The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Charter Schools - Report on Conditions for Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School and Edward W. Brooke Charter School
This memorandum provides a report on conditions for two Boston charter schools, Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School (APR) and Edward W. Brooke Charter School (Brooke). Both charter schools have submitted major amendments requesting additional seats. I recommend that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) remove the conditions from the charters of both schools because the schools have substantially met the conditions imposed.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School
In January 2012, the Board renewed the charter of APR with a condition regarding delivery of special education services.
Mission statement
APR's mission is "to empower urban students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to achieve their full intellectual and social potential by combining the best of the East - high standards, discipline and character education - with the best of the West - a commitment to individualism, creativity and diversity."
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Boston |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Non-Regional | Districts in Region | N/A |
| Year Opened | 1997 | Year(s) Renewed | 2002, 2007, 2012 |
| Maximum Enrollment | 500 | Current Enrollment | 500 |
| Students on Waitlist | 989 | Chartered Grade Span | 5-12 |
Condition
The following condition was imposed in February 2011:
By December 31, 2012 the school will establish and operate a program of special education in a manner consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The school will demonstrate that it has met this condition through, at a minimum, an inspection visit conducted by the Charter School Office.
Report on Condition
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) worked with the school to monitor its progress toward meeting the condition and visited the school on September 12, 2012 to verify implementation of steps needed to correct program deficiencies. Additional information was requested from the school and received on November 2, 2012.
As a result of these activities, the Department determined that the school now operates a special education program in compliance with state and federal law. All instructional staff at APR involved in the delivery of special education services are now either appropriately qualified or work under the supervision and oversight of an appropriately qualified individual. The school created a "Child Study Team," and all instructional staff have taken and passed the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure examination. Students exempted from any portion of the educational program on account of their disability have the reasons for that exemption identified on their Individual Education Plan.
Recommendation
Based upon this evidence, I recommend that the Board remove the condition placed on APR's charter. The Department will maintain oversight of implementation of these requirements through the routine accountability procedures conducted at all charter schools. A motion to this effect is attached to this memorandum.
Edward W. Brooke Charter School
In January 2012, the Board renewed the charter of Brooke with a condition regarding delivery of special education services.
Mission statement
"The mission of Edward W. Brooke Charter School is to provide an academically rigorous public education to students from the City of Boston that will ensure that they are prepared to attend and succeed in college."
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Boston |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Non-Regional | Districts in Region | N/A |
| Year Opened | 2002 | Year(s) Renewed | 2007, 2012 |
| Maximum Enrollment | 475 | Current Enrollment | 470 |
| Students on Waitlist | 2611 | Chartered Grade Span | K-8 |
Condition
The following condition was imposed in February 2011:
By December 31, 2012 the school will establish and operate a program of special education in a manner consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The school will demonstrate that it has met this condition through, at a minimum, an inspection visit conducted by the Charter School Office.
Report on Condition
The Department worked with the school to monitor its progress toward meeting the conditions, and visited the school on August 14, 2012 to verify implementation of steps needed to correct program deficiencies. Additional information was requested from the school and received on October 19, 2012.
As a result of these activities, the Department determined that the school now operates a special education program in compliance with state and federal law. All instructional staff at Brooke who are involved in the delivery of special education services are either appropriately qualified or work under the supervision and oversight of an appropriately qualified individual.
Recommendation
Based upon this evidence, I recommend that the Board remove the condition placed on the charter of Brooke. The Department will maintain oversight of implementation of these requirements through the routine accountability procedures conducted at all charter schools.
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.
Attachment: Motions