X.I. CONNECTICUT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Hartford TO BE PROPOSED: June 6, 2012 RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education, pursuant to subsection of Section 10?66bb of the 2012 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes, renews the charter of Amistad Academy from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2017. Approved by a vote of 8:0 this sixth day of June, Two Thousand Twelve. Signed: ?0 Allan B. Taylor, inerson State Board of Education CONNECTICUT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Hartford T0: State Board of Education FROM: Charlene Russell~Tucker, Chief Operating Of?cer DATE: June 6, 2012 SUBJECT: Renewal of State Charter Amistad Academy Executive Summary Introduction In accordance with the provisions of subsection of Section 10-66bb of the 2012 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.), charters may be renewed, upon application, in accordance with the provisions for the granting of new charters. The State Board of Education (SBE) may renew a charter for a period of up to ?ve years. History/Background Amistad Academy opened in the fall of 1999 and serves 857 students in Grades K-12, from the City of New Haven. Amistad Academy?s mission is to ?Strengthen the academic and character skills necessary for all students to excel in the top tier of high schools and colleges, to achieve success in a competitive world, and to serve as the next generation of leaders in their communities.? The school develops students who take responsibility for themselves, their school and their community by living up to the school?s REACH (respect, enthusiasm, achievement, citizenship and hard work) values. The school operates under the Achievement First, Inc., network of schools. The Public School Information System (PSIS) October 201 1 collection indicates that students from minority groups represent 99 percent of the school?s students. Eighty-one percent were eligible for free/reduced price meals, compared to 69 percent in the New Haven Public Schools, the school district where the school is located. Findings of Noncertifi ed Teachers at Amistad Academy On June 3, 2009, the SBE approved a resolution to renew the charter of Amistad Academy from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012. The resolution was subject to the following conditions: 1. Teachers who are not certi?ed cannot be employed in school year 2009?10. 2. Amistad Academy must ensure that all teachers are preperly certi?ed in their content areas in the 2009-10 school year. 3 Co?location Agreement between Amistad Academy, Elm City College Preparatory and Achievement First Bridgeport Academy The high school students of Amistad Academy, Elm City College Preparatory (ECCP) and Achievement First Bridgeport Academy (AF BA) co-locate at the Achievement First Amistad High School in New Haven. This arrangement was established by a cooperative agreement approved by former Acting Commissioner of Education George A. Coleman, on January 15, 2011, as authorized by Section 10?666e(m) of the 2012 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes. Amistad Academy Charter Renewal Process From inception to renewal, charter schools must abide by an accountability plan that is closely monitored by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). Monitoring takes place through meetings, correspondence, frequent telephone calls and regular on?site visits. Results from these contacts serve to inform the charter renewal process. Application for Renewal of Charter: The CSDE accepted an application for the renewal of Amistad Academy on November 10, 2011. The school was asked to reSpond to questions that guide charter school accountability and to include its plan for the future. The reSponses provided insight into the charter school?s academic program, methods of demonstrating student achievement, viability as an organization and faithfulness to mission, management responsibilities and planning for the future. Evidence was also submitted to substantiate its written responses, such as illustrations of community support and student work. Renewal Application Review: A state-appointed renewal team composed of CSDE staff and a local school district staff member with expertise in educational law, curriculum, student assessment, special education, management and ?nance and school governance reviewed the renewal application. The school was asked for clari?cation or additional information where necessary. The team scheduled an on-site visit on December 12, 2011, to address information contained in the application. Renewal Site Visit: The team divided its work into two components: 1) review of teaching and learning; and 2) ensuring compliance with the law and the CSDE accountability plan. Review of Teaching and Learning: The team reviewed the educational model and curriculum, observed teaching and learning and reviewed documents pertaining to student assessment, special education and the teacher evaluation process. Ensuring Compliance with the Law and the CSDE Accountability Plan: The team reviewed documents and spoke to administrators, staff and board members to ensure that the charter school is functioning in compliance with the law and the school?s mission. The review focused on the following components: 1) ?nancial management; 2) administrative management; 3) governance; 4) curriculum; 5) teaching staff; 6) enrollment and attendance; 7) facilities, equipment, books and materials; 8) special education; and 9) student assessment. The responses detailed in the charter school renewal application regarding compliance with the law and the CSDE accountability plan were veri?ed. Invitation for Written Comment: The CSDE solicited written comments on the renewal of the charter school from the superintendent in the school district in which the school is located (New Haven) and from school districts contiguous to the district in which the school is located. These districts include East Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Orange, West Haven and Woodbridge. Responses were received from superintendents in New Haven and Woodbridge and Hamden and were positive toward renewal of Amistad Academy?s charter. Letters (see attached) supporting the charter renewal were also presented by Kyle Ballou, Esq., Executive Director, Community and Governmental Relations, Yale New Haven Hospital; Anthony P. Rescigno, President, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce; and State Senator Toni Harp who represents New Haven and West Haven. Public Hearing: Mr. Terry H. Jones, Member, State Board of Education, and CSDE staff held a public hearing on March 13, 2012, in the City of New Haven and heard from nine individuals on the potential renewal of the charter school and the impact it was having on the Over 30 people attended the public hearing. Public hearing participants included two members of the Amistad Academy Governing Board, Amistad Academy teachers, parents and directors of area private nonpro?t organizations. The response from the public hearing was overwhelmingly positive both in terms of the impact the charter school has on the community and the support for Amistad Academy in the context of school choice. Renewal Site Visit Findings and Follow-Up Activities Amistad Academy has remedied the majority of the issues identi?ed by CSDE in the December 13, 2012, renewal site visit. Remaining certi?cation issues found during the renewal site visit will require further work by the school, which is recognized as a priority. A status report on key issues is outlined below. Curriculum: 0 M: The Grades 3-8 science curriculum is fragmented and does not consistently align with the state standards. While there is some evidence of science curriculum at various grade levels that is aligned with state standards, there is not a clearly de?ned continuum of skills, conceptual themes and standards that all students are expected to learn at each grade level. Action Taken: Amistad Academy has begun the process of rewriting the Grades 3-8 science curriculum and plans implementation by the start of the 2012-13 school year. The plan is to develop a comprehensive science curriculum that is aligned to state standards and articulates a continuum of skills and concepts that all students are expected to learn at each grade level. 0 Issue: The Grades curricula for health, physical education (RE) and the arts are incomplete and are currently under development. Action Taken: Amistad Academy has begun the curricula development process for these programs and plans implementation by the start of the 2012-13 school year. Finance: a m; The accounting policies and procedures of each school indicate that checks and wire transfers equal to or exceeding $10,000 require approval by a second authorized check?signer. The review team noted that the Principals of each school (elementary, middle and high school) are primary check- signers and generally when a second signature was required, it was provided by one of the other Principals. The CSDE recommended that the additional approval for large expenditures be provided by an individual who occupies a higher-level oversight position. 0 Action to be Taken: The Governing Board of Amistad Academy will modify the signatory policy and procedures on transactions over $10,000 to include a school dean, board chair and board treasurer. Governance: 0 Issue: The ?nancial oversight responsibilities of the school Governing Board include providing authorization of contracts and expenditures. The state-appointed renewal team found that the school Governing Board often relies on Achievement First Inc. to provide these authorizations. 3 0 Action to be Taken: The Governing Board of Amistad Academy will amend the accounting policies and procedures to specify that no Achievement First, Inc. employees will be allowed to sign contracts or authorize expenditures for the school. Rather, deans, the board chair and the board treasurer will be designated as signatories of school contracts and expenditures. Certification: 0 Is_sg_e_: Pursuant to Section 10-66dd(5) of the 2012 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes, effective July 1, 201 l, the Commissioner of Education may waive the requirements for certi?cation for any administrator or person providing instruction or pupil services employed by a state charter school. Under the legislation, such educators must meet requirements as identi?ed in the statute for the Charter School Educator Permit (CSEP), provided that not more than 30 percent of the total number of administrators and persons providing instruction or pupil services employed in the charter school hold the CSEP for the school year. The CSDE issued guidelines for obtaining the CSEP to charter school directors on September 1, 2011. The steps for obtaining the CSEP are: l. CSDE must receive a letter signed by the school board chair identifying the individuals on ?le who will be administrator or teacher candidates for a CSEP. 2. CSDE must have a completed CSEP application for each of the identi?ed individuals. 3. Administrator and teacher candidates must have successfully taken and completed Praxis I. 4. Administrator candidates must have successfully completed the Connecticut Administrator Test (CAT). Teacher candidates must have successfully completed the appropriate Praxis II exam(s), American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), Oral Pro?ciency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Pro?ciency Test (WPT) (for world languages), and the Foundations of Reading Test (FRT) (for elementary). On December 23, 2011, the CSDE Bureau of Educator Standards and Certi?cation (BESC) issued the 2011-12 Teacher Certi?cation Compliance Report to Amistad, which listed the administrators and teachers in noncompliance. Since then, Amistad indicated to the BESC that the school would take action to remedy noncompliance issues. Action Taken: To date the school has completed step one of the four-step process to obtain the CSEP for the 16 employees in noncompliance. The school has indicated the remaining steps will be completed in the near term and all administrators and teachers will be in compliance at the start of the 2012-13 school yean Student Achievement Data: It is important to consider external academic measures when evaluating the educational progress of charter school students. Important external measures for Connecticut charter schools are the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). While improvement over time is important, caution must be used when reviewing changes in charter school assessment data from year to year because of the small numbers of students enrolled in each grade. Table 1 (attached) diSplays CAPT data detailing the percentage of students achieving goal and pro?ciency in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and writing for Grade 10. Table 2 displays CMT data from two points in the CMT continuum, Grades 5 and 8. Since the school serves Grades K-l2, Grades 5 and 8 4 were selected for this report as representative of the performance of all CMT-tested grades, and also to provide early? and mid?program snapshots that match the continuum shown in subsequent tables addressing vertical scales. For comparison purposes, the tables include achievement data for Amistad Academy, its host district (New Haven Public Schools and all schools statewide. Between 2009 and 2011, the percentage of Amistad Academy students achieving at or above pro?ciency and goal on CAPT in mathematics improved dramatically, while the school sustained high levels of pro?ciency in science, reading and writing compared to both NHPS and the state. While the percentage of students achieving at or above goal is less consistent when compared to pro?ciency, the percentage at or above goal is noticeably higher than NHPS. Between 2009 and 2011, the percentage of Amistad Academy students in Grade 5 achieving at or above pro?ciency and goal on CMT in mathematics, writing and science steadily improved, while remaining relatively ?at for reading. Mathematics, writing and science results are substantially higher than those of NHPS, but reading performance was similar to NHPS and lagging behind the state average. Grade 8 results were more impressive than those of Grade 5. Percentages at or above pro?ciency and goal were superior to those of NHPS for all four subject areas tested. While consistent with statewide averages for reading, writing, science, and mathematics, achievement in Grade 8 was substantially higher than the state averages and on par with the highest performing districts in the state. Since student performance at each grade tested is based on skills and objectives that are grade-level speci?c, standard CMT data does not include information about achievement growth of students from one grade to the next. To address this problem, the CSDE developed a vertical scale report for CMT. The vertical scale measures students? growth across grades in mathematics and reading. The vertical scale analyses are particularly useful for a school like Amistad Academy since the cohort groups are small compared to those of a typical school district. When the number of test takers is low, there can be great variability from one year to the next. The vertical scales remedy this problem by reporting on the same students over time. Tables 3 and 4 include the CMT average vertical scale scores for mathematics and reading, respectively. Each table shows achievement for students in Grade 8 in 2011 and for the same group of students in the three prior years. For comparison purposes, the tables include data from Amistad Academy, its host district New Haven, and statewide for the grade levels provided. The reports show three data points, Average Vertical Scale Score, Average Matched and Growth Matched N. Matched is de?ned as students who tested in this school over a four?year window from Grades 5-8. Students who did not attend the school for the entire grade continuum shown were not included in the analyses. In mathematics, the Amistad Academy students as ?fth graders earned an average vertical scale score Matched of 502. As eighth graders, the same students earned an average mathematics vertical scale score Matched of 598. The average vertical scale score Growth Matched for this cohort of students was 96 points, outpacing New Haven?s (48) and the State?s (55) growth. In reading, the average vertical scale score Growth Matched of 55 points at Amistad Academy outpaced the both the State (52) and New Haven (53). Pro?ciency is the standard used in calculating Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Amistad Academy is not designated as a school in need of improvement under NCLB. However, for the ?rst time it did not make AYP for CMT reading in 201 largely due to the AYP target rising from 82% to 91% pro?cient. With students from minority groups representing99 percent of the schools students and 81 percent of students considered economically disadvantaged (compared to the 5 overall state average of 23 percent), the Amistad?s performance demonstrates that it is contributing to closing the achievement gap. Recommendation and Justi?cation with Conditions Amistad Academy provides students and their families a viable public school choice in New Haven. The school offers students a rigorous approach to learning, where excuses are not accepted and success is the only option. As noted earlier, Amistad Academy?s student achievement as measured by the CMT and CAPT out performs the state and New Haven in several content areas. Amistad Academy is successfully closing Connecticut?s achievement gap and should be authorized to continue its work for the next ?ve years. Follow-Up Activities The CSDE will notify Amistad Academy of action taken by the SBE following the meeting on June 6, 2012. The school will be advised of relevant technical assistance opportunities designed to improve its educational program. The CSDE will conduct follow-up visits to ensure that Amistad Academy has addressed the issues raised in this board report. In addition, the BESC will audit Amistad Academy?s state staff ?le at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year to ensure its administrators and teaching staff are properly certi?ed. Prepared by: Robert Kelly Charter School Program Manager Reviewed by: Mark Q/Linabqu Bureau of Choice Programs Approved by: Warsaw-?I Charlene Russell-Tucker Chief Operating Officer Table 1 CAPT Data Comparison: State, New Haven, Amistad Academy Mathernatics I Science Reading writing 00/o 0/0 '0/0 - I 0/0 Number I Air/Above At/Above Number At/Above At/Above Number At/Above At/Above Number I At/Above At/Above Grade 10 Year Tested Goal Pro?ciency I Tested Goal Pro?ciency - Tested Goal Pro?ciency Tested . Goal Pro?cien :2010 .40587 - 48.9 78.8 41433 . "45.5 . - 81.5- 40829 45.9 3 82.9 41182 59.8 I 88.2! 2011 39972 49.6 80.3 41037 47.2 81.7 40035 44.8 - 81.9 40718 81.3 88.8 NEW-Haven 1208 - 13.5 . 48.1 1280 10.8. - 42.7 1211? . 17.0 55.5 23.4 3' 2010 1185 13.3 49.4 1218 14.8 53.1 1159 18.8 59.0 1193 30.8 70.7 . . I 2011 I 1063- . 17.3 54.1 . 1138' - 17:7; . 1088 . 161) [512 1127 3.3.5 . . - - 745 Amistad Academy 2009 38 33.3 75.0 35 22.9 91.4 35 42.9 91.4 35 48.8 100.0 2010- 33 33.3 84.8 33 . 45.5 - 84.8 . 34 28.5 79.4 3.3 83-8 97.0 I 2011 28 53.8 92.3 . 27 40.7 85.2 28 35.7 92.9 28 92.3 100.0 5 w. Grades . . NewHaven @2011. Amistad Academy Grade 8 Eat; . . New Haven-- Amistad Academy Year .5009, 2010 2011 "2009 2010 2009 ;2010 2011 Year . .2663..- #2010 2011 3 20.09 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 Table 2 GMT Data Comparison: State, New Haven, Amistad Academy Mathematics Number Tested '40424'?? 39641 39298 1248 1 246 1225 75 78 79 Mathematics Number At/Above Tested 41 163 40096 1 '1 28 1 109 1262 62 55 53 96 At/Above Goal '8971' 72.6 72.7 4213 43.7 47.7 52.0 65.4 75.9 Goal 67.5 66.8 34.0 40.8 40.8 79.0 87.3 92.5 0/o At/Above . Pro?ciency 878 87.6 67.0 68.4 72.0 86.7 82.1 89.9 (70 At/ Above Pro?ciency 86.6 86.0 65.1 71.6 69.2 96.8 98.2 98.1 Number Tested 39970 39188 38972 1215 1215 1202 75 74 77 ber Tested Reading At/Above - Goal 61.8 61.4 38.8 30.8 84.4 38.7 33.8 24.7 0/?0 At/ Above Goal 88457 734 747 39:7 4845 524 721 784 898 At/ Above Pro?ciency 777' 754 751 541 477 4945 587 500 571 'Readuing 95 At,?Above Pro?ciency 8045 8243 83.4 5815 888 877 852 891 888 Number Tested 41852" 41012 40756 .1311 1345 1335--h 75 79 80 Number - At/Above . Tested 42265 41413 1208 1196 1374 62 56 57 0/0 Goal ?78877 68.2 66.8 39,4 38.7 41. .3 48.0 50.6 63.8 Writing Goat 62.7 64.8 32.5 29.6 30.6 87.1 87.5 78.9 Writing 0/0 At/ Above At/Above Pro?ciency 87.3 88.0 68.8 70.2 74.1 80.0 83.5 93.8 0/0 At/ Above Pro?ciency 808 818 814. 558 582 887 982 930 Number At/Above 5 Tested . . - .. '?41737' 410.70 40798 1322 Number 5 At/Above Tested . L. .. 42301 41499 1218 1199 1380 83 58 57 0/0 Goal 59.7 60.2 27.1 28.1 28.7 10.7 29.1 58.8 Science Goal i831 838 248 308 348 429 484 882 5839 Science At/Above Pro?ciency 82.5 82.4 . 59.5 55.9 '5853 58.7 59.5 87.5 At/Above Pro?ciency . 7613 781}: 759 447'? 4845 5245 714 879 807 Table 3 Average Vertical Scale Score: Mathematics Number Matched MatdwedN Group Grade Year Tested 453 501 539 517 Average Average Growth a 5 2008 522 527* 6 2009 547 7 2010 40218 .. 568 55* Amistad Academy 5 2008 7'6 497 502* 1 1 6 2009 71' 531 201 1 53 597 598New Haven . 4 . 5 2008 1.361 488 501: . 514 6 2009 1277 w. . 'r 7 2010 1,281 I 53? 8 201 1 L262 V- 549 548* 43* 2% 300 400 500 500 TOO This report does not include ELL-exempt students. Number Tested and Average are based on unmatched student groups. *Matched Average and Growth are based on matched student groups (rounded for State and New Haven). 9 Table 4 Average Vertical Scale Score: Reading Number Matched Matched Group Grade Year Tested 424 459 494 523 Average Average Growm . . . state 2008 41,431 g; 476 481* 6 2009 39,893 499 . . . i . 7 2010 40,052 524 a 2011 39,992 531 533* 52* Amistad Academy 5 5 5 2009 72 473 . . unw518 521* 55* New Haven .3. . . 5 2068 1,354 439 451* 6 2-009 1,265 463 . 2010 1262' g: 490 8 201 1 1.249 m. mu. 503 564300 400 500 600 700 This report does not include ELL-exempt students. Number Tested and Average are based on unmatched student groups. *Matched Average and Growth are based on matched student groups. 10 Reginald Mayo. PM) Superintendent Administrative Offices Gateway Center 54 Meadow St. Now?aven. CT 065.] 9 Tot. (203) 946-8888 Fax. (203) 946-7300 New Haven lit-Amie: city 2003 New Haven Public Schools November 9, 2011 Mr. Robert Kelly Charter School Program Manager Bureau of Choice Programs Connecticut State Department of Education 165 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Mr. Kelly, I am writing in support of the Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory applications for charter renewal from the Connecticut State Department of Editcation. A'mistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory both have an impressive track record of success closing the achievement gap for the New Haven students they serve. Moreover, these schools and Achievement First have partnered with us to play a crucial role in our city?wide education reform strategy to ensure that every child receives a high-quality education. This past year, through an unprecedented partnership between New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) and Achievement First, we launched the Residency Program for School Leaders. The year-long Residency Program utilizes the medical school rotation model to combine experiential residencies, workshops and intense individualized coaching to train New Haven?s most talented assistant principals; teacher leaders and instructional coaches to serve as turnaround principals of our district?s highest-need schools. During the 2010-11 - school year, AchievementFirst and NHPS developed a comprehensive vision for the design, structure and Content of the Residency Program, and in June 2011, we officially launched the program. Four residents are currently sited at either, Amistad Academy or Elm City. where they are completing a residency practicum, which includes mentorship by 'an AF principal, ownership leadership responsibilities, and focused feedback on their growth and development. New Haven Public Schools embarked On this partnership with Achievement First because We have a shared belief that we should do away with the historically adversarial relationship between traditional public-school districts and public. charter schools in favor-oi active partnerships to share and replicate best practices. we are proud to pioneer this collaborative work with them and see this initiative as a key component of our district?s School Change Initiative to close the achievement gap, cut the dropout rate in half,.and ensurethat our graduates have the academic and ?nantiai resources to succeed in College. We hope this will serve as a national model for charter-district collaboration. I look forward to continued partnership with Amistad Academy and Elm City College Prep so that the parents in our city can continue to have access to these great schools and so that we can continue theimportant work we are doing together to en'Sure that every New Haven child receives a great public education. Sincerely, Dr. Reginald Mayo Superintendent New Haven Public Schools ., MAR 2-8 2012 WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT in 40 Beecher Road South Woodbridge, Connecticut 06525 Gaeton Stella, Plil]. Superintendent Sheila Haverlrampf Special Services Director I Alfred Pullo,Ir.~ Director of Business Services/ Operations March 26, 2012 Mr. Robert Kelly Charter School Program Manager Connecticut State Department of Education PO. Box 2219 Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Mr. Kelly: I am reSponding to the request from Charlene Russell-Tucker soliciting comments on the renewal of Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory School in New Haven. I know of no reason nor can I provide any comments, which re?ect poorly on either the Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory School. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Mahala Gaeton F. Stella, Superintendent GF 3/ med Superintendent (203) 387-6631 Business/Operations (203) 397-2445 Special Services (203) 389?6598 Fax (203) 397?0724 wwmwoodbridge.k12.ct.us Fax (203) VI, YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL March 13, 2012 Mr. Robert Kelly Charter School Program Manager Bureau of Choice Programs 1 9 Division of Family of Student Support Services Connecticut State Department of Education 165 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Mr. Kelly, In my role as Administrative Director, Community and Government Relations for Yale New Haven Hospital, lam delighted to offer unequivocal support for the application to renew the charters of Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory. With Governor Malloy?s commitment to focusing the 2012 legislative session on education reform and the appointment of Amistad Academy co?founder, Stefan Pryor, as state education commissioner, the opportunity for education reform in Connecticut has never been greater. Yale New Haven Hospital has a history of support and ongoing partnership with the New Haven communities and key organizations, like Achievement First schools, in promoting quality educational opportunities. This is a pivotal time in our community to shape the workforce of tomorrow. We desperately need well educated, students who want to re-enter the New Haven community for employment. The more Yale-New Haven Hospital work with Achievement First schools, the more optimistic we become about the potential of our collective commitment to make a real difference in the lives of kids, and we look forward to continuing to work together to help more children create a better life for themselves and a better future for all of us. YNHH supports both Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory Academy and respectively requests renewal of their charters for five more years, so that we can all continue to make the gains this community deserves. Sincerely, KyleBallou, Esq. Executive Director, Community and Government Relations Yale NeW'Have'n Hospital 20 York Street New Haven, CT 06510?3202 NEW Chamber of Commerce Beiharry mm disarm EaslHavm-Guiliord ram Word Miiawn Nurihliauen omge med Wesl?mn Woodmiclge November 9, 2011 Mr. Robert Kelly Charter School Program Manager Bureau of Choice Programs Division of Family of Student Support Services Connecticut StateDepartment of Education 165 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Dear Mr. Kelly, I write now to give my full endorsement for the charter renewal applications for Amistad Academy and Elm City College Prep in my capacity as president of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. The chamber membership consists of almost two thousand leading and small businesses for the greater New Haven region. I also serve as a member of the Leadership Council, which is a group of approximately 25 business leaders in the region. One of the greatest concerns of our business community is the low education attainment of our high school graduates. Many are unequipped to enter the work force because of low reading, writing and math achievement. - It has been exciting to witness the students at Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory School close the statewide achievement gap in both math and reading. Furthermore, I was elated to hear that Achievement First Amistad High School had the second highest scores in the state on the CAP writing exam and sent one hundred percent of their graduating seniors to college in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years. I am incredibly optimistic that as the Achievement First students who had the opportunity to graduate fromout high school begin to graduate from college, that they will have a positive impact on the New Haven business community and our local economy. Sincerely, 14 Anthony P. escigno President Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce 900 Chapel Street 10": Floor New Haven. Connecticut 065102811 Tel: (203) 78743735 Fax: (203) 7824329 infruadnhm noun unuu: Hal-ma mm form of SENATE CAPITOL HARTFORD, 06106- I 59 SENATOR TONI NATHANIEL HARP Deputy President Pm 'li'mpare 75ml) Dim'ir'! Chair Appropriations Committee Legislative Ollice Building Vim C/mir Room 2700 Select Committee on Children Capitol 860-240-0393 ?80l}-842- 1420 {Executive 1?55 Legislative Nominations November 9, 201 1 Mr. Robert Kelly Chatter School Program Manager Bureau of Choice Programs Division of Family of Student Support Services Connecticut State Department of Education 165 Capitol Avenue Hartford, 06106 Dear Mr. Kelly, I am pleased to write to you to offer my full and complete support for the application to renew the charters of Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory. During the past decade I have been an advocate for urban education refmn and a strong supporter and champion of the Achievement First public charter schools, Amistad Academy and Elm City College Prep. As a Connecticut State Senator representing the New Haven and West Haven, 1 have been heartened by the remarkable results attained by Amistad Academy and Elm City College Prep in closing the achievement gap. Elm City Prep and Amistad Academy are setting high standards and creating a map for many other schools in the district to emulate. In fact, this year, Achievement First has begun a unique new program with the district of New Haven to train New Haven?s highpa'?xming principals, teacher coaches and others to dramatically improve student adiievement These individuals will be involved with experiential residencies inside Amistad Academy and Elm City Prep and participate in class room learning and intense individual coaching What a great premiership to combine bestpiactices ?cm traditional and charter contexts to better educate our state?s youth. School leadership makes a huge impactupcn student achievement, and Isce this program as an acht?rable and crucial step to enccauageknoudedge sharing andbectpactices in?ieintetestcfall students. AmistadAcademyand ElmCityCollegePleparethetypec of educational that we need in Connecticut to continue to close the achievemmt gap and shape?ic bright ?xture ofour state I am delighted to enthusiastically support these applications for charter renewal. Sincerely, Toni Harp State Senator-Tenth District