Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Technical Assistance Papers (TAPs) and Guidelines

Click on the following topics to find related documents:

Accountability

Charter School Accountability - HB 7103-TAP: Technical Assistance Paper on the bill that revises numerous provisions related to charter school governance and academic and financial accountability. July 2006.
Charter School Improvement Plans - The 2006 Legislature enacted HB 7103 which substantially amends provisions of s. 1002.33, F.S. The bill revises numerous provisions related to charter schools and adds new academic accountability requirements for charter schools graded D or F, including the development and implementation of school improvement plans. September 2006.
IRS Rules Pertaining to the Relationship between Charter Schools and Management Companies
Revised Sunshine State Standards – Instructions on implementation of the revised Sunshine State Standards for Reading, Language Arts and Mathematics. November 2007.

Applications, Appeals, Terminations

Application and Reporting Deadlines for Charter Schools – TAP: This memo deals with statutory or Florida Department of Education deadlines. Issues regarding district deadlines should be handled through the district contact. September 2005.
Charter School Termination Appeal Guidelines - Guidelines for Charter School Non-Renewal, Termination, and Immediate Termination Appeals. August 2003.

Funding, Audits and Financial Documentation

Charter School Capital Outlay
Uses of Capital Outlay Funds for Charter Schools – How capital outlay funds can be used by charter schools. November 2006.
Rules of the Auditor General: Audits of Charter Schools and Similar Entities – Effective 6/30/07
Charter School Audit Report Submittal Checklist – 2006-07 Fiscal Year
Audit Reports on Individual Charter Schools – Auditor General
IRS Rules Pertaining to the Relationship between Charter Schools and Management Companies
Updated Funding and Financial Management of Florida’s Public Charter Schools – This TAP describes the updated issues of funding of Florida’s public charter schools and related budget issues. Financial reporting and auditing requirements are also explained. November 2006.
Charter School Financial Recovery Plan Guidelines - The 2006 Legislature amended the financial emergency law (Section 218.503, F.S.) making it applicable to charter schools. March 2007.

Class Size Reduction

Data Base Reporting Requirements for Charter Schools Related to Class Size Reduction Act – Effective July 21, 2005, the Legislature defined how team teaching strategies should be implemented by school districts to meet the requirements of the constitutionally mandated class size reduction amendment. September 2006.
Implementation of Class Size Reduction Amendment in Charter Schools - Section 1 of Article IX of the Florida Constitution was amended in November 2002 to reduce the maximum class size in Florida’s public schools.

Facilities

Discussion of facilities requirements by the Florida Department of Education
Revised Asbestos Regulations and Charter Schools - The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), passed by Congress in 1986, required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish federal regulations that safeguard school children from asbestos exposure in school buildings. The “Asbestos in Schools Rule” (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E) sets forth specific regulatory requirements designed to protect students, teachers, and other school employees from exposure to asbestos within schools. Charter Schools are subject to AHERA’s requirements and are required to designate a person to inspect for asbestos-containing building materials and prepare management plans that make recommendations for the reduction of asbestos hazards. November 2006.
Uses of Capital Outlay Funds for Charter Schools – How capital outlay funds can be used by charter schools. November 2006.

Grants and Subgrants

Charter School Grant Administrative Fees – TAP: This Technical Assistance Paper clarifies the regulations regarding the deduction of funds for indirect costs, including administrative fees or expenses, from a sub-grant awarded to an eligible applicant. October 2005.
Charter School Program Planning and Implementation Grants - The CSP provides support for planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools. March 2006.
Charter School Program Subgrant Awards to Schools with Pre-K Students – TAP: The purpose of this Technical Assistance Paper is to clarify the regulations regarding Charter School Program Subgrant awards to schools with Pre-K students. June 2006.
Charter School Program Subgrantee Conflict of Interest Guidelines – TAP: The purpose of this Technical Assistance Paper is to outline the administrative and fiscal responsibilities of a charter school subgrantee to avoid apparent and actual conflicts of interest when administering grants. February 2006

Florida Schools of Excellence – Exclusivity

Exclusivity for School District Sponsors – HB 135 - For fiscal year 2007-2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, a district school board may seek to retain exclusive authority to authorize charter schools within the geographic boundaries of the school district. July 2006
Florida Schools of Excellence Commission - HB 135 - The Florida Schools of Excellence Commission (FSE) is established as a charter school sponsoring entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education and under the supervision of the State Board of Education. July 2006.