence,whichtheywillprovidetotheentityresponsibleforclosure-relatedactivities.Asapplicable,theCharterSchoolwillprovideparents,studentsandtheDistrictwithcopiesofallappropriatestudentrecordsandwillotherwiseassiststudentsintransferringtotheirnextschool.AlltransfersofstudentrecordswillbemadeincompliancewiththeFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(“FERPA”)20U.S.C.§1232g.TheCharterSchoolwillasktheDistricttostoreoriginalrecordsofCharterSchoolstudents.AllstudentrecordsoftheCharterSchoolshallbetransferredtotheDistrictuponCharterSchoolclosure.IftheDistrictwillnotorcannotstoretherecords,theCharterSchoolshallworkwiththeCountyOfficeofEducationtodetermineasuitablealternativelocationforstorage.Allpersonnelrecordswillbetransferredtoandmaintainedbytheentityresponsibleforclosure-relatedactivitiesinaccordancewithapplicablelaw.Assoonasreasonablypractical,theCharterSchoolwillpreparefinalfinancialrecords.


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TheCharterSchoolwillalsohaveanindependentauditcompletedwithinsixmonthsafterclosure.TheCharterSchoolwillpayforthefinalaudit.TheauditwillbepreparedbyaqualifiedCertifiedPublicAccountantselectedbytheCharterSchoolandwillbeprovidedtotheDistrictpromptlyuponitscompletion.Thefinalauditwillincludeanaccountingofallfinancialassets,includingcashandaccountsreceivableandaninventoryofproperty,equipment,andotheritemsofmaterialvalue,anaccountingoftheliabilities,includingaccountspayableandanyreductioninapportionmentsasaresultofauditfindingsorotherinvestigations,loans,andunpaidstaffcompensation,andanassessmentofthedispositionofanyrestrictedfundsreceivedbyorduetotheCharterSchool.TheCharterSchoolwillcompleteandfileanyannualreportsrequiredpursuanttoEducationCodesection47604.33.OnclosureoftheCharterSchool,allassetsoftheCharterSchool,includingbutnotlimitedtoallleaseholds,personalproperty,intellectualpropertyandallADAapportionmentsandotherrevenuesgeneratedbystudentsattendingtheCharterSchool,remainthesolepropertyoftheCharterSchooland,uponthedissolutionofthenon-profitpublicbenefitcorporation,shallbedistributedinaccordancewiththeArticlesofIncorporation.AnyassetsacquiredfromtheDistrictorDistrictpropertywillbepromptlyreturneduponCharterSchoolclosuretotheDistrict.Thedistributionshallincludereturnofanygrantfundsandrestrictedcategoricalfundstotheirsourceinaccordancewiththetermsofthegrantorstateandfederallaw,asappropriate,whichmayincludesubmissionoffinalexpenditurereportsforentitlementgrantsandthefilingofanyrequiredFinalExpenditureReportsandFinalPerformanceReports,aswellasthereturnofanydonatedmaterialsandpropertyinaccordancewithanyconditionsestablishedwhenthedonationofsuchmaterialsorpropertywasaccepted.Onclosure,theCharterSchoolshallremainsolelyresponsibleforallliabilitiesarisingfromtheoperationoftheCharterSchool.AstheCharterSchoolisoperatedbyanon-profitpublicbenefitcorporation,shouldthecorporationdissolvewiththeclosureoftheCharterSchool,theBoardwillfollowtheproceduressetforthintheCaliforniaCorporationsCodeforthedissolutionofanon-profitpublicbenefitcorporationandfileallnecessaryfilingswiththeappropriatestateandfederalagencies.AsspecifiedbytheBudgetinAppendixI,REALMCharterMiddleSchoolwillutilizethereservefundtoundertakeanyexpensesassociatedwiththeclosureproceduresidentifiedabove.


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APPENDIX A: LETTERS OF SUPPORT

APPENDIX B: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

APPENDIX C: DATA QUEST REPORT

APPENDIX D: LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN

APPENDIX E: BOARD BYLAWS & ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

APPENDIX F: UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

APPENDIX G: BERKELEY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AGREEMENT

APPENDIX H: SUSPENSION & EXPULSION POLICY

APPENDIX I: BUDGET, CASH FLOW & FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

charter renewal realm charter ms 100815 · • realm charter middle school shall meet all statewide...

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