DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Senate Bill (SB) 1882 Partnerships Overview
SUMMARY:
This item includes a briefing of current and potential partnerships established through Senate Bill (SB) 1882, which allows for additional state funding to support partnerships between independent school districts and an eligible entities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Senate Bill (SB) 1882, passed in 2017, allows for additional funding from the state for independent school districts who partner with an eligible entity to operate an in-district charter campus. Under SB 1882, entities eligible to partner with school districts are charter management organizations, universities, and non-profits with strong track records. In addition to increased funding for these partnerships, SB 1882 also creates an exemption from certain accountability interventions for schools with historic underperformance. The state sets forth requirements for creating partnerships and determines which partnerships qualify under SB 1882. Providers partnering with school districts are required to have total control of teachers, curriculum, and all education aspects, and to put into place performance metrics to evaluate the partnership and whether or not students impacted are making progress.
ISSUE:
In June 2018, the Board approved Pre-K 4 SA to enter into an SB 1882 partnership with Edgewood ISD after EISD expressed an interest in pursuing such a partnership with Pre-K 4 SA. As a non-profit with a strong record of success, Pre-K 4 SA is eligible to serve as a partner organization under SB 1882. Pre-K 4 SA staff worked with external attorneys, Thompson & Horton LLP, to revise the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EISD and Pre-K 4 SA to comply with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements for SB 1882 partnerships. The revised MOU was executed and has replaced the initial MOU between Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD.
For the 2018-19 school year, the Edgewood ISD SB 1882 partnership does not alter regular operations of Pre-K 4 SA; Edgewood ISD students enrolled in and attend the Pre-K 4 SA Education Centers. These Pre-K 4 SA students generate SB 1882 funding for Edgewood ISD. Under the revised MOU, Edgewood ISD is required to set aside this funding to be used in a mutually agreed upon manner. Pre-K 4 SA is currently working with Edgewood ISD staff to determine the best use of these funds and how to structure the partnership in future years to replicate Pre-K 4 SA practices in Edgewood ISD.
MAYA Consulting provides a variety of services in the education field. TEA has retained MAYA Consulting to provide technical and strategic assistance to school districts and partnering organizations with the aim of creating successful SB 1882 partnerships. MAYA Consulting works closely with Thompson & Horton LLP on the legal aspects of SB 1882 partnerships and is working with Pre-K 4 SA to support current and potential SB 1882 partnerships. This item will provide the Board with a thorough briefing of SB 1882 and the partnerships it enables. Additionally, this presentation will review possibilities for Pre-K 4 SA SB 1882 partnerships moving forward.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is a briefing for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is a briefing for informational purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is a briefing for informational purposes only.