Access and Equity

Criteria 2: Access and Equity - Charter School Performance Criteria

The Charter School Performance Criteria (Criteria) are presented in the three guiding areas of charter school accountability defined in the current regulations, 603 CMR 1.00: faithfulness to charter, academic program success, and organizational viability.

There are ten (10) Criteria that define expected performance in the three guiding areas of charter school accountability: faithfulness to charter, academic program success, and organizational viability. The Department evaluates these criteria through the use of quantitative and/or qualitative data as well as affirmative evidence presented by the school, compiled over the course of the school's charter term. For more detailed information on the Criteria, select the Accountability tab to the left.

Criteria 2: Access and Equity is under the guiding area of faithfulness to charter in the Criteria. Criteria 2 defines the expectations for schools to ensure program access and equity for all students eligible to attend the school. The following links are a collection of laws and resources for schools to reference related to Criteria 2.

• Massachusetts Primer on Special Education and Charter Schools
• Annual Report: Recruitment and Retention Plans
• Notice of Rights to Access and Equity of Educational Services
• Special Education and ESL Staff and Administrator Qualifications and Licensure
• Complaint Process
• Special Education Information and Resources
• English Learner (EL) Information and Resources
• Social, Emotional, and Health Supports
• View All Categories

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Notice of Rights to Access and Equity of Educational Services
Student Recruitment and Enrollment: Written Notice

The charter school regulations (603 CMR 1.05(4)) state that charter schools shall notify all applicants in writing of the rights of students with diverse learning needs to attend the charter school and to receive accommodations and support services, including students who may have disabilities, require special education, or are English learners (EL). Charter schools must include this notice as part of the school's application and enrollment materials as well as make it generally available in the school's outreach materials, through the student handbook, and on the school's website. Below are sample notices created by DESE that schools may use to meet this requirement.

• Students with Disabilities Notice

• Students with Disabilities Notice — Chinese Traditional

• Students with Disabilities Notice — Haitian Creole

• Students with Disabilities Notice — Portuguese

• Students with Disabilities Notice — Spanish

• EL Notice

• EL Notice — Chinese Traditional

• EL Notice — Haitian Creole

• EL Notice — Portuguese

• EL Notice — Spanish

Last Updated: November 20, 2024