Charter School Survival Test
Now is a good time to measure your
charter school survival index. Simply answer the following questions and grade
yourself on your ability to provide a healthy independent environment for your
charter school.
Score one point for each yes answer.
_____ 1. I know where to find a copy of the charter school law.
_____ 2. Within the last six months I have read the charter school law.
_____ 3. I know where to find the State Board of Education’s (SBE) charter
school policies.
_____ 4. Within the last six months I have read the SBE charter school
policies.
_____ 5. I can locate a copy of my charter school’s charter application.
_____ 6. I have read my school’s charter application.
_____ 7. I know that the charter application as finally accepted by SBE is
part of our school’s charter contract.
_____ 8. I can find a current copy of our non-profit’s By-Laws.
_____ 9. I have read the By-Laws within the last six months.
_____ 10. My charter school has a public relations person and/or committee.
_____ 11. My charter school has sent out at least 4 positive press releases
to our local media within the past 3 months.
_____ 12. My charter school routinely invites local dignitaries to school
functions.
_____ 13. I know the name of my State Senator.
_____ 14. I know how my State Senator votes on charter school related issues (this
varies from Senator X stating he or she supports charter schools –we have
first hand proof that elected officials tell charter schools that they are the
best thing ever, then in the General Assembly they vote for bills that are
against charter schools)
_____ 15. I will know the name of the candidate that will oppose my current
State Senator during next year’s election.
_____ 16. My elected State Senator has visited my charter school.
_____ 17. My State Senator’s election day opposition has visited my charter
school.
_____ 18. I know the name of my State Representative.
_____ 19. I know how my State Representative votes on charter school related
issues (this varies from Senator X
stating he or she supports charter schools –we have first hand proof that
elected officials tell charter schools that they are the best thing ever, then
in the General Assembly they vote for bills that are against charter schools)
_____ 20. I will know the name of the candidate that will oppose my current
State Representative during next year’s election.
_____ 21. My elected State Representative has visited my charter school.
_____ 22. My State Representative’s election day opposition has visited my
charter school.
_____ 23. I know where to find all the names and contact information of the
State Board of Education members.
_____ 24. I know the Name of the State School Board Member that represents my
District.
_____ 25. My charter school has invited the state School Board Member
representing my district to visit my charter school.
_____ 26. At least one current member of the State Board of Education has
visited my charter school.
_____ 27. My charter school has a parents’ organization.
_____ 28. My charter school’s parents organization membership understands
charter school legislative issues.
_____ 29. My parents organization is willing and able to contact our
legislative delegation concerning issues that effect charter schools.
_____ 30. I know that my charter school is operated by a not-for-profit
corporation under NC not-for- profit law.
_____ 31. I know that the not-for-profit corporation must also operate under
some NC open meetings laws.
_____ 32. I know the political campaigning limits permitted to 501 (C) 3
not-for-profits.
_____ 33. To the extent that we are politically active in campaigns, people
from my charter school community act as private citizens not school officials.
Total your yes responses and multiply by 3. That is your survival score.
Anything under an 80 needs dramatic improvement.
________ Total Score
Have news? Tell us about it!
|
