Report 2016-141 Recommendation 25 Responses

Report 2016-141: Charter Schools: Some School Districts Improperly Authorized and Inadequately Monitored Out‑of‑District Charter Schools (Release Date: October 2017)

Recommendation #25 To: Antelope Valley Union High School District

To ensure compliance with state law, Antelope Valley Union should immediately review petitions to ensure they include all of the requirements in state law at the time of their approval.

6-Month Agency Response

Currently, the AVUHSD oversees two charters, the Academies of the Antelope Valley (AAV) and Desert Sands Charter High School (DSCHS). The AAV renewal petition was Board approved on May 3, 2017. (See Attachment-25) DSCHS was Board approved for renewal on September 3, 2014. (See Attachment-25) District Staff in collaboration with Educational Services and the Superintendent recently reviewed both petitions using a Charter School Petition Review Form created by the California Department of Education that aligns with the State Education Board's criteria for evaluating petitions. The AAV renewal petition, was found to include all of the requirements in state law at the time of its most recent approval. (See Attachment-25). The DSCHS renewal petition was not found to include all of the requirements in state law, specifically, the DSCHS 2014 renewal petition did not identify goals and outcomes for each significant subgroup of students, the DSCHS renewal petition only identifies measurable student outcomes for students schoolwide. (See Attachment-25) At this time, District staff, in collaboration with Educational Services and the Superintendent have consulted with DSCHS and have determined that DSCHS will submit a five year term renewal petition to the AVUHSD Board of Trustees at the beginning of the 18-19 school year that will align to all of the requirements in state law, including goals and outcomes for like student groups. For any follow-up questions, contact Julianne Vela- Director of Categorical and Special Programs-jvela@avhsd.org -(661) 952-2249.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

Antelope Valley Union provided us with a copy of the petition evaluation forms it completed when reviewing the two charter schools' petitions. The district's review shows that the Desert Sands Charter High School's petition did not include all of the requirements in state law at the time of its approval.

60-Day Agency Response

Currently, the AVUHSD oversees two charters, the Academies of the Antelope Valley (AAV) and Desert Sands Charter High School (DSCHS). In October of 2017, the Department of Educational Services reviewed both petitions to ensure compliance and inclusion of all requirements in state law. The AAV petition includes all requirements in state law. The DSCHS petition, approved in 2014, identifies academic goals and outcomes schoolwide, but does not sufficiently identify goals and outcomes for significant student groups or (subgroups), as required in state law. On October 25, 2017, the AVUHSD-Director of Categorical and Special Programs had a consultation meeting with Desert Sands Charter Administration to review the current petition language and to address the need to identify goals and outcomes for significant student groups as well as schoolwide in their renewal petition scheduled for submission in 18-19.(See attachments agenda and follow up). It was noted at the consultation meeting that, in practice, DSCHS has Individual Learning Plans for each student enrolled that are progress monitored monthly with targeted tutoring interventions provided based on student outcomes. A follow-up meeting with Desert Sands is scheduled for January 25, 2018 in which Desert Sands will share the most recent academic results with district representatives pertaining to goals, outcomes and academic indicators identified for each individual student group. Additionally, Desert Sands Charter High School's Local Control and Accountability Plan identifies goals and outcomes for student groups through its annual Performance gap analysis that compares "all student" data with student group data. (See attachment Desert Sands LCAP). For any follow-up questions, contact Julianne Vela- Director of Categorical and Special Programs- jvela@avhsd.org -(661) 952-2249.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken

Although the district provided documentation demonstrating that it had consulted with the principal of Desert Sands Charter High School, it did not provide evidence to supports its assertion that it reviewed its charter schools' petitions to ensure compliance and inclusion of all requirements in state law.

All Recommendations in 2016-141

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.