What is the Network of Independent Charter Schools?

The Network of Independent Charter Schools is a groundbreaking project designed to support educators and improve student achievement in the nation's community-based public charter schools. The Network of Independent Charter Schools will provide comprehensive training, technical assistance and support, free of charge, to teachers, administrators and board members at independent, "Mom and Pop" charter schools.

The Network of Independent Charter Schools will strengthen independent charter schools by:

• Establishing and supporting an inter-connected national community of independent charter schools and their teachers, administrators and trustees.
• Providing direct and customized training and technical assistance to a group of Network Model Charter Schools in New York City and the greater Boston area that is currently being selected.
• Promoting and supporting collaboration and professional development for teachers and administrators in independent charter schools across the country.
• Supporting communication and community-building among teachers and administrators of the nation's independent charter schools.
• Connecting educators virtually at independent charter schools-many of whom now have limited opportunities to collaborate with peers-to improve instruction and student achievement.
• Establishing a comprehensive online portal and social media resource that connects and supports independent charter schools nationwide.

What is CEI-PEA?

The Center for Educational Innovation - Public Education Association (CEI-PEA) is a national nonprofit organization that creates successful public schools and educational programs. CEI-PEA designed the framework of the Network of Independent Charter Schools, and it is now overseeing the development and delivery of services and resources to independent charter schools throughout the country.

CEI-PEA has been a major force in reforming American education for more than 100 years, beginning with its founding of the first school in New York City jails in 1896 and its 1919 campaign for New York City's first hot school lunch program. In 1974, it began the first public school choice program in New York City's East Harlem and, in 1998 it established the first charter school in New York State. It now supports charter schools in New York and across the country through its advisory services and charter school coalitions. Also through its three federal Teacher Incentive Fund-supported projects, it has established a comprehensive school improvement model in 23 charter schools in New York City and Buffalo, NY.

In 2010, CEI-PEA was awarded a Charter School Program National Leadership Program grant by the U.S. Department of Education to create the Network of Independent Charter Schools. CEI-PEA is developing the Network of Independent Charter Schools in partnership with JPS Solutions, LLC, an educational consulting firm that works extensively with charter schools, and with a team of expert trainers, consultants and technical assistance providers.

Is my charter school an Independent Charter School?

An independent charter school-often referred to as a "Mom and Pop" charter school-is one that is established and operated by community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and community residents committed to creating and managing an effective charter school. Specifically, an independent charter school is a charter school that is not affiliated with a Charter Management Organization (CMO) or Educational Management Organization (EMO).

How can the Network of Independent Charter Schools help my charter school?

The primary goal of the Network of Independent Charter Schools is to build the capacity of independent charter school teachers, administrators and trustees and to promote academic achievement, effective governance and operational sustainability in "mom and pop" charter schools across the country. If your charter school is an independent charter school, then it can benefit greatly by participating in the Network of Independent Charter Schools.

The components of the Network of Independent Charter Schools will be rolled out over the next three years. Among the benefits of participating in the Network of Independent Charter Schools are:

• 24/7 Access to a Comprehensive Online Resource that supports teachers, administrators and trustees at independent charter schools across the country. Starting in Summer 2011, independent charter schools nationwide will have "anywhere-anytime" access to the website, and independent charter school educators across the country will use social networking resources to create an online community of independent charter schools.
• 24/7 Access to online information resources that will help independent charter schools improve instruction, design systems to ensure efficient school management, build the capacity of teachers and school leaders management, establish data-driven school cultures and meet authorizer requirements.
• Access to training and technical assistance in a wide range of topics through webinars, conferences and special events.
• Participation as a Network Model Charter School - If your charter school is an early-stage independent charter school located in New York City or the greater Boston region, it may be eligible to become a Network Model Charter School. Each Network Model Charter School will work with experts to develop a Technical Assistance Plan and receive targeted technical assistance to bolster its existing professional development initiatives and address school-specific needs. Best practices of Network Model Charter Schools will be disseminated widely throughout the national charter school community.
• Each Network Model Charter School has private, 24/7 access, free of charge, to a secure web portal that supports communication, collaboration and operational effectiveness throughout the school. The portal’s resources include calendars, document libraries and file-sharing tools, online warehouse to maintain and organize documents, task management tools and communication tools.
• Each Network Model Charter School will receive support in securing Title I and other entitlement grant funds and, upon request, in converting Title I programs from “Targeted Assistance” to “School-wide,” thereby increasing the flexibility with which the school can use its Title I funds.
• Opportunities for leadership in the nation's independent charter school community through sharing of best practices and participation in blogs, wikis, webinars and special events.

What does it cost to participate in the Network of Independent Charter Schools?

There is no cost for receiving services for participating in training or technical assistance activities and events sponsored by the Network of Independent Charter Schools, nor is there any charge for using the Network of

Independent Charter School's services or resources. Independent charter school leaders, teachers and trustees are especially encouraged to access the Network of Independent Charter School's web portal for information and to connect with other independent charter school educators.

What is a Network Model Charter School?

A key component of the Network of Independent Charter Schools is the development of Technical Assistance Plans and delivery of targeted technical assistance to Network Model Charter Schools-i.e. a core group of early-stage independent charter schools in New York City and the greater Boston region. A Core Group of Network Model Schools will be selected during 2010-2011. Each Network Model Charter School will work with experts from CEI-PEA and its partners to engage in a needs assessment and develop a Technical Assistance Plan. Each Technical Assistance Plan will prescribe technical assistance activities and events that address the school's needs and compliment the school's existing professional development programs.

Then, over the next three years, the teachers and administrators at each Network Model Charter School will receive targeted technical assistance-free of charge-to help themaddress the needs identified in the Technical Assistance Plans. The technical assistance will be coordinated with each school's ongoing professional development, curriculum development, teacher and school leader evaluation, operational and governance initiatives. The objective is to build teacher and administrator capacity, improve governance, promote continuous improvement and help each school meet its goals and performance targets.

Is my charter school eligible to be a Network Model Charter School?

Your charter school is eligible to apply to become a Network Model School if it is:
An independent, "mom and pop" charter school
Recently-authorized or early-stage (I.e. Within the first three full years of operation) charter school
Located in New York City or the greater Boston metropolitan region (including communities, towns and cities within a roughly 30 mile radius of the City of Boston)

Additional considerations include each school's-

• Commitment to participating in a Needs Assessment and Technical Assistance planning process
• Need for technical assistance and support
• Readiness to participate fully in the project
• Commitment to designating a Project Liaison and supporting teachers in participating in training and technical assistance
• Commitment to integrating the project's technical assistance into the school's ongoing planning, operations and professional development initiatives
• Interest in contributing to the project's online portal and technical assistance resources

What are the benefits of being a Network Model Charter School?

Benefits of being a Network Model Charter School include:

• Developing a Technical Assistance Plan and implementing a customized program of technical assistance to supplement your school's professional development programs.
• Accessing training and technical assistance to improve your school's capacity for data-driven decision-making, reforming teacher/principal evaluation, aligning evaluation with professional development, supporting educator collaboration and/or raising funds. Network experts include-
  • Dr. Joseph McDonald (author of The Power of Protocols) and NYU Metro Learning Communities (part of the NYU Metropolitan Center for Urban Education), who are experts in establishing peer review initiatives and professional learning communities in charter schools.
  • The Danielson Group, founded by Charlotte Danielson, the author of Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching and a pioneer in establishing research-based and collaborative teacher evaluation practices;
  • Paula Bevin, a Danielson Group trainer who has developed strategies, measures and rubrics that facilitate effective, collaborative teacher evaluations.
• Collaborating with educators across the Model Charter School network on instructional strategies, curriculum mapping and other critical areas directly and virtually through the use of a secure web portal.
• Receiving support in meeting the accountability and compliance requirements of authorizers and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Each Network Model Charter School has private, 24/7 access, free of charge, to a secure web portal that supports communication, collaboration and operational effectiveness throughout the school. The portal’s resources include calendars, document libraries and file-sharing tools, online warehouse to maintain and organize documents, task management tools and communication tools.
• Each Network Model Charter School will receive support in securing Title I and other entitlement grant funds and, upon request, in converting Title I programs from “Targeted Assistance” to “School-wide,” thereby increasing the flexibility with which the school can use its Title I funds.
• Showcasing successful strategies and best practices to a national audience of charter schools through:
  • Participation and presentations in conferences, webinars and related events, and
  • Participation in establishing an interactive online community and information resource for independent charter schools.

How do I apply?

Applying to become a Network Model Charter School is easy.

Application information can be accessed at www.cei-pea.org.

Or contact Assistant Project Director Patrice King by telephone at 212-302-8800 or by e-mail at .

What is the Network Web Resource?

The Network of Independent Charter Schools' web resource is an interactive online resource that enables charter school teachers, administrators and trustees to access information and to communicate and collaborate with one another. The online resource will be launched in Summer 2011 and expanded over the next three years. Because it is web-based, it will provide educators at independent charter schools nationwide with have 24/7, "anywhere-anytime" access. Using the website's information and communication resources, charter school educators across the country can participate in the development and growth of a supportive online community of independent charter schools.

Once it is launched, the web portal can be accessed at indiecharterschools.org.