The State Public Charter School Commission approved five-year charter contracts for 22 public charter schools last month. As delineated in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §302D-5a, as the Authorizer, the Commission is tasked with determining whether each charter contract merits renewal, nonrenewal or revocation. The Commission held five general business meetings in January to review charter school performance reports, hear each school's presentation including their mission and vision aligned work to improve Hawaiʻi educational system, review their application, ask questions, and then determine if the school would be approved or denied for the charter contract 4.0.

The Commission’s Frameworks team presented information on the school's performance report which included standardized test information and information that aligned with contract 3.0. The impact of COVID-19 on the last two years of standardized test scores was noted, adding that the field of education and NACSA concur that such data should not be used for high stakes decision-making. As part of the application process, schools had to complete a 5-year budget workbook and submit documentation regarding their facilities either through their lease agreements, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). During the renewal process, the Frameworks Team conducted two school site visits to each of the schools up for renewal, three virtual Zoom meetings, a desk review and additional communications as requested by governing boards and school leaders.

Charter contract 4.0 was approved by the Commission in May of 2021 after a year-long process of engagement with all public charter schools that involved working with commissioners and staff.
The updated Charter Contract 4.0 has revised Academic, Organizational, and Financial Framework expectations. Interested in reading the contract? click here.