January 1st is famous for resolutions, and this year many charter authorizers will be adding a commitment to figuring out how to address the many changes in California’s charter school law that went into effect in 2020. Some are minor (what goes on the back of a student ID card), but others will have a profound effect on the charter school sector (new grounds for charter denial). Before the panic sets in, here are a couple of thoughts on how to manage this transition.
First, start your reading with summaries of new law prepared with a focus on charter authorizing, such as those from attorneys who work in this field. For charter authorizing professionals, the politics behind the legislation is less helpful than specifics that let you know what you have to do to be ready. Second, many of the legal changes primarily impact the responsibilities of charter school boards and administrators. So, it makes sense to contact your charter school leaders and find out if they have taken steps to learn about the changes that affect them. Fitting a few questions like those listed below into a short email, phone call or meeting will reinforce the message that compliance is the school’s responsibility, while monitoring is yours:
- How have you educated yourself on the changes in charter school law taking effect this year?
- How do you plan to ensure that your governing board is aware of the impacts on the school?
- Are there any issues that you believe will need clarification or interpretation from our district/county office to ensure your compliance with new laws?
The responses may give you a sense of where you should prioritize your oversight in the new year.