Academic Systems Review

When academic systems review documentation must be submitted, charter holders will receive notification from Board staff. This notification will provide a minimum of two weeks to gather and submit documentation. However, charter holders are encouraged to begin gathering and organizing documentation as time allows, and not waiting until notification is received.

Academic Systems Review documentation should demonstrate implemented processes in the areas of Curriculum, Curriculum Review, Assessment, Monitoring Instruction, and Professional Development. The specific criteria reviewed by Board staff are below. It is important to note that while examples of possible documents are provided, not all documents in these categories will meet the criteria. Additionally, charters have autonomy in academic processes and may provide a wide variety of documents to meet the indicated criteria.

Charter Holders have two options to submit required documentation to ASBCS.

  1. Through Google Drive (preferred). A Google Drive folder for submission of documents has been shared with the Charter Representative and can be shared with any additional school staff as needed. The Charter Holder must use the Google Drive provided by Board staff, not provide a link to the Charter Holder's own Google Drive or other shared drive.

  2. Mail or hand deliver a flash drive with all required documents to ASBCS (must be received by the due date identified in the notification).

For either method of document submission, the Charter Holder should ensure that documents are in clearly labeled folders as follows:

Academic Systems Review

  1. "Curriculum"

Documentation of an explicit, written curriculum for core content areas that is aligned with Arizona academic standards, to include:

      • Evidence of curriculum alignment with Arizona's Academic Standards for core content areas and grade levels within an academic year.

      • Evidence of content and skills to be taught for each grade level and/ or content area.

Possible documentation could include, but is not limited to:

  • Curriculum maps / guides

  • Pacing Guides

  • Adopted Curricular Program Scope and Sequence

  1. "Curriculum Review"

Documentation of a systematic process for reviewing and evaluating the curriculum, at specific intervals, for alignment to Arizona academic standards and improving student academic outcomes for the population served, to include:

    • Evidence of a consistently implemented process for monitoring, evaluating, and reviewing curriculum for alignment to standards.

    • Evidence that the curriculum is consistently reviewed to ensure it is meeting the needs of the population served.

    • Evidence of a plan of action based on findings.

Possible documentation could include but is not limited to:

  • Meeting Agendas/Minutes

  • Curriculum Rubrics

  • Curricular Adoption Documentation

  • Teacher Feedback on Curriculum

  1. "Assessment"

Documentation of an assessment plan to track, analyze, and monitor student academic performance, to include:

    • Evidence of implementation of a balanced assessment system including the assessments, data collected and periods of review, covering all core content areas and grade levels.

    • Evidence of a process that uses assessment data to create a plan for instruction.

Possible documentation could include but is not limited to:

  • Assessment plan and calendar

  • Data Review Meeting Dates

  • Complete formative assessments

  • Complete summative assessments

  • Benchmark reports

  • Documentation demonstrating evaluation and use of assessment data

    • Data

    • PLC Meeting Agendas/Minutes

    • Targeted lesson plans that can be tied to data

  1. "Monitoring Instruction"

Documentation of a teacher evaluation system, compliant with state statute, which monitors the integration of state standards into instruction, to include:

    • Evidence that classroom observations are conducted regularly to confirm instruction is aligned to standards.

    • Evidence of feedback being provided to teachers based on observations.

    • Evidence that the performance of teachers is evaluated using a summative evaluation system that is compliant with A.R.S. §15-189.06.

Possible documentation could include but is not limited to:

      • Teacher evaluations (completed copies)

      • Informal walkthrough / observation forms (completed copies)

      • Instructional Coaching Notes

      • Teacher evaluation process documentation

  2. "Professional Development"

Documentation of a professional development plan that aligns with the program of instruction and best practices, to include:

    • Evidence that professional development addresses student achievement and outcomes.

    • Evidence that professional development supports implementation of the school’s program of instruction.

Possible documentation could include but is not limited to:

  • Professional development plan and calendar

  • Professional development agendas

  • Professional development materials

  • Sign in sheets

  • Certificates