Agenda Item
a. Charter Renewal Petition Approval: The GLOBE Academy
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Shakina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnership
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the charter renewal petition of The GLOBE Academy for five (5) years.
Why: Commendations from the Petition Review Committee
The GLOBE Academy has demonstrated strong academic performance and has, since its inception, continuously achieved a CCRPI score that exceeds that of DCSD and the state of Georgia.
GLOBE’s financial performance meets all standards. The school has a thoroughly developed financial plan that is aligned with the school’s mission and program. GLOBE has an operating cash reserve of approximately $6,594,737. The school has maintained operating reserves of 189 days cash on hand.
GLOBE’s governing board is highfunctioning, knowledgeable, and collaborative. Multiple members of the governing board demonstrated knowledge of instructional best practices and have extensive knowledge of the DLI model. (Governing Board Capacity Interview)
Community Need/Support and Governance
The GLOBE Academy’s petition includes DEI priorities delineated in its current strategic plan. The governing board acknowledges that increasing diversity (both in student population and staff recruitment) has been a concern throughout the charter term. (Governing Board Capacity Interview and Final Charter Petition)
The governing board has expanded the role of the Executive Director allowing more focus on longterm strategic goals over day-to-day operations. (Charter Petition pg. 37, Governing Board Capacity Interview)
The GLOBE Academy has purchased three new properties and hired a company to aid with master planning.
Academic Plan
Teachers are trained on differentiation strategies within Tier 1 instruction.
Math and literacy skills are taught daily in both languages. The DLI approach emphasizes that literacy skills across languages support literacy development.
GLOBE analyzes student performance data disaggregated by race/ethnicity and other subgroups to increase student academic achievement. (Charter Renewal Petition, pg. 6)
Financial/Operational Plans
Each year, the petitioner works to approve and/or amend the annual budget as needed. This process involves active engagement with GLOBE governing board members, especially the Treasurer, to ensure that the annual budget is fiscally sound and reflects the school’s mission.
The governing board reports that the school is in a strong financial position. GLOBE has had 7 years of clean audits, has managed net positive operating budgets for all years, and maintains a healthy annual balance sheet allowing it to maintain predictable revenue streams, fund academic programs, teachers, and staff, and provide the resources and materials needed to create a strong learning environment for its students. (Charter Renewal Petition pg. 34 fig. 1)
GLOBE’ governing board has worked closely with school leadership on facilities and real estate opportunities to continue to strengthen the facilities needed to advance the school's mission. In 2018, the Board facilitated the purchase of one property adjacent to the upper campus. In 2021, the Board voted to purchase three additional conjoined lots across from Upper Campus on Briarcliff Road. These real estate purchases will provide much needed space to improve and expand facilities in service of the organization's mission.
Details: The recommendation of the Petition Review Committee is based on evaluation of the written petition (narrative and exhibits), independent due diligence (which includes data analysis, stakeholder focus groups, and site visits), and the governing board capacity interview.
Financial impact: The five-year financial impact of the GLOBE Academy charter renewal is estimated to be $68,008,150.
Contact: Ms. Shakina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnership, 678.676.1200
Effective: July 1, 2023
Status: General Counsel Approval Not Required.
Charter School Renewal Final Petition Evaluation Rubric
School Name: The GLOBE Academy
Date: August 26, 2022
The Petition Review Committee will use the following criteria to rate the petition. Within each category, specific
criteria define the expectations for a response that meets expectations. Reviewers will reach consensus when rating
responses by applying the following guidance:
Rating Characteristics
Meets the Standard The response reflects a thorough understanding of key issues. It addresses
the topic with specific and accurate information that shows thorough
preparation; presents a clear, realistic picture of how the school operates
and expects to operate; and inspires confidence in the applicant’s capacity
to carry out its plans effectively.
Partially Meets the Standard The response meets the criteria in some respects but lacks detail and/or
requires additional information in one or more areas.
Below the Standard The response is wholly undeveloped, demonstrates lack of preparation,
and/or is unsuited to the mission of the authorizer.
Far Below the Standard The response is significantly incomplete, raises substantial concerns about
the viability of the plan and/or the applicant’s ability to carry it out.
Recommendations from the Petition Review Committee will be based on evaluation of the written petition
(narrative and attachments), independent due diligence, and the governing board capacity interview. In addition to
meeting the criteria that are specific to that section, each part of the petition should align with the overall mission
and vision, educational program, and organizational and financial performance/plans.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The petitioner demonstrates a deep, realistic, and authentic Meets
understanding of the “who” (targeted population), the “how” the Standard
(education model), and the “why” (educational philosophy). Partially Meets
• The petitioner describes how members of the community have
the Standard
been involved in the design and will continue to be involved in
the implementation of the school. Below
• The community engagement to date and plan for moving the Standard
forward incorporate diverse stakeholders, touchpoints, and
tactics, which are well-suited to reach the school’s target
Community
population.
Support & Need • The petitioner understands the unique characteristics of
DeKalb County’s educational landscape and is aware of its
communities’ needs, assets, and strengths. Far Below
• The petitioner demonstrates an understanding of the the Standard
economic, political, historical, and social contexts of the
community it seeks to serve.
• The petitioner demonstrates that the school will continue to
have the necessary community support to carry out its
proposed program, especially with regard to building and
sustaining community partnerships.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The petition includes Globe’s DEI strategic priorities as outlined in its current strategic plan. The
governance board acknowledges that increasing diversity (both in the student population and staff
recruitment) has been a concern for the past 5 years. The Governing Board shared that increasing
diversity will be a priority in the next charter term.
- The following focus areas are drawn from the strategic plan:4.1) Create Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
vision and goals, 4.2) Strengthen and build capacity to execute student behavior plan, 4.3) Implement
“strong start” school culture plan, 4.4) Develop staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion competencies and
4.5) Strengthen diversity in advanced/gifted cohorts. If any recommendation exists for monitoring, it
would be a focus on the implementation of this portion of the strategic plan.
- Student Recruitment – How does the school ensure equitable access to families for whom their home
language is outside of GLOBE’s three target languages?
- Has the school considered providing transportation in the next charter term?
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The Board collectively has the capacity to implement all Meets
aspects of the education program and is, therefore, able to the Standard
meet the needs of the target student population and those not Partially Meets
in the target population but likely to enroll.
School Governance the Standard
• The governance structure creates a forum for parent, teacher,
and community input and the strategies for communicating Below
Board priorities and decisions include all stakeholders. the Standard
• The Board clearly articulates both its policies and a decision-
making process for determining when and how to adjust its
Far Below
plans based on feedback.
the Standard
• Governing Board reflects the sociodemographic diversity of the
community served by the charter school.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The governing board works together with the administration to ensure student success and academic
achievement.
- The governing board is high-functioning, knowledgeable and collaborative.
- Multiple members of the governance boarding are strong in instructional best practices and have
extensive knowledge of the DLI model.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The petitioner addresses student subgroups individually,
recognizing and planning for the diverse needs of diverse Meets the Standard
students.
• The application describes mechanisms and/or strategies that
ensure equitable access to the curriculum for all students,
including students with disabilities (SWDs) and English Partially Meets
Academic
Language Learners (ELLs). the Standard
Performance/
• Embedded in the instructional methods and resources are
Plan
concrete strategies and materials to support SWDs, ELLs, and
academically struggling students. Below
• The petition describes a student behavior management system
the Standard
that is likely to result in a low rate of out-of-school suspensions
and expulsions, is not overly punitive, and distinguishes
between outcomes that are automatic versus those that are Far Below
discretionary. the Standard
• The petitioner has planned for all contingencies, including
different rates of SWDs, ELLs, and academically struggling
students, different disabilities, different levels of need, and
how the school will adjust its programs and processes
accordingly.
• Vision for school culture or ethos that will promote high
expectations, a positive academic environment and intellectual
and social development for all students, including those with
special needs, English Language Learners, and students who
struggle academically.
• The Board has demonstrated understanding of federal, state,
and local laws, regulations, and policies to appropriately
identify, serve, and report data for all subgroups of students.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The GLOBE Academy has demonstrated a strong academic performance and has continuously exhibited
a CCRPI score that exceeds that of DCSD and the state of Georgia. Academic data is shared often with
all stakeholders and GLOBE states that its priority is to support students successfully develop literacy
skills in both languages regardless of ability in the K-2 years. However, it is a concern of the petition
review committee that the DLI model in the early grades does not give enough support in Reading and
Language Arts especially for students with disabilities or equitable access for English learners and
services for English learners.
- The petition references an assessment for English learners that is no longer used as a screener. All
schools should be using WIDA.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The budget is balanced, error free, and based on realistic Meets
expectations for income and expenditures. the Standard
• The financial plan demonstrates a clear understanding of the Partially Meets
statutory funding formula, private funding opportunities, and
the Standard
all applicable federal funds.
• The budget reflects all necessary outlays outlined in the Below
Academic Plan, including personnel, technological resources, the Standard
facilities, curricular resources, and mission-specific
expenditures.
• If the budget includes substantial private fundraising revenue,
the application details a strong fundraising plan and the Board
includes a member or advisor with significant fundraising
Financial expertise.
Performance/ • The identified facility will meet the needs of the education
Plan program, and there are effective measures to ensure the
health and safety of students.
• The facilities financing plan is based on realistic market
expectations and includes contingencies in the case that the Far Below
preferred financing method is unavailable. the Standard
• The applicant has established protocols to ensure strong
financial performance, compliance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) and major federal fund
requirements.
• Financial policies are comprehensive and likely to prevent
fraud, including clear job responsibilities of the staff and board
members who direct or execute financial transactions; strong
financial and accounting procedures and internal controls;
clear, robust policies for managing actual or perceived conflicts
of interest; direct Board oversight of procurement contracts;
and in-depth reviews of budgets, actuals, forecasts, and
external financial audits.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The GLOBE’s financial performance meets all standards. The school has a thoroughly developed
financial plan that is aligned with the school’s mission and program.
- The budget is balanced and based upon realistic expectations for income and expenditures.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The Board has, collectively, expert professional knowledge and
requisite skills in all areas needed to open a successful public Meets
charter school, including organizational, financial, legal, real the Standard
estate/facilities, start-up, and other operational capabilities
along with extensive, recent, and relevant teaching/school
leadership experience with a population similar to that the Partially Meets
school plans to serve. Experience with ELLs, SWDs, and/or the Standard
economically-disadvantaged students is evident. Below
• The Board has identified the school leader(s) or the skills and the Standard
experiences necessary for the leaders who will operate the
school.
• The applicant has a thorough and accurate plan for how the
Organizational
school will meet its expected growth trajectory.
Performance/ Plan • Staff recruitment and retention plans are likely to attract and
retain the quality and specific expertise needed to support the
school’s academic program.
• The PD plan is broad, covering all necessary areas to prepare
teachers to fulfill the school’s goal, including offering Far Below
consistently high-quality instruction, as well as flexible enough the Standard
to respond to teacher/PD needs as they develop throughout
the school year.
• The PD plan specifically addresses any supports the student
population may require.
• The charter school’s faculty, staff, and students reflect the
sociodemographic diversity of the community served by the
school.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The school is organized with an Executive Director (ED) who reports to the governing board. Reporting
to the ED is the Administrative Team, including the CFO, Director of Operations, Business Manager,
Registrar, Admissions Director, Receptionists, and Leadership Team.
- The Leadership Team is made up of the Heads of School, for each campus, the Assistant Heads of
School for each campus, a Language Specialist, Data Coaches for each campus, and Curriculum
Coordinators for each campus. GLOBE has flexibility in staffing and encourages shared leadership and
provides ongoing opportunity for growth.
- On each campus, a faculty of international lead teachers and teaching assistants provide instruction to
students within the DLI model.
Evidence of Standard Rating
Minimum • Applicant met all submission deadlines and requirements. Meets the Standard
Requirements • The essential elements of the mission, philosophy, and school
program are infused in each element of the application.
• Petitioner presented evidence to support the program design Partially Meets
and sufficiently responded to clarifying questions and/or Standard
evidence that challenged or refuted elements of the proposed
program.
• Petition includes specific examples of waivers or flexibility
Below the Standard
needed to accomplish the school’s goals.
Far Below
the Standard
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The GLOBE Academy met submission deadlines and sufficiently responded to all clarifying questions
and/or evidence that challenged the proposed program.
Overall Assessment/Final Evaluation
Meets Partially Meets the Below Far Below
the Standard Standard the Standard the Standard
Written Petition
X
Evaluation
Governing
Board Capacity Interview X
Evaluation
X
Final Evaluation
Meets the Standard - The petition may be recommended for approval without any further action on the part of the
applicant.
Partially Meets Standard - Additional supplemental information and/or clarification is required before a
recommendation to approve or deny the charter can be made to the DeKalb Board of Education (DBOE).
Below the Standard - The petition requires substantial and material revisions before a recommendation to approve
or deny the charter can be made.
Far Below Standard - Petition is irreparably flawed and will be recommended for denial.