Name: Dodge City Charter School Planning Committee
Address: 1000 2nd Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801
Contact Person: Randy Smith

Title: Grants & Projects Director
Phone: 316/227-1669
Fax: 316/227-1689

The planning committee for the Dodge City Academy represents a broad range of interests within the community. The 19 member committee composition is as follows:

• parent/community representatives -- 4
• community agencies representatives -- 5 (Area Mental Health, Judge of the District Court, Community Education Opportunities (CEO) Coordinator, United Way Coordinator, Director of Santa Fe Trail Community Corrections)
• President, Dodge City Community College
• elementary school principal
• Middle grade school personnel -- 4 (middle grade principal, middle grade assistant principal, teachers)
• high school special education instructor
• Director, USD #443 guidance and counseling
• Superintendent, USD #443
• grants & projects coordinator, USD #443
• Dodge City NEA representative
• USD #443 public information officer

The planning committee serves on a volunteer basis to develop an educational alternative to meet the needs of students who are presently not performing to expectations and/or dropping out of Dodge City Middle School.

The broad scope of representation on the planning committee and intensive planning process to date is evidence of the commitment from parents, community members, community agencies, business leaders, Dodge City Community College staff and USD 443 personnel. These people share a belief that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed and that some are not able to be successful in a traditional school setting. Dodge City Academy students will be given alternative strategies of learning that are designed to maximize learning opportunities in a variety of non-traditional settings. Dodge City Academy students will learn in an environment where they are respected and responsible for their progress in the program.

Dodge City Academy will expect each parent to be involved in the education of their child. Activities to achieve this goal are parental involvement during the admission process, parental participation in the development of the student’s approved education plan, parental support groups, parental instruction and guidance. The Dodge City Academy goal is for a collaborative effort between school, community and parents to foster cooperation and trust between school, community, student and parent. Students in a residence or lifestyle circumstance that are unable to comply with conventional school requirements and regulations because of family status, work demands, or court order will be given the full support of community and school resources. Individuals who would fulfill this need are: mental health staff, SRS social workers, court services officers, community corrections personnel, and community college staff. The goal of this support is to present the student with the concept of success and competence through a successful learning situation designed to fulfill unique educational needs.

The key difference at the Dodge City Academy will be a change in structure and strategy. By targeting a smaller population of students who are not achieving their fullest potential at the traditional school, we will be able to use different and individualized teaching strategies that may not be practical in the regular setting. This flexibility and innovation will allow USD 443 to increase the percentage of students who successfully complete middle school and move on to the high school fully prepared for new learning challenges.

(1) The educational program of Dodge City Academy will provide alternative methods in which students can work toward meeting the exit outcomes for Dodge City Middle School students. What will make the Dodge City Academy different is the opportunity to provide individualized instruction using methodologies which may be alternative to those used at Dodge City Middle School. Community resources will be used for some curricular offerings. Volunteerism from the students could be part of the requirements for course work. Computers, software, textbooks, speakers and many other resources will be accessed to help students complete exit outcomes.

A facilities study is in process as part of the Charter School Planning Grant. Dodge City school system is in a state of transition and several alternatives are being investigated including: Buildings A and C on the North Campus of Dodge City High School, Richland Valley Elementary School of USD #443, the Firestone building located at the Village Square Shopping Mall of Dodge City. Elements of consideration are costs of converting facilities, transportation costs, kitchen facilities and access to other programs. Definite plans are to make eventual use of the North Campus of Dodge City High School for the Dodge City Academy. Dodge City is involved in a bond issue for construction of a new high school. The Dodge City Academy will have to be temporarily housed in another facility until the new high school is constructed.

Any building chosen will be wired for computer networking and access to computer resource software. Because of the nature of instruction the Dodge City Academy will rely heavily on computer linkages to Internet and instructional software packages. The Dodge City Academy classroom enviroment will consist of large open spaces more representative of a business environment rather than conventional closed classrooms. Facilities will be designed to enhance individual learning plan activities rather than formal classroom lecture activities. Physical education classes will be adjusted to meet the facilities at the Dodge City Academy’s disposal.

The core of required courses will include:

• Communications: Includes--written, oral, listening
• Math: Includes--computation, problem solving strategies, time, money, measurement, Algebra
• Science: Includes--physical, chemical, life, earth
• Physical Education: Includes--health, sex education, nutrition, physical fitness
• Study Skills: Includes--identifying what is needed, where to find it and retrieval of material from a variety of media
• Social/Life Skills: Includes--Workplace readiness skills as proposed by the SCANS Commission
  Multi-cultural awareness/second language acquisition
  Conflict management
  Group and independent work skills
  Interpersonal communications
  Goal setting
  Interviewing job application skills

* Dodge City Academy instructors should use USD #443 developed curriculum guides for specific objectives in the areas of communications, math, science and physical education.

** A portion of the objectives for this curriculum area should include the outcomes identified in the USD #443 curriculum guide for Information skills.

Considerations

1. It is expected that pre-assessments will be used in each curriculum area to determine the appropriate starting point for each student.
   
   
2. Through the use of interdisciplinary and thematic units, district identified social studies objectives can/should be integrated in the above curricula areas.
   
   
3. Fine Arts and Co-Curricular offerings could be considered by students if willing to have an extended day and if logistics can be met with Dodge City Middle School.
   
   
4. It is expected that computer technology will be used as a primary tool across the curriculum.
   
   
5. Dodge City Academy staff development topics to be met prior to the opening of the Dodge City Academy are:

   Development of pre and post assessments
   
   Development of methodologies for presentation of curriculum in interdisciplinary/thematic fashion
   
   Development of Social/Life Skills Curriculum-- suggested areas of emphasis include cultural diversity knowledge and work place skills
   
   Development of Study Skills Curriculum
   
   Development of mastery criteria and minimum competencies

All classes will be individualized and provide flexible scheduling to meet student needs. A variety of methods will be used to meet each student’s learning styles and preferences, including: mentoring by using students and staff from the community college and general public, use of technology, and hands on learning with an emphasis on learning the social skills necessary to learn and work in the community. Students and parents will have input into the design of their course of study. Teachers, students and parents will work as a team to develop the student’s individual learning plan.

Dodge City Academy will expect each parent to be involved in the education of their child. Activities to achieve this goal are parental involvement during the admission process, parental participation in the development of the student’s approved education plan, parental support groups, parental instruction and guidance. The Dodge City Academy goal is for a collaborative effort between school, community and parents to foster cooperation and trust between school, community, student and parent.

Students in a residence or lifestyle circumstance that are unable to comply with conventional school requirements and regulations because of family status, work demands, or court order will be given the full support of community and school resources. Individuals who would fulfill this need are: mental health staff, SRS social workers, court services officers, community corrections personnel, and community college staff. The goal of this support is to present the student with the concept of success and competence through a successful learning situation designed to fulfill unique educational needs.

(2) Dodge City school employees, parents and the community support efforts to develop a middle grade alternative charter school. The Dodge City Board of Education unanimously directed the formation of the planning committee to develop a middle grade alternative charter school. The planning committee for the Dodge City Academy represented a broad range of interests within the community:

parent/community representatives

community agency representatives

middle school personnel

high school personnel

school counselors

central office administrators

L.A.D.D.S. pilot site instructors (Koch Crime Commission partnership award)

The planning committee was chosen from volunteer sources to address the needs of students who are not adequately completing middle school education. The Dodge City Academy is to function as a model for strategies that may be implemented throughout the district. Expansion of the program into primary and secondary levels may occur if the project can document significant improvement in student performance to the Board of Education’s satisfaction.

Business, industrial and community leaders of Dodge City have been a part of the development team and have expressed a concern that our young people are not succeeding in education at a satisfactory level to meet community standards. They want all students to succeed in education in order that they may be adequately prepared for the work force, gainfully employed and eventually assume leadership roles within the community. Planning committee members were divided into three sub-committees (Admission Criteria Committee, Expectations Committee, and General Curriculum Committee) with the responsibilities to make contacts with members of the public and obtain feedback on the ideas and proposals of the committees. Adjustments were made in several areas based upon community feedback. At no time during this planning process has community feedback been negative. To further insure community involvement, a series of community forums is planned where public input will be encouraged and recognized.

(3) The target school population of the Dodge City Academy will be sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who are not achieving full learning potential. As the Dodge City Academy guidelines are developed, the planning committee feels that it is important to define what people should expect from this school. In defining expectations the committee found that the list divided itself readily into the following categories*:

1. What the community should expect from the Dodge City Academy.
   
   
2. What the school district should expect from the Dodge City Academy.
   
   
3. What parents should expect of Dodge City Academy.
   
   
4. What the student should expect from Dodge City Academy.

* The numbers and letters in this document are used for reference purposes only and not intended to indicate priority


1. THE COMMUNITY SHOULD EXPECT DODGE CITY ACADEMY TO;

a) Increase student investment in the community through community service and other community projects.

b) Increase parental/familial involvement in the educational process.

c) Respond to the unique cultures and the mobile population of Dodge City.

d) Equip students with adequate technological aptitudes to meet progressive local industrial needs.

e) Adapt to families in the community facing unique education challenges such as home schooling, out of home placements and children with long term illnesses.

f) Impact juvenile crime by reducing incidents of crimes by students in grades 6-8.

g) Develop links with Dodge City employers who employ teens.

2. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD EXPECT THE DODGE CITY ACADEMY TO:

a) Increase the number of students completing transition to High School.

b) Ensure that all students meet or exceed appropriate grade level requirements.

c) Increase consistent school attendance.

d) Decrease incidents of discipline referrals, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions.

e) Enhance the learning environment of the traditional school.

f) Enhance morale of the teaching staff of the traditional school.

g) Create an atmosphere where research and development of different learning opportunities is actively pursued.

h) Offer teachers a chance to be part of designing and working in semi-autonomous, creative schools under defined philosophical approaches.

3. PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT THE DODGE CITY ACADEMY TO:

a) Broaden opportunities for student success.

b) Include parents actively in all phases of the decision making process for their child.

c) Partner with parents in overall school development.

d) Provide direct assistance to parents in improving their parenting skills, their understanding of the educational process, and their ability to help their children succeed.

e) Generate observable improvements in their student’s academic skills and interpersonal relationships.

f) Support and assist parents’ exercise of parental authority.

g) Support and assist parents with students in home schooling, private school, out-of-home placement, out-of-district support or facing other challenges.

4. THE STUDENT SHOULD EXPECT THE DODGE CITY ACADEMY TO:

a) Provide a learning environment in which they can feel safe and secure.

b) Encourage students to invest in and take ownership of their individual immediate and long-term academic plan.

c) Provide students accurate and factual information pertaining to their physical and mental well being so that students can be better prepared to make decisions regarding their own health.

d) Cultivate responsibility, self-discipline, work ethic and self-reliance by:

1. assisting all students in understanding and practicing appropriate behavior.

2. instructing students on improving habits in studying, behaving or thinking.

3. increasing students’ ability to predict what consequences may result from their behavior and choices.

e) Build student confidence in school, teachers and themselves.

f) Provide individualized assistance in mastery of basic skills including reading, math and communications.

g) Improve students’ interpersonal skills with peers, teachers, parents and others.

h) Improve students’ respect for peers, parents, teachers, principals, law enforcement and other authority figures.

As we look to the Dodge City Academy to be an integral part of meeting Dodge City’s ever-changing educational needs, this list is not exhaustive, nor can challenges be fully anticipated. We are limited by tangible barriers of time and resources. Our final charge to the Dodge City Academy is to continuously explore the need and opportunities for Dodge City Academy to expand and improve its role to provide positive educational alternatives. This may lead to educational alternatives in grades other than 6-8 or to other unforeseen alternatives. Only by diligent evaluation will Dodge City Academy ensure that it is able to continue to meet the educational needs of children, parents, school districts and the community.

The key difference at the Dodge City Academy will be a change in strategy. By targeting a smaller population of students who aren’t achieving their fullest potential at the traditional school, we will be able to use different and individualized teaching strategies that aren’t practical in the regular setting. This flexibility and innovation will allow USD 443 to increase the percentage of students who successfully complete middle school and move on to the high school fully prepared for new learning challenges.

(4) Students, enrolled in the Dodge City Academy, will meet the exit outcomes recommended for USD 443 Middle School, but in an individualized fashion with an outcomes/competency based program.

Student performance will be evaluated using a variety of methods including portfolios, rubrics, projects, paper/pencil activities, curriculum-based assessment, standardized tests, presentations, conferences, videos, and specialized learning plan measurements.

(5) The Dodge City Academy will have a flexible hands-on style of management. The primary person responsible for the daily operation of the school will be the Instructional Director. The Instructional Director will work with certified staff, students and any support staff who may be a part of the program to fulfill the approved learning plan of each student. The Instructional Director will have the responsibilities to implement the program within the parameters established and monitored by the Dodge City Academy Advisory Board as well as instructional duties.

The Instructional Director will maintain contact at Dodge City Middle School with the Principal. This contact will be for the purposes of administrative support and assistance in terms of management and legal questions.

The Instructional Director will report to the Dodge City Academy Advisory Board. The Dodge City Academy Advisory Board will fulfill the management role of policy making, program evaluation and the general oversight of the Dodge City Academy. The Dodge City Academy Advisory Board will also be accountable to and make regular presentations to the USD 443 Board of Education through the Position 6 representative/coordinator who will also be responsible for financial management. The seven member Dodge City Academy Advisory Board positions and terms shall be constituted as follows:

1. Parents (two) (Positions 1 and 2 -- Voting.) Parents of two children who are not siblings attending the Dodge City Academy shall be elected for a three-year term. During the initial charter period of three years, one Dodge City Academy Advisory Board position (position 2) term of office shall be for two years. Service on the Board shall cease when their children are no longer enrolled in Dodge City Academy.
   
   
2. Instructional/Non-Instructional Staff (two) (Positions 3 and 4 -- Voting.) Two members of the instructional/non-instructional staff shall be elected for three-year terms. Members of non-instructional and instructional staff who are employed by Dodge City Academy in a .5 or greater contract shall be eligible for election to the Dodge City Academy Advisory Board. During the initial charter period of three years, one instructional/non-instructional staff member position (position 4) term of office shall be for two years.
   
   
3. Business/Services Leader (one) (Position 5 -- Voting.) One member of the Dodge City business or civil services community shall be elected for a three-year term. During the initial charter period of three years, this term will be for two years.
   
   
4. Unified School District 443 (one) (Position 6 --Voting.) The Board of Education shall appoint a member of the USD 443 Administrative Council to the Dodge City Academy for a two-year period. Subsequent appointments will be made biennially. Appointment succession shall be at the discretion of the USD 443 Board of Education.
   
   
5. Court Services (one) (Position 7 -- Voting.) The District Court Juvenile Division Judge shall appoint a member of the community to the Dodge City Academy for a two-year period. Subsequent appointments will be made biennially.

The program will be under the administrative supervision of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction of USD 443. This person will have joint responsibility with the Position 6 Dodge City Academy Advisory Board Representative to report to the Superintendent of Schools and USD 443 Board of Education regarding the evaluation, growth and development of the Dodge City Academy. The Instructional Director and Dodge City Academy Advisory Board will make an annual progress and budget report to the USD 443 Board of Education.

(6) The Instructional Director and certified teachers at the Dodge City Academy shall have current Kansas Middle Grade School certification and experience working with at-risk students. Persons with a diverse range of academic qualifications and a documented ability to be innovative and flexible in meeting the needs of all students are essential characteristics. The leadership of the Instructional Director and other certified teachers is directly related to the quality and success of the Dodge City Academy.

The Instructional Director shall have strong public relations skills and the ability to seek out and utilize community resources. As the person responsible for the daily operation of the school, the Instructional Director shall have organizational, management and leadership responsibilities.

The certified teachers shall be familiar with a variety of instructional approaches and have the ability to respond to the individual needs of the students. Flexibility and the ability to work independently are essential characteristics for the certified teacher.

The support staff of the Dodge City Academy shall have the ability to work independently one-on-one with the students. Flexibility, motivation skills, and computer literacy are important characteristics for this position.

(7) The Dodge City Academy will be in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, state regulations, and USD 443 Board of Education policies that relate to the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff. The Instructional Director will be aware of requirements in this area and consult with district administrative staff, school nurses, fire department, and local police. These discussions shall develop an understanding of current emergency practices and procedures that may assist in developing standard procedures for the Dodge City Academy.

(8) The Dodge City Academy will be a need based school and admission shall be the result of recommendations by a screening committee. The criteria for admission of pupils include the following:

A. A candidate for admission to Dodge City Academy must be:

1. A student currently in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade.
   
   
2. A student not achieving at level of potential.
   
   
3. The student may be in a residence or lifestyle circumstance that is unable to comply with conventional school requirements and regulations because of family status, work demands, or court order.

*** The above criteria are subject to change in subsequent years as the needs of our diverse population demand.

B. A screening procedure for the Dodge City Academy will include:

1. Age and grade placement with consideration for age appropriateness.
   
   
2. Academic history including but not limited to... a) grades (transcript), b) testing information (standardized testing, intelligence testing, informal), c) attendance (significant absences), d) observation and recommendation.
   
   
3. Personal history including... a) family/home status, b) legal involvement (SRS, court order, probation, etc.), c) pertinent medical history/concerns and educational implications.
   
   
4. Formal written application by the student.
   
   
5. Formal written application by the parent/guardian.
   
   
6. Committee review of applications and history.
   
   
7. Interviews of applicant and parent/guardian by the committee.
   
   
8. If placement is deemed to be appropriate, applicant and parent will be asked to sign a letter of consent/intent which would acknowledge understanding of rules, regulations and policies of the Dodge City Academy.
   
   The student agrees:
   
   
   1. To perform at competency levels that meet or exceed Dodge City Academy standards.
      
      
   2. To give 100 % effort toward studies and behavior during production time.
      
      
   3. To help fellow students be successful in the Dodge City Academy.
      
      
   4. To observe all Dodge City Academy policies.
   
   The parent/guardian agrees:
   
   
   1. To support the Dodge City Academy staff in efforts to develop my student into a respectful, confident, and successful person.
      
      
   2. To insure that my student receives enough sleep each night so that the student is alert in class. I will monitor my student’s activities.
      
      
   3. To insure that my student is not hungry when arriving at the Dodge City Academy.
      
      
   4. To monitor my student’s hygiene and clothing.
      
      
   5. To transport and provide transportation so that my student arrives on time and is picked up on a timely manner.
      
      
   6. To participate in regular conferences with Dodge City Academy staff.
      
      
   7. Left blank to include unique agreements regarding specific students.
   
   
9. Failure to conform to the established guidelines will result in committee action/review of placement with the potential of altering the student’s status with the program ... i.e. warning, probation, temporary Community Education Opportunities (CEO) placement, termination.

(9) The Dodge City Academy will conduct an annual financial and program audit utilizing the same procedures as other programs within USD 443. Audit procedures will be coordinated with the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance. Results will be reported to the USD 443 Board of Education as a portion of the yearly report from the Instructional Director and Dodge City Academy Advisory Board.

(10) Pupil suspension and expulsion policies and procedures will follow USD 443 district policy and state statute for most circumstances. There are two exceptions for Dodge City Academy as follows.

In the event a student is not performing at Dodge City Academy or is having social interaction problems with students or staff, that student may be dismissed without being suspended. That student may be placed on a temporary basis in the Community Education Opportunities (CEO) facility when Dodge City Academy instructors ascertain as the result of a review that the student is unwilling or unfit to participate in a productive manner at that given time. Bypassing the formal suspension procedure allows the student another level of intervention in order to attain success in school.

A student who is failing to meet the minimum attendance requirements of the Dodge City Dodge City Academy will be placed on probationary status. A conference will be held with the student and parent, if possible, and a probationary contract drafted. If a person violates the terms outlined, that person will be placed in the Community Education Opportunities (CEO) facility. The length of attendance at CEO will be at the discretion of the Instructional Director and any appeal of such dismissal action would be reviewed by the Dodge City Academy Advisory Board.

(11) Dodge City Academy students will participate in the Kansas Assessment Program unless otherwise indicated on their Individual Learning Plan (ILP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

(12) Terms and conditions of employment for Dodge City Academy employees will be the same as for other certified or classified personnel in USD 443. Variances in scheduling and calendar to meet the needs of all parties participating in this joint venture will be outlined in individual contracts.

(13) Employees of the Dodge City Academy will be subject to the negotiated agreement between USD 443 and the Dodge City Education Association. If the Dodge City Academy Charter is revoked or non renewed these employees will be subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the master contract in relation to transfers and/or reduction in force. An employee of the Dodge City Academy who no longer desires to participate in the program can request a transfer with the district or resign. A waiver is requested regarding the specific hours, days and duties of specific teaching staff as negotiated between the teacher and Dodge City Academy on individual contracts. Such a waiver would not apply if the teacher is transferred into another position not associated with the Dodge City Academy within the district.

(14) The Dodge City Academy is not designed to be a traditional educational program. An alternative school must be flexible and work to meet the needs of unsuccessful students in the regular school setting. While Dodge City Academy students will work for advancement into high school, the means to achieve the end will be individualized with the development of an approved educational plan.

The Dodge City Academy will be a true competency based program. Activities will be designed to demonstrate mastery of delineated learning outcomes for each course of study. Once mastery of the essential outcomes has been demonstrated, by successful completion of the required activities, the student will earn the credit for the course.

Another key area of flexibility for many of the targeted student population is attendance. The regular attendance requirement for the Dodge City Academy will be 25 hours per week. If a student fails to meet the regular attendance requirement, an attendance contract will be developed and the student placed on probation. Violation of the probationary conditions will result in a truancy report and/or recommendation of placement in the Community Education Opportunities (CEO) facility. The dismissal and appeal process are outlined in section ten. The 25 hours of attendance requirement can be achieved in any combination during the time the school is open during the week. Students having unique circumstances or educational needs may have an approved learning plan that calls for an alternative attendance requirement subject to Dodge City Academy Advisory Board approval and subject to the granted waiver of required attendance.

The Dodge City Academy will not follow the same attendance policy and disciplinary progression as Dodge City Middle School. As outlined in section ten students may be referred to the Community Education Opportunities (CEO) facility as unwilling or unfit to perform at school without imposing a suspension. This allows short-term removal of a student who is apathetic, disruptive or defiant without escalation. Such temporary placements will be at the discretion of the supervisory staff of the Dodge City Academy.

(15) Dodge City Academy Budget (see attachment).

1. The school shall focus on outcomes or results and participate in the quality performance accreditation process;
   
   
2. Pupils in attendance at the school shall be reasonably reflective of the gender balance and the racial and socioeconomic composition of the school district as a whole;
   
   
3. Pupils shall not be charged tuition; and
   
   
4. The school shall comply with applicable health, safety, and access laws.