CASI January 2025 Charter Chat Resource Page
Information and resources from the January 2025 Charter Chat, presented by the Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI).Charter Chat Topics
- Legislative Updates by Santa Clara County Office of Education
- Program Hot Topics
- Fiscal Hot Topics
- California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Q&A from Previous Charter Chats and CASI Email
Disclaimer
The information contained on this page is provided as a reference only. Charter schools and chartering authorities are encouraged to review the laws and regulations and consult with their own legal counsel regarding the application to their specific situations.
Legislative Updates by Santa Clara County Office of Education
The new two-year legislative session began January 1, 2025. Legislators have until February 21, 2025, to introduce new legislation.
- AB 84 (Muratsuchi)
—School accountability: audits: charter schools: data systems (Muratsuchi) - SB 48 (Gonzalez)
—Immigration enforcement: school sites: prohibition on access, sharing information, and law enforcement collaboration (Gonzalez)
There are also two executive orders to be aware of:
- Los Angeles Fire Support—Executive Order N-3-25
(PDF)
- School Accountability Report Card (SARC)—Executive Order N-6-25
(PDF)
Program Hot Topics
- SARC
Schools must publish and submit their SARC to the CDE by February 1. Additional information can be found at California Department of Education (CDE) School Accountability Report Card (SARC).
Please refer to the Governor's Executive Order N-6-25(PDF) for updates on SARC timelines for schools impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
- Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Midyear Update
Please refer to the Governor's Executive Order N-3-25(PDF) for updates on LCAP timelines for schools impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
The following guidance has been added to CDE Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) FAQs as of October 2023:- What are the requirements for the mid-year update to the LCAP?
All charter schools, school districts, and county offices of education (COEs) are required to present a report on the annual update to the LCAP and the LCFF Budget Overview for Parents on or before February 28 of each year at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board or body of the local educational agency (LEA). The mid-year report must include the following:- All available mid-year outcome data related to metrics identified in the current year’s LCAP, and
- All available mid-year expenditure and implementation data on all actions identified in the current year’s LCAP. (California Education Code [EC] sections 47606.5, 52062, and 52068).
- Is there a required template for the mid-year update?
No, there is no requirement for LEAs to use any particular template. It is up to the LEA to determine how to present and report the required information to their local governing board or body. - Will the mid-year update report be included in the LCAP?
No, the mid-year update will not be included in the LCAP; however, the information presented may inform the development of the following year’s LCAP.
- What are the requirements for the mid-year update to the LCAP?
- Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP)
EC Section 47605(c)(5)(F) requires each charter school to develop a CSSP, including the topics listed in EC sections 32282(a)(2)(A–L), and for that charter school to review and update its plan by March 1 each year. It is considered a best practice for authorizers to require their charter schools to share their CSSP after March 1 of each year and review that the CSSP includes all topics listed in EC sections 32282(a)(2)(A–L). The notice requirements under EC Section 32288 (notice to CDE) are not extended to charter schools.
- Immigration Guidance
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released "Promoting a Safe and Secure Learning Environment for All: Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's K-12 Schools in Responding to Immigration Issues."
Fiscal Hot Topics
- Audit Report
Pursuant to EC Section 47605(m), a charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report to the CDE, the State Controller’s Office, the local County Superintendent of Schools and, if applicable, the chartering entity, by December 15 of each year. If the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering authority, EC Section 41020 will apply. - Governor’s Budget Summary
(PDF)
California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates
- The State Board of Education (SBE) meeting was held on January 15, 2025. The SBE granted a five-year renewal of the nine SBE-authorized High Tech High charter schools and assigned San Diego County Office of Education as the chartering authority. The next SBE meeting will be held on March 5–6, 2025.
- The Advisory Commission on Charter Schools meeting was held on February 4, 2025.
Upcoming Events
- Monthly CASI Charter Chat
- February 26, 2025, 10–11 a.m.
- CASI Quarterly Training
- Topic: The Road to Renewal
- April 11, 2025, 9–11 a.m.
- April 2025 Quarterly Training Registration
- Authorizing 101 and/or Fiscal 101
Reach out to CASI at CASI@cde.ca.gov to arrange additional training on Zoom or in-person. - One-on-One Technical Support
Reach out to CASI Contract Lead, Michelle Johnson at mjohnson@sccoe.org, to arrange training.
Charter Chat Q&A
Previous Charter Chats and CASI Email
Do you know where we could find the Participation Rate Report on the California School Dashboard (Dashboard) for the academic indicators?
Participation rates are available in the downloadable Dashboard data files at CDE Dashboard Resources. These data files are located under the ‘Data Files’ tab at Academic Indicators.
Will Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) be considered an independent student group as it relates to the Charter School Performance Categories for renewal?
Student group performance on the Dashboard is a criterion in determining the Charter School Performance Categories. LTELs are a student group on the Dashboard, and therefore will be included in the performance category determinations. Additional resources are available at CDE Performance Category Data Files and CDE LTEL Students.
How can authorizers get updates on new reports that are available on CDE's DataQuest?
The DataQuest listserv is an email distribution list that provides one-way communication from the CDE to interested recipients. All those subscribing to the listserv will receive information via email regarding DataQuest updates, including new data releases (e.g., reports and downloadable files), new report options and functionality, data release schedules, reporting documentation, and periodic data analysis summary, overview, and findings. Information on registration is available at CDE DataQuest Listserv.
What is the CDE DataQuest Stability Rate Data Report?
The CDE DataQuest Stability Rate Data Report provides data about student stability, including adjusted cumulative enrollment counts, stability and nonstability counts, and stability and nonstability rates disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, student group, and grade level. For more information, visit CDE Stability Rate Data.
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