Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers (FACSA)
Article Submitted by Carla McMullen, Board Member
The mission of the Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers (FACSA) is to collaboratively equip districts with professional standards and best practices to authorize and support excellence in chartering for all students.
In November 2009, the Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers (FACSA) facilitated a session at the Florida Department of Education 2009 Charter School Conference for authorizers and charter school operators. Approximately 40 people attended the session.
The session asked attendees four questions to generate positive conversations between authorizers and operators.
- How do operators work in a partnership with district authorizers to help ensure ESE and ELL students are provided with appropriate services?
- How does FDOE best support charter schools and district authorizers? What would you like to see done differently?
- How can operators and district authorizers improve the lines of communication; district to charter school/charter school to district?
- What are some areas that operators and district authorizers can work together to support charter school activities?
Attendees rotated in groups to discuss answers to each of the four questions and then choose up to three top answers generated.
Question 1 Answers:
- ESE specialist assigned to charter schools.
- Knowledge of district IDEA plan.
- Charter Schools participate in district meetings.
Question 2 Answers:
- More opportunities to interact
- Regional
- Quarterly
- Trainings – Building Relationships “We Attitude”
- Database of Frequently asked questions.
Question 3 Answers:
- District segregates e mails and C.S. miss important info. Notification of weather safety (lockdown, etc.).
- Charter Schools must have equal access to info. Districts should be careful what they send must be applicable.
- Have central location for concerns, problems, questions (district/schools) - - such as FDOE, EMOs question at any point in time.
Question 4 Answers:
- Try to enhance a collaborative partnership mentality.
Many other answers were identified as both operators and authorizers worked collaboratively to form positive relationships within their groups and take the discussions back to their school and district.
