South Carolina
Public Charter School District
Performance Framework
Dana C. Reed, Assistant Superintendent of
Performance Standards
Courtney Mills, Director of Accountability
Bobby Rykard, Fiscal Analyst
What is the Performance Framework?
• 3-part document
(academic, fiscal,
organizational) that sets
forth expectations of
performance and
compliance.
• Basis for school evaluation,
monitoring, and
intervention that informs the
SCPCSD Board’s highstakes decision making.
Autonomy
Accountability
Charter Life Cycle
Renewal
Process
Application
Cycle
Intervention
(if
applicable)
Charter
and
Contract
Annual
Review
Guiding Questions
Academic
Is the
academic
program a
success?
Financial
Organizational
Is the school
financially
viable?
Is the
organization
effective and
well run?
Performance Framework
Performance Framework Goals
• Focuses on outcome measures that align with the
goal of providing a high-quality education for all
students.
• Allows for greater transparency between the
SCPCSD and the charter schools it authorizes by
setting clear standards for charter school success.
• Provides continuity of charter cycle with consistent
language from the application to renewal.
• Allows stakeholders, including SC families, to make
informed decisions about charter school
performance and quality.
Next Steps

SCPCSD Board approval (August)

TA session for school leaders/board chairs (September)

Development of data collection methods necessary for
implementation (Fall)

Implementation year (2014/15)

Issue an annual report to each school (with the exception of first
year schools) that reflects how many standards the school
exceeded, met, did not meet, or fell far below, depending on the
section of the framework (February 2015)
Note
There is a lot of fluidity surrounding academic
accountability and that will necessitate revisions to
the framework in the future.
 For example, HSAP was administered for the last
time this summer.
 For the first year roll-out of the framework, we will
have HSAP data to plug into the framework.
 After the first year of implementation, we will need
to revise the framework to reflect the assessment
that will be secured by the SCDE.

Academic Performance
COURTNEY MILLS
DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Academic Performance

“Authorizers are charged with holding schools accountable for high
standards of academic performance. This framework focuses
purposefully on quantitative academic outcomes as a basis for
analysis to be used in high-stakes decisions.”
NACSA Core Performance Framework and Guidance, page 8

“Each authorizer and charter school must enter into a contractual
agreement stating that student performance of all students . . . is the
most important factor when determining to renew or revoke a
school's charter.”
SC Board of Education Regulations 43-601.VII.(B)(2)
Academic Data Sources

Assessment Data (August)

ESEA Grades (October)

State Report Cards (November)

Annual Report (December)

Quarterly Reporting
Academic Performance
Indicators

Student Achievement (Absolute)

Student Achievement (Growth)

Comparative Performance

Post-Secondary Readiness

State and Federal Accountability

Charter-Specific Academic Performance Goals
Financial Performance
ROBERT (BOBBY) RYKARD
FINANCIAL ANALYST
Bobby Who???
Purpose of
Financial Framework

To annually assess the financial health and viability of schools

To provide interventions and on-going monitoring and technical assistance
where appropriate based on risk factors

To ensure a sound financial foundation in support of academic achievement
Financial Performance
Review Process

Preliminary Review and Preliminary Rating Annually



Existing Schools
Quarterly Follow-Up

Schools Where Standards Not Met

New Schools as Technical Assistance in First Year
Final Rating – Upon Completion of Follow-Up Analysis
Financial Performance
Framework Timeline
(Draft)


November 1 – School audits due to SCPCSD
December 31 – Preliminary ratings finalized

January 31 – Follow-up analysis finalized

February 28 – Final ratings finalized
Preliminary Ratings

Meets Standard


Not Meeting Standard


Indicates Some Financial Risk(s)
Far Below Standard


Sound Financial Viability
Identifies Significant Financial Risk(s)
Requires Further Analysis

Potential Financial Risk or Insufficient Information Requiring Additional Review
for Determination
Source Documentation

Audited Financial Statements

Due November 1st to SCPCSD

Using Accrual-Based Accounting

Following Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Source Documentation

School Audit:

Statement of Financial Position or Statement of Net Assets (Balance Sheet)

Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets or Statement of Activities (Income
Statement)

Statement of Cash Flows

Board Approved School Budget

Charter Application

Current Enrollment

Debt Schedule
Financial Performance
Indicators


Near-Term Indicators

Current Year

To Identify Immediate Risk
Sustainability Indicators

Long-Term

On-going to Identify Risk to Financial Sustainability
Financial Measures
Short-Term Indicators

Does the school have the ability to cover it’s current liabilities with
current assets?

Does the school have adequate cash on hand to pay expenses?
Financial Measures
Short-Term Indicators


Is the school able to meet its enrollment projections?
Is the school able to meet its debt obligations or covenants?
Financial Measures
Sustainability Indicators

Is the school living within its available resources?

Is a reasonable proportion of the school’s assets financed through
debt?
Financial Measures
Sustainability Indicators

Does the school have a positive change in cash balance from one
period to another?

Does the school have the ability to cover its debt obligations in the
current year?
Final Ratings


Meets Standard

School overall financial record during preliminary review indicates sound
financial viability.

School meets requirements after follow-up analysis after previously being
identified as “Not Meeting Standard” or “Far Below Standard”
Not Meeting Standard


SCPCSD concludes there is a financial risk(s) requiring additional monitoring
and/or intervention.
Far Below Standard

SCPCSD identifies significant financial risk(s) requiring additional monitoring
and/or intervention.
Financial Performance
Results

Used for determining level and frequency of school monitoring

Used to target technical assistance and professional development

May be used in determinations for charter renewal

May be used in part for determination of probation or “Letters of
Caution”

May be used as part of determination for school closure
SCPCSD
Compliance Policy

Letters of Caution


Letters of Non-Compliance


Issued when there is evidence that potential non-compliance may
occur
Issued when non-compliance has occurred
Policy is not progressive!!! (Letters of Caution are not required prior
to a Letter of Non-Compliance)
Questions/Concerns?
Contact Information
Bobby Rykard
rrykard@sccharter.org
(803) 734-0669
Organization

“A Quality Authorizer implements an accountability system that
effectively streamlines federal, state, and local…compliance
requirements while protecting schools’ legally entitled autonomy
and minimizing schools’ administrative and reporting burdens.”
NACSA Principles and Standards, page 16
Organizational Framework
• Expectations the charter school is required to meet
through state and federal law, the Charter, or the
Contract:
• Spend public funds responsibly;
• Practice sound governance; and
• Adhere to laws and charter requirements
• Balance between appropriate oversight and
infringement on autonomy
Organization Indicators

EDUCATION PROGRAM

ACCESS and EQUITY

GOVERNANCE (including accountability of management)

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT (facilities, health, and safety)

STUDENTS/EMPLOYEES

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT and OVERSIGHT

REPORTING