The Idaho Public Charter School Commission is gathering input on a proposed accountability model that would ease up and streamline performance expectations for the nearly 60 charter schools under its purview.

A renewal committee of three charter commissioners held its second round of public hearings on the “performance framework flexibilities exploration project” Monday at Idaho State University.

The current framework complies with Idaho code but contains standards that “cannot realistically be met by some schools in the (commission’s) portfolio,” the commission concluded after a December listening session and survey results from dozens of charter school educators.

On Monday, newly hired commission director Jenn Thompson walked a handful of administrators through proposed changes in the framework the commission uses to make charter renewal decisions:

• Aligning data-reporting requirements with those placed on traditional schools, “for the sake of efficiency in school reporting and data analysis.”
• Placing added emphasis on student-growth indicators, as opposed to learning outcomes.
• Comparing learning outcomes to schools with “like attributes.”
• Simplifying the process for calculating high school graduation rates.
• Requiring “mission-specific” goals for charter high schools.

Charter educators at Monday’s meeting expressed general support for the recommendations, but voiced concerns over optional mission-specific goals for charter high schools.

“Why in the world would we give that to someone with the capability of hitting us over the head with it?” said Joel Lovestedt, director of Connor Academy.

Commissioner Wanda Quinn, a member of the renewal committee, said the recommendation isn’t a “gotcha.” “It’s a chance for educators to enhance their schools.”

Other discussion revolved around allowing a committee of local charter leaders, rather than commission staff, to shape recommendations.

Some feedback underscored a recent upheaval between the commission and some of the schools it oversees. Efforts to revamp the framework follow a summer of controversy that left leaders at some of Idaho’s lower-performing charters lobbying lawmakers to rein in commission staff.

“We want the same amount (of accountability) as traditional public schools, not more restrictions than traditional public schools,” Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families board member Karen McGee told EdNews Monday.

Other leaders have voiced support for the commission — and rebuffed calls to loosen up accountability requirements.