Accountability

Each school is assigned a liaison who is able to respond to inquiries regarding any aspect of charter school accountability.

For general questions and concerns about charter schools please contact charterschools@mass.gov or call 781-338-3227 for assistance.

Charter School Renewal Guidance and Materials

Considerations for Charter School Renewal

This memorandum documents key considerations related to accountability decisions for charter schools, including decisions to not renew or to revoke schools' charters. These considerations are not new; they have been developed and employed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) for the past several years.

Considerations for Charter School Renewal Memo

Application for Renewal of a Public School Charter

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) is obligated by statute (G.L. c. 71, § 89(dd)) and regulation (603 CMR 1.11) to conduct ongoing performance reviews of each charter school and, no later than the fifth year of the school's charter term, decide whether or not to renew the school's charter. The charter renewal decision is based upon the school's performance over the term of the charter in three areas:

The school's faithfulness to the terms of its charter,
The success of the school's academic program, and
The viability of the school as an organization.

The Charter School Performance Criteria provide the analytical framework used to hold a charter school accountable for performance in these three areas and to determine whether or not a charter should be renewed.

The application is an opportunity for the school to present evidence of the school's performance during the current charter term. The application process allows the school to examine its practices and decisions over the current charter term, offer explanations for any performance or operational issues, identify actions taken to correct past problems, and provide information regarding the school's plans for improvement in the future. By presenting full and accurate information along with a context for the information, the school has the opportunity to make its best case for charter renewal.

According to the regulations (603 CMR 1.00), a charter school shall submit its application for renewal of its charter no earlier than March 1 of the third school year of the charter term and no later than August 1 after the end of the fourth school year of the charter term.

Guidelines: Application for Renewal of a Public School Charter — Revised March 2024

Renewal Inspection Protocol

After a school has submitted an application for renewal, the Department organizes a renewal inspection to gather current information about the school’s performance relative to the Criteria. The length and scope of the renewal inspection varies depending on the school’s age, size, location, status (conditions or probation), and/or past performance. All renewal inspections collect evidence that is required for a renewal determination as outlined by G.L. c. 71, § 89(dd). Department staff may conduct the renewal inspection, or the Department may contract with an independent organization to conduct the renewal inspection.

The Renewal Inspection Protocol is designed to be a resource for charter school leaders, Department staff, and contracted vendors who may conduct renewal inspections for the Department. It articulates the types of evidence gathered and analyzed, the processes used to gather the evidence, the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and expected outcomes.

Renewal Inspection Protocol — Revised June 2024

Summary of Review Template

The Summary of Review (SOR) summarizes the school's performance over the five-year charter term, reflecting evidence compiled throughout the charter term from sources such as annual reports, site visit reports, and state assessment results. The SOR incorporates descriptions of evidence gathered during the renewal inspection. The renewal inspection team prepares these descriptions, and they are included in an appendix at the end of the report. The SOR highlights evidence for six Criteria aligned with the statutory requirements for charter renewal outlined by M.G.L. c. 71, § 89(dd): Criterion 1: Mission and Key Design Elements; Criterion 2: Access and Equity; Criterion 3: Compliance; Criterion 4: Dissemination; Criterion 5: Student Performance; and Criterion 9: Governance. The SOR also includes evidence related to other Criteria assessed during the renewal inspection.

Summary of Review Template — Revised October 2024

Last Updated: October 30, 2024