School governing boards operate as entities completely independent of any ESP, individuals compensated by an ESP are prohibited from serving as voting members on such boards, and existing and potential conflicts of interest between the two entities are required to be disclosed and explained in the charter application. Assumption of liability by the charter school; 7. Universal Citation: 70 OK Stat 70-3-132 (2022) A. Current Charter Schools of Oklahoma However, it provides inequitable funding to charter schools. 2023 Best Charter Elementary Schools in Oklahoma Best schools Most diverse Best teachers College prep View on map Search type Schools Districts Grade level Clear filter Pre-K Elementary Middle High school Highest grade offered Select a grade. Before working at StateImpact, he covered higher education for The Roanoke Times newspaper in Virginia. The charter application requires (1) performance data for all current and past schools operated by the ESP, and (2) explanation and evidence of the ESPs capacity for successful growth while maintaining quality in existing schools. For schools created in 2010 or later, this required preference includes students who meet this criteria and attend a school on the states school improvement list. The Oklahoma Charter School Act list seven purposes for charter schools: Improve student learning; Increase learning opportunities for students; Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods; Provide additional academic choices for parents and students; With these additional flexibilities and de-regulations afforded to charter schools, a charter school is not required to employ an individual who holds a valid Oklahoma teaching certificate. All types of educational service providers (both for-profit and nonprofit) are allowed to operate all or parts of schools. The attendance policy shall include the following provisions: Charter Schools | Oklahoma State Department of Education Meet board members who approved the Oklahoma religious charter school Midwest City, OK 73130. June 15, 2023 3:33 pm ET. If the State Board of Education overturns an authorizers decision to renew a school ranked in the bottom 5% of all public schools in the state, the Board may implement one of the following actions:* Transfer the sponsorship of the charter school to another authorizer;* Order the closure of the charter school at the end of the current school year; Anti-discrimination provisions regarding admissions. So there hasnt been any communication with them directly on this at this point. I have questions about the following topics. Access to public space, such as: Oklahoma charter school leader explains lawsuit that has - NPR Oklahoman View Comments 0:02 0:57 An Oklahoma school board voted Monday to approve what would be the country's first taxpayer-funded religious school amid threats of lawsuits, dueling attorney general stances, a last-minute board member replacement and growing national interest. * A requirement for districts to provide district space or funding to charter schools if the majority of that schools students reside in that district. The school is authorized by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to serve students statewide. Gain insights into how these factors shape educational experiences and outcomes for students. Oklahoma law allows all types of educational service providers and contains additional application elements specific to educational service providers that non-school district authorizers must use. Statute also limits the state board of education to approving not more than two schools affiliated with the Office of Juvenile Affairs between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2016. PDF Charter Schools - Handbook - Oklahoma State Department of Education Religious Charter Schools Are OK in Oklahoma - WSJ Additional application elements specific to conversion schools. 19E. Save at Southern New Hampshire University. I think every one of us should be held accountable for the way we treat our kids, virtuals included. * The creation and funding of a state charter school debt reserve fund. SCHOOLS In Oklahoma, there are over 50,000 students currently enrolled in public charter schools and another 2,500 on waiting lists. Epic Charter Schools is an accredited school system that serves students in all Oklahoma counties. Requirement for thorough evaluation of each application, including an in-person interview and a public meeting. Schools seeking renewal must apply for it. The long game here is a great seat for every kid in Oklahoma, and this is a step toward that. Law establishes new board to oversee Oklahoma charter schools 2-7-616 (2014) A. A uniform statewide formula that guarantees annual authorizer funding that is not subject to annual legislative appropriations. Education Watch: A Legislative Plan to Revamp Charter School Oversight Brewster: Oh, yes, absolutely. The statutory compliance requirements for charter schools can be generally located at this link. Second, since 2010, Oklahoma's Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship program has provided thousands of studentsstudents with disabilities or special needs, as well as . We want to hear from you. No numeric or geographic limits are placed on the number of charter public schools or students. Because they were party to that lawsuit. Authorizers must issue renewal application guidance that provides an opportunity for schools to augment their performance record and discuss improvements and future plans. Required annual school performance reports. The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted 4-3 on Thursday in favor of an agreement with the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association to settle a 2017 lawsuit. Application process for other eligible authorizing entities (except a state charter schools commission). Legally autonomous schools (e.g., schools have clear statutory authority to enter into contracts and leases, sue and be sued in their own names, and acquire real property). Oklahoma religious charter school is first in nation to be approved Provide additional academic choices for parents and students; 5. Oklahoma's approval of the nation's first Catholic charter school lays the groundwork for a seismic boost in government aid to religion, but seems certain to lead to a legal challenge likely. Oklahoma approves first publicly funded religious charter school in US Financial accountability for charter schools (e.g., generally accepted accounting principles, independent annual audit reported to authorizer). Over 30 Oklahoma public charter schools serve students in all 77 counties. Legally permissible criteria and processes for enrollment based on the existence of supports needed for student success. Oklahoma law outlines the elements to be contained in the charter application. Many folks say charters are there, they take money. I absolutely think we can. Required enrollment preferences for previously enrolled students within conversions and for prior-year students within charter schools. Both Tulsa and Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendents Deborah Gist and Sean McDaniel criticized it and asked for it to be rescinded. Attendance & Pacing. How many charter public schools are located in Oklahoma? Oklahoma students deserve access to a great public education, and charter schools offer options that meet the specific needs of our students. SCOTUS deals blow to school choice advocates by declining to - mlive Oklahoma law requires authorizers to make all charter approval or denial decisions in a public meeting, state in a resolution the reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal, and provide a public report summarizing the evidence used as the basis for each decision. But as far as communication about this particular settlement, we have had none. Authorizers must use clear criteria for renewal and nonrenewal/revocation. Read the reports and hear the stories onNPR member stations. The state is not currently funding this program. If the proposal is denied, no authorizer may issue a charter to the charter school governing body. Do we think private schools can do it? St. Isidore would be free for students in kindergarten-12th grade and funded like any other public charter school in Oklahoma. * completes instructional activities on no less than 90% of the days within the quarter, Increase learning opportunities for students; 3. The all-day event is held at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oliver Hodge Building, 2500 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, Room 215. Oklahoma law requires virtual charter schools to use the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System to report financial transactions to the State Department of Education. Oklahoma law allows a charter school to designate a specific geographic area within the school district in which the charter school is located as an academic enterprise zone and may limit admissions to students who reside within that area (an academic enterprise zone is a geographic area in which 60% or more of the children who reside in the area qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program). It provides that this report must include such information as requested by the Office of Accountability, including but not limited to information on enrollment, testing, curriculum, finances, and employees.The law requires charter schools to be subject to the same reporting requirements, financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as school districts. The next scheduled training will be Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Oklahoma Charter School Act allows several avenues to charter sponsorship. Oklahoma hasseveral virtual charter schools authorized by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. Exemption from state teacher certification requirements. A description of the high standards of expectation and rigor for charter school plans and assurance that charter school plans adopted . *Required fields. Connors Building2501 N. Lincoln Blvd.Suite 301Oklahoma City, OK 73105, Phone: (405) 522-3240Email: [emailprotected]. Oklahoma law allows new start-ups and public school conversions. Oklahoma has six virtual charter schools authorized by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. Only charter schools with sponsor approval are eligible to apply. First, in Oklahoma, there are over 38,000 students currently enrolled in public charter schools. Do we think that virtual schools can do it? Show 31 more public schools in Oklahoma (out of 66 total schools). If it opens as planned, St. Isidore of . The reactions arent too surprising to Chris Brewster. Laura Schuler, senior director for Catholic education at the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Michael Scaperlanda, chancellor for the archdiocese, present a proposal for the nation's first. Oklahoma law requires an authorizer to give written notice of its intent to deny the request for renewal at least eight months prior to expiration of the contract. Oklahoma law allows charter schools to access tax-exempt bond financing through the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority. * Order the reduction of any administrative fee collected by the authorizer that is applicable to the charter school. A Charter School Training will be offered once a year. Charters are accountable to their boards. But generally, charter schools have to take the slice of the general fund that we have and pay for rental facilities, maintenance, we cant afford busses, we cant afford band uniforms and computers, all of those have to come from general funds that were originally designated for direct instruction. 5-142(E), all individuals must satisfactorily undergo and clear a national criminal history record check prior to employment in a public school (charter or non-charter). Under Oklahoma law, a charter contract may be renewed for successive five-year terms of duration, although the sponsor may vary the term based on the performance, demonstrated capacities and particular circumstances of each charter school. Authorizer may not request duplicative data submission from its charter schools and may not use performance framework to create cumbersome reporting requirements. An authorizing structure whereby full-time virtual charter schools that serve students from more than one district may be approved only by an authorizer with statewide chartering jurisdiction and authority, full-time virtual charter schools that serve students from one school district may be authorized by that school district, and a cap is placed on the total amount of funding that an authorizer may withhold from a full-time virtual charter school. OKLAHOMA CITY - Gov. Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy: Online Public School Clarity that charter schools have access to all regional and state services and supports available to traditional districts. Oklahoma's law contains caps on public charter schools that allow for ample growth, provides a fair amount of autonomy and accountability to charter schools, and includes multiple authorizers or a robust appeals process for applicants (depending on the district in which the applicant is located). So theres this piece about charter schools providing competition. Korth: Have you communicated with Oklahoma City Public Schools or Tulsa Public Schools about this? Provide additional academic choices for parents and students; 5. Oklahoma charter public schools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Oklahoma public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic and American Indian). M.C. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says three men got rich off taxpayer dollars meant for education.Authorities arrested two founders of Epic Charter Schools and its former chief financial officer on several complaints - including racketeering, embezzlement and submitting false documents - after a long investigation.| MORE | OSBI arrests Epic Charter Schools founders, former chief . Brewster: They dont have enough money, but they have a lot more money than we have. Laws or regulations explicitly state that charter school students and employees are eligible to participate in all extracurricular and interscholastic activities available to noncharter public school students and employees. Oklahoma law allows a charter school to enter into contracts and sue or be sued. Academics. I love the fact that now in south Oklahoma City, there are great schools like Southeast High School, Dove Science Academy, Santa Fe South schools that our families can, we can compete for these families to find the best fit for them in some iteration. Charter school movement divided over religious Oklahoma proposal