Accountability

1. Is this school an academic success?
2. Is this school a fiscally sound, viable organization?
3. Is this school in compliance with its charter and all applicable laws and regulations?
4. What are the school's plans for its next charter term? (Applies only to schools seeking to renew their charters.)

The DOE is responsible for monitoring the performance of DOE-authorized public charter schools against these standards and has developed an oversight framework that collects information and data critical to renewal decision-making.

The Accountability Handbook is a tool for DOE-authorized charter schools to understand the Charter School Office's accountability framework. Please note: this document is being updated for school year 2011-12. However, the Handbook's Calendar of Reporting Requirements for 2011-12 is included in the Key Documents section at right.

See also: a presentation given to charter schools at the DOE's 2011 Charter School Accountability Workshop, located in the Key Documents section at right. This presentation provides more information on the following accountability measures for all DOE-authorized charter schools:

• Annual Report: Every year each charter school is required to submit an annual report of their students' academic performance outcomes and their progress toward the goals of their charter.
• Annual Site Visit Report: The Charter School Office visits each school at least once in their first, second & fourth year of operation and generates a report of findings. Additionally, the State Education Department (SED) visits schools in their third year of operation. Please visit their website  for more information.
• Annual Audit: Every year each charter school is required to engage in an independent financial audit.
• DOE Progress Report: The outcomes on these reports were generated from New York State testing data and student attendance. Individual school Progress Reports may be found here.
• Renewal Report: In their fourth year of operation, charter schools must begin applying for renewal of their charter. The renewal report combines DOE findings from multiple sources including a multi-day site visit.
  
  For school-based accountability information, please visit the NYC Charter Schools page .

In December of 1998, New York State passed the Charter Schools Act. Article 56, as it is known,  provides the legal basis for opening and operating charter schools in New York State. The Act states that charter schools are "independent and autonomous public schools that… operate independently of existing schools and school districts. The Charter Schools Act also requires that a charter school applying for renewal must report academic success based on achievement of the educational goals established in the charter. 

Likewise, as authorized and required by the Act, there are charter specific Commissioner’s Regulations that apply to how charter schools operate. More specifically there are sections that address specific topics as they relate to charter schools. These topics are as follows:

    2850.  Short Title; Purpose
    2851.  Eligible applicants; applications; submission.
    2852.  Issuance of charter.
    2853.  Charter school organization; oversight; facilities.
    2854.  General requirements.
    2855.  Causes for revocation or termination.
    2856.  Financing of charter schools.
    2857.  Notice; review and assessment.

The Charter Schools Act was amended in 2010. Although its amendments do not change core autonomies for charter schools, they do impose additional regulatory compliance measures that accord with sections of New York City General Municipal Law as well as several of the city's Chancellor's regulations.

The amended Act as well as applicable sections of General Municipal Law and Chancellor's regulations are included in the Key Documents section at right.