Board briefs: a monthly publication from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools

              Volume I, Issue 1 September 18, 2002
 
Arizona State Board for Charter Schools 
4105 North 20th Street, Suite 280  Phoenix, Arizona  85016  ●  Tel: (602) 468-6369 ● Fax: (602) 468-1682 
E-mail: charter_school_board@pop.state.az.us ● Web: www.asbcs.state.az.us 
 
Welcome to the first issue of Board Briefs, a publication of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS).  The purpose of this brief is to provide accurate, timely information to the charter community, the legislature, and to the general public on the current news and activities of this Board and the charter schools we sponsor.   
 
We hope that you will provide us with feedback and information that may be applicable for dissemination in this bulletin. 
 
Since this issue coincides with the beginning of the school year we felt it would be appropriate to provide you with updated statistics on the charter school landscape. 
 
Sponsor
Charter
Schools
Charter
Sites
Estimated Student Count
% of student count by sponsor
ASBCS 
244 
332 
47,000 
73% 
State Board  
63 
84 
14,000 
22% 
Districts (9) 
25 
45 
3,500 
5% 
Total 
332 
461 
64,500 
100% 
 
 
August Summary
 
New Charter School Application and Transfer Application  In collaboration with individuals from the charter community, the Board adopted new applications for 2003-2004.  Both are available on our website at www.asbcs.state.az.us.   
 
Fingerprint Clearance Card  The Legislature, in special session this summer, approved Senate Bill 1008, which requires all persons engaged in instructional work directly as a classroom, laboratory or other teacher or indirectly as a supervisory teacher, speech therapist or principal shall have a valid class one or class two fingerprint clearance card.  Guidance regarding the changes was sent via email to all schools sponsored by this Board.  It is also available on our website at www.asbcs.state.az.us.   
 
September Summary
 
AZ LEARNS   The ASBCS and members of the charter community have had the opportunity to hear presentations and be included in workgroups pertaining to the new student accountability system.  School labels will be public information on October 15.  MAP and AIMS scores are used to determine elementary labels.  AIMS scores and graduation and drop out rates are components of the high school formula.   For a detailed description of AZ LEARNS, a PowerPoint presentation is available under School Resources at www.asbcs.state.az.us.   The State Board of Education will meet September 23, 2002 to adopt the new student accountability system.   
 
School Stuff   We d like to include the good things that are happening at your school in Board Briefs.   Please share with us some   good news  and we will try to include it in future issues.