Application for a Public School Charter: 2003-2004. ( Massachusetts Department of Education ) This document provides detailed guidelines for completing the application and describes the review process.

Charter School Application Guidelines 1998-1999. This document includes a description of what the D.C. Public Charter School Board requires in a charter application; a description of the two stage process used in reviewing applications to establish a school; and the charter school application scoring sheet and scoring rubrics used by reviewers.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, California Edition 6. ( 2002, April, Charter Schools Development Center ) Geared toward California school districts, county and state offices of education that grant charters and oversee charter schools, this tool kit includes sample documents from grantors in California and across the country regarding the charter review process, charter oversight and monitoring, and renewal.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, National Edition. ( 2000, December, Charter Schools Development Center ) Developed by the California Charter Schools Development Center for charter-granting agencies, school districts, and county and state offices of education nationwide, this extensive tool kit contains hundreds of sample documents addressing charter review, operational relations, monitoring and renewal, and leveraging system-wide change.

Florida Charter School Application. This application, available on-line, covers academic design; governance and management; finance and facilities; operation; and final documentation.

Illinois Charter School Developers' Handbook: A Resource Guide for Getting Your Charter School Off the Ground. This handbook, published by Leadership for Quality Education, provides potential charter school developers with practical advice for the essential phases of planning, designing, and operating a charter school. Guiding principles and tips for the following are included: drafting a charter proposal; gaining community support; developing an educational program and accountability standards; recruiting and enrolling students; designing a school governance structure; recruiting and selecting staff; making personnel policies and contracts; fundraising and budgeting; finding and financing facilities; and complying with laws that apply to charter schools. While the document was crafted for developers in Illinois, charter founders in other states will find the advice valuable.

New York Charter School Application. ( New York Charter School Resource Center ) The New York CSRC has posted a copy of the 1998 NY charter school law (Senate Bill # 7881) and a sample of what a charter school application might look like under the new law.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, California Edition 6. ( 2002, April, Charter Schools Development Center ) Geared toward California school districts, county and state offices of education that grant charters and oversee charter schools, this tool kit includes sample documents from grantors in California and across the country regarding the charter review process, charter oversight and monitoring, and renewal.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, National Edition. ( 2000, December, Charter Schools Development Center ) Developed by the California Charter Schools Development Center for charter-granting agencies, school districts, and county and state offices of education nationwide, this extensive tool kit contains hundreds of sample documents addressing charter review, operational relations, monitoring and renewal, and leveraging system-wide change.

Chicago Charter School Accountability Documents. This PDF file contains two separate legal documents executed between the Chicago Public Schools and all Chicago charter schools. The documents were presented at the 1999 National Conference session entitled, "Three Models for Chartering Agencies." The Chicago Charter School Agreement details the rights and obligations of the Chicago Public Schools and the charter school. The Accountability Agreement details the specific manner in which the charter school will be held accountable. (Downloading PDF files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free.)

Massachusetts Charter School Handbook. ( 1998, Pioneer Institute ) Though written for a Massachusetts audience, this handbook contains a wealth of practical information and suggestions for charter developers anywhere. Its appendices include numerous sample documents both for schools and authorizers, covering various legal issues, governance bylaws, school and personnel policies, accountability, facilities development, and facility financing.

School-District Contract. Developed by the Jefferson County School District in Colorado, this school contract contains over 20 pages of detailed provisions addressing a variety of legal, financial, and operational matters between the district and charter schools.

School-District Fiscal Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU between a charter school and school district is provided by the California Charter Schools Development Center. It outlines the specific funding sources anticipated to be available to the school, the terms under which the district will claim funding entitlements on behalf of the school, and how the district will make such funding available.

State-Charter School Contract. This sample charter school contract was developed with an attorney and makes the charter legally binding.

Accountability Plan for Colorado Charter Schools. ( 2001, Colorado League of Charter Schools ) This model accountability plan, while devised for Colorado charter schools is useful for schools in other states. The plan addresses all stages of accountability, from start-up through renewal.

Charter School Accountability Tool Kit, 4th Edition. ( 2000, Charter Schools Development Center ) Created primarily for California charter school developers and authorizers, this extensive tool kit provides sample documents from charter and other schools nationwide. Documents include a sample charter and Memorandum of Understanding (a.k.a. Annual Operating Agreement), student performance materials, governance, legal, and financial documents, annual reports, and renewal documents.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, California Edition 6. ( 2002, April, Charter Schools Development Center ) Geared toward California school districts, county and state offices of education that grant charters and oversee charter schools, this tool kit includes sample documents from grantors in California and across the country regarding the charter review process, charter oversight and monitoring, and renewal.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, National Edition. ( 2000, December, Charter Schools Development Center ) Developed by the California Charter Schools Development Center for charter-granting agencies, school districts, and county and state offices of education nationwide, this extensive tool kit contains hundreds of sample documents addressing charter review, operational relations, monitoring and renewal, and leveraging system-wide change.

Chicago Charter School Accountability Documents. This PDF file contains two separate legal documents executed between the Chicago Public Schools and all Chicago charter schools. The documents were presented at the 1999 National Conference session entitled, "Three Models for Chartering Agencies." The Chicago Charter School Agreement details the rights and obligations of the Chicago Public Schools and the charter school. The Accountability Agreement details the specific manner in which the charter school will be held accountable. (Downloading PDF files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free.)

Expectations for Public Charter School Accountability Plans. This document outlines key elements that the D.C Public Charter School Board would like to see incorporated into a charter school Accountability Plan. It includes statements of the kinds of information that should be included in the development of each element.

Massachusetts Charter School Handbook. ( 1998, Pioneer Institute ) Though written for a Massachusetts audience, this handbook contains a wealth of practical information and suggestions for charter developers anywhere. Its appendices include numerous sample documents both for schools and authorizers, covering various legal issues, governance bylaws, school and personnel policies, accountability, facilities development, and facility financing.

North Carolina Charter School Renewal Rubric. ( 2001, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ) In 2001, North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction adopted a new charter renewal rubric. Requirements for renewal include satisfaction of the state accountability program and compliance in the areas of finance, governance, exceptional children and enrollment. The updated renewal process has several new changes including: schools must be acceptable in all the above categories to receive renewal; renewals are for 5 years; and cited deficiencies in any area require the development and implementation of an correction plan that results in satisfactory improvement. For more information, contact the Department's Office of Charter Schools, at (919) 807-3490.

Outline for Charter School Annual Report. This outline from the D.C. Public Charter School Board requires a description of the school, details on school and student performance, and an audit report.

Site Visit Team Leader Guide. ( Colorado League of Charter Schools ) In the Site Visitors Team Leader Guide, the Colorado League of Charter Schools assists volunteers in reporting the findings of their school site visits. This brief document guides site visitors in how to record their observations and how to craft both commendations and recommendations.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, California Edition 6. ( 2002, April, Charter Schools Development Center ) Geared toward California school districts, county and state offices of education that grant charters and oversee charter schools, this tool kit includes sample documents from grantors in California and across the country regarding the charter review process, charter oversight and monitoring, and renewal.

Massachusetts Charter School Handbook. ( 1998, Pioneer Institute ) Though written for a Massachusetts audience, this handbook contains a wealth of practical information and suggestions for charter developers anywhere. Its appendices include numerous sample documents both for schools and authorizers, covering various legal issues, governance bylaws, school and personnel policies, accountability, facilities development, and facility financing.

North Carolina Charter School Renewal Rubric. ( 2001, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ) In 2001, North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction adopted a new charter renewal rubric. Requirements for renewal include satisfaction of the state accountability program and compliance in the areas of finance, governance, exceptional children and enrollment. The updated renewal process has several new changes including: schools must be acceptable in all the above categories to receive renewal; renewals are for 5 years; and cited deficiencies in any area require the development and implementation of an correction plan that results in satisfactory improvement. For more information, contact the Department's Office of Charter Schools, at (919) 807-3490.

Charter School Accountability Tool Kit, 4th Edition. ( 2000, Charter Schools Development Center ) Created primarily for California charter school developers and authorizers, this extensive tool kit provides sample documents from charter and other schools nationwide. Documents include a sample charter and Memorandum of Understanding (a.k.a. Annual Operating Agreement), student performance materials, governance, legal, and financial documents, annual reports, and renewal documents.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, California Edition 6. ( 2002, April, Charter Schools Development Center ) Geared toward California school districts, county and state offices of education that grant charters and oversee charter schools, this tool kit includes sample documents from grantors in California and across the country regarding the charter review process, charter oversight and monitoring, and renewal.

Charter-Granting Agencies' Tool Kit, National Edition. ( 2000, December, Charter Schools Development Center ) Developed by the California Charter Schools Development Center for charter-granting agencies, school districts, and county and state offices of education nationwide, this extensive tool kit contains hundreds of sample documents addressing charter review, operational relations, monitoring and renewal, and leveraging system-wide change.

North Carolina Charter School Renewal Rubric. ( 2001, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ) In 2001, North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction adopted a new charter renewal rubric. Requirements for renewal include satisfaction of the state accountability program and compliance in the areas of finance, governance, exceptional children and enrollment. The updated renewal process has several new changes including: schools must be acceptable in all the above categories to receive renewal; renewals are for 5 years; and cited deficiencies in any area require the development and implementation of an correction plan that results in satisfactory improvement. For more information, contact the Department's Office of Charter Schools, at (919) 807-3490.