Conduct readiness checks and align systems to local student need before replication, expansion, or merger¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report recommends concrete pre-expansion steps: "Prior to a decision to expand or replicate, conduct a readiness check* to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the school's program, the network's capacity to expand or replicate, and the local market's demand for the expansion or an additional school." It also advises developing systems aligned with the needs of the new student population and grade levels, and building support structures through the board, network, or delegated leadership so overstretched staff are not left managing a second school alone.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A readiness assessment tool, such as the NCSRC School Quality Assessment the report references

Constraints¶

• The report found schools fell into distress when replication or expansion was executed prior to the school being ready, sometimes encouraged for strictly financial reasons

Target Learners¶

• Charter school and network leaders considering replication or expansion
• Governing boards

Target Learning Goals¶

• Sustaining school quality and student learning conditions during organizational growth

Related Strategies¶

• Assess team readiness across leadership, facilitation, communication, shared understanding, and capacity before starting
• Five getting-started steps for building an integrated, school-based system of care

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• National Charter School Resource Center, Evan, A., & Sullivan, H. (2021). Identifying Indicators of Distress in Charter Schools, Part 2: The Roles and Perspectives of Charter School Leaders and Board Members. Bethesda, MD: Manhattan Strategy Group. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED616211