S5-A1

Meets state and federal performance accountability goals.

Required Documentation:

• CEC Annual Report

• Current performance contract;

• Perkins Consolidated Local Needs Assessment

• Perkins Monitoring and Risk Assessment

S5-A2

Maximizes the effectively utilizes flexibility afforded to the GCCA under its performance contract to implement the innovations outlined in the performance contract.

Required Documentation:

Responses to the following questions:

1. What is the status of the implementation of each Essential or Innovative Feature included in the performance contract and/or initial or renewal contract application?

a. Dual enrollment, in particular, technical dual enrollment. We are well into implementation (See CEC Annual Report) and are now looking at the next iteration of improvement. Among the steps we need to take next are the following.

i. Suggest that the state add new Option B programs that our local employers need.

ii. Spend more time talking with students and parents about Option B and the technical programs available.

iii. Add more technical programs which will require facility expansion.

b. Work-based learning, in particular, longer-term internships and apprenticeships that increasingly incorporate successful elements of European-style apprenticeship. We are well into implementation (See CEC Annual Report) and must overcome obstacles and utilize new opportunities to take the next steps.

i. Get back into high schools, post-Covid, to build deeper relationships with Counselors/9th graders who are the key audience for these opportunities.

ii. Assist instructors as they continue to build relationships with industry. Industry has been responsive, we need to scale that response.

iii. Grow Option B enrollment....these students have schedules that allow deeper relationships with industry.

iv. Add programs by adding space to the facility....and by developing unique internships/apprenticeships that are delivered in largest part at the employer site.

v. Use ARPA and GEERS dollars to focus on building relationships among employers and students.

c. Innovations in individualized learning programs that focus on use of Senate Bill 2 (2015), aka Dual Enrollment Graduation Option B. We are well into implementation. Enrollment has grown from 20 or so at the time of the last Charter development (2017) to nearly 80 today. More technical programs are involved. More employers are involved. Among the next steps we need to take are the following.

i. Suggest that the state add new Option B programs that our local employers need.

ii. Spend more time talking with students and parents about Option B and the technical programs available.

iii. Add more technical programs which will require facility expansion.

d. Individualized learning programs for 8th graders that focus on career tech and academic high school credits. We are well into implementation, to the point that 8th-grade parents now talk about the desire for their students to acquire more high school credits while in the 8th-grade program. We now see 8th graders, in high school technical programs, who take significant project responsibility (displaying an enhanced level of maturity and acquisition of skill). Among these, we had 8th-graders who were helping to produce local election debates for our CEC Video Program at the request of The Chamber. Among the next steps we need to take are the following.

i. Have more 8th graders in high school technical classes.

2. For those Essential or Innovative Features that are not on schedule, what are the next steps? N/A

3. Are there any Essential or Innovative Features that should be deleted or added to the new performance contract?

a. ADD: Utilize local dollars to build additions to the facility that house technical college programs.

4. How did the GCCA and/or district use flexibility to implement these innovations, and what was the result of the innovation on student achievement and/or school or district improvement goals? CEC Annual Report; Current performance contract and/or Initial or renewal contract application

a. Flexibility in scheduling allowed us to build required core courses around technical programs.

b. Flexibility in scheduling allowed us to fit required college coursework into the high school schedule.

c. Flexibility in certification allowed us to hire a number of technical education instructors directly from industry.

S5-A3

Implements effective governance practices, as outlined in the performance contract and state and federal statutes, which include:

• Makes decisions at the school governing board level as indicated in the school’s governance matrix (part of the charter contract) See GCCA Partners Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

• Follows governance best practices, which are also incorporated into the school’s written policies (See Charter and By-laws)

• Complies with Governing Board Training Requirements Governing Board individualized training plans

• Adheres to Open and Public Meetings and Records laws

• Provides public access to the following information (at a minimum) in accordance with its performance contract and SBOE Rule 160-4-9-.06:

  1. Governing Board membership. CEC Board Member Roster

  2. Governing Board and committee meeting calendar. CEC website, Governing Board agenda and minutes.

  3. Meeting agendas for upcoming Governing Board and committee meetings. CEC website, Governing Board agenda and minutes.

  4. Meeting minutes for past Governing Board and committee meetings unless the Georgia Open Meetings Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1, limits their publication. Minutes shall be available on the school’s website within ten (10) business days after Governing Board approval and for the duration of the charter. CEC website, Governing Board agenda and minutes.

  5. Procedure for contacting the school’s Governing Board and most senior school administrator.

Board Chair, Phil Trickey: phil.trickey@pwt-advisory.com

CEO, Mark Whitlock: mark.whitlock@cowetaschools.net

• 6. Any admissions application utilized by the school and notification of enrollment and admissions procedures, including the date, time, and location of any upcoming enrollment lottery. Attach an explanation of 8th Grade Lottery or link to 8th Grade website

  7. The school’s monthly financial statements. Budget, Audit

  8. The school’s performance contract.

  9. Ensures employees and Board Members sign and comply with conflict-of-interest policies-- Conflict of Interest documents for Board members.

Required Documentation: Evidence for Standard 1 is applicable to this assurance