Application Process
Posted: Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:52pm
Updated: Fri, 04/27/2012 - 11:00am
The review process for charter school applications includes: (1) a review by Indiana Charter School Board (ICSB) staff and external experts; (2) interviews; and (3) public hearings. The ICSB members make final charter determinations at scheduled Board meetings.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ICSB staff at (317) 232-6610.
Spring 2012 Timeline
| DATE | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| February 6 | The ICSB releases the Request for Proposals. |
| March 9 | The Letter of Intent form is due. All applicants are required to complete and submit this non-binding form indicating interest in applying to the ICSB. The forms must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. EST. |
| April 9 | Proposals are due. All material must be submitted in complete and final form by 3:00 p.m. EDT. |
| April 30 - May 4 | Applicant capacity interviews are held. Evaluators will interview applicant teams to explore questions and concerns raised by the applications and to assess founding team capacity to implement the proposed program effectively. |
| May 4-14 | Public hearings are held. As required by Indiana law, public hearings will be held to allow for public comment from community members. ICSB staff and Board members attend. |
| May 21 | Board meeting is held. ICSB Board members will conduct a final Q&A with each applicant group and make qualification decisions based on recommendations from ICSB staff and any additional information considered by the ICSB |
Fall 2012 Timeline
| DATE | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| June 25 | The ICSB releases the Request for Proposals. |
| July 16 | The Letter of Intent form is due. All applicants are required to complete and submit this non-binding form indicating interest in applying to the ICSB. The forms must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. EDT. |
| August 20 | Proposals are due. All material must be submitted in complete and final form by 3:00 p.m. EDT. |
| September 17 - September 26 | Applicant capacity interviews are held. Evaluators will interview applicant teams to explore questions and concerns raised by the applications and to assess founding team capacity to implement the proposed program effectively. |
| September 26 - October 5 | Public hearings are held. As required by Indiana law, public hearings will be held to allow for public comment from community members. ICSB staff and Board members attend. |
| Week of October 15 (Specific date and time TBD) | Board meeting is held. ICSB Board members will conduct a final Q&A with each applicant group and make qualification decisions based on recommendations from ICSB staff and any additional information considered by the ICSB. |
Application Steps
Letter of Intent for New Operators/Letter of Intent for Experienced Operators
The ICSB defines “New Operators” as those applicants who have not previously operated a charter school and who do not intend to contract with an Education Service Provider (ESP) to oversee school operations. “Experienced Operators” are defined as either: (a) applicants that have previously operated a charter school or managed a network of charter schools; or (b) applicants that have not previously operated a charter school, but intend to contract with an ESP. Experienced Operators may apply for one or more charters.
A charter school currently operating in the state of Indiana may apply to the ICSB for a change in authorizer request. The school must complete and submit the Letter of Intent for a Change in Authorizer Request, including all attachments, prior to submitting an application to the ICSB.
The letters must be submitted to charter-applications@doe.in.gov by 3:00 p.m. EST on March 9, 2012.
- Letter of Intent for New Operators
- Letter of Intent for Experienced Operators
- Letter of Intent for a Change in Authorizer Request
Full Application
The Application should be submitted to the ICSB no later than 3:00 p.m. EDT on April 9, 2012. Please upload each of your documents to the online application system, Review Room, which will be available by the middle of February. The ICSB Review Room site can be found at http://icsb-charter-app.myreviewroom.com. All technical questions should be emailed to support@myreviewroom.com.
Each section of the application (overview, narrative, financial workbook, individual attachments) will be uploaded separately, so applicants may prepare each section as a separate document. To view the WebEx Review Room Orientation video, held on March 14th, please click HERE.
Review Room will not allow you to submit your application until you have uploaded all required documents and completed the application checklist. Please be aware that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials are uploaded and complete by the established deadline. Review Room will automatically shut down access to all applications at 3:00 p.m. EDT on April 9. Applications that have not been submitted by that time will not be accepted.
Before beginning the application, please review the ICSB Application FAQs for helpful information.
- ICSB Charter School Application for New Operators
- ICSB Charter School Application for Experienced Operators
- ICSB Charter School Change in Authorizer Request Application
- Proposal Overview and Enrollment Projections Form for New Operators
- Proposal Overview and Enrollment Projections Form for Experienced Operators
- Board Member Information Sheet
- Budget and Staffing Workbook for New and Experienced Operators
- Statement of Assurances
- ICSB Academic Performance Workbook for Change in Authorizer Request Application
Spring 2012 Application Rubrics
Interviews
After ICSB staff and external experts evaluate the proposals, applicant teams that submit complete applications will be interviewed to explore questions and concerns raised by the applications and to assess founding team capacity to implement the proposed program effectively.
Public Hearing
As required by Indiana law, public hearings will be held to allow for public comment from community members. The hearings will be attended by ICSB staff and Board members.
