Charter Development

Background

Arizona is one of the nation’s premier charter school markets. Due to the rigorous standards by which charter applications are approved, over the last three years it has become increasingly difficult to get a new charter approved. Adding additional complication, state budget cuts have eliminated staff positions within the ASBCS at a time when the demand for new charter schools has never been greater. This has placed incredible pressure on the remaining staff of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, which has in turn made it more difficult to get the answers you need when you need them.

While this focus on excellence is vital for the strength of our state’s academic future, it increases the difficulty of writing a new charter application. As a potential charter operator, you are faced with a lot of decisions, many of which will affect how well your application fairs in the review process. Although you may know every detail of how you envision your school running, it can be difficult to capture the essence of your program while still properly aligning to the application format.

CSI’s charter development specialists have years of experience working with the ASCSB through the charter application process. Whether you are writing your first charter application, a replicating operator, or an established school focused on renewal, CSI’s team of professionals can assist you in the application process.

What we do

We offer charter development services designed to meet the needs of your organization. These services include new charter applications, pre-submission review, and renewal applications.

Our goal is to assist you through the application process. CSI will collaborate with your team to tailor a package that compliments the strengths of your organization.

How we work

CSI’s methodology is built upon the belief that our clients must drive the vision for their school at all times. Ultimately you are the only one responsible for your school. We do not promote vendor dependence, but instead work with our clients to establish consistent and sustainable internal competencies. As our relationship with our clients grows, they rely less on our services and more on the strengths of their own organization.

To accomplish this, CSI professionals will work with your staff to establish a detailed overview of application project accountability. This overview includes: recommended organizational structure, job responsibilities, processes, and staff training. Once established, each member of your team will know their role, as well as where they will be working with CSI professionals to ensure that your application is successful.

As the project progresses, our professionals will submit monthly reports to administration to keep them informed of exactly where they stand at all times. Through this process, our clients remain in control and have the necessary resources in place to ensure the submission of a well-crafted application. Bottom line: CSI provides resources for the BUSINESS of education.

Benefits

Charter school operators are in the “education” business. However with increased compliance requirements most operators are finding that they are now in the “paperwork” business as well.

As a charter school operator you are in the “education” business. However, while working toward a successful application submission, many operators feel like they are in the “paperwork” business as well.

By utilizing CSI’s charter development services you can spend more time focusing on your primary line of work, without compromising the integrity of your application. Here are just a few of the benefits that your organization could realize:

• Improved quality of operation
  It may not make financial sense to hire dedicated staff with high level application process qualifications. By utilizing CSI’s charter development services, you have the benefit of and access to that caliber of employee, without the significant cost of employment.

• Increased focus on your schools core competencies
  Successful schools are built and maintained by focusing on activities that continually improve academic performance. These are the areas within your organization where an investment of your time will make the greatest impact. By utilizing CSI’s charter development services, you can focus on what you do best without losing control of the rest.

• Save time and money
  Our highly skilled team of professional’s remains focused on our client’s application. Their skill brings with it efficiency, and a substantial knowledge base to draw from. Many segments of a new application can be completed in a fraction of the time required by someone who is less experienced. By utilizing CSI’s services your charter application will be completed faster, more accurately, and on time. Consequently your staff will be free to focus on other important areas of business

• Increased staff flexibility
  Most members of your staff already wear multiple hats. It’s not just a best practice to cross train, it’s a necessity. However, many wonderful employees/applicants do not possess the background or aptitude necessary to meet the schools needs during the application process. By utilizing CSI’s charter development services you will have a wider range of more suitable applicants to choose from, and your current staff members will be better able to cover other pressing needs as they arise.

• Significantly increased business continuity
  Within every organization, there are members whose departure leaves a hole that cannot be easily filled. If that hole is created during the application process, it can have a catastrophic effect on the viability of your application and the reputation of your organization. By utilizing CSI’s services your school’s charter application matters will always be consistently attended to, regardless of changes in your staff. We will even train incoming employees on charter development matters as it relates to their job functions.