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Starting a Charter School
Click this link for the Maryland Charter School Founder's Manual, 3rd Edition, which is an indispensible guide for those individuals and groups interested in starting a charter school. Sections run the gamut from how to develop a mission statement, select a curriculum, raise funds, and find a facility through to financial planning and getting parent and community involvement. There are valuable links to a wide variety of resources including sample vision and mission statements, local school system charter school contacts, and Maryland application deadlines.
Below are a series of learning modules to assist charter school founding groups in developing their proposal.
MCSN also offers various Technical Assistance training sessions including a nine week Application Development Series. Click here to see upcoming events and technical assistance opportunities.
Planning and Writing a
Charter School Application
Module |
Topics
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I. Mission and Vision.pdf
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- Identifying and Recruiting School’s Founders
- Comprehensive School Design
- Charter Drafting
- Establishing Need for School
- Developing Clear Mission and Vision
- Creating Measurable Goals and Objectives
- Community Involvement
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| II. Education Plan.pdf |
- School Theme - Grade Levels
- Geographic Area
- At-Risk
- Educational Philosophy
- Curriculum
- Pedagogy
- Alignment with State Standards – Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum
- Special Education and LEP
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III. Business/
Financial Plan.pdf |
- Preparing a School Budget: 1 year; 5 year, and 18 Month Cash Flow Projections
- Financial Management – GAAP, Policies, Audit
- Development and Fundraising
- Start-up Timeline
- Sub-grant Process
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IV. Management Plan.pdf
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- Build Strong Governing Boards That Focus on Results
- Board Governance
- Leadership Training
- Policy Development – Waiver Requests
- Personnel - Teacher Recruitment and Securing Contracted Services
- Planning for Start-up
- Relationship to BOE and Department – Division of Responsibilities
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V. Facility Plan.pdf |
- Property Procurement
- Lease Negotiations
- Facility Assessment
- Zoning
- Planning for Physical Improvements
- Transportation
- Breakfast/Lunch Program
- Technology
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VI. A. Evaluation Plan – Student and School.pdf
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- Defining and Measuring Student Performance
- Mandatory Testing & NCLB
- Performance Measures and Outcomes
- Reporting
- Annual Report
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VI. B. Charter School Legal Issues.pdf
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- MD Charter School Law
- District Mandates
- Charter School Incorporation
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