• Charter System -

    Overview- The Cartersville City Schools ten-year Charter Application was reauthorized by the Georgia State Board of Education on July 1, 2015
    To review information on Georgia Charter Schools, visit the Department of Education website.

     

    Charter System Funding-? Cartersville City Schools uses the allotted Charter System Funds to cover a portion of the salaries for our Instructional Coaches at each school who provide critical hands-on professional learning for all teachers. Funds also support the instructional frameworks used in our schools: Expeditionary Learning. Finally, Cartersville City Schools uses Charter System funds to help cover the cost of NWEAís Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)- a computer-based, adaptive assessment that determines instructional level and measures student growth.

     
     
     
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  • Georgia Charter System FAQ

    What does it mean to be a Georgia Charter System?

    The Georgia Charter Systems Act, signed in 2007, allows entire school systems to convert to charter status. A Charter System has a contract with the State of Georgia to enhance student achievement, providing increased flexibility in staffing, teaching methods, and management in exchange for heightened accountability.

    What is the difference between a charter school system and a traditional public school system?

    A traditional public school system operates under federal laws, state school laws, State Board of Education rules, and local board policies. In contrast, a charter school system operates under federal laws and certain state laws that cannot be waived, along with the specific terms of the charter contract.

    What is a “broad flexibility waiver”?

    A broad flexibility waiver allows a charter school or system to innovate academically and organizationally by waiving certain state educational rules and regulations in exchange for increased accountability for student achievement.

    How is governance organized?

    The CCS Charter System is governed by the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. Each school has a School Governance Council (SGC), which provides input, makes recommendations, and decisions regarding the instructional program and operational schemes of the school.

    How are School Governance Councils (SGC) selected for each school?

    Members of the SGC are elected or appointed: parent or legal guardian members are elected by other parents and guardians, teacher members are elected by the staff, and students or community/business leaders are appointed by the elected members.

    How many members are on a School Governance Councils (SGC)?

    SGCs typically consist of 7-10 members, including the principal, two staff members, two community members (parents or guardians), and two business owners. 

    How does the SGC operate?

    Each SGC is unique but must have bylaws outlining internal governance, operations, elections, and conflict of interest procedures. They are required to meet at least four times during the school year.

    Which laws, rules, and regulations cannot be waived by charter systems? 

    Charter schools and systems must adhere to provisions outlined in O.C.G.A. 20-2-2065(b). They cannot waive laws related to health and safety, funding formulas, or accountability provisions, nor any federal laws, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).