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MODEL FLORIDA CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONRule 6A-6.0786Form IEPC-M1Effective December 2019 (formatted)1
TABLE OF CONTENTSApplication Process OverviewApplication Cover SheetExecutive SummaryI. Educational PlanSection 1. Mission Guiding Principles and PurposeSection 2. Target Population and Student BodySection 3. Educational Program DesignSection 4. Curriculum and Instructional DesignSection 5. Student PerformanceSection 6. Exceptional StudentsSection 7. English Language LearnersSection 8. School Culture and DisciplineSection 9. Supplemental ProgrammingII. Organizational PlanSection 10. GovernanceSection 11. Management and StaffingSection 12. Human Resources and EmploymentSection 13. Professional DevelopmentSection 14. Student Recruitment and EnrollmentSection 15. Parent and Community InvolvementIII. Business PlanSection 16. FacilitiesSection 17. Transportation ServiceSection 18. Food ServiceSection 19. School Safety and SecuritySection 20. BudgetSection 21. Financial Management and OversightSection 22. Start-Up PlanChart of AttachmentsIV. Attachment TemplatesStatement of AssurancesBoard Member Information FormAttestationAddendumAddendum A. ReplicationsAddendum A1. High-Performing ReplicationsAddendum B. Education Service 3232425262728293133333435
APPLICATION PROCESS OVERVIEWCharter schools are part of the state’s program of public education. All charter schools in Florida arepublic schools. A charter school may be formed by creating a new school or converting an existing publicschool to charter status. A person or entity wishing to open a charter school shall prepare and submit anapplication on the following model application form prepared by the Department of Education.A. Application Components1. Application Cover Sheet2. Executive Summary (not to exceed 2 pages)3. Narrative: The Narrative is the formal application to the sponsor and is a comprehensivedescription of the applicant’s educational, operational, and financial plans. The applicationnarrative (including applicable addendum information, but not including attachments, budgettemplates or additional information requested by Sponsor) is subject to the following strictpage limits: 110 pages (including question prompts) for applicants completing onlythis application or 140 pages for applicants required to complete the CharterSchool Application Addendum (for replications or educational serviceproviders). Application cover sheet and executive summary are excluded fromthe 110 page limit, as is a table of contents if included. Pages must be formatted using one side of the page with no smaller than 1”margins, 12-point font and single-spaced.4. Applicant History Worksheets:The applicant history worksheet (DOE Form IEPC-M1A can be found er-schools/charter-school-reference 1,Attachment DD) should be completed, if applicable, and will be reviewed by the sponsor forthe purpose of determining whether the applicant has past performance that does or does notjustify approval of the application.5. Attachments:Throughout the Narrative, specific documents are requested in addition to narrative answers.Attachments may not contain additional narrative unless specifically requested. Acomprehensive list of the attachments is provided on p. 28 of this application. An applicantmay include ten (10) pages of attachments in addition to those requested in the chart ofattachments.6. Statement of Assurances: This form must be signed by a duly authorized representative of theapplicant group and submitted with the application for a charter school.1If the link is not working please contact the Department’s charter school office at 1-800-447-1636 for a copy of the form.3
7. Board Member Information Forms: Each member of the governing board or proposedgoverning board should complete and sign a Board Member Information Form.8. Addendum: Applicants that are replicating an existing school, submitting a high-performingreplication application pursuant to s. 1002.331, Florida Statutes, or proposing to contract withan Education Service Provider must complete the appropriate addendum sections.9. Capacity Interview: Applicants may have the opportunity to present their plan anddemonstrate the team’s capacity to open and maintain a high-quality charter school as well asto answer questions about their proposal. Any information or evidence from the capacityinterview that is used by the sponsor as a basis for denial of the application must be properlydocumented by means of a recording or transcript.B. Plagiarism: Individuals and groups seeking the right and responsibility to educate public schoolchildren at public expense should be accountable to the highest standards of academic integrity.Plagiarism, including the copying of language from substantive portions any other charterapplication without proper attribution or authorization, is prohibited. In order to implement anexisting curriculum, instructional framework, or educational model (e.g. Montessori, artsintegration, project-based learning, blended learning, etc.) with fidelity, key concepts must bediscussed. However, it is not acceptable to copy and paste this discussion or description fromanother source. A high-quality applicant team with the capacity to operate a high-quality schoolmust be able to thoughtfully explain in their own words how they intend to educate children.Existing operators or applicants with their own previously submitted applications may use theirown intellectual property without violating this provision.C. Refer to sponsor specific instructions as to additional information, policies, or procedures thatmay address the decision-making process.D. Before approving or denying any final application, the sponsor shall allow the applicant, uponreceipt of written notification, at least 7 calendar days to make technical or nonsubstantivecorrections and clarifications, including, but not limited to, excess pages pursuant to the pagelimits set forth in this form, corrections of grammatical, typographical, and like errors or missingsignatures, if such errors are identified by the sponsor as cause to deny the final application. Asponsor may, at its discretion, receive and consider substantive revisions.E. Public DisclosureAll charter school proposal materials submitted to the [District] become public records pursuantto Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.F. Sponsor PrioritiesApplicants are encouraged to review the Sponsor’s website to determine if the Sponsor hasidentified any priorities as it relates to specific and unique needs which the charter school mayaddress. Applicants are not required to address Sponsor priorities and failure to address Sponsorpriorities may not be a basis for denial of an application.4
APPLICATION COVER SHEETNAME OF PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL:NAME OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION/MUNICIPALITY UNDER WHICH CHARTER WILL BEORGANIZED OR OPERATED:If a non-profit organization, has it been incorporated with Florida’s Secretary of State?Provide the name of the person who will serve as the primary contact for this Application. The primary contactshould serve as the contact for follow-up, interviews, and notices regarding this Application.NAME OF CONTACT PERSON:TITLE/RELATIONSHIP TO NON-PROFIT:MAILING ADDRESS:PRIMARY TELEPHONE: ()ALTERNATE TELEPHONE: ()E-MAIL ADDRESS:Names, roles, and current employment of all persons on applicant group, i.e. anyone with a role in drafting thesubstantive content of this application or expected to have a significant role with the school, including anyconsultants or employees of an Education Service Provider. Add lines as necessary.Full NameCurrent Job Title & EmployerRole with Proposed SchoolProjected Date of School Opening (Month/Year):Do any of the following describe your organization, or the school proposed in this application?Seeks approval to convert an already existing public school to charter status. (Applicant must attach as Attachment Aevidence of compliance with the voting requirements set forth in section 1002.33(3)(b), F.S.)Will be a charter school-in-the-workplace pursuant to section 1002.33(15), F.S.Will be a charter school-in-a-municipality pursuant to section 1002.33(15), F.S.Will be a charter school in a development pursuant to section 1002.33(10)(e)7., F.S.Will contract or partner with an Education Service Provider (ESP). (See definition of an ESP in the Addendum, whichapplicant must complete if using an ESP.) If yes, include the provider’s portfolio in answering the questions below regarding pendingapplications and school openings.Name of ESP:Seeks approval to replicate an existing school model. (See definition of a replication in the Addendum, which applicant mustcomplete if replicating a school model.)Seeks approval to replicate an existing High Performing Charter school model pursuant to section 1002.331, F.S.(Applicant must complete Addendum A1.)5
Does the applicant group have one or more charter school applications under consideration by any otherauthorizer(s) in the United States or intend to apply for one or more charter school applications to open in theupcoming school year other than the one presented here? Yes No If yes, complete the table below (addlines as necessary).StateAuthorizerProposed School NameApplicationDecisionDue DateDateDoes this applicant group have approved applications for schools or campuses scheduled to open in the UnitedStates in the future? Yes No If yes, complete the table below (add lines as necessary).Planned School NameAuthorizerCity, StateOpening DateDoes this applicant group operate schools or campuses in Florida or elsewhere in the UnitedStates? Yes No If yes, complete DOE Form IEPC-M1A which can be found er-schools/charter-school-reference, and include as Attachment DD.I certify that I have the authority to submit this application and that all information contained herein is complete andaccurate, realizing that any misrepresentation could result in disqualification from the application process or revocationafter award. I understand that incomplete applications will not be considered. The person named as the contact personfor the application is so authorized to serve as the primary contact for this application on behalf of the applicant.SignatureTitlePrinted NameDate6
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Executive Summary should provide a concise overview of the proposed plan for the school; itsmission and vision; the educational need for the school and the anticipated student population; theeducation plan and school design; the school culture; community engagement or partnerships to date; andthe applicant team’s capacity to successfully open and operate a high-quality school given the aboveconsiderations.The Executive Summary should not exceed 2 pages and will not be counted against the page limits.Evaluation Criteria: Executive SummaryThis section will not be rated and will not be a basis for an approval or denial decision. TheExecutive Summary should provide a concise overview of the proposed plan.I. EDUCATIONAL PLANSection 1: Mission, Guiding Principles and PurposeA. Provide the mission and vision statements for the proposed charter school. The mission is astatement of the fundamental purpose of the school, describing why it exists. The vision statementoutlines how the school will operate and what it will achieve in the long term. The mission andvision statement provide the foundation for the entire proposal, and taken together, shouldillustrate what success looks like.B. Provide the page number(s) of the material within this application that describes how theproposed school will utilize the guiding principles found in section 1002.33(2)(a), F.S.In accordance with the law, charter schools shall be guided by the following principles:- Meet high standards of student achievement while providing parents flexibility to choose among diverseeducational opportunities within the state’s public school system. PAGE(S)- Promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility and accountability.PAGE(S)- Provide parents with sufficient information on whether their child is reading at grade level and whether thechild gains at least a year’s worth of learning for every year spent in the charter school. PAGE(S)C. Provide the page number(s) of the material within this application that describes how theproposed school will meet the prescribed purposes for charter schools found in section1002.33(2)(b), F.S.In accordance with the law, charter schools shall fulfill the following purposes:- Improve student learning and academic achievement. PAGE(S)- Increase learning opportunities for all students, with a special emphasis on low-performing students andreading. PAGE(S)7
- Encourage the use of innovative learning methods. PAGE(S)- Require the measurement of learning outcomes. PAGE(S)D. Provide the page number(s) of the material within this application that describes how theproposed charter school will fulfill the optional purposes of charter schools found in section1002.33(2)(c), F.S. If one or more of the optional purposes does not apply to the proposedschool, please note “N/A”. This section is optional.In accordance with the law, charter schools may fulfill the following purposes:- Create innovative measurement tools. PAGES(S)- Provide rigorous competition within the public school district to stimulate continual improvement in allpublic schools. PAGE(S)- Expand the capacity of the public school system. PAGE(S)- Mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units. PAGE(S)- Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including ownership of the learning program at the schoolsite. PAGE (S)Evaluation Criteria: Mission, Guiding Principles, and PurposeReviewers will look for: A clear and compelling mission and vision statement that defines the guiding principles andvalues of the school. Adequate references to evidence that the application fulfills the statutory guiding principlesand purposes for charter schools. (Note: the substance of each addressed principle andpurpose will be evaluated within appropriate application sections.)Section 2: Target Population and Student BodyA. Describe the anticipated student population to be served and how that aligns with the school’smission. Applicants should state if they will give enrollment preference or limit the enrollmentprocess, as allowed by law, to certain student populations defined in section 1002.33(10)(d) & (e),F.S. 2 If the applicant intends to have enrollment preferences they should be described in Section14 of the application.B. If a facility has not been identified in Section 16 of this application, state the geographic areawhich the applicant intends to serve.For operators intending to apply and be eligible for federal funding under the US Department of Education’s CharterSchools Program, recruitment and admissions policies and practices must meet all federal requirements. See CharterSchools Program, Title V, Part B of the ESEA, Non-regulatory Guidance, Section E. (Lottery, Recruitment andAdmissions).28
C. Provide enrollment projections in the table below for each year of proposed operation. Theseprojections are not enrollment caps. Annual capacity determinations will be made by thegoverning board in conjunction with the sponsor per section 1002.33(10), F.S.GradeLevelK123456789101112TOTALYear 1Number of StudentsYear 2Year 3Year 4Year 5D. Provide a brief explanation of how the enrollment projections were developed.E. Briefly explain the rationale for the number of students and grade levels served in year one and thebasis for the growth plan in subsequent years as illustrated in the table above.Evaluation Criteria: Target Population and Student BodyReviewers will look for: A clear description of the students the charter school intends to serve including any targetpopulations in accordance with Florida law. Alignment of the targeted student body with the overall mission of the school.Section 3: Educational Program DesignA. Describe the proposed charter school’s educational program.B. Describe the basic learning environment (e.g., classroom-based, independent study, blendedlearning), including rationale for class size and structure and how the learning environmentsupports and is consistent with the mission.C. Describe the research base used to design the educational program.9
D. Provide a sample daily schedule and school annual calendar, including the annual number of daysand hours of instructional time as Attachment B. (Note: if approved, the Governing Board willformally adopt an annual calendar)E. Explain how the services the school will provide to the target population support attainment ofthe state-adopted standards, as required by section 1002.33, F.S.Evaluation Criteria: Educational Program DesignReviewers will look for An educational program design that:o Is clear and coherent;o Is based on effective, experience- or research-based educational practices and teachingmethods, and high standards for student learning;o Aligns with the school’s mission and responds to the needs of the school’s targetpopulation, ando Is likely lead to improved student performance for the school’s target population. A proposed daily school schedule and annual calendar that complies with statutory requirementsfor annual number of instructional minutes/days and aligns with priorities and practicesdescribed in the educational program design.Section 4: Curriculum and Instructional DesignA. Describe the school’s curriculum in the core academic areas, illustrating how it will preparestudents to achieve Florida standards. Describe the primary instructional strategies that the schoolwill expect teachers to use and why they are appropriate for the anticipated student population.Describe the methods and systems teachers will have for providing differentiated instruction tomeet the needs of all students, including how students who enter the school below grade level willbe engaged in and benefit from the curriculum and the formalized multi-tiered level of supportsthat will be provided to students who are performing below grade level.B.o If the curriculum is fully developed, summarize curricular choices (e.g. textbooks) bycore subject and the rationale for each. Include as Attachment C, a sample coursescope and sequence 3 for each core subject for each division (elementary, middle, andhigh school) the school would serve.o If the curriculum is not yet fully developed, describe any curricular choices made todate and proposed curricular choices (e.g. textbooks, etc.) and explain the plan for howthe curriculum will be completed between approval of the application and the openingof the school. This should include a timeline, milestones, and individuals responsiblefor included tasks. Also, describe the focus of the curriculum plan and explain how the3Do not include a course code directory.10
C.D.E.F.curriculum will be implemented. Include what core subject areas will be offered andprovide evidence on how the curriculum will be aligned to Florida standards.o Provide evidence that reading is a primary focus of the school and that there is aresearch-based curriculum and set of strategies for students who are reading at gradelevel or higher and, independently, a curriculum and strategy for students readingbelow grade level. Include the school’s reading curriculum as Attachment D.If the school will adopt or develop additional academic standards beyond those mandated by thestate, explain the types of standards (e.g., content areas, grade levels). Describe the adoption ordevelopment process. Select one grade level and subject area as an example and explain how theseadditional standards exceed required standards and contribute to meeting the mission of theschool.Describe the research base and foundation materials that were used or will be used to develop thecurriculum.Describe proposed curriculum areas to be included other than the core academic areas.Discuss the system and structures the school will implement for students at risk of not meetingacademic requirements or of dropping out.Evaluation Criteria: Curriculum and Instructional DesignReviewers will look for a curriculum and instructional program design, whether fully developedor not, that: Provides a clear and coherent framework for teaching and learning; Is research-based; Is well-aligned with the school’s mission and educational philosophy; Provides an emphasis on reading; Will enable students to attain Florida standards and receive a year’s worth of learning foreach year enrolled; and Will be appropriate for students below, at, and above grade level.Section 5: Student PerformancePerformance GoalsA. Describe the expected incoming baseline of student academic achievement of students who willenroll in the school. Based upon the expected incoming baseline performance, describe theschool’s goals for academic growth and improvement that students are expected to show each yearand the rationale for those goals. Describe how the school’s academic goals and objectives forimproving student learning will be revised if the actual incoming baseline is substantially differentthan the expected baseline. Describe how success will be evaluated, and the desired overall resultsto be attained through instruction.B. Describe any mission-specific educational goals and targets for the school not captured by stateaccountability requirements. State goals clearly in terms of the measures or assessments the schoolplans to use.11
Placement and ProgressionC. Describe the school’s student grade level and course placement procedures.D. State whether the applicant intends to use the local school district’s pupil progression plan. If not,explain the policies and standards for promoting students from one grade level to the next orprovide the pupil progression plan as Attachment E.E. If the school will serve high school students, describe the methods used to determine if a studenthas satisfied the requirements specified in section 1003.428, F.S., and any proposed additionalrequirements.F. Discuss how and when promotion and graduation criteria will be communicated to parents andstudents.Assessment and EvaluationG. In addition to all mandatory assessments, identify the primary interim assessments the school willuse to assess student learning needs and progress throughout the year (including baselineassessments) including a proposed assessment schedule as Attachment F. Provide the rationalefor selecting these assessments, including an explanation of how these assessments align with theschool’s curriculum, performance goals, and state standards.H. Describe how student assessment and performance data will be used to evaluate and informinstruction. Who will be responsible for managing the data, interpreting it for classroom teachers,and leading or coordinating professional development to improve student achievement?I. Explain the training and support that school leadership and teachers will receive in analyzing,interpreting, and using performance data to improve student learning.J. Describe the corrective actions the school would take if it falls short of student academicachievement expectations or goals at the school-wide, classroom, sub-group, or individual studentlevel. Explain what would trigger such corrective actions and who would be responsible forimplementing it.K. Describe how student assessment and performance information will be shared with students andwith parents.L. Describe the plan for protecting the privacy of individual student academic performance data andother student-related information.Evaluation Criteria: Student PerformanceReviewers will look for: An understanding of academic accountability provisions and goals mandated by the state. An indication that the applicant will hold high expectations for student academic performance. Measurable goals for student academic growth and improvement. Promotion standards that are based on high expectations and provide clear criteria forpromotion from one level to the next, and for graduation (if applicable). Evidence that a range of valid and reliable assessments will be used to measure studentperformance. A proposed assessment plan that is sufficient to determine whether students are makingadequate progress. Evidence of a comprehensive and effective plan to use student achievement data to informdecisions about and adjustments to the educational program. Plans for sharing student performance information that will keep students and parents well12informed of academic progress. Acknowledgement of and general plan to meet FERPA requirements.
Section 6: Exceptional StudentsA. Provide the school’s projected population of students with disabilities and describe how theprojection was made.B. Describe how the school will ensure that students with disabilities will have an equal opportunityof being selected for enrollment in the charter school.C. Describe how the school will work with the sponsor and through the Individual Education Plan(IEP) process when necessary to ensure students with disabilities receive a free appropriateeducation (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).D. Describe the methods the school will use to identify students with disabilities that have not yetbeen identified.E. Describe the programs, strategies, and supports the school will provide, including supplementalsupports and services and modifications and accommodations to ensure the academic success ofstudents with disabilities whose education needs can be met in a regular classroom environmentwith at least 80% of instruction occurring in a class with non-disabled peers.F. Describe how the school will work with the sponsor and through the IEP process to determinewhether a student with a disability whose education needs require a regular classroom and resourceroom combination (between 40-80% of instruction occurring with non-disabled peers) can beprovided FAPE by the school.G. Describe how the school will work with the sponsor and through the IEP process to determinewhether a student with a disability whose education needs require a separate classroom (less than40% of instruction occurring with non-disabled peers) can be provided FAPE by the school.H. Describe the plans for monitoring and evaluating the progress and success of students withdisabilities to ensure the attainment of each student’s goals as set forth in the IEP or 504 plan,including plans for promoting graduation for students with disabilities (high schools only).I. Identify the staffing plan, based on the above projection, for the school’s special educationprogram, including the number and qualifications of staff.J. Describe how the school’s overall effectiveness in serving exceptional education students will beevaluated.K. Describe how the school will serve gifted and talented students.Evaluation Criteria: Exceptional StudentsReviewers will look for: A clear description of the programs, strategies and supports the school will provide to studentswith disabilities that will ensure appropriate access for students with disabilities and that theschool will not discriminate based on disability. A clear description of how the school will ensure students with disabilities will have an equalopportunity of being selected for enrollment. A comprehensive and compelling plan for appropriate identification of students with specialneeds to ensure they are served in the least restrictive environment possible, have appropriateaccess to the general education curriculum and schoolwide educational, extra-curricular, andculture-building activities in the same manner as non-disabled students, receive required andappropriate support services as outlined in their Individual Education Plans and 504 plans,and participate in standardized testing. An understanding and commitment to collaborating with the sponsor to ensure that placementdecisions for students with disabilities will be made based on each student’s unique needsthrough the IEP process.13 An appropriate plan for evaluating the school’s effectiveness in serving exceptional students,including gifted. A realistic enrollment projection (SWD) and a staffing plan that aligns with the projections.
Section 7: English Language LearnersA. Describe how the school will meet the needs of English Language Learners as required by stateand federal law, including the procedures that will be utilized for identifying such students,ensuring that they have equitable access to the school’s programming and communicating withtheir families.B. Describe specific instructional programs, practices, and strategies the school will employ to ensureacademic success and equitable access to the core academic program for these students, includingthose below, at, or above grade level.C. Provide plans for monitoring and evaluating the progress and success of ELL students, includingexiting students from ELL services.D. Describe the staffing plan for the school’s English Language Learner program, including thenumber of and proposed qualifications of staff.Evaluation Criteria: English Language LearnersReviewers will look for: Demonstrated understanding of legal obligations regarding the education of EnglishLanguage Learners. A comprehensive and compelling plan for educating English Language Learner students thatreflect the full range of programs and services required to provide all students with a highquality education. A clear plan for monitoring and evaluating the progress of ELL students, including exitingstudents from ELL services. Demonstrated capacity to meet the school’s obligations under state and federal law regardingthe education of English Language Learners. A realistic enrollment projection (ELL) and a staffing plan that a
Charter schools are part of the state’s program of public education. All charter schools in Florida are public schools. A charter school may be formed by creating a new school or converting an existing public school to charter status. A person or entity wishing to open a
