The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Charter Schools - Report on Probation for Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence
On January 25, 2011, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) renewed the charter for Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence (MLK) and placed MLK on probation, and directed MLK to meet three conditions. As shown in the attached report on probation, MLK has met the conditions imposed during the school's 2011 renewal. The school met academic growth standards in 2012, established a fully documented curriculum, and fully staffed its administrative structure.
While strictly speaking the school has met the academic targets set the school's absolute performance in English language arts actually has declined over the past two MCAS administrations. In light of the evidence, I recommend that the school be removed from probation, but operate under further academic conditions. In order to meet these further conditions, MLK must demonstrate sustained academic progress. The school must improve its academic performance by 2014, a year before the school is due to submit its second application for renewal. I recommend the following conditions:
No later than March 31, 2013, Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence shall submit to the Charter School Office a comprehensive evaluation of the school's English language arts program conducted by an external consultant.
No later than March 31, 2013, Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence shall submit to, and receive approval from, the Charter School Office for an action plan that specifies the strategies to improve performance in English language arts. The action plan must address implementation of a proven curriculum and instruction program for English language arts. The action plan must include a timetable for the implementation of corrective actions, must set deadlines for the completion of key tasks, and must set clear and specific implementation benchmarks to allow the board of trustees of Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence and the Charter School Office to monitor implementation.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence must demonstrate that it is an academic success by December of 2014 by providing evidence that the school has met or is making substantial progress toward meeting benchmarks in its approved Accountability Plan and, in particular has demonstrated significant and sustained academic improvement in English language arts.
MLK will demonstrate that it has met these conditions through, at a minimum, an inspection visit conducted by the Charter School Office and through a review of academic data. I will provide information to the Board on the school's success in meeting the condition.
If you have any questions regarding this recommendation or require additional information, please contact Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner (781-338-3222); Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner (781-338-6500); or me.
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