Ivy Academy Appeal Hearing Introduction

Ivy Academy Appeal Hearing

Introduction • • • Brief Procedural Background Comment on Evaluation Process Essence of Ivy Academy Standard for Review Evidence in Support of Ivy Academy Conclusion

Procedural Background • State application form received by HC and State – one week before deadline • Two denials from HC

Procedure, continued • 1 st denial – two page grading rubric with just a few vague reasons for point deductions • 2 nd denial – 10 page grading rubric with more complete and more objective reasons for point deductions.

Question • If the complete objective response was provided with first HC evaluation would we even be to the appeals stage?

Comment on the Procedure

Who is Ivy Academy? Personal – 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio 84 total students per teacher

!!! Public School !!! • Aligned with HCDE Strategic Plan • Aligned with purpose of charter school law • Serving at risk and other students

Learning Environment • Small Class Groups • Themed learning • Project-based learning • Outdoor “classrooms” • Longer class periods

Standard for Review …contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district or community… Tenn. Code Ann. § 49 -19 -108(3)

Contrary to Existing Need NCLB History • History of AYP in district • 6 High Priority schools in HC system on 2007 - 2008 list Tennessee Department of Education – Report Card www. state. tn. us/education

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies • Goal: High academic achievement from proficient to advanced. • Strategy: Team with local universities, business and community leaders to make students competitive in the global arena • Ivy: Already has partners helping design educational opportunities for students

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies • Goal: Move from proficient to advanced. • Strategy: Innovative ideas and strategies • Ivy: Our innovative teaching methods and environment are ideas and strategies that will help HCDE achieve this goal

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies • Goal: Empower Schools with Freedom and Flexibility • Strategy: Expand curriculum to provide successful enrichment programs …researchbased programs used as academic designs… field studies of selected programs • Ivy: Our life-skills and other enrichment programs will implement this strategy and we can be an inhouse study providing data for HCDE’s success

HCDE Strategic Plan and Strategies • Goal: District Accountability • Strategy: Put resources and decisionmaking close to the classroom • Ivy: This is also part of the intent of the charter school law and we look forward to being able to put our energy where it serves best: with students in the classroom.

Purpose of Charter School Law • Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods • Provide greater decision making authority to schools and teachers in exchange for greater responsibility for student performance • To provide an alternative means within the public school system for ensuring accomplishment Tenn. Code Ann. § 49 -13 -102

Conclusion – Ivy is: • Aligned with the HCDE Strategic Plan’s Goals and Strategies • Aligned with the purpose of the charter school law • Prepared to begin operations with the approval of charter status • Aggressively dedicated to succeeding

It Would Contrary to the Best Interests of • Students – The at-risk population exists and would be denied the opportunity to shift within the HC system to an environment that will help them succeed…tragic • School District – To refuse to avail themselves of a ready, willing, and able agent of its own strategies for success under its 2011 plan…counterproductive • Community – To deny this unique and timely approach for HC and Ivy to partner for success and reap both local and possibly national recognition…illogical

It’s About Students and teachers Learning together

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