Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A)
The department
shall establish an application and approval process, including cycles and
deadlines during the fiscal year, for eligible entities seeking to become
sponsors of conversion or new start-up community schools and post that
information on the department's website (education.ohio.gov) by July fifteenth
of each year with a defined cut score and rubric.
(B)
An eligible
entity shall obtain a written application from the department to become a
sponsor and shall complete it and submit it to the department no later than
December thirty-first of each year.
(C)
Confirmation of
applications received shall be posted on the department's
website.
(D)
The department shall provide written notice to each
applicant of the department's approval or rationale for disapproval of each
application after completion of the department's review process by March
thirty-first of each year.
(E)
An applicant
shall provide as part of its initial written application, as well as during the
application review process, evidence requested and deemed necessary by the
department, including, but not limited to, evidence of its willingness to do
all of the following:
(1)
Demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible entity
capable of sponsoring a conversion or new start-up school(s);
(2)
Demonstrate that
if the applicant sponsors or operates schools in another state, at least one of
the schools sponsored or operated by the applicant is comparable to a "C" or
better on the Ohio school's report card its successor equivalent rating under
section
3302.03
of the Revised Code;
(a)
Applicants must provide performance on a state
accountability system of at least one of the schools sponsored or operated
equivalent of the Ohio school's report card. The department will analyze the
data provided and determine if a comparable scale can be developed for
comparison using the accountability system from another state. If the
department can develop a comparable scale, the department will analyze the
performance data provided and determine if the school meets the criteria
established in paragraph (E)(2) of this rule.
(b)
If the department
determines a comparable system cannot be developed using the accountability
system from another state or the applicant does not meet the criteria
established in paragraph (E)(2) of this rule, the application will be
denied.
(3)
Demonstrate, in its application that the applicant or
its representative(s) possess the requisite skills, professional knowledge and
expertise to provide technical assistance and monitor, oversee, and hold
accountable for compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and terms of the
community school contract for each community school that it proposes to
sponsor;
(4)
Demonstrate the applicant's specific willingness to
comply with all other sections of the Revised Code and all rules of the
Administrative Code which are applicable to sponsors and community
schools;
(5)
Demonstrate the applicant's understanding and
commitment to meet the criteria for adherence to quality practices as defined
by the sponsor evaluation required under section
3314.016
of the Revised Code;
(6)
Demonstrate the applicant has a record of financial
responsibility through submission of audited financial statements without
findings or going-concerns;
(7)
If the applicant
is an education-oriented entity, demonstrate the applicant has successfully
implemented educational programs through the submission of outcome data related
to the goals of the applicant's educational program and may include progress
measures, financial measures and other indicators of added value to the program
participants and others;
(8)
Indication of the entity's ability and willingness to
comply with provisions of division (D) of section
3314.03
of the Revised Code through assurances; and
(9)
Applicants
intending to sponsor schools within an alliance municipal school district, as
defined in section
3311.86
of the Revised Code, must demonstrate they have sought recommendation from the
Cleveland transformation alliance to sponsor community schools.
(F)
Any
applicant that has been approved as a sponsor of a community school shall enter
into a sponsorship agreement with the department before it enters into any
preliminary agreement or community school contract.
(G)
The decision of
the department to disapprove an applicant for sponsorship of a community school
may be appealed by the applicant in accordance with section
119.12
of the Revised Code.
Replaces: 3301-102-03
