APPLICATION COVER SHEET NAME OF CHARTER SCHOOL: Cape Collegiate Academy (CCA) NAME OF FLORIDA NONPROFIT CORPORATION THAT WILL HOLD THE CHARTER: Cape Collegiate Academy - Cape Campus Has the Corporation Applied for 501-C3 non-profit status? Yes. NAME OF CONTACT PERSON: Mike D’Angelo TITLE/RELATIONSHIP TO NONPROFIT: Chair Board of Directors MAILING ADDRESS: 328 SW 3rd St #205, Cape Coral, FL 33991 TELEPHONE (day): (239) 673-7244 CELL PHONE: (239) 849-1483 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] NAME OF EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER (if any): N.A. NAME OF PARTNER ORGANIZATION (if any): N.A. The proposed School will open in the fall of school year: 2012 Term of Charter Requested: Five Years 2012 – 2017 School Year Grade Levels Total Student Enrollment First Year Second Year Third Year Fourth Year Fifth Year Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 400 400 400 800 800 I certify that I have the authority to submit this Application and that all information contained herein is complete and accurate, realizing that any misrepresentation could result in disqualification from the Application process or revocations after award. I understand that incomplete Applications will not be considered. The person named as the contact person for the Application is so authorized to serve as the primary contact for this Application on behalf of the organization. Signature ________________________ Date Mike D’Angelo Printed Name 1 MODEL FLORIDA CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION 2 Table of Contents Introduction ..........................................................................................................................5 I. EDUCATIONAL PLAN ......................................................................................7 1. Mission, Guiding Principles and Purpose .......................................................7 2. Target Population and Student Body ............................................................11 3. Educational Program Design ........................................................................14 4. Curriculum Plan ............................................................................................28 5. Student Performance, Assessment and Evaluation .......................................35 6. Exceptional Students .....................................................................................40 7. English Language Learners...........................................................................41 8. School Climate and Discipline......................................................................42 II. ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN .............................................................................45 9. Governance ...................................................................................................45 10. Management ..................................................................................................51 11. Education Service Providers (ESP) ..............................................................55 12. Employment ..................................................................................................58 13. Parent and Community Support and Partnerships ........................................58 14. Student Recruitment and Enrollment ............................................................60 III. BUSINESS PLAN ..............................................................................................63 15. Facilities ........................................................................................................63 16. Transportation and Food Service ..................................................................70 17. Budget ...........................................................................................................70 18. Financial Management and Oversight ..........................................................72 19. Action Plan....................................................................................................74 IV. STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES V. ADPENDICES 3 INTRODUCTION Cape Collegiate Academy, a dual enrollment public high school, proposes to establish Cape Collegiate Academy (CCA) at its Cape County campus. As a Florida charter public school, CCA intends to serve Cape Coral students in grades 10 through 12 who seek the challenge of high academic standards, rigorous curricula, and college-level study at a small innovative high school. CCA will neither duplicate, nor intentionally compete with, the highly respected comprehensive academic programs provided by Lee County Public Schools (LCPS) and area private schools. Rather, it will provide an innovative alternative for students in grades 10 through 12. The design of CCA reflects best practices found in increasingly robust research literature on school reform, including the successful Early College High School Initiative sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A CCA needs assessment was established early in the process, including community members, parents and businesses representing Cape Coral Community. The CCA developed a focus group which adopted a conceptual framework based both on community needs and pertinent research on charter schools. Community forums and focus groups were conducted, curriculum models studied, and Vision, Mission, and Values identified. Task Force members visited collegiate high schools located on Florida college campuses and in other states, and incorporated lessons learned and successful practices from their collective experiences. Survey and focus group data from Lee County citizens and stakeholders weighed heavily in the design of CCA. In addition, the Cape Coral Education Foundation and the Cape Council for progress have endorsed the CCA. The focus of CCA will be different from LCPS because the ultimate goal is for students to graduate from high school with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree and high school diploma simultaneously. Florida collegiate high schools are tremendously successful in accelerating degree attainment. While the LCPS dual enrollment partnership has enabled a few highly-motivated students to graduate concurrently, CCA will expand this opportunity greatly. The School will also offer a unique ability to work with underachievers. Beginning in the 10th grade, students will be intensively fortified for success in dual enrollment courses through a highly rigorous curriculum. Students qualifying for the Collegiate Program will provide test scores and other evidence indicating they are prepared to succeed in college level work. Due to its size and location, CCA can focus on rigor, relationships and relevance drawn from college resources. Critical thinking will be embedded in the curriculum, enabling students to assess their own thinking in a cognitive way. CCA students will be enrolled in a broad range of dual-credit college classes to satisfy high school diploma and AA requirements, e.g. organic chemistry, calculus, accounting, creative writing, oceanography, history, humanities, business, education, and the arts. CCA students will enjoy full access to college facilities, activities, and services. Shared academic support services include the campus’ state-of-the-art learning resource center, and tutoring, remedial, and career services provided through the Academic Success Center. As a public high school, CCA will strive to reflect the county’s diversity. High standards will be communicated during the Application process, as CCA will engage students in rigorous, in-depth academic work requiring intellectual inquiry, creativity, and critical thinking. 4 I. EDUCATIONAL PLAN 1. Mission, Guiding Principles and Purpose Cape Collegiate Academy Vision Cape Collegiate Academy is dedicated to better meeting student’s academic needs through an accelerated learning process which allows students to earn an Associate of Arts degree and high school diploma simultaneously. Student learning will focus on an innovative approach which exposes students 10-12 with collegiate curriculum in a small group homogeneous caring environment. In pursuit of this vision, the Cape Campus delivers programs and services tailored to the needs of its local community. With support from the Cape Collegiate Academy School Board, Florida State University System Schools and Mike D’Angelo, Chair of the Board Directors presents the following Mission and implementation plan for the Cape Collegiate Academy (CCA). The purpose of establishing the CCA is to provide a quality academic experience for high school students seeking the challenge of high academic standards, rigorous curricula, and college-level study at a small innovative high school. The focus of CCA will be different from LCPS because the ultimate goal is for students to graduate with an associate in arts degree and high school diploma simultaneously. Beginning in the 10th grade, students will be enrolled in dual enrollment courses through a highly rigorous curriculum in a college campus setting. Colleagues at other Florida collegiate high schools report that their students mature more rapidly than expected because they internalize the intense experience they have elected to pursue, and set high expectations of themselves. They have different goals and often feel they do not fit well in a traditional high school. Collegiate high school employees frequently mention the “power of the site” as an underpinning factor in student achievement at both the PreCollegiate and Collegiate levels. CCA will model its program similar to four existing collegiate high schools in Florida, all of which have demonstrated outstanding performance: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (St. Petersburg College), Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School (Polk Community College), Okaloosa-Walton Collegiate High School (Northwest Florida State College), and Indian River Charter High School (Indian River State College). Edison State College, Charlotte and Lee County. CCA Vision Cape Collegiate Academy (CCA) will distinguish itself as an innovative, academically inspiring, and student-centered early collegiate high school providing equality of educational opportunities open to all, preparation for continued post-secondary education, productive citizenship in a global environment, and graduates who are reflective and skilled in decision-making. CCA Mission Cape Collegiate Academy Mission Statement 5 Cape Collegiate Academy is a public diploma/associate in arts degree granting high school dedicated to educational excellence in accelerated educational programs responsive to its varied student/parent demographic needs at a higher level and though a variety of delivery methods. Within a supportive learning environment, faculty and staff are committed to preparing students to be productive citizens by helping them develop academic and professional proficiencies; to think logically, critically, and analytically; to communicate effectively; to seek and evaluate information; and to act with sound judgment in the interest of our global community. In support of this mission, Cape Collegiate Academy is committed to fostering a climate of continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness as it provides: Liberal arts and pre-professional education through the Associate in Arts degree Professional and technical education through the Associate in Science degree and college certificates Awarding Associate of Arts degrees in areas of need as authorized by the State Board of Education Access to baccalaureate degrees through upper division transfer, articulation, and the State University System Qualified faculty and staff committed to the educational goals of the learner Personal and professional development opportunities Services and opportunities promoting academic, personal, and social growth among students Accessibility to programs through learning assistance, academic advising, flexible scheduling, and distance education Educational partnerships with business, industry, government, and other institutions Cape Collegiate Academy (CCA) is a publicly funded early college high school committed to educational innovation and academic excellence as it prepares students to become critical thinkers and productive global citizens. Teachers, staff and the extended school community are dedicated to providing educational equality in a caring environment. Exemplary pedagogical techniques address the needs and abilities of all students, and community service opportunities integrate learning with real life issues. CCA Values Caring: Evidenced through an institutional commitment to exhibiting concern for each student, primarily though a multi-faceted support program and engagement in community service. Reflection: Manifested largely by personal introspection and critical thinking which engender a disposition to be mindful of the other? Pursuit of Excellence: Continued academic growth and personal development resulting from experiences that promote learning as meaningful and useful in our 21st century global society. 6 CCA will extend the College’s mission of expanding access to college degrees. The educational pathway will be seamless and it is anticipated that many graduates will enroll at Edison State College or FGCU to enter a bachelor’s degree program. CCA is committed to assuring unbiased operations in terms of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic backgrounds, and academic achievement of enrolled students. In accordance with the stipulations of Florida Statutes, s. 1002.33(2)(a), CCA will: Enroll any student residing in the city of Cape Coral, regardless of race, ethnic and national origin, gender, or religion including, but not limited to, those meeting the criteria of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; The CCA wishes to establish an enrollment area for students residing west of Caloosahatchee River. This enrollment area will address the lack of collegiate dual enrollment AA programs offered west of the Caloosahatchee River and provide the same opportunities for students who are afforded collegiate dual enrollment AA programs offered at the Edison State College and FGCU; sites east of the Caloosahatchee River; Ensure that all students will be exposed to the same academically rigorous curriculum as presented in Section 3. Educational Program Design and Section 4. Curriculum Plan; Require as mandatory the engagement of the parent/guardian in all aspects of the student’s educational experiences including, but not limited to, the admission process and regularly scheduled conferences with teachers for discussing the child’s/children’s academic and behavioral progress; Provide the Governing Board with periodic assessment and evaluation progress reports and a comprehensive assessment and evaluation report at least once per year; Participate in all State and district assessment programs in which district students in comparable grades/schools participate; and Develop a full partnership with Edison and FGCU to share faculty, facilities, and services. CCA is dedicated to maintaining a functional, working relationship with its Sponsor, Lee County Public Schools (LCPS), as well as with private institutions that provide educational opportunities for students in grades 10-12. CCA will neither duplicate, nor intentionally compete with the highly respected comprehensive academic programs provided by LCPS and area private schools. As a high school with innovation and excellence as its hallmark, CCA will manifest distinction through the following eight tenets: Tenet One: Achieving Excellence and Equity in Academic Achievement 7 Tenet Two: Individualizing Instruction Tenet Three: Internationalizing the Curriculum Tenet Four: Employing a Learning Community Approach for Interdisciplinary Teaching Tenet Five: Aligning Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA Competencies for General Education Tenet Six: Presenting a Distinctive Curriculum that Integrates Critical Thinking into Every Course Tenet Seven: Preparing Teachers for Addressing Issues of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Tenet Eight: Developing New Models for School/Community Collaborations Research supporting the selection of each area of distinction is presented under Section 3, Educational Program Design. In alignment with State requirements for the identification of career pathways, CCA students will be Associate in Arts (AA) degree-seeking, and able to purse major areas of interest through coursework tailored to their academic and career goals. CCA will feature dual-enrollment and Collegiate programs. The Collegiate Program will serve all students to bring them to grade level and prepare them to demonstrate dual enrollment eligibility requirements for college credit instruction. Regardless of grade level, the CCA academic environment will be of honors caliber to instill confidence and academic achievement among students, assisted through mentoring and other support systems. CCA will assemble a School Advisory Council (CCA-SAC) to facilitate achievement of the School mission, and to ensure that the needs of the children and community are met. CCA-SAC, consisting of parents and Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA staff, will advise the CCA administration, and ultimately the Cape Collegiate Academy Board, concerning policies to support academic achievement. The Council’s Charge and Membership is presented as Appendix 1. The Council will also receive input from parents by way of an annual School Advisory Council (SAC parent survey and monthly SAC meetings. Partnership between Cape Collegiate Academy and Florida University System Schools The partnership between CCA and the Florida University System Schools will provide the CCA with an array of instructional and professional development resources including facilities, technology and consultative personnel. Beginning Fall 2012, the CCA will offer curriculum programming for students to attain their AA degree upon graduation from high school. Establishing a high school/college campus offers exceptional opportunities to motivate students and create a successful and enduring collaborative relationship. The partnership reinforces the commitment to dual accountability for student outcomes and academic success. Students will be encouraged to exercise personal responsibility in their growing maturity as individuals, and learners. Regardless of academic or socioeconomic background, the goal is for all CCA students to perceive themselves as capable of 8 achieving a college degree. The sense of being part of a college community will help students gain the motivation and confidence they need to persevere in demanding courses. CCA students and teachers will benefit from the Collegiate Academy environment every day, not only accessing labs and activity centers, but also in observing and interacting with college students and faculty. Early college high schools are tremendously successful in accelerating degree attainment. For example, over its four-year history, the St. Petersburg Collegiate High School has achieved a concurrent graduation rate of 85%. For CCA, the specific advantages of locating the School on Cape Collegiate Academy’s campus will include: Shared resources and facilities, and coordination of schedules and calendars; Collaboration among CAA teachers and College faculty to ensure alignment among course offerings and to share pedagogical strategies consistent with a small school design that includes greater relevance between the student studies and future employment; Access to all College tutorial services at no cost to students; Weekend and evening access to all College support services; Participation in College and School sponsored workshops; Access to College staff and professional development activities; Access to subject area teaching and reference materials at both the School and College levels; Use of the College’s Learning Resource Center, computer labs, Student Activities Center, and Academic Success Center; Access to online tutorial and library resources; Demonstration of new ways of integrating grade levels to better serve the intellectual and developmental needs of students; Greater autonomy and flexibility than found in traditional comprehensive high schools, and stronger ties between the School and College; College faculty and high school instructor collaboration in integrating course offerings promoting a rigorous, accelerated curriculum and a seamless transition into college level courses; On-going collaborative team of College and School personnel; and Personalized academic pathways for all students leading to a high school diploma and associate degree. Florida's collegiate high schools also provide an outstanding environment for improving FCAT scores. In the last four years, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School has had 25 students enter grade 10 with FCAT Level 1 and Level 2 reading scores, i.e. five at Level 1 and 20 at Level 2. All of these students were required to retake the FCAT. Several of them had to retake the test twice. Before the completion of grade 12, all of the students were successful in passing the FCAT. Fewer students entered grade 10 with FCAT Level 1 or 2 in math. None of them entered with a Level 1 score. There were 8 students in the Level 2 range. All of them successfully passed the FCAT prior to their senior year. 2. Target Population and Student Body 9 CCA will provide a distinct educational opportunity for families as provided through Florida Statutes, s. 1002.33(10)(e); s. 1002.33(6)(b)(2); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(1); and s. 1003.03. It is anticipated that students who wish to pursue a unique educational experience at a small, caring, and innovative high school located on a beautiful college campus will apply for admission. As a result, CCA seeks to enroll students who desire an educational experience commensurate with the distinctiveness of its Vision, Mission, and Values. According to the latest census the City of Cape Coral has a population of over 150,000 people and over 6,000 high school students. Yet, there is not a State University System School in Cape Coral to service this population. It is the intent of the CCA to provide an opportunity for the high school students of Cape Coral the opportunity needed to accelerate their education. Students enrolled at Florida’s collegiate high schools represent a diverse cross section of their respective populations. Representatives report that middle to low income families will see this opportunity as the chance for their child to become the first in the family to earn a college degree. Such schools rarely attract students who thrive in larger, traditional high schools. Collegiate high school students often require a depth of personal interaction and learning support that can only be provided in a small and focused setting. CCA will admit a cohort of up to 100 freshman and sophomore students per year for three consecutive years beginning with students eligible for admission to 9thth grade in fall 2012-2013. The remaining student population (up to 400 students) will consist of dual enrollment eligible 11th and 12th graders. If interest and demand permits on the 4th year and there after up to 200 sophomore students will be admitted and the and cap enrollment will be 800 students. This will be accomplished by doubling the size of the facility in the 4th year if interest and demand permits. Capacity for each admissions period will be approved by the Cape Collegiate Academy Board, with input from the CCA-School Advisory Council (SAC). Once Applicants have been admitted to the School and enrolled, they will not be required to reapply for admission for future enrollment periods. Exceptions will apply if a student has officially declined to enroll, has officially withdrawn from the School, or has been expelled from the School for good cause. Table 1 below presents CCA proposed enrollment by school year, grade levels, class size, and total enrollment. Table 1 – CCA Projected Enrollment, 2012-2017, by School Year, Grade Levels & Class Size School Year Grade Levels Total Student Enrollment Class Size First Year (2012–2013) Second Year (2013–2014)) Third Year (2014–2015) Fourth Year (2015–2016) Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12 400 400 400 800 Not to exceed 25 Not to exceed 25 Not to exceed 25 Not to exceed 25 10 Fifth Year (2016–2017) Grades 9-12 800 Not to exceed 25 3. Educational Program Design The length of the school day and start and ending times for the daily class schedule will be: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The CAA will align their class/school calendar with the LCSD for student transportation, staff development, and for students that desire to participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities at their “home school.” The proposed 9th and 10th grade non-dual enrollment schedule is presented as Appendix 4. CCA will provide instruction for the number of days and hours as required by law for other public schools. The administration will align LCPS calendar in constructing the annual CCA calendar. A model school calendar, based on the 2010-2011 school year, is presented as Appendix 5. While the calendar will vary year to year, CCA will endeavor to include a similar annual break schedule. The Cape Collegiate Academy will enroll students interested in attending college and attaining an AA degree upon graduation. CCA will offer college classes that parallel the required high school graduation credits to graduates to attain an AA degree upon high school graduation. Hence, it is CCA’s grounded interest in expanding the opportunity for high school students in Cape Coral and across the county to graduate with the AA degree and high school diploma simultaneously. The Cape Collegiate Academy articulation agreement with the Florida University System Schools will provide the curriculum structure for CCA student success. While specific AA degrees will be attainable, the primary focus will be on earning a generic AA and will be the focus of the CCA schedule. The specific AA may successful for some students, barriers of scheduling and access to a variety of college courses may limit this option for many. But the goal for all will be to receive an AA. Non dual enrollment students will receive innovative service via online service, small group learning, individual tutoring, project based curriculum, hands on learning and off site learning opportunities. The education program is designed to assure that students meet all the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards required by section 1002.33 F.S. as we;; as the 21st century skills. A secondary goal is to achieve 100% placement of 11th and 12th graders in college level courses. This expectation is based on the experience of other Florida collegiate high schools. One very positive outcome of smaller charter schools is the ability to tailor student schedules and courses to individualized needs, and provide each student special advising and counseling support. Due to the small school size, the CCA staff will be able to closely monitor student transcripts. Should a student not be successful in a particular course, he or she may enroll in Florida Virtual School, with progress monitored by the assigned advisor. 11 Educational Philosophy It is the philosophy of the CCA that students should have the opportunity to accelerate their learning and earn an A.A. degree upon high school graduation. The CCA will provide an educational alternative for students to accelerate their learning. In so doing, the CCA will seek to engage its students, from the academically gifted and talented, to those whose academic record may not be reflective of their true academic potential, in a quality academic experience producing high student achievement. CCA will evaluate barriers to education that prevent students from achieving academically, and equip them with the tools necessary for success. The School will strive to identify the educational and social needs of each student, and provide the appropriate tools and services to empower each of them to meet high academic standards and function productively in the community. The three-year innovative curriculum provides an opportunity for high-performing students to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously. Students will master Sunshine State Standards through Application of critical thinking and creativity, literacy across the curriculum, and global thinking. CCA will employ pedagogical tenets found in differentiated learning, interdisciplinary studies, individualized instruction, and culturally relevant teaching methods, and draw selectively upon best practices in formative and summative assessment methodologies. Students will complete a senior research project as a capstone experience to demonstrate critical thinking and attainment of general education competencies. Educational Approach CCA will adopt a School-wide literacy program across the high school curriculum. Reading and writing will be addressed in each course. All high school teachers will receive intense training to facilitate substantive reading and writing skills for all students. The 10th grade English curriculum will provide stringent preparation for challenging English college courses that students will take in 11th and 12th grades. Since CCA students enter a rigorous college English program after completion of only two years of high school English, the English curriculum will be enhanced through supplemental instruction and through technology and use of the campus Academic Success Center tutors and resources. Technology will involve use of My-Writing-Lab software, online tutoring services provided by SmartThinking©, and a variety of writing assessments. A program of writing and reading-across-the-curriculum is critical to helping underprepared students achieve college readiness, and build literacy skills in all subject areas. The Peace River Center for Writers at Cape Collegiate Academy will bring authors and aspiring writers together for extra-curricular learning opportunities, and the resource will be an asset for CCA faculty. The Curriculum will be centered on 21st century learning outcomes. 12 Perhaps the most unique aspect of CCA will be the consistency and commonality of expected student learning outcomes. As required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation standards, Cape Collegiate Academy has established general education learning outcomes that add a level of cohesion to students’ learning experiences. Course syllabi identify these outcomes and how they are addressed within the classroom, and the College has established evaluation methods for assessing students’ attainment of these outcomes. The Cape Collegiate Academy faculty and Florida Gulf Coast University professors will work together to achieve the common goal of improving student learning in the following areas of general education: Critical thinking Communication—writing, reading, speaking, and listening Technology and information management Global and socio-cultural responsibility Scientific and quantitative reasoning Joint professional development between high school teachers and college faculty will bridge the gap between the two levels, creating a seamless transition from secondary to post-secondary instruction. CCA teachers will monitor student achievement of general education learning outcomes using rubrics developed by Cape Collegiate Academy faculty, track student performance longitudinally to ensure that students are progressing appropriately, and provide interventions as needed. Teachers will also use the portfolio model for learning outcomes assessment as a non-threatening and non-intrusive way to gather and assess student learning, with the goal of assessing how CCA is doing in improving student learning in these areas. The elements and tools of critical thinking are essential to personal growth. The CCA focus on critical thinking will place complex executive functions, such as reasoning, problem solving, motivation, and judgment, at the center of its curriculum. These abilities are essential for success in a high-performance work environment. At the CCA, critical thinking is fundamental to learning in any subject matter. CCA will strive to apply the concepts of critical thinking to all that is taught, how it is taught, and how student learning is assessed. Critical thinking requires students to suspend judgment, to recognize and study biases and assumptions, and closely examine conclusions and concepts. Critical thinkers must identify what is relevant, accurate, and logical; must recognize differing points of view; and must cultivate intellectual humility and intellectual perseverance that allows for the exchange of ideas and cooperation essential to educating students for the 21st century. According to Elder and Paul (2001), a well-cultivated critical thinker: Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely; Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively; Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards; 13 Thinks open mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems. This model, developed by Paul and Elder at the Foundation for Critical Thinking, will be implemented, and critical thinking activities will be documented through evaluation portfolios, student artifacts, and classroom observations. Assignments will be evaluated using the intellectual standards of clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, and logic. The goal is for students to consistently demonstrate such intellectual behavior. Taking advantage of the small school size projected for CCA, teachers will work in crossdisciplinary teams and use College and community resources in all areas of the curriculum. Learning at CCA will be interdisciplinary. Curricular learning communities, structured to help develop intellectual connections and a sense of community, will be linked though an interdisciplinary theme. A variety of Approaches will be used to build learning communities among students, between students and teachers, and among teachers and disciplines. Learning communities may involve two or more classes linked thematically, or by content of courses, which a cohort of students take together. In this instance, the teachers will plan the program collaboratively and will team-teach. Students will prepare for success in a global environment. It is the intent of CCA to develop relationships with schools in select countries across the globe to foster international experiences for students and teachers. CCA will offer opportunities for teachers to develop skills and opportunities for cross-cultural teaching at CCA and Florida Gulf Coast University, as well as any educational institution in the community who desires to work collaboratively with CCA. Internationalizing the curriculum will satisfy the Florida mandate regarding innovation and distinction, as students’ cultural awareness will be heightened. They will re-evaluate accepted practices, and demonstrate reflection and appropriate cross-cultural practices. CCA will develop a curriculum that incorporates the best components from a variety of curricula models exemplifying internationalization. The use of technology available on the Cape Campus will enable students to establish relationships with students in other countries, and participate in College multi-cultural activities as Appropriate. Project-based learning and authentic assessment will link education to life experiences. Project-based learning is inquiry-focused, experiential learning organized around the investigation and resolution of a real-world problem. It is student-centered, with the teacher acting as a coach/facilitator in a learning environment in which the coach guides students to the resources necessary to solve the problem. Students use active research and 14 collaboration with fellow students to solve ill-structured problems (Torp and Sage, 1998). This powerful, motivating opportunity for learning provides students with an educational experience beyond learning facts. It facilitates student learning through integration of curriculum and connects subject matter. CCA plans to collaborate with business and industry, community groups, and College faculty to enable students to understand the relationship between school, work and world, and apply their knowledge through project-based learning. The School’s learning communities will provide an effective instructional design for implementation. Topics for senior projects will exemplify accepted professional practices. Taking advantage of local resources to assist students in clarifying career and educational goals will be an underlying objective in project-based learning. Teachers will be prepared for a diverse student body and culturally relevant pedagogy. CCA is committed to equal access enrollment for Cape Coral residents, and to equipping all to succeed under the same academically rigorous curriculum. It is anticipated that the School population will be comprised of students from a broad range of socio-cultural and economic backgrounds with diverse levels of academic achievement. Effectively addressing the needs of this population will require that teachers and administrators are equipped to navigate a variety of challenges. To make learning more relevant and meaningful, it is the intent of Cape Collegiate Academy to provide professional development for CCA teachers on culturally-relevant pedagogies that focus on students’ cultural backgrounds, prior experiences, frames of references, and learning styles. Employment of culturally relevant pedagogy is based not only on the premise that all children are capable of learning, but that a just and caring environment must permeate the School. Classroom practices, teaching and learning activities, interpersonal relationships, social interactions, administrative procedures, and assessment methods will reflect best practices emerging from related research studies. Overview of Instructional Methods Key to the success of CCA will be the Application of a variety of instructional methods to accommodate student-learning styles. In addition to the traditional classroom approach, the range of instructional options will be characterized by implementation of technology-across-the-curriculum, incorporation of an Advisory Class at each grade level, interdisciplinary teaching through learning communities, performance-based and authentic assessments, and active/collaborative classroom practices that engage students in meaningful learning. Teachers will be facilitators of learning, asking essential questions and having students answer based on research, independent reading, collaborative learning arrangements, and Socratic discussions. Much of the learning will be project-based, with the student posing central questions for which he/she will come to a definitive answer, or, quite possibly, a multitude of equally plausible answers. Ideally, students will be able to determine their own “homework” through self-assessment and evaluation of individual needs. 15 Students will also be involved in small group projects, and experience shared inquiry into literature, cross curricular alignment of topics, and an approach to mathematics which prompts them to reach beyond facts to a more thoughtful understanding of concepts and meaningful problem solving. Independent learning activities will take place in the Academic Success Center, staffed by Cape Collegiate Academy professional staff and CCA tutors, and open throughout the school day. CCA will provide a variety of technology opportunities. The CCA campus offers computer labs, where students have ready online access available through high-speed connections in labs and classrooms through WiFi wireless connections. Campus databases are available for information and research. Students will be able to hone computer skills while preparing PowerPoint, computer graphics, and other multimedia presentations using Smart Boards and other technologies. Upon enrollment, students will be orientated to proper use of the College’s computer equipment, Internet, software and related hardware. Students and teachers will also be required to complete training on Web-CT, the College’s platform for online teaching and learning. A flexible calendar will foster participation in seminars, field trips, and hands-on activities in fields such as practical chemistry, oceanography, herpetology, foreign language, and political science. Learning communities will enable students to focus their learning on personal and meaningful interests, and will permit teachers to work in teams to ensure that students are attaining stated outcomes. Embedded critical thinking initiatives, described earlier, will ensure that students develop meta-cognitive skills, those skills supporting the knowledge of individual cognitive processes and supporting lifelong learning. Differentiated Instruction, Support for Learning, and Provision for Students Entering Below Grade Level CCA teachers will differentiate instruction to appropriately challenge and engage students within a common classroom. This will be achieved by adapting activities to address specific strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles of each student. Culturally relevant pedagogies, as previously discussed, will make learning relevant and effective for the diverse study body. Differentiation is also supported through an emphasis on group work, and the School's collective responsibilities in which students support peers. The School’s priority for preparing students to succeed in college-level classes will be grounded in an accelerated and rigorous curriculum for all grade levels, and be delivered at a pace which will require multiple systems of support for students’ academic, behavioral, emotional, personal, and social needs. CCA will employ the primary support mechanisms of successful collegiate high schools, as follows: Classroom attendance will be tracked daily; parents of students who are on the absentee list will be contacted; High school teachers and College faculty will complete periodic anecdotal progress reports on their students; 16 Weekly meetings will be held in which teachers and staff members have the opportunity to discuss observations of student behavior and voice concerns; An advisor will be assigned to each student; An Individualized Learning Contract (ILC) will be developed for each student; Counselors and advisors will collaborate in tracking of student progress and arranging interventions; Workshops will be facilitated through the Academic Success Center on selected skills including test-taking exercises, time management, study skills, and strategies for developing literacy skills; Mixed-ability student groupings and classes will enable those stronger academically to assist those less prepared; Counseling will be structured for small groups as well as for individuals; A summer orientation program will welcome incoming 10th graders; Morning and late afternoon study sessions will be held for students who fall behind; Juniors and seniors will act as mentors for younger students, formally and informally; Community volunteers, tutors, and veteran teachers will assist students in writing to grade level as rapidly as possible; and An Advisory Class will be developed at each grade level. Students will be known on a personal basis not only because CCA will be small, but also because the School will value small classes and encourage student/instructor interaction over the course of the high school years. A major component of CCA will be the school-wide advisory program. In addition to academic advising and guidance provided by the school counselor, CCA will offer a weekly Advisory Class. Students will check in at a designated location and interact with an adult facilitator and small group of students for the purpose of receiving support through transitional periods, such as moving from one grade to the next. Each group will consist of Approximately 15 students to promote personal contact and academic success. As enrollment grows and the curriculum expands, this personal attention will be extremely important. To help promote a true sense of community, to encourage student advocacy, and to inspire in students the confidence to go to an adult for support, all professional school staff will be trained as Advisory Class facilitators. Students enrolled in CCA will enter the dual-enrollment program as 10th graders, and most will transition to the Collegiate Program for their junior year. The Collegiate Program will enable students to enroll in college-level courses, and earn credit to fulfill both the high school and associate degree requirements. An Individualized Learning Contract (ILC) will be designed by each student, parent/guardian, advisor, and, potentially, community members, specifying academic goals and prescribing curriculum relevant to the student’s goals. The ILC will include a Comprehensive Graduation Plan, which will benchmark student progress toward achieving a high school diploma and, if qualified, an associate degree. The ILC will be based on each student’s assessment of academic achievement, strengths and weaknesses, interests, and career/life goals. The number of college credits earned by each student will 17 vary due to specialization courses required in the field of study selected by the student. The interdisciplinary team will utilize Florida’s automated FACTS advising system as a tool for developing ILCs. The ILC program of study will meet all Florida statutory requirements for high school diplomas and associate degrees. The ILC will also assist students in formulating career plans. Students entering CCA will self-identify personal interests and abilities that may lead to future careers. Through the College’s Academic Success Center, students will participate in career exploration activities, and use the Internet to explore information about career options. Each will complete a career interest inventory, and create a resume and portfolio of their best work. Activities will be flexible and open to change during the registration process, and will accommodate the needs of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students. Student progress will be closely monitored. Teachers and staff will examine assessment results from norm referenced tests, individual course grades, grade point averages, course retention rates and course success rates, and will utilize the information in determining intervention/support strategies. A variety of interventions, including continuous testing, feedback, and one-on-one support beginning in 10th grade, will be used to provide students a number of opportunities to meet the School’s dual-enrollment criteria. Continuous tracking of assessment results, combined with anecdotal classroom observations by teachers and staff, will provide a composite of each student’s progress. Each student will receive two transcripts, i.e., one that reflects high school credits, and one that documents college credits earned. It is the intent of CCA to thoroughly implement established systems of comprehensive assessments and evaluation software. Resources under consideration for student assessment include: Kaplan’s Achievement Planner©, a tool which uses student data from test results to prescribe and deliver targeted lesson plans and web- and scanner-based assessments to help increase student achievement. Achievement Planner provides immediate data reports to educators, revealing students' current curricular strengths and weaknesses, and enabling them to identify areas where students need the most attention. In addition, the system prescribes and delivers instructional materials aligned with regional and national standards. The High Schools That Work (HSTW) Assessment, coordinated by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), which is comprised of three subject tests (reading, mathematics and science) coupled with a student survey, used to document school improvement efforts, and which provides comprehensive school-level data that disaggregate students' achievement by their perceptions of school and classroom experiences. Data Wise, a web-based program that allows teachers to quickly view their most timely results and also creates dynamic reports that support data-driven collaboration and decisions quickly and easily by selecting virtually any group of students and any combination of local and State assessments. Each student will receive support from a teacher serving as his or her advisor. This person will serve as a mentor, help assigned students in adjusting to high school, guide 18 them through the graduation project, and assist in the transition from high school to college student. Should the student require tutoring in a specific area, the advisor will help arrange for tutoring services. The school counselor, in collaboration with the respective advisor, will be the student advocate, helping students communicate with teachers, and participating in student-led conferences with parents/guardians. The CCA counselor and advisor will also keep track of student progress and arrange for necessary interventions. Academic achievement will be the central focus at CCA. Students in 11th and 12th grades will mentor younger students, formally and informally. All students will be expected to support their peers to enable each and every student to master the material at hand. Community volunteers, tutors, and veteran teachers will assist students in developing writing skills at respective grade levels as rapidly as possible. For students that are not performing at grade-level, an academic catch-up program will be developed, and assistance provided through the student’s Advisory Class, the College’s Academic Success Center, and summer learning opportunities offered through the college. The Academic Success Center is the primary vehicle for helping students to evaluate progress, choose resources compatible with their learning styles, and locate appropriate support materials. Individual tutors, study groups, computer-assistedinstruction, skills workshops, video reviews and similar activities will be available for learning support. The Academic Success Center also provides students with career assessment and planning tools including the Strong Interest Inventory, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and FACTS.org. Career planning will be integrated into the development of each student’s ILC. As students move into CAA classes, some may struggle academically. The advisory program provides faculty the opportunity to notify advisors when students are not performing adequately for intervention purposes. In addition, CCA administration and staff will monitor standardized test results, completion rates and grade level achievement, and continually review performance indicators to gauge students’ overall performance. If a student is at risk of repeating a grade or failing to graduate, the counselor will discuss intervention steps with the student and parent/guardian. Interventions may include, but not limited to; an extended day, tutoring, Florida Virtual School, other online approved programs to assist the student in staying on graduation path An annual report will be provided to parents/guardians documenting student progress toward achieving State and district expectations for reading, writing, mathematics, and science proficiencies based on results of district and statewide testing. CCA intends to adopt the LCPS Student Progression Plan (SPP). The parent/guardian will be notified in writing during a grading period when it is Apparent that his or her student may fail or is doing unsatisfactory work in any course, particularly if the student is not reading at grade level. Research Base Supporting Initiatives 19 Extensive research underpins the CCA philosophy and Approach described herein. Following are brief summaries of related studies considered by the CCA Task Force when recommending the eight tenets supporting distinctiveness presented on page 9. The bibliography of literature reviewed for proposal development is presented as Appendix 3. Tenet One: Achieving Excellence and Equity in Academic Achievement Cape Collegiate Academy Approaches the development of CCA cognizant of sociocultural issues surrounding Charter Schools. The College will be deliberate in achieving excellence and equity beginning with the recruitment and enrollment process. CCA will enroll students residing in North Fort Meyers and Cape Coral, regardless of race, ethnic and national origin, gender, or religion including, but not limited to, those meeting the criteria of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, English for Speakers of other Languages, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Research data indicate that Charter schools are not only predominant among schools of choice, but that they are disproportionately subscribed to by students from among racial and ethnic minority populations and also of lower socio-economic status. Frankenberg and Cape (2003), who have penned one of the most comprehensive research pieces on Charter Schools, note that “…at the national level, blacks are over-enrolled and whites are under-enrolled in charter schools relative to public school enrollment.” Tenet Two: Individualizing Instruction Individualizing instruction has, more often than not, been associated with students with disabilities and, to a lesser extent, with students who are gifted and talented. The most related discussion is centered on the development and implementation of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs). Megay-Nespoli (2001) in the article, Beliefs and Attitudes of Novice Teachers Regarding Instruction of Academically Talented Learners, summarizes some of the major findings of the research on Individualizing Instruction. Research on learning to teach academically diverse learners, while scant, has focused on how teachers make decisions about what and how to teach the whole class rather than on making decisions for different types of learners. The research further indicates that many teachers are aware that students have differing needs, and acknowledge that student assignments should be tailored to meet the individual students' needs; however, they lack the knowledge and skills necessary to differentiate instruction. The issue of teacher perception is of paramount importance. In discussing one model of Individualizing Instruction, i.e. Self-Regulated Learning (SRL), Butler (2002) argues rather persuasively that it is not sufficient to “…promote student self-regulation [but] teachers must assist students to engage flexibly and adaptively in a cycle of cognitive activities (i.e., task analysis, strategy selection and use, and self- monitoring).” More importantly is that teachers should strive ardently to “…promote students’ positive self-perceptions of competence and motivational beliefs … [and] … their perceptions of self-efficacy, … [or] beliefs about their capabilities to exercise control over their own level of functioning and over events that affect their lives [and] their perceptions of self-efficacy [that] influence the goals they set, their commitment to those goals, and the learning strategies employed” (Butler, 2002). Implicit in Butler’s exposé on Self-Regulated Learning as a model of Individualized Learning is 20 the underlying notion of a caring environment that will be addressed more fully in Tenet 7. Preparing Teachers for Addressing Issues of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. CCA will integrate technology across the curriculum. Technology will be employed to support Individualizing Instruction, to align instructional materials and assessments with local, state, and national standards; and to support the development of electronic portfolios for CCA students and teacher education candidates. It will also support activities geared toward the gifted and talented. Strot (1998), in an article entitled, Individualizing Instructions with Computer Applications, provides observations that are still Applicable currently in classrooms: ‘Although computers can be a terrific resource for all children, gifted children particularly benefit from the individualization provided by different computer Applications…. …From my observations, however, teachers use computers primarily for drill and practice exercises and word processing.’ Traditional uses of technology in the curriculum will include retrieving information from the Internet, and communicating with students and parents regarding academic performance and general welfare. Technology will be also utilized in continuous assessment and evaluation of students’ academic performance in modes such as electronic portfolios, and will selectively employ available resources that will “…align instructional materials and assessments with local, state, and national standards” (Krajcik, J., McNeil, K. L., and Reiser, B. J., 2007). The school facilities will be fully equipped with hardware, software and wireless connections to support the integration of technology with the curriculum and ongoing state-of-the-art technology resources. Tenet Three: Internationalizing the Curriculum Internationalizing the curriculum has received much attention in recent years, primarily because of the emphasis attached to globalization manifested through international political and international institutions such as the World Trade Organization. But internationalizing the curriculum goes beyond an understanding and familiarity with such agencies. Reed (2007) in a recent editorial to a special edition of the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation provides a rather succinct statement of what it means to internationalize the curriculum: ‘Respecting and acknowledging different perspectives is the key to internationalization of the curriculum. Internationalization goes far beyond cultural awareness and including case-studies from other cultures than one's own. The skills that graduates should acquire from a truly internationalized curriculum are to be open-minded, show respect and curiosity about other practices and be capable of showing a willingness to reassess and reevaluate accepted practices and ways of thinking. (p. 390).’ Reed’s observation regarding graduates who are “…open-minded, show respect and curiosity about other practices and be capable of showing a willingness to reassess and 21 re-evaluate accepted practices and ways of thinking” (p. 390), reflects the values and proficiencies which CCA anticipates that its graduates will mirror. External and internal influences will play a role in shading the curriculum. Externally, the expectations of parents and agencies that mandate curriculum requirements are perhaps the most powerful forces. Internally, there are considerations of ideological orientations as well as the readiness of teachers, staff, and administration that must be addressed. CCA’s Approach to internationalizing the curriculum will consider all such factors and do so within the mandates of governmental requirements. Literature concerning the process for internationalizing the curriculum is scant. Vidovich (2004) in the comprehensive article, towards internationalizing the curriculum in a context of globalization: comparing policy processes in two settings, suggests some major lessons. She contends that there are a number of issues that must be addressed with a great degree of sincerity if the program is to be successful. First, she acknowledges that: “…While parents … are generally supportive of internationalizing the curriculum, they also continually reinforce the importance of the school's high position….” This is especially important at a time when entrance into selective higher educational institutions is more competitive than ever. Second, she highlights the pivotal role of teachers in this process and the possibility of administration really respecting that role while recruiting teachers who are truly global proponents in their professional practice: “…teachers' contributions to curriculum development [tend to] center on their detailed knowledge of localized context, rather than construction of curriculum discourses, and therefore their ownership of curriculum change is limited. However, in situations [where there are opportunities for genuine curriculum revision and construction] where individual schools decide to internationalize their curriculum, it may be teachers' global (rather than local) knowledge which becomes more important.” CCA’s curriculum will incorporate the best components of a variety of curricula models that exemplify internationalization. A complementary program will afford teachers and staff opportunities to work with students and teachers from schools internationally, and produce students who are proficient and reflective of cross-cultural practices. CCA teachers will draw on the resources of the College faculty, many of whom bring in-depth subject area expertise in areas such as business, ecology, oceanography, medicine, and languages. Tenet Four: Employing a learning community Approach for interdisciplinary teaching Learning communities offer coherent opportunities for the teaching of literacy skills, such as reading, writing, and speaking, and additional pathways for students to engage in the general education curriculum. They also offer a robust way to address interdisciplinary ideas, and a more coordinated platform for study. In a variety of institutional settings, learning communities have been shown to increase student retention and academic achievement, increase student involvement and motivation, improve students’ time to degree completion, and enhance student intellectual development. Students involved in learning communities become more intellectually mature and responsible for their own learning, and develop the capacity to care about the learning of their peers. At CCA, small learning communities will foster close relationships among students and teachers, and, as research indicates, enable the teachers to work together across 22 disciplines to engage students in rigorous learning activities supporting academic achievement. Problem solving in math and critical thinking will be inherent in an analysis of a social studies assignment. Since student achievement portfolios in the small school environment can span disciplines, teachers will meet as a team to review student progress. Tenet Five: Aligning Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA competencies for general education As previously discussed, Cape Collegiate Academy faculty have agreed formally on the lifelong value of the following skills and abilities, and have identified them as general education competencies. Students must demonstrate mastery of the competencies prior to graduating with an associate degree: Critical thinking Communication—writing, reading, speaking, and listening Technology and information management Ethics and values Quantitative reasoning, and Interpersonal skills CCA teachers will develop syllabi based on the current Cape Collegiate Academy syllabi template, which includes these competencies for all transfer courses. The teachers will also include strategies for addressing and integrating these outcomes within each high school course. The result will provide a mechanism whereby all faculty work together to document student learning and assure attainment of required college-level competencies. Such cohesion has been documented as fundamental to achieving ongoing improvements in student learning. Tenet Six: Presenting a Distinctive Curriculum That Integrates Critical Thinking into Every Course Preparing students to succeed in the 21st century workplace must be an integral part of a student’s high school curriculum. Cape Collegiate Academy believes that a curriculum undergirded by an emphasis on critical thinking, infused with literacy, and reinforced through practical experiences will not only distinguish the school’s graduates, but the school as well. Critical Thinking as an educational philosophical notion has been incubated and developed into maturity over the last four decades. Riddell (2007) points out that “…Critical thinking requires an explanation rather than a definition.” It may best be understood by ferreting out its principle pillars, which have been detailed in the literature: Reflection (Bandman & Bandman 1995; Brookfield, 1987; Chenoweth, 1998; Kataoka-Yahiro & Saylor, 1994; Paul, 2004; Watson & Glaser, 1980). Identification and Appraisal of assumptions (Brookfield, 1987; KataokaYahiro & Saylor 1994; Mezirow, 1991). Inquiry, interpretation and analysis, and reasoning and judgment (Bandman & Bandman, 1995; Brookfield, 1987; Mezirow, 1991; Paul 2004). Consideration of context (Brookfield, 1987; Cody, 2002; Mezirow, 1991) 23 The Appropriation of Critical Thinking as the primary underlying educational philosophy that informs the CCA curriculum will be underscored by relevant professional development initiatives. The College faculty’s focus on assessing and integrating critical thinking skills in all general education courses will provide the opportunity for CCA teachers to participate in related campus-based workshops. Tenet Seven: Preparing Teachers for Addressing Issues of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Serving the needs of a diverse student body will require employees trained to successfully navigate a variety of socio-cultural and academic issues. Research responds positively to the situations that are likely to arise among teachers and administrators at both CCA and Cape Collegiate Academy. There is a rich body of literature that addresses the notion of culturally relevant pedagogy (Gay, 2000; Howard, 2003, 2001; Ladson-Billings, 1994; Shade, Kelly, & Oberg, 1997; Ford, D. Y., & Harris, III, J.J., 1999; Irvine, J. J., 1990; Valenzuela, A., 1999; et al.). Gay (2000) crystallized the notion of culturally relevant pedagogy as pedagogy that draws upon the “…cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of references, and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning more relevant to and effective… [for students]. …It teaches to and through the strengths of these students. It is culturally validating and affirming.” The efficacy of culturally relevant pedagogy is not limited to addressing the teaching and learning experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse students. It also raises issues regarding the extent to which many teachers have not been professionally prepared to teach all students including those who are with the realms of special education. Williams (2008), in a recent cross-cultural study among teachers in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., agreed with the body of research indicating that in addition to the lack of adequate preparation that teachers receive in addressing the needs of all students, the issue of teacher perception is also pivotal in students’ academic achievement. Employment of culturally relevant pedagogy dictates that there is a just and caring environment that pervades the schooling process. Clark (2006), using social justice as a surrogate for teachers and administrators perception and belief that all children are capable of learning, contends that: “…How these considerations are cashed out in school rules, classroom practices, teaching and learning activities, interpersonal relationships, social interactions, administrative procedures, assessment methods, accountability schemes and in the formal and informal routines of institutional life will largely determine whether schools can be places where social justice has an opportunity to flourish and where young people are able to witness and experience, first hand, the virtues of a just school rather than the vices of one not so disposed.” Implicit in the belief of enrolling students without creating barriers under the guise of upholding ‘high’ standards is the Application of culturally relevant pedagogy and a just and caring environment. Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA will provide relevant and continuous professional development for the Cape Collegiate Academy Board, Cape Collegiate Academy faculty, CCA teachers, and all staff and administrators. 24 Tenet Eight: Developing New Models for School/Community Collaborations Powell, et al. (2007) concludes from the research (Coffman, Post, Bouffard, and Little, 2005) “…two key elements of the definition of complementary learning: (a) both school and nonschool contexts are critical to children’s learning and success, and (b) learning opportunities and contexts should complement each other.” The premise for strongly suggesting that learning opportunities and contexts should complement each other emanates from the premise that there is a tremendous influence that the community has on families and, in particular, that such influences have tremendous consequences for children’s well-being. One of the central foci in the establishment of CCA is a pivotal role that parents will play in the evolution of CCA. Parents were involved in the School’s development from its conceptualization stage by participating in community meetings and focus groups, and will continue to be involved. The requirement is that parents will be actively engaged in a support team assigned to each student. The probability for high academic achievement when given such support is heavily supported in the literature. This positive relationship holds true for all students and perhaps has the greatest potency for significantly reducing the achievement gap between racial and ethnic minority students and majority students, as well as those from lower socio-economic status and those from the middle class (Bronstein, Stoll, Clauson, Abrams, & Briones, 1994; Hampton, et al., 1998; Offenberg, Rodriguez-Acosta, & Epstein, 1979). Despite the importance of school and community collaboration, there is a plethora of evidence that this component is noticeably absent in the professional preparation of teachers. Arthur Levine (2005) recommends that “…Designed as an Apprenticeship, field work should provide teacher education students experiences in communities, families, and schools. (pp. 108-109). Mattai and Williams (2007) in a piece, The Disconnect Between Teacher Education and Schooling: Neglecting the Community, argue that “…merely increasing time spent in the classroom during formal professional teacher preparation or imbedding multicultural elements in the curriculum will not address such shortcomings … [but] that such shortcomings may best be addressed by immersing candidates in communities and particularly those that are racially-ethnically diverse.” Cape Collegiate Academy faculty and CCA teachers will be exposed, and participate in, programs in which school/community collaboration will be a major component. The College’s baccalaureate programs in Secondary Education will offer a significant resource in school/community collaboration. 4. Curriculum Plan The CCA high school core curriculum is planned in accordance with the requirements of the Sunshine Standards stipulated by the Florida Department of Education and in compliance with Florida Statutes, s. 1002.33(6)(a)(2); s. 1002.33(6)(a)(4); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(2); and s. 1002.33(7)(a)(4). The course of study at CCA is designed to allow all students to meet the requirements for a high school diploma as well as an associate degree. The curriculum of all high school 25 courses will be based upon the Appropriate State Board Approved Sunshine State Standards and course descriptions. In addition, CCA will follow the Sponsor’s Lee County Public Schools Authorized Courses for Secondary Schools, as Appropriate. These courses will be academically challenging, and sufficient for students to pass the AccuPlacer Community College Entrance Test, and to score proficient or above on the 10th grade FCAT tests. The curriculum will be distinguished by initiatives that are part of the Schools’ innovative mission and provide students with an additional perspective on general education, critical thinking, current world issues, the interdisciplinary nature of subjects, and connections to careers and education beyond high school. Participation is designed not only to add knowledge, but also to strengthen the student’s ability to participate in problem-solving, critical thinking, and project-based learning. The pinnacle of the senior year is the completion of a capstone project during the final semester. The language arts curriculum will permit CCA students to take English II for high school credit as sophomores, and to take college level English Communications I and II for dual college and high school credit in the junior and senior years. Students who meet College admissions standards will also take a variety of other college level courses in the field of literature and creative writing. The high school courses will be intense and accelerated to prepare CCA students for college level classes as juniors and seniors. During the senior capstone project, students will demonstrate writing skills, and other general education outcomes mastered in high school and college classes through learning communities and reinforcement of general education outcomes throughout the curriculum. The CCA social studies sequence will begin with sophomores taking World History. Juniors and seniors will complete the social studies requirements through dual-enrollment in college-level courses, such as, American History, American Government, Economics, and World History. The American History and World History classes are writing intensive college classes. The CCA mathematics curriculum is contingent upon placement test scores and prerequisite completion. All students will be required to complete Algebra I at the high school level, and a sequence of college level mathematics courses beginning with college level Algebra through Calculus. The mathematics sequence will be crafted to meet a student’s particular need based on his/her demonstrated graduation achievement or ability and the anticipated major or career interest. Students may take a variety of courses in the social sciences, humanities through dual enrollment classes, and participate in theatrical productions at their home school. A twoyear foreign language requirement can be met through Spanish in the dual enrollment curriculum. Students who have begun another language at their previous school may continue that language through independent study, the Florida Virtual School, available dual enrollment courses or other online/distance learning opportunities approved by the CCA administration in accordance to the state standards. The science curriculum will consist of students completing, prior to the sophomore year, Interdisciplinary Science, or Biology. Juniors and Senior will complete a sequence of 26 college-level science classes that are challenging and Appropriate for their chosen college major. Courses may include chemistry, oceanography, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, and physics. All courses include a laboratory component. Students can select a variety of options to fulfill requirements in fine or performing arts. CCA plans to offer a variety of courses for dual-enrollment credit that includes speech, debate, theater, art appreciation, and music appreciation, and creative writing. In addition, the CCA plans to offer a one-credit-hour course in Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE). To satisfy one-half credit of this requirement, students may choose to participate in an interscholastic sport at junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons, and pass a competency test developed by the Department of Education on personal fitness with a grade of “C” or better to satisfy the one credit requirement in physical education. The CCA Curriculum Plan (Sample) is presented as Table 2. Sample student schedule is presented as Appendix 4 Table 2 - CCA Curriculum Plan (Sample) Grade Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Foreign Language Other Requirements 9th English I Algebra Science World History US History Elective 10th English II Geometry Biology DE DE DE DE DE HOPE Beginning Spanish I HOPE DE Classes 11th Equivalent Equivalent Equivalent Equivalent English Composition I College Algebra CollegeLevel Science with Lab American History DE Classes 12th DE Classes English Composition II College-Level Mathematics CollegeLevel Science with Lab American National Government AMH 2012 or 2020 Economics I or II Beginning Spanish II HOPE Associate Degree Requirement Elective Humanities (Writing Intensive) Speech or Public Speaking World History (Writing Intensive) Humanities (Non-Writing Intensive) College Courses as determined by students College Courses as determined by students 27 Students may choose from a variety of dual enrollment classes to meet their high school elective credit requirements and at the same time individualize their AA programming to meet their individual needs. A life skills Reading course can be taught at the college level, along with literature courses. American Government is also offered at the college level. Because World History is not offered for college credit, the CCA social studies teacher will teach this course. Levels of mathematics and science, in particular, are greatly dependant on the academic level of individual students. The ILCs will reflect course progression from the 10th to the 12th grade. For example, a student may come in with Geometry in middle school. CCA would provide the next level of instruction just as LCPS does. CCA representatives will continually monitor students’ high school and college transcripts. Focus on Reading www.justreadflorida.com/docs/reading_programs.pdf CCA teachers and staff will implement strategies to ensure that reading is a primary focus of the curriculum. Planned strategies to reinforce reading skills and nurture a lifelong interest in reading include immersing students in a culture of reading during the school year, implementing a summer reading program, and utilizing a book club Approach in reading workshops. Specific reading initiatives will include: Activities that promote peer modeling of good reading habits; Reading assessments that provide diagnostic information with Appropriate lessons for remediation and feedback (e.g. Nelson Denny, KADLAN, AccuPlacer); Interdisciplinary/coordinated reading topics in learning communities; Whole group instruction offered through the College’s Academic Success Center; Mentoring or tutoring program for providing additional instructional time to students; Before and after school tutoring and one‐on‐one assistance; Differentiated instruction with use of supplemental materials; Lesson plans that reflect instruction in components of reading; Student book club; Summer reading followed by formal reading groups during fall semester; Reading courses offered for college credit, e.g. REA 1605 Study Skills for College Students; Open access to an extensive lending library housed at the Cape Collegiate Academy campus library, and resources available through the interlibrary loan agreement; and Reading friendly environment that provides constant encouragement to read. CCA will use the results of the FCAT and CPT to determine and document student progress in reading with comprehension. Students scoring at Level 1 or Level 2 on the FCAT reading test, or those identified as having a deficiency in reading, will require intensive reading instruction per Florida Statutes. Consultation with the student’s advisor, 28 school counselor, and reading specialist will lead to remedial strategies and identification of monitoring and re-evaluation activities to be employed. Feedback mechanisms will include self-assessment strategies and standardized pre-and post-tests to evaluate reading levels and progress. Professional assistance will be provided to students through the College’s Academic Success Center, and by all Cape Collegiate Academy faculty holding reading certifications. The monitoring plan for reading will be discussed with, and signed by, the parent or guardian. Discussions with collegiate high school colleagues reveal that an intense summer reading program is rarely needed. Experience indicates that FCAT scores are more important to students in this type of environment, and that the learner-to-learner support is tremendous. In its four-year history, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School has not had a single student fail to pass the FCAT. Should reading remediation be required for students entering 10th grade, CCA will direct students to one of the College’s preparatory reading courses. CCA will provide required reading lists for students’ summer reading, with reports processed by teachers in the next grade level. Because the College would not collect FTE funding for such enrollment, students will be able to take college prep courses for high school credit. Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA will be responsible for identifying funding for such summer study. Students who fall behind in their studies during the school year will be required to attend individualized study/homework sessions before and/or after school. CCA will collaborate with LCPS or a qualified reading consultant for attaining professional development in reading for the school’s administration and teachers, as necessary. As required by LCPS, the school Director, as chief educational leader, will complete the Florida Online Reading Professional Development (FOR-PD), competency 2 of the reading endorsement. In addition, the Director will complete professional development on walk-thru observations that include coaching to improve reading, and attend other district level professional development meetings. CCA will collaborate with LCPS in adopting aspects of its excellent comprehensive reading plan available at http://www.LCPS.k12.fl.us/Downloads/ReadingPlan.pdf. The plan outlines the LCPS ongoing progress monitoring strategies, data to be collected, frequency of review, and intervention strategies. Aspects of the LCPS plan, to be adopted by CCA, include: Fidelity checks of reading instruction using checklists for classroom observation; Improvement plans for schools that are not making academic improvements; The formal process for developing levels of intensity of intervention; Classroom-based professional development for teachers through modeling of instruction and feedback; and Differentiated instruction in instruction using material that targets area(s) of need. CCA will work closely with LCPS concerning data services, to include providing assessment data electronically to teachers. Teachers will receive training on the progress monitoring assessment system, which includes electronic Progress Monitoring Plan 29 (PMP) forms, as well as a pull-down menu selection of strategies that are aligned to each of the components of reading. Attributes of CCA presented above depict a learning environment conducive to engaging all students. Exemplary pedagogical techniques will address the needs and abilities of all students, and community service opportunities will integrate learning with real life issues. The size of the school, a focus on relationship building through learning communities, teaching methods that focus on learning styles and culturally relevant pedagogies, and the plethora of intervention strategies will provide such a learning environment. Individual tutors and small group settings of 6-8 students will support students identified entering the CCA at below grade level. Pre and post testing each semester will be used to evaluate the student’s progress and success. The CCA goal will to bring students up one grade level grade per 6-month period. In addition, the curriculum will include augmented reading and mathematics lessons and activities for students who are below required skill levels. In addition to the reading and writing program from Apex, an adult literacy program from Merit Software may be used to provide skills development in reading and vocabulary. The Accelerated Math Program will be used to track and accelerate math students at a high rate of success. The Accelerated Math Program allows students to move from elementary grade level math through Calculus at the students desired and mastery pace. Assessment at the program level will take place at least once each academic year. Evaluation of all dual enrollment courses and Cape Collegiate Academy faculty teaching dual-enrollment courses will be evaluated according to the College’s assessment measures which include meeting state-level performance measures, a comprehensive faculty evaluation plan, student review of instruction on a course-by-course basis, and portfolio review. Evaluation of high school courses and teachers will be based on LCPS policies, Sunshine State requirements, and other criteria adopted by CCA that reflect its unique initiatives, mission, and alignment with Cape Collegiate Academy instructional standards. The Cape Collegiate Academy Board will receive periodic assessment and evaluation progress reports, and will receive a comprehensive assessment and evaluation report annually. The CCA School Counselor and Director will collaborate to ensure that all CCA initiatives and outcomes are evaluated effectively. In addition to quantitative data, qualitative information is essential for assessment, including parent and student satisfaction surveys addressing the areas of communications, academics, school culture, and student services. Qualitative data also includes teachers' observations and student anecdotes, parental feedback, standardized test results, course grades, homework assignments, attendance patterns and traditional educational research used to formulate school improvement priorities. Teachers' workloads will be designed specifically to accommodate weekly meetings and impromptu discussions throughout the year. Results of surveys will be tallied and published in the CCA Annual Report, to be approved by the Cape Collegiate Academy Board and available to all stakeholders. CCA is cognizant that, at minimum, assessment and evaluation must address relevant state requirements, particularly those contained in the Florida Statutes s. 1002.33(6)(a)(3); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(3); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(4); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(5), and as 30 prescribed by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and The Florida College Entry Level Placement Test (CPT). All students at CCA will participate in all State and district assessment programs in which students in comparable grades/schools participate. Also, CCA will work closely with LCPS to delineate the details of assessment planning, which will accommodate both district and charter school accountability requirements. CCA students will demonstrate academic improvement and success by meeting high standards and making annual learning gains as defined by the Florida A+ Plan in the following ways: Improving achievement levels from 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5; Meeting high standards in level 3, 4, or 5; Maintain within the relatively high levels of 3, 4, or 5; or Making adequate progress with the lowest 25% in reading as defined by the Florida A+ Plan. Improving writing performance by 1% or maintain a minimum of 90% proficiency as required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). 5. Student Performance, Assessment and Evaluation The charter performance goals, as outlined below, are reflective of the School mission and State accountability measures. Annually, the performance indicators will be reviewed by CCA staff, LCPS district, the Board and Florida DOE, with baseline data made available to key stakeholders, community members, students and parents. A School Improvement Plan will be developed following the initial year of operations. Goals reflecting CCA accountability criteria and initial baseline measures are as follows: GOAL 1: GOAL 2: GOAL 3: GOAL 4: GOAL 5: GOAL 6: GOAL 7: GOAL 8: GOAL 9: CCA will meet or exceed state accountability criteria. Following the initial year of operation, the school will receive at least a rating of B or higher by the end of the second year. FCAT scores in reading, science, and mathematics will meet or exceed the district and state average and will continue to increase over the 2012 baseline scores. CCA’s graduation rate will meet or exceed the state and district graduation rate and increase each year. The graduation rate for students with exceptionalities will increase each year. FCAT writing assessment scores will meet or exceed state scores and the percentage of students scoring at level 4 and higher will increase each year. The district’s verbal and mathematics Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores will meet or exceed the state and nation. Collegiate High School ACT Results will exceed State and National Averages. Number of Graduates who Earned Bright Futures Scholarships will meet or exceed state and district. Percent of CCA graduates also receiving the associate degree will increase each year. 31 GOAL 10: Grades (Mean GPA) earned by Collegiate High School students will meet or exceed other dual enrollment populations. GOAL 11: Percent of dual enrolled course success rates for CCA students, defined as receiving grade “A”, “B” or “C” in college level courses, will meet or exceed other dual enrollment populations (district and statewide). GOAL 12: Percent of dual enrolled CCA students earning grade “A”, “B” or “C” in high enrollment courses will meet or exceed other dual enrollment populations (district and statewide). Courses included in comparison data include: ENC 1101 English Composition I and ENC 1102 English Composition II, MAC 1105 College Algebra, Natural Science (All biology, chemistry and physical science classes), PSY 2012 Psychology, ECO 2013 Economics, and WOH 2012 World History. GOAL 13: Number and percent of seniors earning high school diplomas will meet or exceed state and district graduation rate. GOAL 14: Promotion rates by grade level will meet or exceed state and district rates. GOAL 15: Annual parent and student surveys will depict high levels of satisfaction with programs and services in annual survey. GOAL 16: Students will express satisfaction with programs and services. GOAL 17: CCA will demonstrate Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB. GOAL 18: Number of students participating in service learning and co-curricular activities may increase annually. GOAL 19: CCA students, that attain an AA/AS degree, will perform at least as well as all Cape Collegiate Academy graduates on measures of general education competencies. GOAL 20: Retention of CCA students dual-enrolled will meet or exceed retention rates of other dual enrolled students. CCA will participate in all State assessment programs and may participate in district programs in comparable grades/schools. CCA will assure that personnel involved with any aspect of the testing process will have knowledge of, and abide by, State and, where Applicable, LCPS’s, policies, procedures, and standards regarding test administration, test security, test audits, and reporting of test results. Evaluation of student progress will provide on-going formative and summative information for monitoring student progress, and provide needed feedback. Teachers will convene weekly meetings to discuss classroom activities and individual student performance patterns, and student advisors and the counselor will be informed when students are not meeting academic course standards. A number of Approaches will be implemented to help ensure students’ success including timely intervention when student performance falters, daily monitoring of student attendance and engagement, rapid involvement of parents through phone calls and conferences, student and parent access to grades online, and timely communication among CCA teachers and staff. Fundamental benchmarks for student success at CCA will be: Student performance at each instructional level, as measured by various State Approved indicators, will increase 10% annually until all CCA students are at least as high as the average LCPS students at each instructional level; 32 ACT/SAT/CPT scores will increase 10% annually until 100% of all 11th grade students meet the Florida State entrance criteria FCAT reading, science, and math scores will increase 10% annually until 100% of the CCA students attain a level 4 or 5; CCA will accomplish a rating of at least a “B” on the Florida report card at the end of its second year; CCA graduates earning an associates degree at Cape Collegiate Academy will increase 10% annually until the CCA graduates perform equal to other Florida State University System graduates on Campus-Based Accountability measures identified in the College's Institutional Effectiveness Scorecard; and; Using assessment goals in reading, math and writing, all students will achieve the amount of increase in performance that would indicate at least one year’s growth as assessed through the FCAT; The CCA will achieve AYP by the third year; Student attendance will increase 10% annually until the attendance rate reaches 95%; Discipline issues will decrease 10% annually until the disciplinary referral rate reaches 15%; The CCA graduation rate will increase 10% annually until the CCA attains a 100% graduation rate. CCA will use the following assessments and performance indicators: CPT/ACT/SAT for admission Placement test results and other assessments (e.g. KADLAN); Student goal attainment identified in ILCs; Number of college credits awarded at each grade level; Collegiate High School FCAT results; Standard grades in individual classes; Course success rates; Progress toward attainment of Cape Collegiate Academy general education competencies; Qualification for Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program; and Achievement of academic plans and competencies based on student’s portfolio review. Course credit Credits will be earned based on achievement of the performance standards outlined for each course. Report card grades will reflect the level of achievement of such standards. Students who do not achieve these standards will be provided extended learning opportunities and support previously described in this document. Ongoing assessments conducted throughout the high school experience will document students’ skills, attitudes and abilities. As detailed in Sunshine State Standards, one full credit is defined as a minimum of 135 hours (120 in the extended or block period) of instruction in a designated course of study, 33 which also contains student performance standards. One-half credit is defined as the equivalent of one-half of the requirements for one full credit. Three semester hours of college credit earned through dual enrollment and satisfying the requirements of the Cape Public School’s inter-institutional articulation agreement shall also equal one-half (0.5) high school credit, unless otherwise designated by the Articulation Coordinating Committee of the Florida Department of Education. All courses will be offered and grades assigned in one-half credit increments unless otherwise designated. Grading Scale Course grades will serve as a fundamental measure of student achievement. CCA will utilize the following grading system, based on the Florida Uniform Statewide Grading Scale for grades 9-12: Table 3 – Grading System for Measure of Student Achievement Grade Percentage Quality Point Value Progress A 90 – 100 4 Outstanding Progress B 80 – 89 3 Above Average Progress C 70 – 79 2 Adequate Progress D 60 – 69 1 Lowest Acceptable Progress F 0 – 59 0 Failure Students will be classified at the end of each school year. A 10th grade student must have completed one year of high school and been awarded a minimum of five credits, including one of three credits in mathematics and one of four credits in English, or meet the grade nine FCAT Level 2 in math and reading. To be classified as an 11th grade student, the student must have completed two years of high school and been awarded eleven credits, including include one of three credits in mathematics and two of four credits in English or meet the 10th grade FCAT Level 2 in math and reading. A 12th grade student must have completed three years of high school and been awarded a minimum of sixteen credits, or at the beginning of the third year of high school, the student must have signed an 18-credit option form.. Four-year standard graduation requirements for students entering high school in 20072008 and beyond are as follows: Four credits in English (major concentration in composition and literature) Four credits in mathematics (must include Algebra I) Three credits in science (two of which must include a lab component) One credit in American history One credit in World History One-half credit in Economics 34 One-half credit in American government One credit in practical arts career education or One-half credit in performing fine arts and on-half credit in practical arts or vocational education One credit in HOPE (Health Opportunities Through Physical Education) Eight credits in electives A cumulative weighted grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale In addition to completing the specified curriculum for graduation for high school, each student will complete the following: FCAT (Florida Comprehensive achievement Test) An overall grade point average of at least a 2.0 based on the college standard outlined below Successful completion of a senior capstone project A preliminary CCA assessment plan for each grade level, adopted from LCPS’ assessment model, is presented in Table 4. Table 4: CCA Student Assessment and Achievement Levels Grade Ten (9-10) Testing FCAT Reading/Math – (Passing Score required for graduation) Grade Eleven (11) Testing Grade Twelve (12) Testing FCAT/ if needed FCAT if needed FCAT Science PSAT (optional but recommended- National Merit qualifying year) ACT, SAT I – retakes SAT II (optional) CPT ACT, SAT I, SAT II (optional) English//Math/Science CPT if needed Attainment of Cape Collegiate Academy gen. ed. Competencies (rubric) English/Math/Science Subject area tests English/Math/Science Subject: Area Tests FCAT Writing CPT if needed PSAT, ACT/SAT (optional) Subject Area Tests Attainment of CCA gen. Ed. Competencies (rubric) Alignment of CCA gen. Ed. Competencies (rubric) Florida college high school teachers encourage the use of the CPT as a valuable assessment tool. As previously mentioned, students are eligible for enrollment in college preparatory courses for high school credit. Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA stand ready to work closely with LCPS in implementing the requirements of SB1908 concerning postsecondary readiness. The CCA English teacher will participate in district training concerning implementation of the new law. The collection of baseline achievement data will begin with the development of each student’s ILC. In developing the individualized contracts, teachers and staff will utilize assessment results from norm-referenced tests, individual course grades, grade point averages, course retention rates and course success rates. This information will be used 35 by CCA to monitor progress and determine intervention/support strategies as necessary. This continuous tracking of assessment results will be combined with anecdotal classroom observations by teachers and staff to provide a composite of the student’s progress. The contract’s Comprehensive Graduation Plan will assist in benchmarking progress toward high school graduation and associate degree requirements. LCPS will establish reporting mechanisms for CCA to include the following: Interim reports at the midterm for all students (i.e., at the 4 ½ week interval for regular schedule and at the 2 week interval for extended period); Interim reports on a daily, weekly, or as needed basis, for students performing below grade level; and A standard report card issued to all students four times a year, after each nineweek grading session and on uniform dates as adopted annually. These reports will contain information on the following: Absences and reports of tardiness; Student conduct and behavior; and Proficiency levels in reading, writing, mathematics and science, as appropriate. Use of assessment results to enhance both student and School success will be an ongoing process. Each student will receive an individualized advising session at least twice each semester to address his or her educational progress, career goals, and course planning. In addition to the use of assessment results to improve individual student success, aggregate student performance data will be tracked by grade level, subject area, and class. Trends and patterns will indicate the need for modification in curriculum and/or teachinglearning strategies. Assessments that grow out of classroom work will also provide ongoing feedback to the school community, teacher, student and parent/guardian concerning progress toward achieving academic proficiency. Student progress will be communicated to parents at regular intervals. In addition to traditional grade reports mailed at the conclusion of a term, monthly and mid-term advisory reports will be mailed to each parent. Students and parents may view current grades and grades posted to the transcript through the Florida’s on-line student advising system at www.facts.org. Copies of standardized test results will be mailed to parents, along with a guide to interpreting the results. The student’s advisor will call the parents on a biweekly basis to inform the parents of the student’s progress. Newsletters will be sent home quarterly to keep the parents abreast of school activities and student progress as a whole. An annual report will be provided to parents/guardians of student progress towards achieving State and district expectations for proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics, and science based on results of district and statewide testing. The parent/guardian will be notified in writing during a grading period when it is Apparent that the student may fail or is doing unsatisfactory work in any course. An acknowledgement of such notification 36 should be requested and the opportunity for a conference with the teacher or Director must be provided. School accountability results, school grades in the Florida School Accountability Program, and compiled mean scores of CCA student assessments will be communicated to parents, students and the community through press releases, the CCA web page, public service announcements, newsletters, parent conferences, open houses and parent meetings. The School will publish an annual report card containing information regarding assessment activities, and results of qualitative satisfaction surveys. Executive summaries will be mailed to all parents/guardians. In addition, all State, district, and school-level accountability measures will be available through the FLDOE website. 6. Exceptional Students After enrollment all students will be assessed for previous special education and 504 plan needs. The CCA will work closely with the LCSD and the school assigned LEA representative to obtain the Special Education or 504 records to support the students needs. If the student is transferring to the CCA from outside the District the CCA data specialist will request a records search for the student to determine Special Education/504 needs. The CCA Special Education coordinator will then identify the specific needs of the individual through past IEP’s. The School will provide programs and services addressing the needs of exceptional students and comply fully with Florida Statutes, particularly s. 1002.33(16)(a)(3), insofar as State and federal requirements relate to the education of such students. The CCA is responsible for providing instruction and oversight for ESE students and will serve as the representative for students requiring accommodations, the CCA will work closely with the district’s expert staff in engaging reputable educational service providers. CCA anticipates that the majority of students accommodated would be students mildly affected by special learning disabilities, and those visually or hearing impaired. Students entering CCA below grade level will be served through the Pre-Collegiate program. The school will tailor coursework to individual needs through the ILC. CCA will deliver special education services in collaboration with IDEA, State Standards, No Child Left Behind and LCPS District Policies and Procedures. To meet this requirement most effectively the CCA will hire an ESE specialist and all CCA staff will be ESE certified. CA will maintain strict oversight and responsibilities for the planning, delivery, assessment, and overall efficacy of such services. 37 All CCA instructors will be certified in ESE or working toward ESE certification. Staff members not holding an ESE certification will have twelve months from their hiring date to attain said ESE certification. The CCA will evaluate the effectiveness of our school’s special education program through student success and how well the student is doing on their IEP, which would include credits earned, GPA, behavior and if the student is on graduation path. The processes and procedures CCA will employ for measuring effectiveness for special education students will include: All CCA staff will be certified in ESE to best meet the needs of the students. Reviewing the IEPs on a minimal annual basis as required by law; Issuing report cards reviewing the students progress with regard to the IEP; Scheduling an IEP committee meeting at any time the School or parent feels the student is not progressing, to discuss intervention strategies; Working with LCPS as an integral partner in the ongoing evaluation of IEPs and School’s effectiveness in delivering services, adopting their well-established evaluative procedures as possible; Satisfaction surveys from parents of special education students. The CCA will: Not reject the application of or withdraw a student identified as disabled based on a finding the student needs a service delivery model not presently in existence at the school (CCA). Ensure students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment. Not request a copy of the students Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or any other student information concerning the student’s need or special services from the parent or any other source, prior to the completion of the application process. Not include questions concerning the student’s IEP or need for special service in the enrollment application. Schedule a meeting of the IEP team when a student with an IEP is admitted to the school. Sponsor staff will be invited to attend the meeting. Ensure that students with a disability who complete the enrollment application at the CCA will be referred for enrollment in the School District only when the IEP team finds that the student’s educational needs cannot be met at the CCA. Gifted students will be well served by the CCA. The CCA’s unique designed is specific to meeting the needs of the gifted and talented at the highest level possible. Higher level assessment ACT, SAT and the CPT will be utilized to determine the status of the CCA student and dual enrollment and AP courses will be the majority of classes taken at the CCA. Should assessment results indicate that gifted students are capable of excelling in collegelevel courses prior to the 11th grade, the Campus Dean and School Director will collaborate in making the appropriate placement into college courses. 38 The processes and procedures CCA will employ for measuring effectiveness in serving gifted and talented students will include: 20% annual increase in ACT, SAT, CPT test scores until 100% of all 10th graders are accepted into the university system 20% annual increase in the number of college credits earned until full capacity of credits earned Issuing report cards reviewing the students progress; Scheduling a meeting at any time the School or parent feels the student is not progressing, to discuss intervention strategies; and Working with LCPS as an integral partner in the ongoing evaluation of the School’s effectiveness in delivering services; Satisfaction surveys from parents of gifted and talented students. 7. English Language Learners CCA will comply fully with Florida statutes and federal requirements relating with the education of English language learners. Students will be tested for appropriate placement within 30 days of enrollment. Upon ESL need identification, the student will be placed into an appropriate ESL intervention. Students with limited proficiency in English will be served by ESOL-certified personnel who will follow the LCPS’ District Plan for Limited English Proficient students. All CCA staff will be ESOL certified to better meet the needs of the students. In situations that may require tutorial or interpreter intervention, the CCA is prepared to hire interpreters if available to assist in the student’s progress. Assessment: The CCA will administer the home language survey upon a student’s initial enrollment into school. The home language survey will assist in: Identifying pupils with limited English proficient in the application process via the student ELP survey and during the interview process. Assess the limited English proficient students in acquiring the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Determine the level of English language proficiency for those who are limited English proficient. Provide the appropriate intervention and support. Students will be provided a variety of interventions to include but not limited to: Individual one on one pullout sessions Group pullout sessions Audio component to their online programming in English or Spanish Access to foundation course offerings which focus on reading development Periodic assessments to monitor student success and progress Overview 39 The school will meet all applicable legal requirements for English Learners (“ESOL”) as it pertains to annual notification to parents, student identification, placement, program options, ESOL and core content instruction, teacher qualifications and training, reclassification to fluent English proficient status, monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness, and standardized testing requirement. The school will implement policies to assure proper placement, evaluation, and communication regarding ESOL’s and the rights of students and parents. The school will offer an English Learner program that is based upon sound educational theory, adequately supported by budgeted resources and periodically evaluated and revised as necessary to increase opportunities for success. Appropriate ESOL Program The primary goal of appropriate programming is to effectively develop each student’s English language proficiency and academic potential. Programs should enhance selfesteem, promote cross-cultural awareness, and provide equal educational opportunities. Appropriate programming decisions will be based on on-going programmatic assessments. Equal time in basic ESOL as English-proficient students received in Language Arts: Basic ESOL instructional time will be proportional to the Language Arts time received by non-ESOL students. English instruction will be appropriate to the proficiency level and academic potential of the students. ESOL-certified or endorsed teachers will deliver all instruction in basic ESOL classes. Equal access to all areas at instructional level/courses in the regular curriculum: All ESOL students will be given equal access to appropriate programming, including intensive instruction in the English language and instruction in the basic subject areas of math, science, social studies, and computer literacy, which is comprehensible and equal in amount, scope, sequence, and quality as that given to non-ESOL students. This will be achieved through the use of on-going programmatic assessments and comprehensible instruction. ESOL students with special needs and/or at risk for dropping out or under-achieving will be given equal access to additional services as non-ESOL when indicated. Every teacher will monitor the performance of each student and call a ESOL Committee meeting to review the placement and academic progress of any student whose performance indicates the need for more appropriate instructional planning and placement. Disciplinary action will not be used against a student, because the student might be speaking another language other than English. Each teacher of ESOL students will develop and implement plans and activities that reflect ESOL strategies and techniques which address individual needs and ensure the delivery of comprehensible instruction at each student’s English proficiency level. Teachers will document ESOL strategies and modifications in their lesson plan books or on instructional checklists. ESOL teachers may provide basic subject and other subject area teachers with resources and assistance in ESOL curriculum and testing strategies and modifications, as requested. Teachers may call ESOL Committee or Student Study Team meetings to assist them in developing appropriate strategies and interventions. An ESOL liaison will monitor the academic performance of ESOL students to help determine the degree to which they are receiving comprehensible input. Grade Reporting 40 All staff members have responsibilities with regard to ESOL students in the areas of instruction, grading, monitoring and certification requirements. Staff members need to make note of the requirements based on teaching assignment and be sure all certification requirements have been met. Additionally, teachers of core and elective areas having ESOL students or students recently dismissed from ESOL will have responsibilities to complete, and may be called upon for ESOL committee participation, and/or the monitoring process. The ESOL student who cannot comprehend the language of instruction should not be assigned failing grades in the content area subjects. He/she should, however, be assigned grades based on cooperation, effort, and participation in classroom assignments to the degrees his/her English language proficiency allows. Since the assigning of participation grades is subjective, the student, within his language capabilities, should be expected to do the following within the specified goals and accommodations of the students: Pay attention in class Follow directions Have required materials Participate in activities Complete homework assignments within reasonable expectations Join in class activities Show progress All CCA staff employed will hold appropriate ESOL certification or be working toward appropriate certification. If staff members do not hold appropriate certification, they will be required to attain said certification within twelve months of their hiring date. The CCA will contract and utilize the LCPS staff development opportunities as much as possible. In addition, based on student need, the CCA will contract staff from a reputable educational service provider in concert with LCPS. 8. School Climate and Discipline CCA will address the possibility and probability of behavior problems realistically, and be prepared to intervene in a proactive manner. The following expectations of student behavior will be reviewed in detail with prospective students and parents during the admissions process: An institutional commitment to concern and respect for each other and material property; Personal introspection and critical thinking which engender a disposition to be mindful of the other and to accept responsibility for one’s actions; Proactive intervention in addressing behaviors that will minimize the use of punishment or exclusion; Strength-based assessments that provide a foundation for developing social skills competence rather than directing efforts to the challenge of eliminating deficit behaviors; Effective engagement of students, parents and community social service persons in reviewing disciplinary actions utilizing a clearly-stated Appeal process; and 41 Alignment of CCA policies on school climate and discipline with the constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of Florida, and CCA policies. CCA will adhere to the LCPS Code of Student Conduct for student discipline, in concert with the Cape Collegiate Academy Catalog. Because of the unique nature of CCA and the parent and student orientation and admissions processes, it is expected that major discipline issues will be infrequently and/or unlikely. Should a student be suspended or recommended for expulsion, the CCA will follow the LCPS policies and procedures. Issues surrounding school climate and discipline are paramount to the effectiveness of CCA and its academic program. CCA will employ an experienced Director well versed in student conduct and discipline issues. The School will maintain a safe learning environment at all times through a philosophy of zero tolerance. Criteria for addressing discipline issues that will ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students attending CCA. The LCPS student code of conduct will be followed by the CCA administration to include: The CCA will not recommend alternative placement or dismissal of qualified students from attendance: Except for causes for expulsion as contained in the Code of Student Conduct. Without notifying the LCPS of the intention of removal and sharing the information leading to the recommendation for removal. No student will be removed from the CCA without due process as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. The CCA understands that alternative placement of students will be through the process established by the Lee County School Board Policy and students will only be expelled from the LCPS only if approved by the Lee County School Board. Students with disabilities will be disciplined only in accordance with the requirements of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. II. ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN 9. Governance The Application for the chartering of the CCA is requested under the authority of Statute 1002.33 Charter schools: 42 CCA will be chartered under the auspices of Cape Collegiate Academy. The Cape Collegiate Academy Board of Directors composed of five Board members: Mike D’Angelo, Chair Dr. Ronald Hunter, Educator Bernadette Athime, Educator Gerard Consuagra, Educator Phil Deems, Realtor Cape Board of Directors The school was founded by a group of dedicated members of Cape Coral and the educational community to provide children with a first-rate educational opportunity in their community. Our founding members have expertise in the areas of accounting, finance, business management, education, special education, social work, and community development. The cumulative experiences of the founding members of school make them well equipped to operate a charter high school. The school will be governed by its charter Board of Directors (“Charter Board”), understanding that the Charter Board has a legal fiduciary responsibility for the well being of the school. As such, and with particular reference to the Education Employment Relations Act, The Charter Board, as the applicant for this charter, will set the terms and working conditions for all employees and will do so consistent with state and federal law. Composition, Terms and Selection Process The Charter Board will be a self-selecting body. The Charter Board will consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 voting members as outlined in the corporate by-laws. Members are selected for their expertise in finance, fundraising, community development, education, and real estate. The Charter Board will include at least one parent representative and one community representative. The school will be administered in a nonsectarian manner. The lead petitioners have appointed a Founding Board of Directors of 5 members that includes representatives of the parents, educators, and community members who support educational choice in the Bellflower community and surrounding areas. Biographical information of the Founding Board is included in the appendix. Should the Authorizer choose to appoint a member to sit on the Charter Board, then the number of members will increase to seven. Member Name Member Role on Charter Board President Secretary Treasurer Community Representative Parent Representative Authorizer Representative appointed) Member Term 3-year 3-year 3-year 2-year 2-year (if Re-appointed annually 43 Member At-Large (if needed) 2-year Board members serve staggered terms to ensure continuity on the Board. Three members will serve an initial 3-year term and two members will serve an initial 2-year term. Members can serve a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. After the third term, a member shall be off of the board for at least one year before being considered for appointment back on the board by the President. Separation of Board with Administration Director Responsibilities The Director will be the leader of the school. The Director will ensure that the curriculum is implemented in order to maximize student-learning experiences. The Director will report directly to the Charter Board, and she/he is responsible for the orderly operation of the school and the supervision of all employees in the school. The Director is assigned to perform tasks directed from the Charter Board and is required to undertake some or all of the tasks detailed below. These tasks may include but are not limited to the following: Ensure the charter school enacts its mission; The execution and ongoing review of an academic plan that focuses on student learning; Supervise and evaluate teachers and staff; Communicate and report to the Charter Board; Oversee school finances with business manager to ensure financial stability; Serve or appoint a designee to serve on any committees of the School; Interview and recommend employee hiring, promotion, discipline, and/or dismissal; Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws; Communicate with parents, recruit new families and students, and assure families of academic growth; Take responsible steps to secure full and regular attendance at school of the students enrolled in accordance with policies established by the Board of Directors; Complete and submit required documents as requested or required by the charter and/or the Charter Board and/or the District; Identify the staffing needs of the school and offer staff development as needed; Ensure that appropriate evaluation techniques are used for both students and staff; Establish and maintain a system to handle organizational tasks such as student records, teacher records, teacher credentialing information, contemporaneous attendance logs, purchasing, budgets, and timetables; Identify qualified substitute teachers as needed; Ensure the security of the school building; Promote the school in the community and uphold positive public relations; 44 Encourage and support teachers in on-going professional development; Attend District Administrative meetings as necessary and stay in direct contact with the District regarding changes, progress, etc.; Develop the School annual performance report and SARC; Manage student discipline, as necessary participate in the suspension and expulsion process Participate in special education meetings as necessary 45 Cape Collegiate Academy Operations The CCA Director will report directly to the Cape Collegiate Academy Board of Directors. The Director will administer the charter school and hold responsibility for recommending employment and policy, day-to-day operations, and supervising and evaluating school staff. The job description for the Director is contained in Appendix 6 of the CCA Employment Supplement. The Director will be a qualified individual with experience in budgeting, planning, implementing and evaluating programs for high school students, and be responsible for all CCA operations including financial management and audit, academic and student service programs, policies, safety and security procedures and human resources. Recommendations for the employment of CCA personnel will be sent to the Board for Approval. A report from CCA will be a standing agenda item on the Cape Collegiate Academy Board meeting agenda, and all reports and actions will be part of the official minutes and records. The following organizational structure will be employed with the Cape Collegiate Academy with Mike D’Angelo, serving as the official CCA contact. The CCA Director will serve as the liaison between the partner State University System Schools in order to facilitate the interchange of programs and resources between the State University System and the CCA. CCA Governance Structure CCA Board of Directors Director Teachers Full-Time/Part-Time Adjunct Assistant Director Support Staff To ensure that parents/guardians have ready access to the governance of the School, Cape Collegiate Academy Board meetings will continue to be open to the public in accordance with Florida Statutes, and public notice shall be given in a timely manner. The Cape Collegiate Academy Board will publish a calendar on its website that contains a schedule of all governing body meetings for the school year, including the date, time and location of meetings. 46 Charter Board members are identified, reviewed, and nominated for membership by the President of the Board. The President must solicit parents, school leaders, community leaders, and current members of the Charter Board for prospective members. The President nominates candidates on the basis of guidance from the board on the skills needed for the effective oversight of the school. The President furnishes information on each potential candidate to all members of the board. The full board selects new members by majority vote at the annual meeting, held the third Thursday of January, every year or on an as needed basis to fill vacancies. Members are elected for either twoyear or three-year terms and shall hold office until expiration of their term unless they do not fulfill their obligation as members of the board. The Committee on Board Members also develops and administers a program of orientation for newly elected members. Board Responsibilities Approve the schedule of board meetings; Approve the general policies of the school; Employment, discipline, and release of school personnel; Approve and monitor the school's budget; Receipt of funds for the operation of the school in accordance with the Charter and applicable law; Solicitation and receipt of grants and donations consistent with the mission of the school; Review the school's personnel policies and receive from the Director reports relative to their implementation, such policies to be consistent with any applicable laws; Fulfill all other responsibilities to ensure the proper operation of the school are being carried out; Review monthly operations reports from the Director and annual independent audit reports; and Hire and evaluate the Director; Participate in dispute resolution procedures and complaint procedures when necessary; Approve charter amendments as necessary and submit material revisions as necessary for Authorizer consideration. It is understood that the Authorizer shall have the right of access to all charter school records to carry out their oversight responsibilities, and that the records of the charter school are subject to the Florida Public Records Act. Board members shall receive annual training during the first three months of each school year. The Charter Board will act as the fiscal agent of the school to the fullest extent of the law. The Charter Board will see to it that all provisions of charter school legislation will be followed. The Charter Board will monitor the school budget monthly. A state approved external auditor will be contracted with to assure standards of fiscal responsibility. The Charter Board will contract a business manager, who will provide back office service. The Cape Collegiate Academy Board will be an active policy-making body for the CCA with ultimate responsibility for financial resources, including those Appropriated by the 47 Florida State Legislature. The Board is charged with approving all policies, teacher and staff Appointments, program offerings, the school calendar, and the CCA budget. The specific duties of the CCA Board are outlined in Florida Statutes. Each board member has one equal vote on all items of public interest with which the CCA is involved. All votes are taken in public meetings, open to the public at all times and no resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting. Florida Statute 112.313 addresses standards of conduct for public officers, employees of agencies, and local government attorneys, and prohibits board members from having contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the organization which they are serving. The Governing Board of the CCA Collegiate High School will be accountable for defining the mission and purpose of the School, and for the academic, financial, and operational policies of the school. The Board will approve all budgets, set policy, and ensure sound financial and administrative management of the School. Further, the Board, through the CCA Director, will ensure the performance standards are met or exceeded, that ongoing assessments are accomplished, that financial reports are made and controls are in place, that State and district requirements are met, and that annual progress and accountability reports are made to the sponsor and other entities as required by law. The Board will not be involved in the daily administration of the School. Cape Collegiate Academy is the founding group for the School; its Board will serve as the governing board. The CCA Task Force members may be asked to serve on the CCASAC, or continue to support the school as College staff or in a volunteer capacity. Board orientation of newly Appointed Board Members will generally coincide with the July 1 – June 30 fiscal year. All new members are invited to the CCA campus for a half-day orientation, followed by lunch with the other Board Members and the Director. The tone of the sessions is interactive and engaging. A Board Manual is provided to each new member, including such documents as: Florida Sunshine Manual Cape Collegiate Academy Board Manual with State Board Rules Cape Collegiate Academy Organizational Guide Readings/examples on Effective Board Practices Briefing on Board ethics and etiquette and Roberts Rules of Order The Board Manual will be expanded to include rules, laws and regulations pertaining to Charter Schools, and associated duties and responsibilities of the CCA Governing Board. The updated manual will be distributed at the CCA Charter School Board Orientation being planned for spring 2012. In accordance with the new requirements under 6A-6.0784 Approval of Charter School Governance Training, every member of the CCA governing board shall participate 48 annually in governance training on or before August 1 of each calendar year. The training will be delivered consistent with a training plan that has been submitted and Approved by the Department as described in this rule. Cape Collegiate Academy provides funding for Board professional development initiatives including K-12 State and national meetings and conferences, and events such as the Annual Stare and National Charter Schools Conference presented by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. These professional development opportunities will be expanded to include ACCT, national legislative seminars. Members of Cape Collegiate Academy’s board bring a wealth of related professional, community service and educational expertise. Mike D’Angelo Dr. Ron Hunter Dr. Gerard Consuagra Bernadette Athime Phil Deems Bio’s Appendix 9 Any additional board information required by the Sponsor will be available, upon request, prior to the execution of the Charter. Research affirms that active engagement of parents/guardians and the community in the educational process significantly increases the quality of students’ academic achievement and decorum. Students who attend CCA and their parents/guardians will enter into an agreement with the School. The agreement will detail the responsibilities that teachers, staff members, students, and parents/guardians are expected to fulfill. One goal of this school is that of empowering parents as educational partners. Parents should know that their voice and participation at the school influences the development of the total school and its components. Parents will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of meaningful ways at the school site and their presence on campus and assisting teachers in the classroom is most important. In order to ensure significant parent involvement, the school will have a standing Parent Teacher Organization (“PTO”) which serves in an advisory capacity to the Charter Board and is open to all parents and staff. The PTO will advise the Charter Board through the elected parent member on the Charter Board. The PTO will advise the Charter Board and will make recommendations regarding the operations of the school, staff, teachers, and students. It will review and provide input on curriculum, facilities, safety, grants, technology, and community relations. The school will encourage a higher rate of parent participation (including parent conference attendance, parent meeting attendance, and parent volunteer presence) than similar schools in the district where such data is available. 49 Parents will be encouraged to become active in developing their child’s learning plan and the school’s curriculum, evaluation process, and other programs. A Parent Center will be established on campus to be used for parent education meetings, a resource center, and parent organizing efforts for school improvement and community leadership. Outreach efforts include newsletters, Internet, and E-mail communications. Notice will be given to the parents of the following: the times and dates of all parent meetings and all Board meetings for the year; special classroom and school-wide events to be held during the year; the process for time and labor donations to the school; the process for “phone tree/e-mail communication” for all classrooms; access to the school’s website; and the procedure for verifying parents participation at all school and school-related events to enable families to meet their annual hourly participation goals. Parents will be encouraged to take advantage of Labor Code Section 230.8 which bars discharge or discrimination against an employee for taking time off to visit a child’s school or for using vacation, personal leave, compensatory time off or time off without pay (up to eight hours in any calendar month, up to forty hours each school year). As previously discussed, CCA will assemble a School Advisory Council (CCA-SAC) to facilitate achievement of the school mission, and to ensure that the needs of the children and the community it is developed to serve are met. CCA-SAC, consisting of parents and Cape Collegiate Academy and CCA staff, will advise the CCA administration, and ultimately the Cape Collegiate Academy Board, in developing policies to support academic achievement. The Council will also receive input from parents by way of the annual Parent survey. In addition, a CCA staff member will be a member of and actively involved in: Cape Coral Council for Progress Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Cape Coral Education Foundation 10. Management The CCA Director will serve as the School leader. In the first year of operation, the Director will be assisted by an AD/guidance counselor, an administrative assistant, and four full-time core instructors for 9th and 10th grade instruction (up to 100 students). This instruction will keep the 10th grade students on graduation path and if not already eligible, prepare them for entrance into the dual enrollment process. 50 The Cape Collegiate Academy adjunct faculty will provide instruction for dual-enrolled students in the 10th through 12th grades. Provisions for compensation and budget considerations are included in the CCA Employment Supplement. In addition, two part-time tutors will be employed to provide tutoring and one-on-one learning assistance to CCA students. The tutors and all of Cape Collegiate Academy’s support resources will have access to the campus Academic Success Center. As the leader of a public school, the Director will be equipped to make routine and nonroutine decisions and handle emergency situations, notifying LCPS officials appropriately. The process by which the Director is selected will follow Cape Collegiate Academy Human Resources recruitment procedures. The descriptions of job responsibilities for the Director, counselor, administrative assistant, teacher and adjunct professor positions are presented in the CCA Employment Supplement. Minimum requirements for the Director include a Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education required (doctorate preferred), and a Standard Secondary Certificate and Director Certificate (or eligible for certification). Also required are five years experience in administrative, leadership positions in K-12 education management, preferably in a high school environment and including budgeting process and FTE collection, charter school funding, and secondary/postsecondary fiscal procedures and processes; classroom experience; strong interest in innovative high school programs; and experience in recruiting/public relations. Additional requirements for knowledge, skills and abilities are specified in the Director job description. The evaluation of the CCA Director will follow the Cape Collegiate Academy annual calendar for performance review. Quantifiable outcomes assessment data, when available, will be part of the Director’s annual evaluation. In addition, progress toward CCA benchmarks and accreditation will be included. Evaluation of Cape Collegiate Academy faculty teaching dual enrollment courses will be evaluated according to a system required by Cape Collegiate Academy which includes meeting State-level performance measures. Evaluation of School courses and teachers will be based on LCPS policies, Sunshine State requirements, and other criteria adopted by CCA. The Governing Board will receive periodic assessment and evaluation progress reports and will receive a comprehensive assessment and evaluation report at least once per year. The and School Director will collaborate to ensure that all of the initiatives and outcomes of CCA are implemented and evaluated effectively. CCA Staffing Plan 2012-2017 2012 – 2013 Director FT Administrative Assistant Receptionist 51 2013 – 2014 2014 – 2015 2015 – 2016 2016 – 2017 FT AD/Guidance Counselor Adjunct Professors 5 Core Instructors Director FT Administrative Assistant Receptionist FT AD/Guidance Counselor Adjunct Professors 5 Core Instructors. 1 FTE Tutors (2 PT to work in Academic Success Center) Director FT Administrative Assistant Receptionist FT AD/Guidance Counselor Adjunct Professors 5 Core Instructors 2 FTE Tutors (2 PT to work in Academic Success Center) Director FT Administrative Assistant Receptionist FT AD/Guidance Counselor Adjunct Professors 2 FTE Tutors (2 PT to work in Academic Success Center) 10 Core Instructors Director FT Administrative Assistant Receptionist FT AD/Guidance Counselor Adjunct Professors 2 FTE Tutors (2 PT to work in Academic Success Center) 10 Core Instructors The CCA Employment Supplement includes job descriptions, a salary schedule, and related policies. Following Approval of the Charter, CCA and LCPS staff will negotiate final details of the contract, which could necessitate employing additional personnel. The Director will be the first employee of CCA. In addition to utilizing Cape Collegiate Academy’s routine print and web posting practices, the College will contact other Florida charter schools and trusted peers within the education community for candidate recommendations, and advertise in places that cater to the charter community such as the website of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. The Director will work with Cape Collegiate Academy’s Human Resources department in recruiting other CCA staff members and teachers. Choosing a Director, guidance counselor, and teachers who are flexible, and open to diversity and change will be essential. In the Application process, greatest attention will be given to individuals who display these characteristics. Priority teacher candidates will 52 be those who can demonstrate an understanding and Application of teaching strategies mentioned previously. Essential in the selection of personnel is choosing individuals who are life-long learners and demonstrate a passion for facilitating student learning. Also essential are personnel who are willing to listen to students’ ideas in and out of the classroom with genuine interest, and are willing to explore new Approaches in education. All Cape Collegiate Academy employees meet appropriate credentialing and certifications requirements mandated by SACS and the state of Florida. It is the intent of CCA to hire experienced teachers. CCA will endeavor to avoid hiring out of field or hiring on temporary certificate. In practice similar to LCPS, CCA will make every effort to hire a teacher with a valid Florida teaching certificate in the respective area of content, and exceptions will be made as a last resort. Those not reading endorsed will acquire the endorsement through professional development opportunities within the county and via university courses. They will have, or acquire through professional development sessions, expertise in Differentiated Instruction and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy; skills in developing Critical Thinking and Creativity among students and Individualizing Instruction; and some expertise in e-portfolios. All professional development sessions will be delivered by experts in their respective fields, with content grounded in the respective research base. Other collegiate high schools in Florida have used college program directors and faculty to help acclimate teachers new to their schools, and found the process to be successful and helpful to all parties. The CCA job description for teachers is being revised to add a strong preference for a minimum three years teaching experience. A professional development program will be designed by the CCA Director and campus administration to ensure statutory compliance and reporting. All policies and procedures will be reviewed and revised as necessary to include specific references to CCA upon Approval of Charter School Application. The teachers and staff will collaborate with LCPS as necessary for specific professional development including sessions focusing on reading programs, ESE, and ESOL instruction. The teachers’ Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) will be based upon assessment of student learning needs, which includes reading as an essential area for professional development. As with all collegiate high schools in Florida, the CCA Director will assure compliance with all legislation for public schools, including follow up and evaluation of professional development. As CCA will be a public school, its teachers will have the same opportunities as other public school teachers. All CCA teachers and staff will participate in on-going professional development activities with a student success focus. Meetings will be held for CCA and Cape Collegiate Academy staff and faculty to assure common purpose and understanding. One outcome will be to determine future professional development opportunities and institutional learning needs to facilitate shared understanding and implementation of curriculum efforts. All teachers will receive training by qualified individuals in critical thinking, methods for differentiating instruction for learning styles including culturally relevant pedagogies, teaching literacy across the curriculum, project-based learning, and alternative methods of assessment, including performance-based assessment, portfolio assessment, evaluation with the use of rubrics, and other key areas previously described. 53 Training teachers to differentiate instruction requires training, practice, and support from all levels. Adopting the goals from excelling high school student-centered learning colleges in the 1990’s and current best practices the Cape Collegiate Academy will provided significant professional development opportunities for faculty, specifically from those who have served as mentors and coaches in sharing successful instructional strategies to meet individual learning needs. CCA teachers will have access to the college’s Teaching and Learning Center and all faculty development initiatives. Additionally, as public school teachers, they may access professional development initiatives sponsored by LCPS. Professional development practices will include: Professional development goals set by the school staff; o Within 12 months of hire all CCA staff are expected to be certified in their core area, ESE, ESOL and Reading Meeting time for small, professional teacher groups built into the school’s schedule and occurring daily or weekly; Collaborative lesson planning; Teachers regularly reviewing and giving feedback to each other with regard to teacher constructed class projects, assignments and assessment tools; Teachers regularly sharing samples of student work and seeking feedback from their colleagues; and Teachers attending local and national conferences, making presentations and bringing back new strategies and information to colleagues. Many Cape Collegiate Academy faculty are involved in cross-discipline professional learning communities, including faculty teaching dual enrollment courses. All CCA teachers will be eligible to participate in professional development at Edison or FGCU and, as public school teachers, may access in-service activities of LCPS. The CCA shall meet all applicable state and local health, safety and civil rights requirements, as required by Section 1002.33(9)(e) Florida Statutes. The CCA agrees to comply with and meet all requirements in the School District’s Charter School Policy 2.28 and any amendments thereto. The CCA will operate at all times in compliance with Section 1002.33 Florida Statutes and the relevant State Board of Education rules and all amendments thereto. 11. Education Service Providers (ESP) CCA holds expectations of LCPS as the sponsoring entity as described in FS 1002.33 Charter Schools. Concerning services, expectations are drawn from FS 1002.33 Charter Schools (20) SERVICES: The CCA will not be using an ESP. 54 CCA will comply with all reporting requirements for charter schools, including record keeping and meeting LCPS deadlines. The Director will adhere to LCPS deadlines, and maintain currency via district communications sent to public school administrators. The School will provide financial audits as required. Visits by LCPS representatives will be encouraged. The CCA reserves the right to hire an ESP in the future using competitive bids and performance criteria. The Cape Collegiate Academy Board will adopt rules, procedures, and policies, consistent with District policy, law and rules of the State Board of Education and State. Through these rules and policies it is established the CCA Board develops and manages policy and procedure and the Administration will handle the day to day responsibilities. 12. Employment Staff will be public employees and paid on CCA Salary Schedule to remain competitive with the local market. The CCA Salary Schedule is presented in the CCA Employment Supplement. CCA will follow existing Cape Collegiate Academy employment policies, including equal opportunity and harassment, recruitment, Appointments, benefits, and background checks. Details are provided in the CCA Employment Supplement. CCA teachers will meet all Florida Statutes for teaching in the content area and will be required to meet Cape Collegiate Academy and SACS criteria for teaching college level courses. Hiring, dismissal and benefit packages for adjunct professors will be consistent with the State University System Schools policies. In compliance with State Statute 1012 all teachers under contract with the CCA shall be certified. All CCA teachers of core academic subjects will be highly qualified, pursuant to the requirements and definitions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Notification to parents of teacher qualification will be disclosed via periodic news letters and letter sent to each students’ parents at the start of each semester. In compliance with Florida Statutes, s. 1002.33(7)(a)(14); s. 1002.33(12), Cape Collegiate Academy has developed a compensation plan that will not only attract and retain quality staff, but will also put in place policies and procedures that hold staff to high professional standards. In addition, CCA understands that even with diligent and focused efforts in attracting teachers who are qualified to deliver a quality program, a rich and consistent professional development program will be necessary for teachers and staff to assure that the School achieves its objectives. All CCA instructors will be certified and highly qualified upon hire. If not already certified in the following areas upon hire: 55 Reading ESOL ESE To better meet the needs of the CCA students, all CCA staff instructors must attain these certifications within 12 months of their hire date. Recruitment and Selection The School’s recruitment and selection practices include the following components: Using selective screening and interviewing of candidates to ensure the right fit for the teacher to the job with the School. Teacher to Teacher.com. A comprehensive intervie process including; teachers, staff and adminsitration will be used to determine the best fitting candidates. Introducing candidates to the School facility and students so that they understand the nature of the learning environment. Local newspaper ads when necessary. School website. Placing a CCA focus on recruiting and developing highly effective leaders for the Director role to develop a high-performing organization and nurturing environment for the teachers and support staff. Offering a compensation and benefits package competitive with the local job market for teachers and support staff. Providing extensive and ongoing training on the CCA’s educational model focused on reaching, and mentoring the independent learners. Professional Development Training begins with a focus on the leadership team and Ramp-Up Phase staff: Director Assistant Director Executive Assistant This training will focus on student enrollment procedures, required paperwork, student orientation, and related topics. Prior to the School’s opening, there will be specific training for the Teachers and IA’s. The initial training for the educational staff starts three (3) to four (4) weeks prior to the opening of school. The objectives of the initial professional training are as follows: CCA mission and vision Philosophy of the CCA Parent input. Provide teachers with an understanding of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and 21 Century Skills in their content area and the curriculum. 56 Provide training on the local MIS system. Training in the procedures of the classroom and school. Training in differentiated instruction. Data analysis and application. Teaming! Once the Schools opens, the ongoing objectives are very similar to the initial objectives. Training programs for staff members take place periodically throughout the course of the school year. These school year objectives include: Continue to increase teacher knowledge and skills of best practices in working with independent learners Utilize assessment benchmarks, including how to track the students’ progress, when to enrich, and when to re-teach or remediate. Provide additional strategies teachers can use for teaching, coaching, or mentoring students. Share the expectations of the CCA in following the procedures of the School LCPS. Train support staff on new procedures as necessary. After the initial training, teachers will receive ongoing professional training. The teaching staff will meet periodically throughout the year for staff development and all teachers and support staff will receive ongoing training on various topics based on their individual professional development goals, school data and needs, and new or updated materials, processes, or equipment. The CCA will follow the LCPS staff development calendar participate in the LCPS training opportunities throughout the year. Staff will be recruited using Career Builder, Teacher to Teacher.com., Career Fairs, University Career Office postings and local media. The competitive pay schedule, new facility, collective bargaining opportunity and unique work environment will attract and retain the highest level candidates possible. 13. Parent and Community Support and Partnerships Description of how the school will involve parents in its operations. As previously mentioned, parents were involved in the development of CCA from its conceptualization stage by participating in community meetings and focus groups, and will continue to be involved. Parents will be active in all aspects of CCA operations, consistent with the philosophy that the small school environment provides the opportunity for family, community and educators to enhance student achievement and learning outcomes. During the student Application process, CCA personnel will meet with prospective students and parents to 57 explain the School’s philosophy and to ensure that CCA’ requirements are consistent with the family’s learning objectives. An intense CCA orientation will be conducted. Parents will sign the CCA Principles of Participation Agreement as a commitment to active involvement in the School. Research on charter schools supports the concept that parents want their children to be successful in the chosen school, and will do whatever is necessary to support that success. By the very nature of being a college, Cape Collegiate Academy has the advantage of offering its services 12-15 hours daily, and select hours on weekends. There is a particularly large non-traditional student population on campus in the evenings including classes with dual enrollment students, offering parents additional time to fulfill obligations. Under the Gates model, the entire school is accountable for every student. Family members will be asked to join, or work with, the CCA-SAC in planning opportunities for parent and student involvement in community projects. Cape Collegiate Academy successfully meets the needs of students who face a variety of barriers to achieving their educational goals. Accommodations are made based on individual circumstances. Colleagues at collegiate high schools across Florida inform us that parents are 150% supportive of their children’s success and go to great lengths to assure their enrollment is not jeopardized in any way. The CCA-SAC will recommend ways parents can be supported and encouraged to become involved. CCA will work with various community organizations in distributing information about the new educational opportunity and identifying Applicants. The CCA Director will represent the School in the Cape County community, and solicit corporate and private support to enhance programs and activities. In addition, the Cape Collegiate Academy Cape Campus serves as a community focal point, and hosts a variety of local and regional organizations and cultural events. The campus is a continued source of pride for residents, teachers and staff. Community involvement through such events will enhance learning opportunities for CCA students, just as it does at the college level. As previously discussed, CCA plans to collaborate with business and industry, community groups and College faculty to ensure students apply their knowledge through project-based learning. CCA will endeavor to resolve all disputes within the School based on a process that reflects the practice of LCPS. If the dispute involves students in dual enrollment courses, the College’s petition and Appeal process, as published in the current year’s Catalog, will be followed. The current Catalog may be accessed at any one of the State University System Schools catalogue 14. Student Recruitment and Enrollment The CCA will be open to all students residing within the District and will target students who reside west of the Caloosahatchee River. 58 The CCA will not charge tuition or registration fees except those normally charged by other public schools. In compliance with Section 1002.33(17)(a)(4) of the Florida Statutes, enrollment will not be denied to any eligible applicants on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. The School will also not discriminate in its pupil admissions policies or practices whether on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or any other basis that would be illegal if used by any public school. CCA will aggressively publicize the Charter school opportunity to a broad audience with the intent of attracting a student body representative of Cape Coral’s high school population. Cape Collegiate Academy will also target publicity and recruitment efforts to specific populations to help ensure representation from various constituencies including working with Take Stock in Children and Project HOPE staff, and presentations to community groups. Application and marketing materials will accurately portray CCA as fully accessible to students with disabilities and other special needs. CCA will conduct a rigorous admissions review process in a supportive environment. The School will employ traditional screening documents such as transcripts, assessment data, and references, as well as personal statements written by applicants. The statements, combined with other documents, will provide insight into individual attitudes towards school, and assist teachers and counselors in evaluating the need for academic or other assistance. The following items will constitute complete admissions application: CCA Application for Admission CCA Participation Agreement Student Information Data Entry Form CCA Residency Classification Form Student Health Information Form Social Security Number Verification Form English for Speakers of Other Languages/ Intensive English Education Form Report of Previous Expulsions, Arrests, Juvenile Justice Actions Official High School Transcripts from all high schools attended, where applicable Official College Transcripts from all colleges attended (if applicable) Official ACT, SAT or FCPT Placement Scores Proof of attendance at a CCA orientation CCA will strive to attract students at risk of failing or dropping out of school, and will work diligently to attain a student body closely mirroring the racial/ethnic population of Cape Coral. A CCA web site will debut in fall 2012. CCA representatives will also work collaboratively with county agencies to disseminate information about the School and identify Applicants. All efforts will be exhausted concerning potential placement of students selected for Take Stock in Children scholarships. Demographic data on current participants in Take Stock in Children, combined with the fact that only 39% come from two-parent families and several live in homes where English is not the primary language, 59 indicate that this is a group of students who could benefit greatly from the CCA smallschool atmosphere, tutoring services and opportunity to earn a college degree. Completed Applications will be due between January 1, and May 1, each year. Applicants and parents/guardians must attend a CCA orientation as part of the application process. Should the number of eligible Applicants exceed the capacity of a program, grade level, class or building, students shall have an equal chance of admission through a random lottery selection process following invocation of the following conditions for enrollment preference permitted under Florida Statutes s. 1002.33(10)(d): Each feeder high school in Cape Coral will have equal access to student seats in the CCA. If a feeder school does not fill all allotted seats, the remaining seats will be divided equally among the remaining feeder schools. Available seats after the feeder school lottery system will be awarded to any student from any Lee County high school. Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in CCA Students who are the children of an employee of CCA. Applicants must have attended the 8th grade and be age appropriate to be eligible for admission to the 9th and 10th grade in LCPS. Their parent/legal guardian must be willing to enter into a written agreement with CCA to be actively engaged in their student’s education at the physical location of CCA and at activities that occur outside of the regular school day. Students will be expected to participate in school-related activities such as cultural and fine arts, physical activities, and community betterment. All eligible students will be admitted on a first come first serve basis. Students wishing to enroll after CAA student capacity will enter the lottery process. Following the Application deadline, all packets will be verified for completion, then alphabetized and numbered. A random integer generator will be used to determine which Applicants will receive an invitation letter and which Applicants will receive notification of wait list status. Once a student has accepted an invitation to attend CCA, the student and parent/legal guardian will be required to participate in a pre-admission conference to discuss such items as course placement, schedule, and the CCA Principles of Participation Agreement, presented as Appendix 2. As with any school, there will be student attrition as a result of family moves, parental divorce, illness and so forth. CCA will strive to serve up to 100 students at the 10th grade level to prepare for the dual enrollment program. The remaining students (up to 400 students the first three years) will consist of dual enrollment eligible 11th and 12th grade students and will fill vacancies at the beginning of the new school year to achieve an evenly balanced student population. The openings will be filled through a first come first serve basis up to student capacity and then students will enter the lottery process. Rising seniors may be accepted as transfer students however; it will not be possible for them to attain the goal of an AA degree at the time of high school graduation.. CCA will limit all classes to a maximum of 25 students, achieved through course enrollment caps and classroom capacity limitations. As necessary, the School will make 60 arrangements to accommodate students with special needs including, but not limited to, students with disabilities, gifted and talented students, and English language learners. The following publicity and targeted marketing initiatives will clearly outline the CCA mission to assure an appropriate match between the CCA mission and applicant needs: Press Conference Press Releases and Feature Articles Feature on Cape Collegiate Academy Home Page Radio Talk Shows Contacts with feeder high schools Communications with Home School Students Direct contact with community organizations for student referrals Invitations to Application Workshops Brochures Direct Mail Campaign CCA will work diligently to attain a student body closely mirroring the racial/ethnic population of Cape County through targeted recruitment efforts. Basic demographic information for all students who receive information regarding CCA, express an interest in attending CCA, or submit an admission application will be stored electronically to allow for follow up, reporting, and data analysis. Should the number of eligible Applicants exceed the capacity of a program, grade level, class or building, students shall have an equal chance of admission through a random lottery selection process following invocation of the following enrollment preference conditions permitted under Florida Statutes s. 1002.33(10)(d): Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in CCA Students who are the children of an employee of CCA. Applicants will be notified concerning their admissions status by March 31st each year. Demonstrated commitment to the CCA Principles of Participation Agreement presented as Appendix 2, will be requisite for initial and continued enrollment in the school. The CCA Principles of Participation must be included in the initial Application packet or the packet will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for admissions. The CCA Principles of Participation will be discussed during the CCA orientation and students and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns prior to Application submission. The CCA Principles of Participation will also be reviewed during the required meeting after acceptance. Should a student not comply with the Principles, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the LCPS Code of Student Conduct and policies set forth by the CCA. 61 III. BUSINESS PLAN 15. Facilities The Board of Directors and Director have secured property off the intersection of Pine Island Road and Pondella behind the Target/Sports Authority complex on Pine Island Road. This location is most beneficial to the targeted students as it is in close proximity to all the Cape Coral High Schools and is a central location in Cape Coral. The CCA has secured enough property to expand if necessary in years 4 and 5 of the Charter contract (see table below). Due to the two sessions of students: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 12:00 – 5:00 PM Phase one of the Charter will require a facility and faculty to accommodate 200 students per session and 400 students at capacity. The proposed CCA facility more than adequately meets this need. Phase two of the Charter will require duplication of the facility as an addition to the building. The CCA has made plans and acquired enough land to facilitate this expansion if necessary. Phase two of the CCA plan will be to replicate the existing building as an addition to the current building. The Cape Collegiate Academy will build a facility in Cape Coral to serve as the primary administrative and classroom center. The CCA will be partnering with FGCU and Edison State College regarding adjunct staffing, staff development and alternative location for those students who may choose a specific AA degree. It is anticipated very few students will be choosing an alternative location as the mission of the CCA is to have all graduates graduate high school with their diploma and AA degree. New construction will assure compliance with relevant Florida Statutes, s. 1002.33(7) (a) (13); s. 1002.33(18). This facility will house administrative offices, classrooms, computer lab and auxiliary space for the sole use of CCA. Additional facilities required for specialized classes will be available through a shared use agreement with FGCU. The CCA facilities will remain, fully compliant with State requirements for access and safety. The campus will also be compliant with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Phase one of the campus will be comprised of 12,500 gross square feet configured into 1 building. Features of the campus include: state-of-the-art learning resources linked to and accessing national library information technology; Classrooms will be designed to hold comfortably 25 to 30 students to assure close interaction with instructional staff. 62 Table 5 outlines the CCA facilities. Table 5 - Cape Campus Facilities Fall 2012 Room Use Computer Lab Classrooms Learning Resource Center Bookstore Student Center / Cafeteria Conference / Meeting Room Offices Phase 1 1 8 1 Phase 2 2 16 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 5 10 63 64 Instructional Support Facilities The Cape Collegiate Academy offers a wide variety of support facilities and services, which will be available to CCA students. Science Lab The science lab will be equipped with appropriate safety equipment and accommodate students with physical disabilities. Lecture and lab activities are integrated within the same classroom space. The lab is fully equipped. Biology Laboratory: (25 student stations) Supports General Biology and Microbiology. Equipment includes research-quality microscopes, incubators, an autoclave and a collection of equipment to support genetic studies. Anatomy Laboratory: (25 student stations) Supports Anatomy and Physiology courses. Equipment includes a wide variety of anatomical models and preserved specimens as well as various pieces of physiology Apparatus. Physics Laboratory: (25 student stations) Supports calculus and non-calculus Physics courses. Equipment supports laboratory activities in dynamics, heat, electricity, optics and atomic and nuclear physics. Chemistry Laboratory: (25 student stations) Supports Introductory Chemistry, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. The lab includes a full inventory of chemicals housed in a separate storeroom, common glassware and utensils, balances, fume hoods and associated materials. Computer Lab The Cape Campus computer lab, will have 25 student stations, and will be available to any registered student Approximately 40 hours per week. The lab features Dell workstations refreshed regularly, laser and inkjet printers, and a scanner. Stations are Internet capable and software supports courses across the curriculum. Student Services Facilities The Cape campus offers a variety of ways for students to participate in activities and support programs. Services not only mirror those provided across the district, but are enhanced with programs tailored to the Cape demographic. The Office of Student Services oversees Admissions and Registration; Counseling, Advising and Assessment; Financial Aid; Student Support Services; College Information; Student Activities, Recruitment, and support for dual-enrolled students. Other services offered include assisting students with disabilities; one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, career advising and testing; placement testing; student clubs and activities; and peer and professional tutoring for the general student body. Following is a summary of available services: Orientation to College Workshop: Provides students with an overview of CCA and the admission process and strategies for student success. All prospective students are encouraged to attend in order to ensure a smooth transition into 65 college life. CCA students will be provided an orientation to college workshop that will include most of the components of this orientation as Appropriate. Academic Advising and Counseling: Academic advisors assist students with designing education plans, understanding the General Education Program, selecting courses for long-range educational goals, transferring to four-year institutions, and withdrawing from courses or college. Academic Advisors will work closely with CCA staff to ensure effective programming and support for high school students. Financial Aid: The campus Financial Aid Coordinator provides counseling and information regarding eligibility for scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. Testing/Placement: By Statute, students must demonstrate college level proficiency through the ACT, SAT or Florida College Entry Level Placement Test (CPT) and through the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). Testing facilities are available on campus. Testing Center staff will collaborate with LCPS to facilitate relevant CCA assessment procedures. Career Center: The Career Center serves students and alumni with career assessment and counseling, resume writing and job interview workshops, current job listings and employment assistance, career fairs and on-campus recruitment, and a resume referral database. Academic Success Center (ASC): The Academic Success Center is designed to serve as a major learning and retention resource to Cape Collegiate Academy. Services include a comprehensive tutor program, career services, SOAR (student success skills and early alert program), CPT preparation, and developmental assistance lab. Students are provided academic referrals to other success services; assistance with obtaining study group contact; and assistance with identifying and overcoming obstacles to academic success. The ASC is also the point of contact for the Work Experience/Internship Program. The Academic Success Center is staffed by a full-time paraprofessional who schedules and oversees the peer and professional tutors. Students may receive assistance on a dropin basis, or by Appointment. Two part-time CCA tutors will provide learning assistance for high school students, working with the Center’s staff and accessing College resources. Clubs and Organizations – 9th through 12th Club activities provide a variety of ways to serve others while enhancing leadership skills. Students are encouraged to become involved in any one of the activities provided by their home school. In addition to the clubs and organizations already present on their home school campus, students are encouraged to start clubs that represent their own interests on the CCA campus. Learning Resources Center The Cape Learning Resources facility will partner with area State University System Schools and provide the same service as they provide via distance learning opportunities and interschool mail. 66 Students are encouraged to access information via the Learning Resources web site, email and telephone. Students learn to use library resources through class demonstrations and face-to-face training by librarians. Librarians also teach a basic electronic research class each semester. Library materials appropriate for 10th grade classes will be added to the collection, although many currently owned resources, both print and electronic, are within their range of ability. The CCA facility contract will be finalized upon Charter approval and evidence of facility acquisition or lease and certificate of occupancy will be submitted to the sponsor in compliance with LCPS policy 2.28. All Cape Collegiate Academy classrooms will be constructed in accordance with SREF, FBC and National Fire Codes specifications. The current child-care center will accommodate two classrooms, administrative office space, restrooms and existing electrical and mechanical areas. Public Safety and Security The Office of Safety and Security, part of the Cape Collegiate Academy Department of Facilities Planning and Management, is committed to providing a safe, secure, and orderly environment for teaching, learning and administrative operations. Campus safety is a cooperative effort of students, faculty, staff and visitors, and all must assume responsibility for personal safety as well as the protection of personal and college property. A safety security officer is assigned to provide a highly visible, proactive patrol on campus property, including parking lots and buildings. The officer is equipped with hand-held radios so that they are in constant communication with the Public Safety base station and other campus security officers. The safety security officer will have arrest powers and will be permitted to use reasonable and necessary force to protect themselves and others from bodily harm. The campus public safety officer is a Cape Coral police officer and shares a positive relationship with the Lee County Sheriff’s office, which stands ready to respond for additional support if needed. Cape Collegiate Academy complies with all Lee County District Policies regarding school safety and security as well as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about the number of criminal offenses, hate crimes and arrests on and around their campuses. Further, in compliance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and State Statute, Cape Collegiate Academy provides a website link to the Sexual Offender and Predators Registry. CCA is fully aware of the Lunsford Act requirements and will comply with the intent of the law. Task Force members have surveyed the policies and practices of other Florida collegiate high schools and found many variations in implementation. CCA recognizes the commitment of LCPS to student safety, and will work diligently to follow its model of exemplary policies and practices including those governing vendors and visitors. 67 For the last several years, College employees have been fingerprinted, with accompanying background checks. Security and Custodial/Grounds services on the Cape campus are under contract with nationally prominent companies, i.e. Wackenhut™ and GCA Services Group, both of which conduct extensive background investigations, including multi-jurisdictional criminal data base and sex offender searches. All instructional and staff members who are directly employed by the CCA will meet the Level 2 Screening Procedures. All vendors who deal directly with CCA will also meet the Level 2 Screening procedures, e.g. yearbook photographers. Others will be subject to sexual predator/offender checks. Contract services for maintenance and food services will have Level 2 screening. Cape Collegiate Academy maintains and updates an Emergency Response Manual that covers various crisis/critical incidents that may occur on campus. With the assistance of the CCA Director, the Manual will be adapted for the high school with K-12 specific concerns, especially relating to: Fire drills Health concerns (sick students), vaccinations, health screenings, and so forth Credentialing. All students will be required to carry a CCA Photo identification card. Student photos will be kept on file in the CCA. The Emergency Response Manual will be provided as an Appendix upon completion of facility. Public Safety staff will also work with the Director to assure that the student code of conduct and disciplinary procedures address student rights as to weapons, contraband, and the searches of lockers and personal vehicles. The public safety personnel for the Cape Campus and CCA will consist of a Cape Collegiate Academy Public Safety Supervisor who will secure the campus while classes are in session . Following employment of CCA staff, the College’s Public Safety department will provide requisite training to CCA teachers. District and campus public safety personnel will be available as guest presenters. Cape Collegiate Academy anticipates the cost of CCA facility and equipment to be approximately $2 million dollars. Utilities and maintenance will be paid by Cape Collegiate Academy, with expenses pro-rated on a square footage basis. Anticipated costs for the facility, including renovation, rent, utilities, maintenance and the financial plan for the School, are presented in Appendix 7 – Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance. 68 Table 6 - Project Annual Costs for Maintenance and Operations, CCA Annual Operations Cost for Building CC, Cape Campus Area in Square feet 12,000 Embarq phone bill TBD LCEC electric service TBD Cape Coral Water/Sewer TBD State Apportionment for custodial grounds $7.05/SF 20,304.00 Public Safety 40,000.00 SOD funds for additional repairs & maintenance Total TBD Following is the conceptual layout for the CCA building: Number Size Description 7 1 1 1 5 1 2 2 1 1,100 square feet 1,100 square feet 1,100 square feet 1,000 square feet 120 square feet 240 square feet 200 square feet 120 square feet 400 square feet Classrooms Science Lab Student Center Computer Lab Offices Conference Room Student Restrooms Staff Restrooms Storage Area With Appropriate facilities available at the CCA, including future planned renovations, Cape Collegiate Academy has not determined the need for a back-up facilities plan for school start-up. Emergency situations would be covered under the Cape Collegiate Academy Emergency Plan. 16. Transportation and Food Service The CCA acknowledges that transportation of CCA students is the obligation of the CCA and must provide transportation consistent with Chapter 1006 of the State Statutes. The School will ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access in accordance with Florida statutes. Students who live beyond a 2-mile radius from the school will receive a Lee County Transit bus pass if they choose to accept it. In addition, transportation service will be provided by the School to any student whose IEP stipulates 69 so. All necessary arrangements will be made to ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access. If transportation proves to be a barrier to access, the School will provide transportation via, public transportation options (i.e., bus passes), local school district transportation options, school owned vehicles or private providers as mandated by Florida law for those students who are eligible for school bus transportation. Due to the age group of the students attending the School, the flexible schedule of the school day, and the fact that students will be coming from and leaving for work, the School will not provide traditional meals, as are served in a comprehensive high school. Instead, the school will make free nutritious, healthy snacks available to all students during their scheduled breaks as well as before and after school. These healthy snacks will be in compliance with all applicable requirements and will be available free of charge to all students, regardless of household income. Additionally, the School will have vending machines on-site for students who wish to purchase other types of food. The timing of the school’s two academic sessions will allow students to eat lunch at home, or on the way to home or work after school. The students who attend the 7:00 – 12:00 session will be able to have lunch after their session is completed. The students who attend the 12:00 – 5:00 session will be able to eat lunch at home before their session. As stated above, all stud0nts will have nutritious, healthy snacks available to them at the school, free of charge. 17. Budget The School is in the initial stages and anticipating a grand opening in August 2012, as a Florida nonprofit corporation. The School will be established as a charter school for college bound students in grades 10 through 12 in Lee County. Enrollment in years one (1) through three (3) is predicted to be 400 students per year, although the School may expand to 800 students if warranted by demand. To manage this expanded enrollment in years 4 - 5 and beyond, the CAA facility will be doubled in size beginning in year 4 of the Charter. This projection allows the CAA to increase enrollment and better meet the needs of the community if necessary. The complete five-year budget is included in Attachment CC. Pursuant to Section 228.056(10)1002.33(8)(e), Florida Statues. The charter school contract will provide that in the event of termination, public unencumbered funds of the school will revert to the Sponsor (LCPS), except for capital outlay funds. All of the School’s property and improvements purchased with public funds, will be delivered to the Sponsor school district (LCPS) per State Statute Section 1002.33(8)(e). The CCA will be considered a component school of the School District of Lee County. Criteria for determining if other entities are potential component units of the School that should be reported with the School’s basic financial statements will be identified and described in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) Codification of Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards, Sections 2100 and 2600. The Application of these criteria provide for identification of any entities for which the School is financially accountable and other organizations for which the nature and significance of their relationship with the School are such that exclusion would cause the 70 School’s basic financial statements to be misleading or incomplete. Based on these criteria, no component units have been identified during the start-up process. Basis of Presentation All policies and procedures outlined in Red Book will be adhered to: The financial transactions of the School are recorded in individual funds. Each fund will be accounted for by providing a separate set of self-balancing accounts that comprises its assets, liabilities, reserves, fund equity, revenues, and expenditures/expenses. The various funds are reported by generic classification within the financial statements. GASB Statement #34 sets forth the minimum criteria for the determination of major funds. Major funds may consist of the following fund types: Governmental Funds: The measurement focus of the Governmental Funds will be based upon the determination of financial position and changes in financial position rather than upon net income. General Fund: The General Fund will account for all financial resources not required to be accounted for in another fund. The General fund serves as the primary operating unit of the School. When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use, it is the School’s policy to use restricted resources first, then unrestricted resources as they are needed. GASB Statement #34 will eliminate the presentation of Account Groups, incorporate the information into the Governmental column in the government-wide Statement of Net Assets, and provide for these records to be maintained. Basis of accounting refers to when revenues and expenditures are recognized in the accounts and reported in the financial statements. The basis of accounting relates to the timing of the measurements made, regardless of the measurement focus Applied. Please see Appendix 7 – Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance. In compliance with State Statute 1011.62 the CCA will report student enrollment to the LCPS for audit and FTE funding purposes. Upon Charter approval the CCA will provide proper evidence of insurance coverage as required in LCPS District Policy 2.28. Please see Appendix 7 – Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance. The Chair of the Board of Director has visited several established Charter Schools within the State and beyond. Adequate financial planning was deemed paramount to success. The planning process for CCA included careful construction of a budget with realistic projected sources of revenues and expenses to ensure the financial viability of the school. 71 The CCA has garnished community support and secured local investors to provide the needed funding for construction and start-up costs. CCA expects to receive the majority of its revenue stream from State and Local funding, e.g. FEFP, SAI, Class Size Reduction, and Local Effort. The Discretionary Millage portion of the Local Effort is the maximum allowable amount of a non-voted tax that can be applied to property values for that year for a particular use, e.g. education. The term Millage is a property tax term that refers to 1/1000 of the expressed amount, i.e., 1 mill equals .1%. These amounts are calculated based on the “Revenue Estimate Worksheet” made available by the Florida Department of Education. The State also appropriates funds for facilities based on FTE enrollment which will be provided via LCPS. The expenditures primarily involve salaries and wages including fringe benefits for the Director, four full-time teachers, and four part-time teachers for the first year, and a total of eight full-time teachers and four part-time each year thereafter to accommodate the planned increase in enrollment. Salaries and wages for support staff and counselors are also included in the budget. Other expenditures include amounts for the cost of materials, supplies, textbooks, software, hardware, furniture, and facility maintenance and renovations. All amounts are estimated based on the number of students and statistical information obtained for the area that is being served, and financial information obtained from other with similar collegiate high school operations. Please see Appendix 7: Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance for detailed budget and spending priorities. Monthly cash flow projections for the school’s start-up period (i.e. from the date on which the Application is approved to the beginning of the first fiscal year of operation) and each year of the requested charter term can be found in Appendix 8: Schedule of Monthly Cash Flows. To carry out the Mission and ensure that the School remains viable, CCA will prioritize spending and retain a focus on providing excellent services to students. Business practices will include the proper and timely payment of its teachers and support staff, the purchase of quality instructional and educational materials, and capital outlay necessary to maintain a safe environment. Specifically, priorities include: Land and facility acquisition (tentative purchase off Pondella) Instructional – Salaries, Wages, Textbooks, Materials, and Publications Instructional and Administrative Support – Salaries and Wages Capital – Software, Hardware, Furniture, A/V Equipment, Facility Repairs and Maintenance, Facility Renovations, Facility Additions Please see Appendix 8 – Schedule of Monthly Cash Flows. CCA fundraising activities has included property site acquisition and financial support for start-up costs. In addition, activities will be initiated with oversight by the Cape Collegiate Academy Foundation, Inc., a Direct Support Organization of the College. 72 Community, parent and student initiatives will be implemented in concert with the Foundation’s fundraising guidelines. The Director will lead community fundraising initiatives. 18. Financial Management and Oversight The finances of CCA will be managed by the Stroemer & Company (or accounting firm as determined by the Board) through the direction of the Board and Director to ensure that financial resources are not miss apropriated and financial records are not misstated. The Office of Stroemer and Company has experienced staff that will support the School’s operations and serve in the capacity of financial management and accounting. Existing procedures for the CCA’s financial and accounting areas will be applied at a basic level and expanded upon as the School grows. Additionally, CCA will benefit from the resources of LCPS as the charter Sponsor. In accordance with Florida Statutes addressing issues of financial management and oversight, s. 1002.33(6)(a)(5); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(9); s. 1002.33(7)(a)(11), CCA will employ a system that manifests a proven track record insofar as integrity and accountability are concerned. As an internal control, monthly financial statements will be presented to the Cape Collegiate Academy Board for review. A budgetary comparison will be included, in addition to information projecting enrollment in order to determine any trends. Stroemer and Company will prepare an Annual Financial Report for CCA, which will be audited by an Independent Certified Public Accountant and Approved by the Board. Monthly statements will be presented to the Cape Collegiate Academy Board delineating all revenues and expenditures for the month as well as year to date information. The LCPS internal controls covering operations and financial reporting, which assure effective and efficient operations, shall also Apply to the CCA. Such internal control components include the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, and communication. Internal controls also provide monitoring relative to the ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report transactions related to every major area of operations including, but not limited to, liquid assets, plant assets, collections, disbursements (especially personnel, fringe benefits, and capital outlay expenses), and risk management. Accounting records will be maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. All transactions will be accounted for within a separate fund under a Governmental Accounting Standards Board reporting model. The entity will be reported as a blended component unit of the College in the Annual Financial Report. Cape Collegiate Academy’s information system allows for multiple chart of accounts. CCA will be a separate financial entity within the information system. The "Red Book" utilized by the District School Boards in the State of Florida will be the fund accounting model to be followed. This will ensure that reporting requirements, i.e. cost reports, are 73 met and will facilitate the production of the School's financial statements based on such a model. Student, and financial records will be stored by the College in accordance with the record retention policy as prescribed by GS7 – General Records Schedule for Public Schools – Pre-K-12, Adult & Vocational/Technical. The CCA records retention policy may be superseded by the GS1 – General Records Schedule for State and Local Governments. In addition, the GS1 may cover other financial related records and should be used where Applicable. The College will continue to adhere to its record retention policy as prescribed GS5 – General Records Schedule for Universities and Community Colleges. Insurance coverage for health benefits shall be provided based on employment type. The Cape Collegegiate Academy Human Resources Office oversees such classifications and calculations. BlueCross/BlueShield is the current vendor for medical and dental benefits. Negotiations with the CCA and staff at a later date will result in an emplyee benefit package. It is expected the Cape Collegiate Academy comply with all LCSD policies and in particular policy 2.28. 19. Action Plan Cape Collegiate Academy looks forward to opening CCA in August 2012. A working timeline is presented as Appendix 9. Appendix 1: The Council’s Charge and Membership Appendix 2: CCA Principles of Participation Agreement Appendix 3: Bibliography of literature Appendix 4: Sample student schedule Appendix 5: Proposed 10th grade non-dual enrollment schedule Appendix 6: Model School Calendar Appendix 7: Director Job Description Appendix 8: Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance Appendix 9: Schedule of Monthly Cash Flows Appendix 10: Working timeline 74 VI. STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES This form must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the applicant group and submitted with the application for a charter school. As the authorized representative of the applicant group, I hereby certify under the penalties of perjury that the information submitted in this application for a charter for the Cape Collegiate Academy is true to the best of my knowledge and belief; and further, I certify- that, if awarded a charter, the school: Will be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and operations. Will enroll any eligible student who submits a timely application, unless the school receives a greater number of applications than there are spaces for students, in which case students will be admitted through a random selection process. Will adhere to the antidiscrimination ~ provisions of s. 1000.05. Will adhere to all applicable provision of State and Federal law relating to the education of students with disabilities, including the Individuals Disabilities Education Act; section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Will adhere to all applicable provisions of Federal law relating to students who are limited English proficient, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Rights Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. Will participate in the statewide assessment program created under s. 1003.43. Will comply with Florida statutes relating to public records and public meetings, including Chapter 119, Florida Statutes and s. 286.011, Florida Statutes, which are applicable to applicants even prior to being granted a charter. Will obtain and keep current all necessary permits, licenses and certifications related to fire, health and safety within the building and on school property. Will provide for an annual financial audit 111accordance with s. 218.39. The governing board, at its discretion, allows Mike D’Angelo, Director of the Cape Coral Collegiate Academy to sign as the legal correspondent for the school. _______________________________________ Signature July 7, 2011 Date Mike D’Angelo Printed Name 75 Appendix 1: CCA Principles of Participation Agreement Cape Collegiate Academy Principles of Participation Agreement Social Security Number: ___________________________ CCA ID: ________________ (Office Use Only) Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Last First MI Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________ Street/PO Box Phone Number: (_____) _________________ City State Zip Email: _________________________________ Birth Date: _______________________ Country of Birth: __________________ High School: __________________________ County of Citizenship: ______________ Anticipated High School Graduation Date: _________________ Grade Level: ________ Semester applied for: (circle one) Fall (August) Spring (January) Summer (May/July) School Year: _____ Has either of your parent(s) or guardian(s) earned a four-year college degree? _________ Intended degree program: ________________________________________________________ Have you taken the SAT, ACT, or CPT test in the past two years? _________ If yes, please have official scores sent to Student Services, CCA If no, call the Testing Center at (xxx) xxx – xxxx to schedule an appointment. I have read and understand the following policies of the Cape Collegiate Academy Program. I understand that if I receive a final grade of D or F in any course, I will lose the privilege of participating in the Cape Collegiate Academy dual enrollment program. I understand that if I drop a course after the add/drop registration period, it will remain on my college record and I may receive no college or high school credit for the course. I understand that the grades I receive in college courses will remain on my permanent college transcript. If I plan to continue as a student at CCA after high school graduation, I will need to complete a CAC Application for Admission form, and submit my final high school transcript. ________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature Date 76 Appendix 2: Bibliography of literature Association for Career and Technical Education. (October 2008). An Interview with Willard Daggett. Techniques, 83 (7), 12-13. Retrieved May 12, 2009, from www.acteonline.org. Benchmarks for Early College High Schools. (2005). Retrieved January 10, 2009, from The Early College High School Initiative web site: http://www.earlycolleges.org. Blumenfeld, P. C., Soloway, E., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. D., Guszdial, M., & Palincsar, A. (1991). Motivating project-based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educational Psychologist,26 (3 & 4), 369-398. Bruner, J. S. (1996). The culture of education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cape Coral – Fort Myers, FL Economy at a Glance. Retrieved May 12, 2009, from www.bls.gov/eag/eag.fl_capecoral_msa.htm. Callahan, E., Everett, K., Fortin, S., & Sullivan, K. (2007). Boston collegiate charter school: Five keys to creating a successful college-prep program. Retrieved February 19, 2009, from http://www.masscharterschools.org. Chaffee, J. (2006). Thinking critically. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Childress, H. (2000). Landscapes of betrayal, landscapes of joy: Curtisville in the lives of its teenagers. Albany: State University of New York Press. Coffman, J., Post, M., Bouffard, S. & Little, P. (2005, Spring). Beyond the classroom: Complementary learning to improve achievement outcomes. Evaluation Exchange. (9)1. Colombo, G., Cullen, R., & Lisle, B. (Eds.) (2007). Rereading America: Cultural contexts for critical thinking and writing. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Cuseo, J. B. (1998). Capitalizing on student diversity to promote deeper learning and greater appreciation of individual differences: Research-based teaching strategies for college faculty. Retrieved May 7, 2009, from http://www.truworld.ca/_shared/assets/teach-divers_caseo_vf13171.pdf Dingerson, L., Miner, B., Peterson, B., & Walters, S. (Eds.). (2008). Keeping the promise? the debate over charter schools. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools. 77 Dunn, R., & Dunn K. (1987). Dispelling outmoded beliefs about student learning. Educational Leadership, 44(6), 55-61. Elias, M., Tobias, S., & Friedlander, B. (2000). Raising emotionally intelligent teenagers. New York: Three Rivers Press. Elder, L, & Paul, R. (2004). The thinker’s guide to critical and creative thinking. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Friedman, T. (2005). The world is flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple intelligences: The theory in practice. New York: Basic Books.Gardner, J. N., Jewler, A. J., & Barefoot, B. (2008). Your college experience: Strategies for success. Boston: Thompson Higher Education. Giessman, J. (2009). Curriculum-mapping our way to relevance. Retrieved May 28, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com. db07.linccweb.org. Goodlad, J. (1984). A place called school: Prospects for the future. New York: McGrawHill. Jenkins, J. M. (1992). Advisement programs: A new look at an old practice. Reston, VA: National Association of Secondary School Directors. Jerome Bruner and the process of education. Retrieved June 18, 2009, from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/bruner.htm. Kitchin, J. (2008, August 13). A new twist on science education. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools. Lederman, L. (1998). Arise: American renaissance in science education. Batavia, IL: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Levine, A. (2005). Educating school teachers. Washington, DC: The Education School Project. Mattai, P. R., & Williams, J. M. The disconnect between teacher education and schooling: Neglecting the community. Journal of Urban Education: Focus on Enhancement, 3(1), 3-11. Pipher, M. (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the selves of adolescent girls. New York: Riverhead Books. Powell, F. D., Fields, F. D., Bell, E. D., & Johnson, G. S. (2007). Manhood, scholarship, perseverance, uplift, and elementary students: An example of school and community collaboration. Urban Education, 42(4), 296-312. 78 Postman, N. (1996). The end of education. New York: Vintage. Project-based learning space. Retrieved March 24, 2009, from Houghton Mifflin web site: http://college.cengage.com/education/pbl/background.html. Queen, J. (2003). The block scheduling handbook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Reed, J. (2007, September). Internationalizing the curriculum: What does it mean? Editorial. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 14(9), 390. Sizer, Theodore R. 1996. Horace’s hope: What works for the American high school. New York, N.Y.: Houghton Mifflin. Steen, L. (ed.). (1997). Why numbers count: Quantitative literacy for tomorrow’s America. Washington, D.C.: The College Board. Appendix P 6 Sternheimer, K. (2006). Kids these days: Facts and fictions about today’s youth. Lanham, MR: Rowman & Littlefield. Stewart, V. (2007, April). Becoming citizens of the world. Educational Leadership. 64(7), 8-14. Stone, Randi. (ed.) (2002). Best practices for high school classrooms: What award-winning secondary teachers do. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Sylwester, R. (2007).The adolescent brain: Reaching for autonomy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. The ten common principles of the coalition of essential schools. Retrieved on February 19, 2009 from http://www.parker.org/WhoAreWe/ten_common.htm Thomas, K. (2008, April 2.) Report: Graduation rates low in many cities. Naples Daily News, p. 6A. Torp, L., & Sage, S. (2002). Problems as possibilities: Problem-based learning for K-16 education. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. U.S. Census Bureau. (2005-2007). Lee County, Florida – Educational Attainment. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from www.factfinder.census.gov/servlet. Vadeboncoeur, J. A. and Stevens, L.P. (Eds.). (2005). Re/Constructing “the adolescent”: Sign, symbol, and body. New York: Peter Lang.. Zmuda, A., & Tomaino, M. (2001).The competent classroom: Aligning high school Curriculum, standards, and assessment. New York: Teachers College Press. 79 Appendix 3: Sample student dual-enrollment schedule Title Days Time Instructor Location Dates M-WF M-WF M-WF M-WF M-WF T-TH 7:30 AM CCA Fall Term 12 Number of Expected Students 25 7:30 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 8:40 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 8:40 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 9:50 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 8:550 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 T-TH 8:55 AM CCA Fall Term 12 25 T-TH M-WF 7:30 AM 9:50 AM CCA CCA Fall Term 12 Fall Term 12 25 25 Course ENC 1102 ENGLISH 1102 ECO 2013 ENC 1102 MACRO ECONOMICS ENC1102 AMH 2020 US HISTORY II MAC 1105 COLLEGE ALGEBRA AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WORLD CIVILIZATION I PSYCHOLOGY INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA POS 2041 WOH 1012 PSY 2012 MAT 1033 80 Appendix 4: Proposed 9th - 10th grade non-dual enrollment schedule Title English 1 ENGLISH 2 World History US HISTORY Algegra GEOMETRY Physical Science BIOLOGY Physical Education ELECTIVE ELECTIVE ELECTIVE Days M-F Instructor TBA Location Dates CCA Fall Term 11 Classsize 25 M-F TBA CCA Fall Term 11 25 M-F TBA CCA Fall Term 11 25 M-F TBA CCA Fall Term 11 25 M-F TBA CCA Fall Term 11 25 M-F M-F TBA TBA CCA CCA Fall Term 11 Fall Term 11 25 25 Non dual enrollment classes will be offered via a traditional setting or online programming. APEX or the LCPS approved online programming will be used. 81 Appendix 5: Model School Calendar 82 Appendix 6: Director Job Descriptions Director Cape Collegiate Academy Position Title: Location: Reports To: Work Schedule: Apply To: Director Position Length: 12 Months Posting Date: Board of Directors Full-time Application Deadline: Exempt FLSA Status: Location Position: Job Purpose: The Director is responsible for providing educational leadership, contractual accountability and day-to-day leadership of educational and operational activities of Cape Collegiate Academy. This includes the recruiting, hiring, supervision, evaluation, and development of staff; maintenance of a safe environment conducive to teaching and learning; assurance of effective delivery and improvement of instruction; enforcement of the school’s policies and procedures; safety of students; and implementation of student disciplinary measures when necessary. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES: Organizes and directs staff to accomplish the school’s defined goals related to enrollment, learning gains, attendance, FCAT scores, and other related measurements. Is knowledgeable of and effectively communicates Cape Collegiate Academy’s philosophy, policy and procedures related to student learning, conduct, discipline and attendance to the CCA staff, students, parents, school District personnel, partners, and community. Effectively communicate with individual team members, internal teams, and external support staff in various forms to ensure that the school is meeting its goals through ethical execution of the academic and operational model. Supervises mentors and develops all team members to effectuate the school’s mission. Organizes school functions for parents and family members as a method to help the school reach its goals. Collects and analyzes school data as the basis for improving the school’s measurable outcomes and contracted goals. 83 Performs all other duties as deemed necessary, which are aligned in accordance with Cape Collegiate Academy’s policies and procedures to ensure that student educational and behavioral goals and objectives are achieved. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES Serves as the program contact to the appropriate School District personnel. Plans and coordinates or leads professional development activities based on school data. Reports on the status of the school to the Board of Directors as required. Works as the leader of the school management team in developing and implementing emergency procedures. Job Requirements and Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction or a related educational field from an accredited college or university is required. Possession of a valid state teaching certificate is desired. Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership or a related educational field from an accredited college or university is desired. Five years of paid, professional experience working with disruptive and/or at risk youth is preferred. Two years of paid, professional experience in a position of providing instructional/supervisory leadership is preferred. Reviewed and agreed upon by: ___________________________________ Employee Signature ____________________ Date ___________________________________ Supervisor Signature ____________________ Date 84 TITLE: Assistant Director QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Master’s degree or higher. 2. Valid Florida certification covering Educational Leadership or Administration/Supervision. 3. A minimum of three years successful teaching experience. 4. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Director JOB GOAL: 1. To assist the Director in ensuring continuous improvement in measurable student performance and achievement, customer satisfaction, performance management and compliance; 2. To assist the Director in the overall administration and operation of the school; 3. To assume full responsibility of the school when the Director is absent from the building. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * 1. Assists in providing leadership that will ensure continuous improvement in measurable student performance and achievement, customer satisfaction, performance management and compliance. * 2. Implements School Board policy, State statues, and Federal regulations in the areas of Human Resources, Business/Property and Educational Services as they pertain to the assigned school. * 3. Develops a master schedule and assists in the assigning of teachers according to student needs and certification. * 4. Implements District guidelines for proper student conduct and disciplinary procedures and policies, based on the Student Code of Conduct, that assure a safe and orderly environment. * 5. Participates in countywide management meetings and other activities appropriate for continual professional development. 6. Assists in providing educational leadership in developing, implementing and evaluating the School Improvement Plan. 7. Assists in providing leadership in identifying and assessing strategies designed to accomplish School Board goals and Superintendent’s initiatives. 8. Facilitates positive communications among students, parents, teachers and support staff in daily interactions. 9. Provides supervision while maintaining visibility about the campus and classroom. 10. Utilizes data and current educational best practices in the planning and preparation of the school instructional program. 85 11. Observes and evaluates teacher performance as it relates to student learning and provides coaching, feedback and such assistance as needed. 12. Establishes, supervises, and evaluates the performance of support staff as assigned by the director. 13. Assists in supervising and monitoring the accurate and timely completion of data collection and reporting requirements. 14. Assists in identifying and providing training opportunities for all school personnel. 15. Demonstrates interpersonal skills and the skill to work with diverse groups of people. 16. Assists in establishing a school-based crisis plan and in providing leadership in the event of such happening. 17. Develops positive school and community relations, which includes effective oral and written communications to all stakeholder groups. 18. Assists in recruiting, interviewing and recommending qualified personnel for employment that reflect racial and ethnic diversity. 19. Orients new personnel to the school site. 20. Implements and administers negotiated employee contracts at the school site. 21. Assists in conducting staff meetings that involve the discussion of instructional programs that focus on student achievement, policy changes, system issues, and problem identification and resolution. 22. Assists in establishing and managing student accounting and attendance procedures at the assigned school. 23. Participates in the function of financial planning for the school, which may include assisting in the preparation of the school’s budget. 24. Participates in the disbursement of funds to assure that the school will realize the maximum value educationally and financially in security textbooks, supplies, materials, equipment and services. 25. Assists in coordinating maintenance functions, providing for plant safety and facility inspections. 26. Assists by monitoring property inventory records and assure the security of school property. 27. Assists by coordinating the school food service program at the assigned school, including the free and reduced food service program requirements. 28. Assists in managing and supervising school sponsored events, coordinating the supervision of events, and maintaining a calendar of all school events. 29. Communicates through the proper channels to keep appropriate personnel informed of impending programs or events of unusual nature. 30. Assumes full responsibility of the school when the Director is absent from the building *Core Measures OTHER RESPONSIBILITES: Performs related work as required. (NOTE: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.) 86 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Position requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary and work year as established by the Board. ASSESSMENT: Performance of this job will be assessed annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on assessment of administrative personnel. 87 TITLE: Executive Secretary QUALIFICATIONS: 1. High School diploma. 2. Two years post-secondary training and five years experience as a secretary; or graduation from a recognized school of secretarial skills and two years of job experience; or three years successful employment as a school secretary within the district or in another school district of comparable size. 3. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Director or individual administrator to whom assigned JOB GOAL: To assist and relieve administrator of paperwork and impediments so that he may devote maximum attention to the central problems of education and educational administration. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Takes and transcribes dictation of various types, including correspondence, reports, notices, and recommendations. 2. Obtains, gathers, and organizes pertinent data as needed, and puts it into usable form. 3. Maintains a regular filing system and processes incoming correspondence as instructed. 4. Places and receives telephone calls and records messages. 5. Orders and maintains supplies as needed. 6. Performs any bookkeeping tasks associated with the specific position. 7. Maintains a schedule of appointments and makes arrangements for conferences and interviews. 8. Works with the administrator in carrying out the day-to-day operations necessary to the smooth functioning of the district. 9. Disseminates school district forms used by the administrator served and serves as a source of information about the regulations and policies of the department. 10. Works closely with administrative and consultant personnel in providing necessary personnel and financial data for the proper development of plans and programs. 11. Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as may be required. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Twelve month year. Salary as established by the Board. ASSESSMENT: Performance of this job will be assessed annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on assessment of support personnel. 88 TITLE: School Secretary QUALIFICATIONS: 1. High School Diploma or equivalent. 2. Demonstrated competence in use of office and business machines. 3. Knowledge of school system policies and legal procedures. 4. Demonstrated appropriate verbal and interpersonal skills. 5. Demonstrated ability to perform all required office tasks efficiently. 6. Such alternatives as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Director or Department Head JOB GOAL: To facilitate in the efficient operation of the office to maintain maximum productivity. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Maintains student and staff records. 2. Establishes office procedures and coordinates duties of clerical office personnel. 3. Coordinates with the Personnel Department new employing processing. 4. Serves as receptionist for the school, answers phones, maintains a log, and responds appropriately to requests, needs and crises. 5. Schedules appointments for conferences and interviews. 6. Contributes to a positive, professional office atmosphere. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Coordinates with outside agencies to assist teachers, students and parents. 2. Assists office staff to ensure smooth operation of daily functions. 3. Performs related work as required. (NOTE: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. 2. Ability to sit in one position for a prolonged period of time. 3. Ability to view VDT screens or other monitoring devices for prolonged periods. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Work year and salary as established by the Board and SPALC bargaining unit through the collective bargaining process. ASSESSMENT: Performance of this job will be assessed annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on assessment of support personnel. TITLE: Teacher 89 QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher. 2. Valid Florida teacher certification covering appropriate area of responsibility. 3. Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication. 4. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups. 5. Experience with industry‐standard computer applications. 6. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Director and or Designated Administrator JOB GOAL: To lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth in a safe and cost effective manner that supports the goals of the District. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Plans individually or cooperatively a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, diverse backgrounds and abilities of students. 2. Assists in establishing department or grade level curriculum objectives and the development of the comprehensive plan for the implementation and evaluation of the objectives. 3. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students. 4. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students. 5. Employs instructional methods and materials that are most appropriate for meeting stated objectives. 6. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress report as required. 7. Diagnoses the learning strengths and weaknesses of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as deemed appropriate. 8. Counsels with colleagues, students and/or parents on a regular basis. 9. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedures and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. 10. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for support personnel and school volunteers to work cooperatively with department heads or grade level chairmen, evaluate their effectiveness. 11. Uses appropriate technology in teaching and the learning process. 12. Maintains accurate, complete and correct records and reports as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation. 13. Provides for personal professional growth through an ongoing program of 90 reading, workshops, seminars, conferences and/or advanced course work at institutions of higher learning. 14. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as deemed necessary. 15. Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with others. 16. Adheres to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and meets all school and district policy requirements. 17. Supports school improvement initiatives by active participation in school activities, services and programs. 18. Recognizes overt indicators of student distress or abuse and takes appropriate action based on school procedures and law. 19. Establish appropriate testing environment and test security. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Performs related work as required. (NOTE: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: This position requires light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Ten month year. Salary as established by the Board. ASSESSMENT: Performance of this job will be assessed annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on assessment of certificated personnel. Title: ESE Specialist QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher. 91 2. Valid Florida teacher certification covering appropriate area of responsibility. 3. Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication. 4. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups. 5. Experience with industry‐standard computer applications. 6. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Director and or Designated Administrator JOB GOAL: To lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth in a safe and cost effective manner that supports the goals of the District. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Plans individually or cooperatively a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, diverse backgrounds and abilities of students. 2. Assists in establishing department or grade level curriculum objectives and the development of the comprehensive plan for the implementation and evaluation of the objectives. 3. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students. 4. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students. 5. Employs instructional methods and materials that are most appropriate for meeting stated objectives. 6. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress report as required. 7. Diagnoses the learning strengths and weaknesses of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as deemed appropriate. 8. Counsels with colleagues, students and/or parents on a regular basis. 9. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedures and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. 10. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for support personnel and school volunteers to work cooperatively with department heads or grade level chairmen, evaluates their effectiveness. 11. Uses appropriate technology in teaching and the learning process. 12. Maintains accurate, complete and correct records and reports as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation. 13. Provides for personal professional growth through an ongoing program of reading, workshops, seminars, conferences and/or advanced course work at institutions of higher learning. 14. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as deemed necessary. 92 15. Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with others. 16. Adheres to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and meets all school and district policy requirements. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Attend monthly behavior specialist meetings. 2. Attend staff development training relevant to ESE programs, policies, procedures and share information with respective schools. 3. Maintain current certification in de-escalation and appropriate physical intervention techniques using Board recommended programs. 4. Provide guidance/consultative support to general education teachers/staff regarding modifications, accommodations, instructional and behavioral techniques for students not currently receiving ESE services. Performs related work as required. (NOTE: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: This position requires light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Ten month year. Salary as established by the Board. ASSESSMENT: Performance of this job will be assessed annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on assessment of certificated personnel. 93 Appendix 7: Schedule of Budgeted Revenues, Expenditures, and Fund Balance CAPE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEARS ENDING 2013 - 17 FY13 ENROLLMENT Per Student FEFP State & Local Funding FUND BALANCE, BEGINNING FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 400 5,894 400 5,983 400 6,072 800 6,163 800 6,256 - 99,713 206,573 218,674 761,945 REVENUES FEFP Implementation Grant and fundraising in years 3-5 Capital Outlay Transportation (included in FEFP amount) TOTAL REVENUES 2,357,641 275,000 2,632,641 2,393,006 75,000 2,468,006 2,428,901 10,000 2,438,901 4,930,669 10,000 400,000 5,340,669 5,004,629 10,000 400,000 5,414,629 EXPENDITURES INSTRUCTION Classroom Teachers/Adjunct Professors Teachers (art etc) & TA's Total Instruction Salaries Retirement Payroll Taxes Health Insurance Workers Compensation Total Instruction Benefits Contracted Services Travel Supplies Staff Training Textbooks & Library Books Computers Furniture and Equipment Software Substitutes Total Instruction Other Total Instruction 442,000 150,000 592,000 11,840 46,989 36,450 5,920 101,199 68,519 3,000 30,000 40,000 130,000 100,000 60,000 32,000 18,000 481,519 1,174,718 455,260 154,500 609,760 12,195 46,647 37,544 6,098 102,483 69,547 3,090 30,900 44,000 10,300 67,750 13,000 32,960 18,540 290,087 1,002,330 468,918 159,135 628,053 12,561 48,046 38,670 6,281 105,557 70,590 3,183 31,827 48,400 10,609 71,500 13,500 33,949 18,540 302,097 1,035,708 965,971 327,818 1,293,789 38,814 98,975 79,660 12,938 230,386 145,609 6,556 65,564 53,240 152,055 200,000 68,500 69,935 37,080 798,538 2,322,713 994,950 337,653 1,332,602 39,978 101,944 82,050 13,326 237,298 147,793 6,753 67,531 58,564 22,510 162,500 14,500 72,033 41,200 593,383 2,163,283 BOARD Legal Fees Contracted Services Contracted Services - Audit Travel Insurance District Fee Total Board 5,000 22,840 10,000 2,000 5,000 73,676 118,516 5,150 23,182 10,300 2,060 5,150 74,781 120,624 5,305 23,530 10,609 2,122 5,305 75,903 123,073 5,464 48,536 21,855 4,371 10,927 77,042 168,494 5,628 49,264 22,510 4,502 11,255 78,197 171,656 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Principal / Director Admin Support Total Administration Salaries Retirement Payroll Taxes Health Insurance Workers Compensation Total Administration Benefits 88,000 129,930 217,930 3,269 19,318 27,000 2,179 51,766 90,640 133,828 224,468 3,367 19,818 27,810 2,245 53,239 93,359 137,843 231,202 3,468 20,333 28,644 2,312 54,757 96,160 256,978 353,138 10,594 29,661 59,007 3,531 102,794 99,045 264,687 363,732 10,912 30,472 60,777 3,637 105,798 94 CAPE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEARS ENDING 2013 - 17 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 Travel Equipment Rental Postage Advertising Staff training Supplies Equipment Computers/Software Total Administration Other Total School Administration 5,000 12,000 4,200 20,000 30,000 18,000 27,500 22,500 139,200 408,896 5,150 12,360 4,326 20,600 30,900 18,540 5,000 15,000 111,876 389,583 5,305 12,731 4,456 21,218 31,827 19,096 5,000 15,000 114,632 400,592 10,927 13,113 9,179 43,709 65,564 39,338 27,500 22,500 231,830 687,762 11,255 13,506 9,454 45,020 67,531 40,518 5,000 15,000 207,285 676,815 FACILITIES ACQUISITION Rents Total Facilities Acquisition 500,000 500,000 507,500 507,500 515,113 515,113 922,839 922,839 936,682 936,682 FISCAL Contracted Services - Finance Contracted Services - HR Total Fiscal Other Total Fiscal 68,519 45,679 114,198 114,198 69,547 46,364 115,911 115,911 70,590 47,060 117,650 117,650 145,609 97,073 242,681 242,681 147,793 98,529 246,322 246,322 FOOD SERVICE Contracted Services - - - - - TRANSPORTATION Contracted Services 30,000 33,000 36,300 72,600 79,860 25,000 15,000 36,000 48,000 12,600 2,000 138,600 138,600 25,750 15,450 37,080 49,440 12,978 2,060 142,758 142,758 26,523 15,914 38,192 50,923 13,768 2,122 147,442 147,442 40,977 16,391 78,676 104,902 30,090 4,371 275,407 275,407 42,207 16,883 81,037 108,049 33,867 4,502 286,543 286,543 48,000 48,000 49,440 49,440 50,923 50,923 104,902 104,902 108,049 108,049 2,532,928 2,361,146 2,426,799 4,797,398 4,669,211 EXCESS REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES 99,713 106,860 12,101 543,270 745,418 FUND BALANCE, ENDING 99,713 206,573 218,674 761,945 1,507,363 PLANT OPERATIONS Contracted Services Insurance Telephone Utilities Supplies Equipment Total Plant Operations Other Total Plant Operations PLANT MAINTENANCE Contracted Services Total Plant Maintenance TOTAL EXPENDITURES 95 CAPE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY START UP BUDGET 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO OPENING Start Up Assumptions FY13 RECEIPTS FEFP Implementation Grant and fundraising in years 3-5 Loans Cash Flow: 400 After approval of Charter, Implementation grant will be submitted and upon approval expenditures will begin 3 months (April 1) prior to the opening of school. Any expenditure deficits will be covered by loans up to $30,000. The following receipts and expenditures will be incurred and paid prior to July 1, 2012. 25,000 Federal planning grant 5,000 Loans from Board members TOTAL REVENUES 30,000 ENROLLMENT FUND BALANCE, BEGINNING BOARD Training Insurance District Fee Total Board SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Principal / Director Admin Support Total Administration Salaries Retirement Payroll Taxes Health Insurance Workers Compensation Total Administration Benefits Advertising Staff training Supplies Equipment Software Total Administration Other Total School Administration FISCAL Contracted Services - Finance Contracted Services - HR Total Fiscal Other Total Fiscal TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1,000 DOE required Board training 1,000 required insurance 2,000 6,000 4,000 10,000 900 100 1,000 10,000 2,500 2,500 15,000 26,000 3 months @ $2000 per month for planning Administrative Assistant @ $1333 per month required payroll taxes required workers comp insurance Public awareness and recruitment of students start up supplies - paper, postage, printing desks and computer 2,000 set up accounting system and process receipts and expenditures during start up period 2,000 2,000 30,000 EXCESS REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES - FUND BALANCE, ENDING - 96 97 98 99 Appendix 8: Working Timeline Task Dates_____________ Write/Finalize Application May – July 2011 First Draft completed June 2011 Application submitted July 30, 2011 Revise App. Based on SD Feedback August – September 2011 School board vote October 2011 Incorporate Charter boards – apply for 501 c3 November 2011 Site Search May – November 2011 Site Acquisition – Lease negotiation October 2011 – February 2012 Develop Marketing Materials June 2011 – January 2012 Community Outreach June 2009 - present Collaboration W/ School district regarding procedures October 2011 – July 2012 Board approval of calendar June 2011 Plans-Permits October 2011 Construction November 2011 – June 2012 FFE Installed July 2012 Tech Installed July 2012 CO Delivered July 2012 Recruit Administrators January 2012 Recruit Staff April 2012 Train Enrollment – Key Staff June 2012 Enrollment Office Open – Student Orientation July 2012 Marketing – Community Outreach October 2012 Teacher Training August 2012 Pre-Opening Checklist July 2012 School Opens August 2012 100 Appendix 9: Board Bio’s Dr. Gerard Consuagra Serrved as the Executive Director for School Choice and Governance, Atlanta Public Schools. Directs the district’s school council initiative mandated by Georgia Code and supports schools as they form and operate local school councils. Directs the development and implementation of summer school programs, prekindergarten through Grade 12 including remediation, enrichment, and special education programs. Directs the charter school initiative, provides support to charter school petitioners, organizes district staff to review petitions, and prepares recommendations for the superintendent. Supervises programs for Extended Day, Expanded Day/Special Project, Student Placement and Appeals, and the 21st Century Learning Center Community grant. In addition, he served as the Executive Director for Standards, Atlanta Public Schools. Developed and revised K-12 curriculum standards for the district, and directed a systemwide committee on assessment. Directed development and implementation of summer school programs, prekindergarten through Grade 12 including remediation, enrichment, and special education programs. Directed the districts charter school initiative including reviews of charter petitions, criteria for approving charters, and recommendations for the superintendent. Mike D’Angelo Mike D’Angelo moved to Floirda in 2001. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/ Economics and his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. He earned his Masters degree in administration from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He has 35 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, curriculum coordinator, transportation director, food service director and K-12 principal. He has experience as an administrator in Wisconsin and Florida. Mr. D’Angelo has worked in Lee County for three years and has a very goo working relationship the Lee County Charter Staff. Mr. D’Angelo served on the board of directors for the Cape Education Foundation and the Cape Council for Progress. Phil Deems Phil (Van) Deems and his family are active members of the Cape Community and have been Cape residence for the past 35 years. Phil and his wife Cacy have three sons, two in high school and one in middle school, that are active in football, basketball and baseball. Phil and his father have been involved in Cape Coral real estate as brokers and investors since 1988. He has an excellent understanding of the Cape Coral economic picture and is extremely interested in the educational process in the Cape. 101 Bernadette Athime Mrs. Athime earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and continued on to receive her Master’s of Science in Business Management. She has 14 years of experience in education. She started working for Lee County School District in 1999. She has worked in various capacities of education such as, Guidance Secretary, Paraprofessional (ESE), and Administrative Assistant for professional standards, equity and recruitment, and ESE Teacher. As Mrs. Athime discovered her interest in education while working for the Lee County School District. She decided to transition into education and earned her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. In 2008, she started working for a charter school as the ESE (Exceptional Student Education) Specialist. In 2009, she received a promotion as the Assistant Principal for the charter school. Currently, Mrs. Athime is the Principal of a private school. Dr. Ron Hunter EdD Dr. Hunter has degrees in speech, English, administration and supervision and educational leadership. He has worked in the field of education for approximately forty years. He began his career in education as a language arts teacher. He was promoted to assistant principal, principal and then as an area director. For the last eighteen years, Dr. Hunter has worked as an adjunct professor and a dissertation adviser in a graduate school for students pursuing master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Further, he has authored articles in the area of school reform. Education has been his life-long work. 102 Supplemental Material – A 103 Supplemental Material – B 104 Supplemental Material – C SCHOOL SAFETY MANUAL Cape Collegiate Academy (Plan will be adapted to Building) 105 FORWARD This Cape Collegiate Academy Crisis/Emergency Procedure Booklet has been developed to provide a ready information source, guideline, and/or protocol to be utilized in the event of an unexpected situation. The procedures contained herein were designed to allow each administrator/response team (1) to move decisively to control situations quickly, (2) to eliminate or lessen the dangers/effects of any crisis/emergency, and (3) to anticipate possible future problems and provide a pro-active response to lessen their affects and prevent recurrences. It is the overriding purpose of these predetermined procedures to provide and ensure the safest environment possible for our students, staff, parents, and community. GENERAL SAFETY To ensure the general safety of all individuals, the CCA Director shall be responsible for the following: • Clearly posting, on the exterior school door, a statement that all visitors must first report to the office. • After visitors report to the school office, they must wear some form of identification while in the building. • AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (ERT) shall be established. • A uniformed police officer or security officer will be on duty to prevent problems and to ensure that a safe environment is maintained. • All Cape Collegiate Academy shall have on hand, at all times, flashlights, new batteries, walkie-talkies, first aid kits, air-horn, cell phones, etc. • Be alert. • Periodically review the procedures contained in this booklet with staff. 106 TABLE OF CONTENTS FORWARD...............................................................................................................2 GENERAL SAFETY ............................................................................................... 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... 3 CRISIS/EMERGENCY CONTACT DIRECTORY ................................................ 4 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................. 6 EVACUATIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................... 7 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES /Explosion ................................................................................................................. 9 Tornado ..................................................................................................................... 10 Hurricane……………………………………………………………………… ..… 11 Hazardous Chemicals…..............................................................................................12 Bomb Threats ............................................................................................................ 13 Bomb Threats - Checklist .......................................................................................... 15 IN CRISIS - GENERAL INFORMATION .............................................................. 16 CRISIS SITUATIONS - GENERAL CATEGORY OF SITUATION EVENTS..... 17 REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMATIC STRESS ...................................... 18 ANNOUNCEMENT TO STUDENTS ...................................................................... 19 PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST................................................................................... 21 COUNSELING CHILDREN ABOUT DEATH AND DYING ................................ 23 WHEN DEALING WITH DEATH............................................................................ 24 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Death of a student/staff member ................................................................................ 25 SUICIDE..................................................................................................................... 27 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Suicide threat .............................................................................................................. 28 Suicide attempt ........................................................................................................... 29 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN - GENERAL INFORMATION .....30 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FIRST AID ................................................................................................................. 31 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Injury........................................................................................................................... 32 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN - LIFE THREATENING INJURY..33 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Life threatening Injury .....................................................................................34 VIOLENCE RESPONSE PLAN - GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................35 WHAT IS LOCKDOWN?........................................................................................... 36 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Assault - Threatening Crowds ..................................................................................... 37 Hostage - student or staff ............................................................................................ 38 Missing student ........................................................................................................... 39 Threat of armed intruder - Phase I ......................................... ..................................... 40 107 Armed intruder/student - Phase II .............................................................................. 41 POWER OUTAGE - GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................. 42 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Power Outage .............................................................................................................. 43 CRISIS/EMERGENCY CONTACT DIRECTORY Fire Department...........................................................................…. ..............(xxx) xxxxxxx Emergency.........................................................................................................911 Non-Emergency...................................................................................................(xxx) xxxxxxx Police Department............................................................................... ............(xxx) xxxxxxx Emergency.......................................................................................................….911 Non-Emergency................................................................................. ................ (xxx) xxxxxxx Support hotline of Portage Path Behavioral Health.............……................ (xxx) xxx-xxxx Job and Family Services…….............................................................................(xxx) xxxxxxx Adult and Family Services.................................................................................. (xxx) xxxxxxx Children’s Services................................................................................................(xxx) xxx-xxxx Child Abuse Hotline............................................................................................ (xxx) xxxxxxx Department of Health..........................................................................................(xxx) xxxxxxx Alcohol/Drug/Mental Health Service...............................................................(xxx) xxxxxxx Juvenile Court...............................................................................……………...(xxx) xxxxxxx Victim Assistance.........................................................................……………...(xxx) xxxxxxx Hospital…...……..............................................................…….... …………....(xxx) xxxxxxx Hospital……………......................…….............................................................(xxx) xxxxxxx Hospital...................................................................................................................(xxx) xxx-xxxx Behavioral Health Crisis Center…………………………………………..(xxx) xxx-xxxx 108 Emergency/Safety Equipment Locations Safety Vests……………………………………………... Director’s Office Flashlights……………………………………………… Director’s Office First Aid Kits…………..……………………………..… Director’s Office Staff Lounge Front Desk – Band-Aids ONLY Fire Extinguishers……………………….…………..…... Classrooms, Hallways Air Horn……………………………………………..…… Director’s Office Bullhorn…………………………………………..……… Director’s Office Whistle…………………………………………………….. Director’s Office Fire Alarm…………….…………………………………. All Classrooms Security Alarm Keypad………………………….……... Hallway behind Reception Desk Evacuation Information Evacuation Site A……………………… Evacuation Site B………………………………….. Evacuation Site C………………………………….. Tornado Evacuation……………………………….. Safe Facility…………………………………………. Fire Drill Code 1………………………………….. Fire Drill Code 2………………………………….. To be determined To be determined To be determined To be determined To be determined Evacuate to Evacuation A Evacuate to Evacuation B 109 GENERAL INFORMATION The Cape Collegiate Academy’s Emergency Response Team consists of: A. Director (Chairman)…………………… B. Assistant Director..…………………….. C. Other…………………………………... (TBA) (TBA) (TBA) 1. It shall be the Response Team’s responsibility to review this Booklet and alter it to fit their respective Florida High School for Accelerated Learning’s situation. 2. In the event of a crisis/emergency, the Director or Assistant Director shall be contacted, as soon as possible. 3. The Director and the Assistant Director of the Cape Collegiate Academy (or their designees) shall be the “only” ones having access to command posts established by fire and/or law enforcement agencies. 4. Staff members shall report crisis/emergency events to their Director or Assistant Director. 5. Cape Collegiate Academy shall designate an approved predetermined safe facility(ies) to take students in the event the school building is unattainable. Ideally, this will be a building close by where all the Cape Collegiate Academy students can be temporarily housed. However, in some cases, more than one building will have to be obtained and the students directed/escorted to the appropriate predetermined facility. 6. In any type of crisis/emergency situation, staff shall remain with students until the situation has been resolved and concluded. Some staff members may be requested to leave students so that they may assist emergency personal. 7. The Director shall meet with his/her Response team no fewer than monthly to review procedures. 8. The Director and the Response team shall meet with the staff no fewer than once each semester to review procedures. 9. The Director shall provide the Board his/her building’s School Safety Plan. Likewise, each time there is an addition, deletion, or alteration, a newly revised copy of that booklet shall be provided to the Board for approval. 110 EVACUATIONS GENERAL INFORMATION Fire 1. Any fire or rumor of a fire requires a complete evacuation of the building. 2. Frequently, fire alarms are not connected directly to the Fire Department. To be on the safe side, a 9-1-1 call shall be made AND the building fire alarm system shall be activated. 3. Practice evacuation fire drills shall be held monthly during the school year. Do not call 911 for practice drills, however, the proper authorities do need to know ahead of time when a practice drill is going to take place. A written record of the date-timeevacuation time-etc. must be kept in the office. 4. Each room within the Cape Collegiate Academy shall have an evacuation route posted in clear view near the hallway door. 5. Each Cape Collegiate Academy shall designate a “safe area” outside the building for students and staff to assemble. This area must be a minimum of 100 feet from the building. 6. Attendance shall be taken immediately upon reaching the “safe area.” The results of this attendance must be communicated to an administrator as soon as possible. 7. A return to the building shall only take place when an administrator gives the “all clear” signal. 8. To accommodate situations where students and staff cannot immediately return to their building, students and staff shall proceed to Hope Academy University Campus. Tornado 1. Unlike a fire evacuation, a tornado evacuation is from one place within the building to another. Do NOT go outside. 2. Each Cape Collegiate Academy shall have a properly functioning weather-alert radio. 3. Practice tornado drills shall be held monthly during the months of March through July. A written record of the date and time must be kept in the office. 4. Each room within the Cape Collegiate Academy shall have an evacuation route posted in clear view near the hallway door. 111 EVACUATIONS GENERAL INFORMATION (continued) Tornado (continued) 5. Predetermined safe areas WITHIN the building shall be designated for students and staff to report to. The following guidelines need to be considered: • Lowest floor - below ground level if possible. • Near the center of the building. • Away from windows and glass. • Hallways. • In rooms/spaces with short ceiling spans. 6. The fire alarm system shall NOT be used as weather emergency alert. Either the PA system or an air horn may be utilized. 7. Students and staff should kneel, facing the interior wall, and covering the back of their neck and head. 112 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Fire/Explosion Goals: Evacuation of building: To move all students and staff to assigned “safe area”(s) - away from building Code: Fire alarm - CALL 911 Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Set fire alarm - CALL 911 2. Supervise evacuation of building 3. Assure students are in designated “safe areas” 4. Compile attendance information as reported from teachers 5. Attempt to locate all missing students (if necessary) 6. Assist emergency personnel Teachers: 1. Move students out of rooms and building, according to posted evacuation routes, in a safe, but efficient manner 2. Move students to designated “safe areas” away from building 3. Maintain quiet and order during evacuation 4. Take attendance and report missing students to Director 5. Remain with students until further instructions are given Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Evacuate building 3. Report to Director for further instructions, if not supervising students Secretary: 1. Assist with building evacuation 2. Record attendance reports from teachers 3. Assist Director as necessary Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Assist with building evacuation verifying that the doors are closed but NOT locked. 2. Report to Director for further instructions, if not supervising students 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 113 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Tornado Goals: Evacuate to in-building shelter: To move all students and staff to assigned “shelter areas” - inside building. Code: Weather (air horn) or PA announcement Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Activate weather warning air horn or make PA announcement 2. Supervise moving students to designated in-building shelter areas 3. Compile attendance information as reported from teachers 4. Locate and secure all missing students, if necessary 5. Monitor weather radio for “all clear” by taking radio to the shelter area. Teachers: 1. Move students out of rooms to designated shelter areas and halls, in a safe, but efficient manner 2. Put students in “safety position” - kneeling with hands covering back of neck and head - facing interior wall 3. Maintain quiet and order 4. Take attendance and report missing students to Director 5. Remain with students until further instructions are given 6. If time permits and circumstances require students to remain in classrooms, move desks and tables to center of room and take shelter under them Family Support Specialist (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Move to shelter areas 3. Report to Director for further instructions when “all clear” is sounded Executive Assistant: 1. Listen to radio when weather conditions are ominous 2. Alert Director of Tornado “Watches” and “Warnings” 3. Proceed to shelter areas when alarm sounds. 4. Record attendance reports from teachers 5. Assist Director as necessary Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Move to shelter areas 114 3. Report to Director for further instructions when “all clear” is given 4. Evaluate procedure 5. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 115 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Hurricane: With most hurricanes, the school will have advance notice and will monitor the closing status and schedule of the Local County School District. The Cape Collegiate Academy will mirror the opening and closing status of the Local County School District. In the event that a Hurricane turns unexpectedly, and the school cannot be evacuated, the following procedure will be followed. Goals: Evacuate to in-building shelter To move all students and staff to assigned “shelter areas” - inside building. Code: Weather (air horn) or PA announcement In the event of an impending hurricane, the Cape Collegiate Academy Director must assess the current situation, and consult with Regional management as to the appropriate course of action. First and foremost is the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff. If classes are in session when a Hurricane Watch is issued by local authorities, students are to be advised to check the local media before attending classes the following day. If a Hurricane Warning has been issued, advise students to not return to class until weather conditions are suitable for safe travel to the Center. Under a Hurricane Watch, the Cape Collegiate Academy staff is to report to the CCA. In the event of a Hurricane Warning, under the leadership of the Cape Collegiate Academy Director, staff will release the students under emergency release guidelines, and secure the CCA including, but not limited to: • Close and lock all windows, and cover with hurricane shutters where available • Remove all technology and electronic equipment from the floor, cover with plastic, and move to a dry, secure area • Turn off and unplug all other electrical devices, cover with plastic, and move to a dry, secure area Additionally, the Director shall be responsible for: • Contact local County School District authorities to advise of our course of action • Contact local media to announce closing of the CCA • Ensure that cell phones are kept fully charged during periods of severe weather When local emergency management office of the CCA deem it safe to return to the CCA, the Director, Assistant Director, and one staff member designated by the Director, shall return to the CCA to assess the condition of the school and evaluate any loss or damage. If the CCA is undamaged, classes will resume the following day. Should repairs be necessary, classes will resume as soon as practical. 116 The CCA is to be equipped with the following emergency kit and supplies: • A standard first aid kit including scissors, insect repellent, antibacterial soap, and antibacterial cream • A basic tool kit including two flashlights, a battery operated radio, and spare batteries • 1 blanket The Director shall establish and maintain a phone list of all employees and emergency contact numbers, so that all staff may be contacted to be kept apprised of any emergency closings, and for information as to reporting for work. The Director shall contact the Assistant Director. They, in turn, shall contact those staff members assigned to them, and so on. No one person shall have more than 3 staff personnel to contact. Crisis event: Hazardous Chemicals Goals: Evacuation of building To move all students and staff a safe distance from chemical spill Code: CALL 911 - Announce “There has been a chemical spill in(at)...Give as much information as possible, i.e., chemical name, size of spill, injuries, location in building Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Announce “Safe Exits” based on fire drill routes 2. CALL 911 3. Oversee evacuation of students to a safe distance from building Teachers: 1. Evacuate according to announced procedures 2. Take attendance. Account for all students 3. Remain with students 4. Follow additional evacuation instructions from Director 5. Refer questions from media to Director who will in-turn direct them to Board of Directors. Advocates (Counselors): 1. Evacuate building 2. Report to Director for additional instructions 3. Provide student support/counseling services as necessary 117 Executive Assistant: 1. 2. 3. 4. Assist Director with notifying fire/police Assist Director with evacuation Record attendance reports from teachers Report to Director for additional instructions 118 Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Evacuate building 2. Report to Director for additional instructions, if not supervising students 3. Provide student support services as necessary 4. Evaluate procedure 5. Any other duties as assigned by the Director Crisis event: BOMB THREAT - TAKE ALL THREATS SERIOUSLY Goals: Evacuation of building Move all students and staff to assigned “evacuation sites” away from the building Code: PA Announcement - CALL 911 Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Announce “This is a fire drill - code 2” 2. Sound the fire alarm 3. Call 911 5. Supervise evacuation of building 6. Assure students are in designated “evacuation site(s)” 7. Compile attendance information as reported from teachers 8. Attempt to locate all missing students 9. Assist emergency personnel in searching the building. 10. Identify a Response Team member to supervise “evacuation site” and to sign out students to parents Teachers: 1. Move students out of rooms and building, according to posted fire evacuation routes 2. Move students to designated “evacuation sites” away from the building 3. Maintain quiet and order during evacuation 4. Take attendance and report missing students to Director 5. Remain with students until further instructions are given 6. DO NOT TOUCH ANY UNUSUAL OBJECTS! 7. Inform Director or police officer immediately of anything suspicious Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Evacuate building 3. Report to Director for further instructions 4. Report unusual objects and suspicious persons to Director or emergency personnel 119 5. Any other duties as assigned by the Director Crisis event: BOMB THREAT - TAKE ALL THREATS SERIOUSLY (Continued) Executive Assistant: 1. Remain calm 2. Keep called on line (if this is the case) 3. Attempt to get as much information from the caller about the bomb as possible (refer to Bomb Threat Checklist) 4. Record information and alert Director 5. Stay at post during evacuation phase 6. Evacuate building once everyone clears Custodian: 1. Report to Director 2. Remain on-site to assist Director, police, fire department Others: 1. Report to Director to assist with evacuation Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Assist with building evacuation 2. Assist Director and emergency personal with search of building 3. Report to Director for further instructions 4. Evaluate procedure 5. Any other duties as assigned by the Director . . . and other things to remember during a bomb threat call. It is easy to let a bomb threat rattle you. But your cool thoughts and attention to detail are vital to ensuring the safety of your building. Please become familiar with the following: 1. Keep the caller on the line as long as 4. Check the following as you listen possible and ask. . . Background noises: Caller’s voice: o ___ Animal o ___ Calm o ___ PA system 120 o o o o o o o o o o o o o ___ Nasal ___ Static ___ Angry ___ Machinery ___ Stutter ___ Local ___ Excited ___ Booth ___ Lisp ___ Deep ___ Familiar ___ Music ___ Raspy When is the bomb going to explode? Where is it now? What does it look like? What will make it explode? What kind of bomb is it? Did you place the bomb? Why this building? What is your address? What is your name? 2. Write the exact words of the threat: Language: ___ Ragged ___ Well-spoken (educated) ___ Deep ___ Irrational ___ Cracking ___ Foul ___ Whispered ___ Incoherent ___ Disguised 3. Note these details: ___ Taped ___ Soft ___ Message ___ Slurred 121 Time of call:__________________ Caller’s sex:__________________ ___ Normal Approximate age:________ ___ Laughing Culture:________________ ___ Crying Length of call:_________________ ___ Accent Phone number called:___________ ___ Other Do NOT hang up your receiver. If it ticks, don’t touch it 122 IN CRISIS GENERAL INFORMATION An individual in crisis will feel exhaustion, helplessness, inadequacy, confusion, and anxiety. As we mature and face new and varied problem situations, we develop a variety of coping strategies. Children who lack the perspective of adults and have yet to develop a broad range of coping strategies are particularly vulnerable to a crisis event. A crisis situation has the potential for positive or negative change. The potential for change is great; defenses are down and suggestivity is high. A crisis motivates change. Individuals who cope have developed new strategies. New strategies must be employed. However, if these methods fail, the individual in crisis will feel anxiety, depression, helplessness, and lowered self-esteem. A fairly complete list of crises is listed under Crises Situations. This paper is designed to be kept in a file and pulled out for immediate use in the event of the situational crisis. It is designed as a guide with communications to parents and the public and to guide with counseling of students at the time when school personnel themselves may be experiencing strong emotions and upset. This information is intended to provide a very basic guide for dealing with students and staff in the aftermath of a crisis event that may have a significant impact on the community. It is certainly hoped that such a crisis guide would never be needed. If needed, however, it may provide a basic guide to school personnel who may be experiencing significant emotions from the event that took place and is affecting students and faculty, and who may not be functioning in an optimum manner themselves. These few pages do not begin to consider everything one may want to consider, and they do not provide great depth of information. It is hoped that this information would provide some basis for action following a crisis situation and provide a “plan of action.” 123 CRISIS SITUATIONS GENERAL CATEGORY OF SITUATION EVENTS Physical illness and injury Unexpected/untimely death Crime victims and offenders Natural and man-made disasters War related acts Surgery Loss of Limb Life threatening illness, physical disability Fatal accident Fatal disease Homicide Suicide Assault (mugging rape) Domestic violence (child/spouse abuse/battering, incarceration/release of offender) Fire Flood Tornado Hurricane Nuclear accident Airline crash Invasion or other military action Taking of hostages Prisoners of war 124 REDUCING THE EFFECT OF TRAUMATIC STRESS Traumatic stress is an emotional crisis precipitated by externally imposed stressors or situations that are unexpected and uncontrollable (a situational crisis). Almost by definition, a crisis cannot be predicted. However, forethought may provide a flexible plan that may not be possible during an unexpected event. The survivors of a major traumatic event go through three phases: Phase 1 They are stunned and cannot react Phase 2 Their strategies for coping no longer work and break down (However, there is opportunity to develop new strategies and problem solving) Phase 3 Major emotional disorganization occurs 19 125 ANNOUNCEMENT TO STUDENTS Below is a sample of an announcement to students. Obviously, it will need to be altered to fit a specific situation. I/we have had a difficult time deciding what to say to you today about the recent incident(s)/tragedy. As adults, we are expected to have all the answers and control our feelings. Let me tell you, however, that I/we have no real understanding of the reasons for this tragic incident, and we are deeply affected by it just as many of you are. You will hear lots of reasons for and discussions about it from your friends, teachers, families, and the media. No one will have all the right answers. Even though we do not know why it happened, I/we do know many of the details of the incident and how our staff and students have acted. [Briefly review the known facts, the brave/good things that staff and students did, (i.e., to help, to help minimize the crisis); actions that are going to be taken, arrangements that are being made and any other positive information that seems relevant and important.] Another thing I/we need to know is that all of us will need each other for a time, and we will need to pull together as a family. To help us with this, let me make some suggestions. 1. We need to respect each other’s emotions no matter how differently we feel or act. Each of us has our own way of seeing, feeling, and coping with problems. It is OK to cry, laugh, be angry, and even do nothing. 2. If you are having problems and feeling confused or upset, please ask for help. You do this when you are having physical pain and problems and should do this when you have emotional pain. To do so, contact either your teacher or school counselor. (Mention any other self-referral procedures.) 3. It frequently helps to talk about your feelings even if they seem weird or embarrassing to you. Someone else probably feels this way also. That’s why we give you a chance to talk. 4. It’s normal to be afraid. All of us are afraid at different times and to different degrees. We have to learn to accept this. There is no way to predict or guarantee the future. 5. If you are having problems, they will probably be temporary and then will fade away. You will always remember what happened, but it will not always be as painful as it is today. 6. Again, for those of you who need more help, it will be available. (REITERATE THE COUNSELING REFERRAL PROCEDURES.) Your parents will be 126 made aware of this incident or you will be given a letter to take home to them. You and your parents should ask for help or information if you need it. (MENTION PARENT/COMMUNITY MEETING SCHEDULE.) 7. Life will and must go on although things are difficult now, they will return to normal. after time for discussion and help, classes will be held as usual. (POINT OUT ANY TEMPORARY SCHEDULE CHANGES.) (CLOSING REMARKS, ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND ENCOURAGING, BE WARY OF GIVING FCCAE REASSURANCE.) 127 PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST The following is a list of items that a Director may wish to consider when contemplating a response to a crisis. 1. Determine the facts surrounding the crisis. 2. Assess the degree of impact on the school. How many students will be affected and to what degree? 3. Notify the appropriate response personnel. 4. Determine level of response required. Can site resources manage the crisis or will assistance from the district crisis intervention team be needed. 5. Notify Cape Collegiate Academy Director. 6. The Director will determine if other schools will be affected. If so, he will see that proper notice is communicated to them. 7. Contact the family(ies) of the crisis victim(s). 8. Determine what information is to be shared with students, staff, and parents. Communicate with the Director, to determine what information needs to be shared with the media. 9. Determine how the information is to be shared - written bulletins and/or letters, parent meetings, assemblies, phone calls, classroom presentations/discussions, etc. 10. Initiate triage and referral process a. Make referral forms available to staff b. Designate who will maintain the referral list and where it will be kept c. Designate interview/counseling locations d. Distribute a summary of referrals to appropriate staff e. Establish a procedure for self-referral 11. Identify high-risk students and plan interventions a. Designate who will maintain the high-risk list and where it will be kept b. Decide upon interventions. Options include individual meetings, group counseling, classroom activities, staff meetings, and referrals to community agencies. 128 12. Hold a staff meeting - review crisis facts, and discuss intervention plan 13. Activate the base of your operations a. Set up a sign-in/sign-out system b. Set up a message board c. Give each crisis team member an ID badge so the individual is easily identified 14. Computers, attendance registers, and lockers. Following a student’s death, delete the name from computers, attendance registers, and lockers. Be sure no one calls reporting the student absent. 15. Debriefing held at the end of each day a. Review the intervention process b. Review the status of referrals c. Prioritize needs d. Plan follow-up actions e. Provide mutual support 16. Schedule a morning planning session 17. Plan memorials 18. Demobilize and evaluate the crisis response 129 COUNSELING CHILDREN ABOUT DEATH AND DYING Death and dying have been taboo subjects for discussion in traditional American society for many years. When asked about death, most adults (including teachers and helping professionals) try to find ways of avoiding the subject or excuse themselves by expressing their inadequacy to discuss this subject with young people. As a result, many young people experience difficulty in learning effective ways of coping with death especially the death of a sibling or playmate. The following guidelines may be helpful in teaching children techniques for dealing with the death of a loved one. 1. Someone close to the child should explain death realistically and as a natural process. Words appropriate to the child’s age and level of understanding should be chosen. 2. Children should be allowed to talk freely, ask questions, and express their emotions. 3. Avoid encouraging children to stifle their grief and “be brave.” Expression of emotions is a healthy way of coping with grief and can facilitate the healing process. 4. Children losing a close loved one will need a tremendous amount of support and reassurance that they will not be abandoned by those surviving. 5. Children should be allowed to decide whether or not to attend the funeral service. The service can provide an opportunity for them to further communicate their thoughts and feelings. 6. Children should not be “protected” from the facts of death. Education about death and dying can be integrated into the child’s learning experiences through group guidance or classroom discussions. Thompson, C. and Rudolph, L. Counseling Children, Monterey, California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1983. 130 WHEN DEALING WITH DEATH 1. Avoid focusing attention on children who have suffered a significant emotional loss. Focus on: a. how people feel sad and miss others very much when they die b. even when people are dead, we can remember them in our thoughts c. peer’s comments and ideas - can provide needed support 2. Normal children may use detailed explanation of what happens to a body after death provide a means to master their anxiety about loss and separation. 3. Listen carefully to a child - adults tend to read into a question much more than is asked. 4. Address intended question - though it may not be verbalized. “Who will take care of me now?” “Could that happen to me?” 5. Encourage students to participate in group discussions about death, but DON’T force them. 6. Children should not be “protected” from the facts of death. 7. Children should be allowed to talk freely, ask questions, and express their emotions. 8. Talking about death is necessary and beneficial to grieving students. 131 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Death of a student/staff member Goals: Manage grief process Provide support services for students/staff Code: Communication through calling lists/staff meetings Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Verify report of death/identity 2. Determine cause of death 3. Notify Director 4. Begin phone chain to staff (out-of-school hours) 5. Decide how to notify staff/students (in-school hours) 6. Mobilize Building Crisis/Emergency Response Team 7. Cancel all extra-curricular activities and scheduled meetings 8. Meet with Crisis/Management Response Team 9. Maintain a sense of “normalcy” as possible 10. Enlist help Support Teams a. Building Team (advocates and psychologist) b. Emergency Team Learning Solutions (all advocates and all psychologists) c. Community Team (Akron Child Guidance Ministerial Association, all counselors, and all psychologists) d. Class activities/resource packet (see counselor) Teachers: 1. Maintain high visibility in halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Remain in close contact with students 3. Refer students/classes to counselors who need support services 4. Refer to all media questions to Director Advocates (Counselors): 1. Meet with staff before school 2. Contact community support people and agencies 3. Meet with students in small groups or by classes for grief counseling sessions 4. Provide on-going intervention to students who need extra support Executive Assistant: 1. Prepare information about student/staff member to give to Mr. Morris or designee, for press release 2. Discuss information to be given over phone 132 3. Monitor phones 4. Assist Director as necessary 133 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Death of a student/staff member (continued) Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Meet before school to determine Crisis/Emergency Response plan 2. Communicate plan to staff/community 3. Implement plan 4. Identify students/staff who need intervention 5. Provide support services 6. Monitor situation 7. Evaluate procedure 8. Any other duties as assigned by the Director SUICIDE Did you know? Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents One out of ten will attempt suicide before they graduate from high school One young person completes suicide every 55 minutes in the U. S. Many students have not developed healthy skills to cope with their problems and, therefore, believe suicide is the only way. Most of the time, young people do not realize they can survive losses, loneliness, and pressure. For this reason, we should never ignore any suicide threat or attempt. These should always be considered an appeal for help. The signs of suicidal risk usually are the same as those we associate with all troubled people. lack of confidence withdrawal from society no future plans drastic changes in behavior (attitude, eating, sleeping) concern with death (talking, writing, drawing) symptoms of deep depression giving away possessions saying good-bye 134 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Suicide threat Goals: Assure the student’s safety Control the situation TAKE ALL SUICIDE THREATS SERIOUSLY Levels of Risk: 1. 2. 3. 4. Verbal expression of depression, i.e., “I’d be better off dead.” Expression of intent, i.e., “I ought to kill myself.” Plan Plan and means Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Confirm identify of student 2. Immediately notify counselors 3. Call Akron Child Guidance or appropriate agency 4. Immediately contact parents 5. Remain with student 6. Monitor intervention/community referrals Teachers: 1. Isolate student/remain with student 2. Encourage student to talk to you until counselor arrives 3. Contact Director ASAP Advocates (Counselors): 1. Isolate student - don’t leave student unattended 2. Encourage student to talk 3. Contact Director 4. Involve parents as soon as possible and provide with list of community resources 5. Provide intervention and follow-up as needed Executive Assistant: 1. Contact Director/Counselor 2. Remain with student until counselor arrives Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Determine aftermath response 135 2. Provide student support services/intervention/follow-up 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 136 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Suicide attempt Goals: Assure the student’s safety Control the situation TAKE ALL SUICIDE THREATS SERIOUSLY Levels of Risk: a. Verbal expression of depression, i.e., “I’d be better off dead.” b. Expression of intent, i.e., “I ought to kill myself.” c. Plan d. Plan and means Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Confirm identify of student 2. Call 911 3. Immediately notify counselors 4. Immediately contact parents 5. Remain with student Teachers: 1. Apply first aid and send for nurse/Director 2. Isolate student/remain with student 3. Encourage student to talk to you until counselor arrives 4. Document crisis Advocates (Counselors): 1. Isolate student - don’t leave student unattended 2. Encourage student to talk 3. Contact Director 4. Involve parents as soon as possible and provide with list of community resources 5. Provide intervention and follow-up as needed Secretary 1. Contact Director/nurse 2. Remain with student until nurse/Director arrives Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Determine aftermath response 2. Provide student support services/intervention/follow-up 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 137 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Always call 911 first in case of an emergency. 2. Contact parents/relatives as listed on emergency information cards. 3. First Aid charts should be posted in high-risk areas in each building (student lounge, staff lounge). 4. A list of staff in each building that has first aid and/or CPR training should be posted or assessable to the Director. 5. First aid supplies should be readily available in designated places within the school building. 6. Emergency information forms should be completed by parents and on file in the school office. 7. School personnel may NOT take students off school grounds without copies of their emergency medical forms. 8. If no emergency information is on file for an injured student or if the parent cannot be contacted, 911 should be called to assess the injury. 9. The Director should always be contacted for serious illness or injury. 10. An accident report should be filed for each incident on school property in which a student or staff member is injured. The staff member in charge during the time of the incident is responsible for filling out this report. 11. Student and staff allergies and other medical conditions should be noted along with emergency response procedures. 138 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FIRST AID 1. Minor injuries/illnesses - follow standard first aid procedures Abrasions Insect stings/bites Minor burns Nosebleeds 2. Serious injuries/illnesses - contact Director and parent Severe abdominal pain Fever - 100_ and up Sprains Frostbite 3. Serious injuries/illnesses - contact Director and parent (medical consultation desirable within one hour) Lacerations Bites and stings - if allergy exists Burns and blisters Accidental loss of tooth Acute emotional state Moderate reactions to drugs High fever - above 103_ Asthma/wheezing Non-penetrating eye injury 139 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Injury Goals: First Aid To administer immediate and appropriate first aid Code: None Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Check emergency information for allergies and other medical instructions 2. Contact the Director and 911, if necessary 3. Apply appropriate first aid until nurse/emergency squad arrives 4. Notify parents All Staff: 1. Send/bring student to office for treatment, if possible 2. Apply appropriate immediate first aid until trained personnel arrives 3. Give written account of injury 4. Fill out accident report and submit to Director Executive Assistant: 1. Pull student emergency information form for parent contact 2. Contact school nurse, emergency squads, if necessary 3. Apply appropriate first aid until nurse/trained personnel arrives Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Identify students who need support services 2. Monitor support services 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 140 MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN LIFE THREATENING INJURY 1. Serious injury/illness - Call 911, contact Director, contact parent o o o o o o o o o o o o Convulsions Insulin reaction Internal bleeding Coronary occlusion Dislocations and fractures Unconscious states Heat reactions Major burns Drug overdose Head injury with loss of consciousness Penetrating eye injuries Seizure 2. Emergency injuries/illness - Call 911, contact Director, contact parent Acute airway obstruction Cardiac/respiratory arrest Near drowning Massive external or internal hemorrhage Poisoning Neck or back injury Heat stroke Chemical burns of the eye Chest wounds Pregnancy Complications 141 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Life threatening injury Goals: First Aid To administer immediate and appropriate first aid Code: Call 911 Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Call 911 2. Check emergency information for allergies and other medical instructions 3. Apply appropriate first aid until nurse/emergency squad arrives 4. Notify parents All Staff: 1. Immediately notify Director 2. Do not attempt to move student 3. Apply appropriate immediate first aid until trained personnel arrives 4. Give written account of injury 5. Fill out accident report and submit to Director Executive Assistant: 1. Pull student emergency information form for parent contact 2. Contact CERT, if necessary 3. Apply appropriate first aid until nurse/trained personnel arrives Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Identify students who need support services 2. Monitor support services 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 142 VIOLENCE RESPONSE PLAN GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Sound the Crisis Code to lock-down building and isolate area/individuals 2. The primary objective is to contain the situation to prevent further violence, if possible 3. Identify the leaders as soon as possible and begin negotiations with them to diffuse tensions 4. Attempt to dissolve the group and encourage students to return to classes 5. Try to keep the group contained until police arrive 6. DO NOT attempt to break up the violent outbreaks without help from police 7. Parents of disruptive students should be called immediately and instructed to remove their student from school grounds 8. Student suspension/expulsion procedures should be followed according to Board policy and established procedures 143 WHAT IS A LOCKDOWN? Crisis event: Hostage - student or staff or armed intruder Goals: Safety of all To contain first and diffuse immediate danger Procedures for lockdown, the following should be kept in mind: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Have a predetermined code to announce to staff. This should be secret and should not be written down. Once it is used, it should be changed Everyone should remain calm Make sure all hallways/restrooms/etc. are clear Lock all classroom doors. Move students to the most distant location from the classroom door Take attendance Maintain quiet 144 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Assault - Threatening crowds Goals: Safety of all students/staff To contain first then diffuse the situation Code: Crisis/Emergency Code Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Isolate area 2. Evacuate students and staff close-by designated “safe area” 3. Call 911 4. Notify parents of disruptive students 5. Contain situation until police arrive Teachers: 1. Follow lockdown procedures when Crisis/Emergency Code is announced 2. Move students to nearest designated “safe area” if not in room 3. Take attendance and report missing students to Director 4. Remain with students until further instructions are given 5. If not with students, help contain situation Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Report to Director for further instructions 3. Assist police as necessary Executive Assistant: 1. Prepare information on the students for parent contact 2. Coordinate information to be given to phone callers with Director 3. Monitor phones 4. Compile information from staff members about missing students 5. Contact school nurse, police, emergency squads, if necessary Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Identify students who need support services 2. Monitor support services 3. Evaluate procedure 4. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 145 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Hostage - student or staff Goals: Safety To control situation and prevent harm to hostage Code: Crisis/Emergency Code Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Isolate area 2. Evacuate students and staff close-by designated “evacuation site” 3. Call 911 4. Notify Director 5. Call parents 6. Contain situation until police arrive Teachers: 1. Follow lockdown procedures when Crisis/Emergency Code is announced 2. Move students to nearest designated “safe area” if not in room 3. Maintain quiet and order during evacuation 4. Take attendance and report missing/injured students to Director 5. Remain with students until further instructions are given Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Report to Director for further instructions 3. Assist police as necessary Executive Assistant: 1. Prepare information on the student/staff member for police 2. Coordinate information to be given to phone callers with Director 3. Monitor phones 4. Compile information from staff members about students Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Identify students who need support services 2. Develop intervention plan 3. Implement intervention plan 4. Monitor support services 5. Evaluate procedure 6. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 146 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Missing student Goals: Locate/verify the student’s whereabouts Code: NONE Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Conduct a search of building and grounds 2. Question teachers/classmates 3. Contact parents 4. Call 911 5. Notify Director 6. Contain situation until police arrive Teachers: 1. Notify Director as soon as student is determined to be missing 2. Question classmates 3. Remain with students until further instructions are given Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist searching halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Report to Director for further instructions 3. Assist Director/police as necessary Executive Assistant: 1. Prepare information on the student for police 2. Coordinate information to be given to phone callers with Director 3. Monitor phones Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Identify students who need support services 2. Evaluate procedure 3. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 147 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Threat of armed intruder - Phase I Armed intruder/student - Phase II Goals: SAFETY of all students and staff DIFFUSE immediate danger Code: Crisis/Emergency Code Procedures for: Threat of Armed Intruder - Phase I Director(s)/ Directors: 1. Assess situation, Director to post staff at strategic locations by determining location, weapon, and identification of intruder/student, if possible 2. Notify police Executive Assistant: 1. Assist Director in securing building and office 2. Remain by phones Procedures for: Armed Intruder/Student - Phase II Director(s)/ Directors: 1. Initiate Phase II when a person is on school grounds 2. Announce CRISIS/EMERGENCY CODE throughout the building for lockdown 3. Clear halls, common areas of students 4. Secure office and office personnel 5. Give all clear when appropriate Teachers: 1. Respond to CRISIS/EMERGENCY CODE with lockdown procedures 2. Teachers without students should help clear halls and secure common areas 3. Keep students away from doors and windows 4. Teachers with outside duty should move students to designated safe areas away from building Advocates (Counselors): 1. Report to office to assist Director 2. Assist authorities to diffuse situation, if required 148 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Threat of armed intruder - Phase I Armed intruder/student - Phase II Procedures for: Armed Intruder/Student - Phase II (continued) Executive Assistant: 1. Assist Director in securing building and office 2. Remain by the phones Custodian: 1. Report to Director Others: 1. Report to Director Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Report to Director for further instructions, if not supervising students 2. Evaluate procedure 3. Any other duties as assigned by Director 149 POWER OUTAGE GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Building Director should assign one person the responsibility of checking emergency lighting and equipment weekly - preferably the custodian. 2. Flashlights and other emergency lighting should be readily available to office personnel and staff. extra batteries should always be on hand. 3. Have the secretary contact the utility company for an estimate of the length of outage. 4. Maintenance personnel in each building should make a list of what needs to be turned off in case of power outage or “brown-out.” This list should be posted in highusage areas such as office, cafeteria, gymnasium, maintenance shops, and science labs. 5. Notify Director if Cape Collegiate Academy systems are affected seriously and early dismissal is necessary. 6. First, check to see if prearranged off-site facilities are with power. If not, institute plan for students/staff to go to that facility. Otherwise, follow procedures for Emergency Dismissal. 150 CRISIS/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Crisis event: Power Outage Goals: Safety/comfort of all students and staff Contain situation until power is restored Code: No need for alarm - announce to students/staff that the situation is temporary and keep them informed of repairs Procedures for: Director(s): 1. Contact maintenance personnel to appraise the situation 2. Inform students and staff of situation and give immediate instructions 3. Determine if a move to a prearranged facility is necessary Teachers: 1. Reduce power consumption in classroom by turning off computers, VCR’s, etc so that equipment is not damaged by a power surge when the power is restored. 2. Assure comfort of students if heating system fails 3. Keep students in room under supervision Advocates (Counselors): 1. Assist clearing students from halls, restrooms, and common areas 2. Report to Director for further instructions if not supervising students Executive Assistant: 1. Turn off office equipment 2. Assist Director as necessary Crisis/Emergency Response Team: 1. Report to Director for instructions if not supervising students 2. Evaluate procedure 3. Any other duties as assigned by the Director 151 Supplemental Material - D Cape Collegiate Academy Articulation Cooperative Agreements For Dual Enrollment DRAFT Between Florida Gulf Coast University And The Cape Collegiate Academy 2012-2017 Articulation Agreement for Dual Enrollment Programs of Study A. Courses and Programs Offered 1. Courses to be provided by Florida Gulf Coast University under this Agreement will be mutually agreed upon by FGCU and the Cape Collegiate Academy and will follow the statutory guidelines of F.S.1003.43. 2. Florida Gulf Coast University will furnish Cape Collegiate Academy with a copy of the current course catalog description for each course in which a student may be dually enrolled. Specific courses to be provided at the Cape Collegiate Academy shall be mutually agreed upon by the Cape Collegiate Academy Director and Florida Gulf Coast University. 3. A student education plan will be developed by the Cape Collegiate Academy for each student registering for a dual enrollment course. The plan will culminate with each student graduating with their high school diploma and AA degree from FGCU. B. Process For Notifying Students And Parents About Opportunities To Participate In Articulated Acceleration Programs 152 1. The Cape Collegiate Academy will provide information to the students regarding requirements for participation in, and the educational benefits to be derived from, dual enrollment or other accelerated programs. C. Process For Students And Parents To Exercise Their Options To Participate In An Articulated Acceleration Program 1. Students and the parents or guardians of students wishing to pursue participation in an articulated acceleration program must contact their high school guidance counselors to discuss admissions criteria and to obtain the necessary application forms. Florida Gulf Coast University will provide the student education forms in order to develop each student’s education objective and course(s) needed to achieve the objective. D. High School Credits Earned For Completion Of Each Dual Enrollment Course. 1. The Cape Collegiate Academy will assure that appropriate high school credit will be awarded upon successful completion of Dual enrollment classes. Any college course offered at fewer than three credit hours will be ineligible for high school credit and will not constitute dual enrollment. E. Postsecondary Courses To Count Toward High School Graduation Requirements 1. Postsecondary courses in foreign languages, mathematics, English, sciences, social studies, computer science, performing and/or visual arts, applied technology, and any other classes that are in compliance with applicable state regulations shall be counted toward meeting the graduation requirement of F. S. 1003.43. F. Eligibility Criteria 1. The student must be enrolled in the Cape Collegiate Academy and must be working towards a high school diploma. 2. The Cape Collegiate Academy Director must recommend the student. Student screening for eligibility to enter this program is the responsibility of the Cape Coral Collegiate Academy Director according to state requirements. An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on an un-weighted 4.0 scale is required for college credit dual enrollment courses. 3. Students who receive a final grade of D or F in any course will lose the privilege to attend additional dual enrollment classes. 153 4. The student must pass all portions of the ACT, SAT or CPT demonstrating college readiness for college-level coursework if the student is to be enrolled in college courses. Passing scores are as follows: CPT scores of 83 Reading/Sentence, 72 Algebra; ACT scores of 17 English, 18 Reading, 19 Math; SAT scores of 440 Verbal/Critical Reading, 440 Math. Any combination of test scores may be considered if taken within two (2) years of the time of enrollment for first time dual enrollment students. 5. Students who wish to take the Advanced Placement (AP) tests to expand their collegiate opportunities will be allowed to do so at no expense to the student. 6. Exceptions will be allowed to the Grade Point Average requirements. (For 2012-2013 at the direction of the Cape Collegiate Academy Director. Residentially incarcerated youth can be eligible for Florida Gulf Coast University (on-line) vocational dual enrollment courses if they have a 1.5 GPA. 7. The student must meet the admission requirements of Florida Gulf Coast University. Student screening for admissions requirements is the responsibility of the Cape Collegiate Academy Director or his/her designee. 8. Permission for participation must be granted by the student’s parent or legal guardian. 9. The student must be at minimum at sophomore status school for consideration for dual enrollment. Any exceptions to this must be approved by both the Cape Collegiate Academy Director and college administration. G. Screening and Monitoring 1. The Cape Collegiate Academy shall identify those students qualified to participate in the Cape Collegiate Academy. 2. Students attending the Cape Collegiate Academy during regular school hours will be subject to the Cape Collegiate Academy and FGCU attendance regulations. 3. All students enrolled in the Cape Collegiate Academy classes will be graded on the same basis as other college students in the same courses. The course grade will be the same for both college and high school transcripts. Grades will be mailed by the Cape Collegiate Academy administration to the student’s parents and to the district MIS/Curriculum offices. 154 4. The Cape Collegiate Academy will make available advising services to students, monitor their progress and attendance in their college classes, and provide a progress report and attendance report to the student’s parents at the college mid-term and upon completion of the college term. H. Instructional Quality 1. The Cape Collegiate Academy shall be responsible for ensuring that the quality of instruction provided Academy students is comparable to that afforded other Florida Gulf Coast University students. Cape Collegiate Academy faculty must follow the college course outline, provide a syllabus to students, and use the appropriate textbooks and instructional materials. 2. Faculty selected to teach at the Cape Coral dual enrollment classes must meet Florida Gulf Coast University’s certification requirements and submit an adjunct application. 3. The Cape Collegiate Academy and Florida Gulf Coast University will select and certify the instructors for college courses taught at the Cape Collegiate Academy. 4. Cape Collegiate Academy instructors who teach college courses during the regular or extended school day will be evaluated by the Academy Director using the Academy and FGCU evaluation instruments. 5. All Cape Collegiate Academy employees serving as college instructors approved to teach college courses under this agreement should attend an orientation given by Florida Gulf Coast University. I. Costs of the Cape Collegiate Academy 1. Each institution will assume the operating costs of each dual enrollment class housed on its campus during regular school hours 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Outside regular school hours, FGCU will pay CAA supervision costs only. 2. Students enrolled in the Cape Collegiate Academy shall be exempt from the payment of registration, matriculation, and laboratory fees. 3. Textbooks and other instructional materials will be funded by the Cape Collegiate Academy, provided the FEFP provides funding for these expenses. 155 4. The Cape Collegiate Academy shall be responsible for the inventory, recovery, reuse, and sale of textbooks and instructional materials provided under this agreement. J. Responsibility for Student Transportation 1. Public Transportation in accordance to Lee County Policy will be provided in the form of Lee Tran Passes or; the student will be responsible for providing transportation to and from facilities where dual enrollment classes are held. K. Converting College Credits to High School Credits 1. Recommendations of the State Articulating Coordinating Committee will be used to award credits and meet subject area graduation requirements. L. Semester Scheduling 1. The beginning and ending dates of courses offered during the regular day in the Cape Collegiate Academy will coincide with the FGCU School’s calendar. 2. Secondary students must demonstrate mastery of courses taken with a grade of at least “C”. Additionally, secondary students may be required to pass an exam and/or approved alternative assessment of work to demonstrate mastery of course material at a level acceptable to Florida Gulf Coast University. PLAN FOR REMEDIATION Remediation/preparation initiatives for 2012-2013 are: 1. Analysis of student readiness for college by administering the CPT to volunteer 10th, 11th, and 12th graders from Cape Coral. (a) The Cape Collegiate Academy will provide: 1. access to on-line tests at a cost or a maximum of $10.00 per test to be paid for by the student; 2. personnel to record the test results; 3. summary data for the purpose of record keeping. 4. walk-in testing available 156 5. instructor led - test prep instruction, remediation and preparation (b) Cape Collegiate Academy will provide 1. space for testing; 2. test sites; 3. testing information to all eligible students; 4. in cooperation with Florida Gulf Coast University, selection of test dates; 5. Registration and collection of the test fee from students or school board offices prior to the test. 2. Assessment of student readiness for college by administration of CPT to all incoming students without ACT or SAT scores. 3. Information sent to each 9th grader encouraging them to prepare for college by taking necessary courses. Include dates for the Cape Collegiate Academy registration and parent night. 4. Dual Enrollment opportunities for at risk students to receive classroom training in agreed upon courses on the Cape Coral Collegiate Academy campus. FACILITY USAGE The Cape Collegiate Academy located in Cape Coral will open the facility to FGCU classes, staff and administration at 4:00 p.m. at a cost of security. This partnership will allow FGCU the opportunity to expand their programming in the Cape without additional cost to FGCU. ACCOUNTABILITY These provisions shall not prevent a Board assigned responsibility for one or more of these programs from developing joint programs of contracting for specific instructional services with another Board or agency, subject to review by the two local education agencies. For each of these programs, all related enrollment projections, FTE reports, cost analyses, and other elements required for the allocation of funds shall be the sole responsibility of the assigned board unless herein indicated. 157 This Agreement and the policies and allocation of responsibility shall be effective upon being signed by the Director of the Cape Collegiate Academy; and the Community College President, but shall be executed before registration for the fall term of the following school year. Additions and deletions may be made at any time upon the mutual agreement of the FGCU President and the Director of the Cape Collegiate Academy. Courses of study and programs are to be incorporated into the agreement before instruction begins. This Agreement shall be valid beginning the 2012 school year through the life of the Charter, to be updated annually to conform to new state regulations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the School Board of the Cape Collegiate Academy and the District Board of Trustees of Florida Gulf Coast University have adopted this agreement and caused it to be executed by their respective chairmen and chief executive officers in accordance with Section 1007.235, F.S., District Inter-institutional Articulation Agreements. __________ ____________________________________________________________ Date Dr. Bradshaw, President, Florida Gulf Coast University __________ ____________________________________________________________ Date Mike D’Angelo, Cape Collegiate Academy 158 Appendix X Transportation Level of service to be provided Transportation barriers were addressed in 16 transportation services. Courtesy transportation will be provided to students with in 2 miles of the school if the Lee Tran if there is Lee Tran service. Students will not have to travel more than one mile from home to access school transportation. There will be no restrictions to the Lee Tran service. The CCA will purchase or contract services if needed for ESE students. CCA will not service elementary students. Transportation Service Providers The CCA will not own or operate school busses. Services will be contracted. The District will not provide transportation. Private contractors will be secured for transportation. School bus fleet acquisition N/A School transportation operation and logistics N/A Contracted services will be in communication with the CCA Transportation Finance Funding Claim and Reimbursement The CCA will submit the appropriate paper work to the County or State for reimbursement to include attendance riding the bus. The accounting firm used by the CAA will handle all reimbursement opportunities. A data base of all student addresses will be developed to determine the estimated costs for transportation and reimbursement. The contracted transportation service 159 will then advise the CCA on potential costs. The accounting firm will then estimate the potential reimbursement. Compliance The CCA will schedule quarterly meetings with appropriate District personnel to monitor compliance regarding transporting students. 160
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