During the final days of the legislative session, the Minnesota Department of Education quietly announced the first six authorizers, formerly called “sponsors”, approved by the state under the new charter law passed in 2009 (see below).
Essentially, all of the 52 present authorizers, which include districts, colleges/universities and large non-profit organizations must ‘re-up’ and be approved by the state over the next 6-12 months, if they choose to continue to serve as an authorizer. In addition, the new law calls for three ’single purpose authorizers’, a new category of authorizer, whose sole mission is charters schools. Presently, colleges and universities and non-profits like Volunteers of America, YMCA, etc,. are authorizers but the organizations also have other activities and services they provide.
There are indications from MDE that their criteria for approval of authorizers will be very strict. In fact, we believe this MDE authorizer process has the potential to have the most profound impact on improving the quality of charter schools than perhaps any other single activity since the first charter school started in Minnesota in 1992.
It is expected that numerous authorizers will not resubmit their application and that some will be denied. This could cause a major shake-up in the charter community as ‘orphan charters’ are created — schools that no longer have an authorizer. The new law addresses the issue. In short, ‘quality, high achieving’ charters should have no problem in being allowed to migrate to a different authorizer. Lower performing charter schools may have a little more challenge in this process.
Stay tuned. This is a huge issue.
Here is the press release from MDE sent out last week.
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
Contact: Bill Walsh |
|
May 13, 2010 |
(651) 582-1145 |
Stronger Oversight Coming to Minnesota Charter Schools: New Authorizers Approved
First charter school authorizers approved by Minnesota Department of Education under new law
(Roseville, MN) The Minnesota Department of Education approved the first six charter school authorizers under a new law passed by the legislature in the 2009 session. All charter school authorizers (formerly known as “sponsors”) have to be approved by the department by June 30, 2011. The new criteria for authorizers include stricter financial and academic controls and adherence to national standards for charter school oversight and quality.
In the first round of applications, there were 13 organizations that applied to become charter school authorizers. The six approved today to authorize charter schools are:
• Anoka Technical College
• Friends of Education
• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Novation Education Opportunities
• Student Achievement Minnesota
• Volunteers of America - Minnesota
“Today marks a new beginning for stronger oversight of Minnesota’s charter schools,” said Commissioner Alice Seagren. “These new charter school authorizers now meet the highest standards of quality charter school oversight in the nation.”
The department worked with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ (NACSA) using their Principles and Standards for Quality Authorizing. Minnesota’s new charter school law was given the Award for Excellence in Improving Policy by NACSA in 2009.
The new law puts in place more robust oversight responsibilities in the areas of capacity and infrastructure, the application process, contracting, ongoing oversight and evaluation, and renewal of charter schools.
The law shifts the focus of the department from approving every individual charter school to approving charter school authorizers, who in turn will be responsible for approving charter schools and holding them accountable. The law also allows the state to approve up to three single-purpose authorizers, whose sole purpose will be to charter schools, adding to Minnesota’s charter school options.
The organizations not approved were sent detailed comments from the reviewers and will have 20 business days to resubmit their applications.
- xxx -
