Authorizers, Auditors and Accreditors:
Concerns about Gulen charter schools
Page created Feb 17, 2013
This page is a work in progress; more material will be added soon.
Concerns about abuses as well as deficiencies in the educational program at Gulen charter schools have been raised by their authorizers, auditors, and accreditors, as well as other government agencies and non-profit organizations. Here is a non-exhaustive summary.
Part I. Existing Schools (scroll down for proposed schools)
Abramson Science and Technology School
Sexual incidents involving students
July 20, 2011 Press Release issued by Louisiana Department of Education (link)
"Today the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released new information related to its investigation of Abramson Science and Technology Charter School in New Orleans, including additional reports of alleged sexual incidents between students, including rape.
... Acting State Superintendent of Education Ollie Tyler sent the following note to BESE members this afternoon indicating the new report of alleged sexual incidents as well as that the department’s investigation will include Pelican’s operation of Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School, which is located in Baton Rouge."
Inaccurate data reporting
Spring 2010, Report by National Economic and Social Rights Initiative Pushed Out: Harsh Discipline in Louisiana Schools Denies the Right to Education (link)
"Recent investigative reports in New Orleans have found that disciplinary data on expulsions in charter schools is inaccurate. ... At Abramson Science and Technology School, the principal said that 11 students were expelled, while the state data reported only 1 expulsion."
Albuquerque School of Excellence
Concerns about school independence from out-of-state "consultant" organization
Public Education Commission - State of New Mexico. Hearing on charter school application. (link)
"I read through your application and so forth. And it wasn't completely clear that this was a school that could feel independent.clear that this was a school that could feel independent. It felt like -- it feels like it's another branch of another Harmony School."
Concerns about school independence from out-of-state "consultant" organization
Public Education Commission - State of New Mexico. Hearing on charter school application. (link)
"I read through your application and so forth. And it wasn't completely clear that this was a school that could feel independent.clear that this was a school that could feel independent. It felt like -- it feels like it's another branch of another Harmony School."
Beehive Science and Technology Academy
Report of the Accreditation Visiting Team, Utah State Office of Education April 24-25, 2012 (link)
Highlights:
teachers and principals."
"To what extent does the staff work collaboratively to ensure the curriculum is based
on clearly defined standards, the Utah Core Curriculum, reflecting the Utah Life
Skills: A Guide to Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions for Success?
The Visiting Team found that this standard was not always being met at BTSA.
Teams meet collaboratively, but not all teachers are turning in required lesson and
curriculum plans."
"How does the staff use assessments to drive curriculum to ensure that all students can
reach the intended learning outcomes?
The Visiting Team found that this standard is not being met in all content areas. Some
of the content areas have been lacking, which is reflected in low CRT scores."
"Beehive Science and Technology Academy integrates technology to the best of the
school’s ability within budgetary constraints. The Visiting Team found that some
teachers use technology in classroom instruction and for assessment. The Visiting
Team recommends that BSTA provide technology resources for all teachers so that
technology can be become an integral part of all classroom instruction. In doing so,
BSTA will improve student learning and better meet the demands of the school’s
charter."
"The Visiting Team recommends that Beehive Science and Technology Academy
develop and update its science instruction, curriculum, books, and technology. In
accordance with the mission of the school, science education should be the critical
area of focus."
Special education deficiences
Utah Program Improvement Planning System (UPIPS) Executive Summary of Report Feb 1, 2010 (link)
The document contains a long list of special education violations under "Areas of Systemic Noncompliance."
Report of the Accreditation Visiting Team, Utah State Office of Education April 24-25, 2012 (link)
Highlights:
- teacher and administrator turnover concern
- curriculum standards not always met
- technology resources needed for all teachers
- science education needed updating
teachers and principals."
"To what extent does the staff work collaboratively to ensure the curriculum is based
on clearly defined standards, the Utah Core Curriculum, reflecting the Utah Life
Skills: A Guide to Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions for Success?
The Visiting Team found that this standard was not always being met at BTSA.
Teams meet collaboratively, but not all teachers are turning in required lesson and
curriculum plans."
"How does the staff use assessments to drive curriculum to ensure that all students can
reach the intended learning outcomes?
The Visiting Team found that this standard is not being met in all content areas. Some
of the content areas have been lacking, which is reflected in low CRT scores."
"Beehive Science and Technology Academy integrates technology to the best of the
school’s ability within budgetary constraints. The Visiting Team found that some
teachers use technology in classroom instruction and for assessment. The Visiting
Team recommends that BSTA provide technology resources for all teachers so that
technology can be become an integral part of all classroom instruction. In doing so,
BSTA will improve student learning and better meet the demands of the school’s
charter."
"The Visiting Team recommends that Beehive Science and Technology Academy
develop and update its science instruction, curriculum, books, and technology. In
accordance with the mission of the school, science education should be the critical
area of focus."
Special education deficiences
Utah Program Improvement Planning System (UPIPS) Executive Summary of Report Feb 1, 2010 (link)
The document contains a long list of special education violations under "Areas of Systemic Noncompliance."
Harmony School of Innovation, Carrollton, Texas
Property upkeep and illegal subdivision
Minutes, City of Carrollton Planning and Zoning Commission, Aug 2, 2012 (link)
"Sylo expressed his concerns over the fact that the school had received four citations in the last year and a half for their dead landscaping and trash and debris. He wondered if the school was unwilling or was financially unable to maintain the landscaping. He feels the site gives a bad impression of the city. He was also concerned that the property had been illegally subdivided."
Property upkeep and illegal subdivision
Minutes, City of Carrollton Planning and Zoning Commission, Aug 2, 2012 (link)
"Sylo expressed his concerns over the fact that the school had received four citations in the last year and a half for their dead landscaping and trash and debris. He wondered if the school was unwilling or was financially unable to maintain the landscaping. He feels the site gives a bad impression of the city. He was also concerned that the property had been illegally subdivided."
Magnolia Science Academy-1, Magnolia Science Academy-2 and Magnolia Science Academy-3 (all authorized by Los Angeles Unified School District)
Internal Audit by the Inspector General of Los Angeles Unified School District, Aug 20, 2012 (link 1; link 2) identified a number of issues and failures to comply with the charter:
The audit Executive Summary summarizes the accounting and financial deficiencies:
"Review of the financial statements and accounting records noted: non-disclosure of related party transactions; failure to maintain required fund reserves; failure to appropriately apply accrual basis of accounting; lack of monitoring of cash receipts and deposits process; lack of documentation for disbursements; lack of control over journal entries, and lack of adequate training for the accounting staff. // The processes and controls over the bank reconciliation were inadequate. We found one Charter School that dated all reconciliations three days prior to this audit. We also noted that some deposits in transit remained outstanding in bank reconciliations from five months to almost a year."
Under "Potential Impact," the document states: "The conditions described above, along with their underlying causes, may have increased the risk of fraud, waste and abuse of the MSA Charter Schools’ funds that could potentially result from the inability to detect irregularities, improper use of public funds or misappropriation of assets. Also, the questioned costs and questionable accounting practices identified in the course of the audit may have resulted in misstated and inaccurate financial statements of the MSA Charter Schools."
Internal Audit by the Inspector General of Los Angeles Unified School District, Aug 20, 2012 (link 1; link 2) identified a number of issues and failures to comply with the charter:
- non-disclosure of related-party transactions
- poor accounting and financial practices
- incomplete employment documentation
- incomplete enrollment documentation
- increased parent and community input needed in governance
The audit Executive Summary summarizes the accounting and financial deficiencies:
"Review of the financial statements and accounting records noted: non-disclosure of related party transactions; failure to maintain required fund reserves; failure to appropriately apply accrual basis of accounting; lack of monitoring of cash receipts and deposits process; lack of documentation for disbursements; lack of control over journal entries, and lack of adequate training for the accounting staff. // The processes and controls over the bank reconciliation were inadequate. We found one Charter School that dated all reconciliations three days prior to this audit. We also noted that some deposits in transit remained outstanding in bank reconciliations from five months to almost a year."
Under "Potential Impact," the document states: "The conditions described above, along with their underlying causes, may have increased the risk of fraud, waste and abuse of the MSA Charter Schools’ funds that could potentially result from the inability to detect irregularities, improper use of public funds or misappropriation of assets. Also, the questioned costs and questionable accounting practices identified in the course of the audit may have resulted in misstated and inaccurate financial statements of the MSA Charter Schools."
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Clara Santa Clara CA
Fiscal and accounting deficiencies
"The school, located in Santa Clara, has had a negative cash flow, poor fiscal accounting and a problem with internal controls, according to Micaela Ochoa, chief business officer for the Santa Clara County Office of Education, which oversees the charter." - from San Jose Mercury News, Jan 24, 2013 (link)
Fiscal and accounting deficiencies
"The school, located in Santa Clara, has had a negative cash flow, poor fiscal accounting and a problem with internal controls, according to Micaela Ochoa, chief business officer for the Santa Clara County Office of Education, which oversees the charter." - from San Jose Mercury News, Jan 24, 2013 (link)
Part II. Proposed schools
Discovery Academy of Science
School Board of Orange County Florida, board minutes Oct 25, 2005 (link)
The application was rejected because of the following weaknesses:
School Board of Orange County Florida, board minutes Oct 26, 2006 (link)
The application was rejected (again) because of the following weaknesses:
School Board of Orange County Florida, board minutes Oct 25, 2005 (link)
The application was rejected because of the following weaknesses:
- Lack of structure for a reading program for students who score at level one on the FCAT reading
- Lack of understanding of a 3-year graduation plan requirements
- Monitoring student learning and reporting to parents needs improvement
- Financial section has many weaknesses which appear to over estimate per pupil income and underestimate many expenses
- Start up grant of $300,000 is shown for first 2 years which is incorrect and would have the school operating at a deficit.
- Local support was not verified
- Plan for attracting and retaining teachers needs more detail
School Board of Orange County Florida, board minutes Oct 26, 2006 (link)
The application was rejected (again) because of the following weaknesses:
- Lack of structure for a reading program for students who score at grade level and above
- The program does not provide innovative learning methods.
- Lack of assessments and progress monitoring for high school students.
- Monitoring student learning needs improvement.
- Financial section has some weaknesses which appear to underestimate many expenses. The contingency fund is only 3% for the first year.
- Local support was not verified. Many of the letters of support were not Orange County residents.
- The budget does not include enough for the teacher training that is described.
- There appears to be a lack of diversity in the founding Board of Directors and this board plans to remain as the governing board.
- Discovery Academy of Science submitted an application to another district using the same Letter of Bank Loan Approval. If the applicant does not receive the Start Up Grant and was approved for both districts, the school would be in a dire financial situation.
