Authorizer Toolkits
CCAP’s Authorizer Toolkits are comprehensive, user-friendly resources that support authorizers with key aspects of the charter school lifecycle, from initial charter petition review to renewal decisions. These multi-part Toolkits incorporate the legal requirements for the State of California, provide best practices and processes, templates, and rubrics that support high-quality, data-driven authorizing and oversight. They are accompanied by training videos and slide decks. The Toolkits are also customizable, allowing authorizers to address the unique needs of their school district or county office of education.
NEW - Renewal Toolkit
The Charter Renewal Toolkit is designed to support California authorizers in conducting rigorous, transparent, and legally sound renewal processes. This comprehensive resource provides step-by-step guidance, practical templates, and aligned evaluation criteria to help authorizers assess academic performance, fiscal health, and organizational effectiveness in accordance with California law and best practices in quality authorizing. Developed with input from experienced practitioners, the toolkit streamlines renewal workflows, promotes consistency across authorizing agencies, and strengthens decision-making grounded in evidence. Whether used as a full system or adapted to local context, the Charter Renewal Toolkit equips authorizers with the tools necessary to uphold accountability while supporting high-quality charter schools.
Initial Charter Petition Toolkit
The efficacy of the initial charter petition process lays the foundation for the success of a charter school. This Toolkit guides authorizers through each step of the process including petition submission and review, petition components, timeline, and general criteria for approving or denying a petition.
Annual Report Toolkit 2.0
High-quality, data-driven annual reports are a critical part of an authorizer’s charter renewal process. Annual reports provide a multiyear record of a charter school’s progress towards renewal, documenting the school’s strengths as well as providing early and ongoing notification of areas where improvements are needed.
Site Visit Toolkit
The charter school site visit by the authorizer, required at least annually, is an opportunity to get to know a school and connect on aspects of its operation and culture better than can be accomplished through reporting, remote monitoring, and virtual meetings alone. This Toolkit provides a modifiable overall protocol for a site visit as well as several tools to guide discussions in specific areas.
"Grab and Go" Tools
Here is a collection of “grab and go” resources to facilitate various authorizing functions, including school website review, school Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) review, annual reports, site visits and observations, and initial renewal planning.
