Hillsborough County Public Schools Administration
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Application for Florida Autism Charter School of Excellence

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Florida Autism Center of Excellence was awarded a grant from the Department of Education for $700,000 to establish a center to serve autistic children in six counties. The main campus will be in Hillsborough County with satellites in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. The Florida Autism Center of Excellence was required to be established as a charter school. On January 26, 2007, the District received an application for the Florida Autism Charter School of Excellence. A Charter Application Review Team, made up of staff from a variety of District departments, reviewed the application, and an interview was conducted. In addition, an attorney reviewed the application to determine whether or not it met statutory requirements. According to the requirements of F.S. 1002.33(6), charter applications must:

1. Demonstrate how the school will use the guiding principles and meet the statutorily defined purpose of a charter school.
2. Provide a detailed curriculum plan that illustrates how students will be provided services to attain the Sunshine State Standards.
3. Contain goals and objectives for improving student learning and measuring that improvement.
4. Describe the reading curriculum and differentiated strategies that will be used for students reading at grade level or higher and a separate curriculum and strategies for students who are reading below grade level.
5. Contain an annual financial plan for each year requested by the charter for operation of the school for up to five years.

A summary of the application for the Florida Autism Charter School of Excellence is attached.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

The estimated cost of the review of the charter application is $3,000. The review of charter applications is not covered by the five percent administrative fee collected to support the District’s charter schools.

EVALUATION

The charter school will be evaluated on an annual basis for meeting statutory requirements.

SUBMITTED BY: Jenna Hodgens, District Resource Teacher, Charter Schools 
Anne Chatfield, Ph.D., Director, Non-Traditional Programs

William H. Person, General Director
Pupil Placement & Support Programs
813-272-4876
Lewis A. Brinson
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
813-272-4071
8.01A
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070213_231 * Section E Item# 8.01A