Charter Schools

Supporting Charter School Excellence Through Quality Authorizing

The goal of the Charter Schools Unit is to provide effective oversight that will support each school in fulfilling its mission. It is through close communication, collaboration, transparency, and trust that the authorizer-charter school relationship can thrive for the benefit of the students in Riverside County.

Starting a New Charter School

The Riverside County Office of Education is responsible for processing petitions submitted to the Riverside County Board of Education. The RCBE and RCOE staff view the responsibility to provide a quality education to all of the children in Riverside County as a serious undertaking. The petition review process is designed to be transparent, engaging, professional, and rigorous.

The Charter Schools Unit staff will help guide the petitioners through the process and will be available to answer questions. At the end of the process, a public comprehensive Staff Report will be provided to the RCBE in order to help the board make the best possible decision for the students in the county. 

Oversight and Support

In order to be successful once approved, it is vital that charter schools remain strong and healthy in the following core areas:

• Operation
• Finance
• Governance

Charter Schools Unit staff conduct annual reviews of these components in order to ensure compliance with applicable laws and the mission of each school's charter. Reviews are focused through a lens of support and continuous improvement.

Focused Review Process Flowchart Text Version

Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Development and Support

The Riverside County Office of Education provides LCAP development and support to all charter schools in Riverside County. Charter schools are encouraged to adhere to the state recommended timeline for LCAP development and participate in training and support offered as illustrated below.

LCAP Development and Support Flowchart Text Version

Resources

RCOE MOU

Deemed Complete Certification Form

Board Policy 0420.4 - Authorization of County Charter Schools

Board Policy 0420.41 - Oversight of County Charter Schools

Board Policy 0420.42 - Charter School Renewal

Board Policy 0420.43 - Revocation of County Charter Schools

Board Policy 0420.44 - Appeals of District Decisions Regarding Charter Schools

Teacher Credentialing Resources

Charter School Support Organizations

California Charter Schools Association

National Charter Schools Institute

Charter Schools Development Center

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

What is a Local Control and Accountability Plan?

A Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is intended as a comprehensive planning tool to support student outcomes and is an important component of the local control funding formula (LCFF). Under the LCFF, charter schools are required to prepare an LCAP, which describes how they intend to meet annual goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address state and local priorities identified pursuant to California Education Code sections 52060(d), 52066(d), and 47605.

Does a charter school LCAP have to be approved?

Yes. Each charter school LCAP must be approved by its local governing board in a public hearing per the directions on the California State Board of Education adopted template as noted:

• The LCAP and annual update template shall be used to provide details regarding local educational agencies’ (LEAs) actions and expenditures to support pupil outcomes and overall performance pursuant to Education Code sections 52060, 52066, 47605, 47605.5, and 47606.5.
• Charter Schools, pursuant to Education Code sections 47605, 47605.5, and 47606.5, must describe goals and specific actions to achieve those goals for all pupils and each subgroup of pupils identified in Education Code section 52052, including pupils with disabilities, for each of the state priorities and any locally identified priorities.

Does RCOE approve each charter school LCAP?

No. RCOE does not approve the LCAP, however, as part of the ongoing charter school support plan, RCOE staff provides comprehensive training and support for charter school teams. Charter schools throughout Riverside County are invited to participate in numerous workshops in support of the development of their LCAPs. Prior to approval by their local governing boards, charter schools may voluntarily submit their draft LCAPs to the RCOE Fastpass team for a comprehensive review process. For charter schools authorized by the Riverside County Board of Education, locally approved plans are reviewed by RCOE staff including written commendations and considerations.

Are charter schools required to submit LCAPs to RCOE?

Yes. All charter schools in Riverside County are required to submit the approved LCAP to the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools on or before July 1 of each year pursuant to Education Code section 47604.33.

Charter School LCAPs

• Charter School LCAPs

Charter School Support Organizations

California Charter Schools Association

National Charter Schools Institute

Charter Schools Development Center

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools