Red Clay Consolidated School District

Delaware College Preparatory Academy

2015 Accountability Committee Report

Criterion 1.
The individuals and entities submitting the application are experienced and qualified to
start and operate a charter school, and to implement the school's proposed educational
program. Certified teachers, parents, and members of the community in which the school is
to be located must be involved in the development of the proposed charter school. At the
time at which the school commences its instructional program and at all times thereafter,
the board of directors must include a teacher at the school and a parent of a student
enrolled at the school as members.
Committee Summary:
The board of directors consists of eight members and includes an executive director, a teacher at
the school, and a parent of a student enrolled at the school as members. Board members serve
two-year staggered terms. The board holds an annual meeting, a minimum of 11 monthly
meetings, and special meetings as necessary.
The individuals and entities of DCPA are qualified to operate a charter school and implement
the educational program. The schools website lists the board of directors.
DCPA has met the standards of Criterion 1.

Criterion 2.
The chosen form of organization, identified in the articles of incorporation and bylaws, or
the membership agreement, conforms to the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Committee Summary:
The chosen form of organization, as identified in DCPAs Certificate of Incorporation and
bylaws, conforms to the Delaware General Corporation Law. DCPA was incorporated on
November 14, 2006, as a non-profit corporation pursuant to the provisions of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. One purpose of the corporation is to organize and
run a charter school under the Charter School Act of 1995 (14 Del.C. 501 et seq.).
DCPA has met the standards of Criterion 2.

Criterion 3.
The mission statement, goals, and educational objectives are consistent with the description
of legislative intent set forth in 14 Del.C. 501 and the restrictions on charter school
operations set forth in 14 Del.C. 506.
Committee Summary:

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According to the DCPA website, the mission of the school is to eliminate the achievement gap
by providing a high-quality elementary education to urban students.
The goals are expressed as academic and character aims, which are described as follows:
Our academic aims identify core academic expectations for all students at Delaware College
Prep. By teaching, reinforcing, and exercising a common set of key academic characteristics that
lead to high achievement, we will effectively inspire and instill within our students a set of values
and habits that will benefit them throughout their lives:

Determination Work hard and never give up. Be persevering and

relentless in your quest for academic excellence and love of learning.

Responsibility Make no excuses. You are the person ultimately

accountable for your success. Take full responsibility for your
homework, grades and assignments.

Excellence Don't be good - be great. Don't settle for 100%. Go

after 110%. Don't let anything limit your true potential.

Ask and answer questions Be an active participant in the

classroom. Strive for continued understanding. Seek help if and when
you need it.

Mission centered Go to college. Your ultimate goal is to gain

acceptance into a competitive college or university. Stay focused and
Be the Dream.

The character aim is described as follows:

Our character aims outline a set of attitudinal characteristics that are equally
important ingredients to our students' success in school and in life. These
character aims provide the foundation through which strong academic
achievement is fully possible:

Discipline Make good choices. Choose to do the right thing even

when others are not watching. Don't take the easy way out.

Respect Be honest. Be kind. Demonstrate respect for your school

and your community by acting with integrity, being kind, and taking
pride in yourself, others, and your school.

Enthusiastic Engagement Be an active learner. Protect your

dreams by following the steps necessary for success. Be a leader.

Attitude Be nice. Be smart and have a positive attitude.

Manners Be polite. Be courteous of others feelings. Say please,
thank you and youre welcome often. Be humble.

The committee is concerned that the DCPA renewal application and past practice is not
consistent with legislative intent set forth in 14 Del.C. 501. Specifically, this chapter is intended
to improve student learning; encourage the use of different and innovative or proven school
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environments and teaching and learning methods; provide parents and students with measures of
improved school and student performance and greater opportunities in choosing public schools
within and outside of their school districts; and to provide for a well-educated community.
DCPA submitted modification requests to change from a two teacher model to a two instructor
model (a teacher and a para), to align their school calendar with local districts/charters and the
addition of an early learning program. These modifications do not align with the original
charter application and move away from the authorized charters intent. DCPA has experienced
significant student achievement challenges. According to the Academic Framework Report
completed by the Delaware Department of Education. DCPA has a rating of F in Math and F
and/or D in ELA for each school year 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 for students meeting their
fall to spring growth targets.
DCPA was placed under formal review resulting in probation since November 2012.
DCPA has not met the standard of Criterion 3.

Criterion 4.
The school has set goals for student performance and will utilize satisfactory indicators to
determine whether its students meet or exceed such goals and the academic standards set
by the state. The indicators shall include the assessments required for all students in other
public schools, although the charter school may adopt additional performance standards or
assessment requirements, and shall include timelines for the achievement of student
performance goals and the assessment of such performance.
Committee Summary:
The committee reviewed the Academic Performance Framework, from the Delaware Department
of Education for 2011 through 2014, the latest available. DCPA did not meet Adequate Yearly
Progress in 2014. Their overall rating score improved slightly each year (from 28.8% in 2011 to
44.3% in 2014) moving the school from an F (Far below standard) rating in 2011 and 2012 to
a D rating (Does not meet standard) in 2013 and 2014. Out of 14 areas, in 2014, DCPA
received an F in 5 areas, a D in 7 areas, and an M (meets standard) in 2 areas. The two
areas DCPA met standard were: 1) Growth to Proficiency in ELA and 2) Growth among lowest
quartile in Mathematics. In 2014, only 30.8% of their students met their individual growth target
in Mathematics and 41.5% met growth targets in ELA. Proficiency among students of low socioeconomic status and of African-American race were lower than the state average proficiency
rate across all four years in both subjects.
The committee also reviewed Smarter assessment results for 2015. Proficiency was extremely
low: In grade 3, 4.35% of students were proficient in ELA and 13.04% in Mathematics. In grade
4, 5.88% of students were proficient in ELA, less than 1% in Mathematics. Grade 5 results were
suppressed due to FERPA and the number of test-takers in that grade (less than 15.) A
comparative analysis was done with district results for low-income and African-American
students. District results for these sub-groups were @12- 25% points higher than DCPA,

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depending on the grade and subject. Additionally, comparative analysis was done with results
from a school with similar demographics among the same sub-groups. DCPA had similar results
in grade 3 Mathematics; however, its performance was @ 8-12% points below the similar
school.
The committee noted a discrepancy in the percentage of students meeting DCAS growth targets
in the Academic Performance Framework and the table DCAS Percentage of Students Making
Sufficient Growth provided by DCPA on page 7 of their renewal application.
DCPA has not met the standard of Criterion 4.

Criterion 5.
The school proposes a satisfactory plan for evaluating student performance and procedures
for taking corrective action in the event that student performance at the charter school falls
below such standards which are reasonably likely to succeed.
Committee Summary:
The DCPA evaluation plan utilizes the required state the Academic Performance Framework. A
detailed analysis of the framework was done in criterion 4, as well as an analysis of the new
state test results (Smarter assessments). DCPA utilizes Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
to provide data points throughout the year for all grades and examines fall to spring growth.
According to data provided by DCPA, higher growth is seen in K and 1. ELA growth is generally
higher than Mathematics. Noticeably low growth was reported for grade 3 Mathematics. The
committee felt use of MAP results to screen for students needing interventions was an adequate
measure. The committee could not ascertain effective procedures for taking corrective action
when student performance falls below standard based on information provided by DCPA. For
example, details on progress monitoring tools and response to intervention protocols would have
been helpful.
DCPA has not met the standard of Criterion 5.

Criterion 6.
The school's educational program, including curriculum and instructional strategies, has
the potential to improve student performance; and must be aligned to meet the Delaware
Content Standards and state program requirements, and in the case of a charter high
school, state graduation requirements. High school programs must provide driver
education. The educational program at all charter schools must include the provision by
the school of extra instructional time for at-risk students, summer school, and other
services required to be provided by school districts pursuant to the provisions of 14 Del.C.
153. A previously approved charter school may continue to operate in compliance with the
terms of its current approval, but its charter shall not be renewed unless the school shall
submit an application for renewal in full compliance with the requirements of this
subsection.
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Committee Summary:
DCPA indicated that a strong implementation of CCSS was their focus and that recruiting and
retaining the best teacher staff was priority The materials referenced in their packet appear to be
appropriately aligned to CCSS. During a recent visit, students were not performing tasks in
mathematics that were rigorous or deeply intense. There was no any indication that any class
was working on phonics and comprehension. Minimal academic work was observed. Students in
3/7 classrooms observed were coloring, 1/7 was being read to the book Moby Dick with recall
questions, 1/7 was working on finishing Mathematics work that was due, 2/7 the observer could
not be accurately describe the task. This building serves students who demonstrated low
performance last year on SBAC assessments. Every day is a critical opportunity to engage and
teach students. During the snapshot visit, this was not indicated. The observed day was a day
Friday PD day, but academic rigor and instruction was not evident as priority. The academic
framework indicates that literacy is the most essential academic skill upon which the majority
of all future learning. Their packet describes their plan for college and career readiness, but it
is really a college theme. They supports all students knowing about colleges, but the academic
plan for preparing students to be ready for college is limited. The two teacher model was not in
place as indicated. One classroom was identified as an inclusion room, with a dual certified
teacher, not with paraprofessional or two teachers. Evidence was not provided describing
specialized instruction or accommodations for students with disabilities. It is unclear how
services are provided. While the school indicates that students may arrive early, no evidence
existed that specific students were targeted with any support or any planning. With the early
release on Fridays for professional development and no formal extended school year it is
unclear how students receive extended hours, except by choice. The school indicated that 40%
of the students stay after,
Please note 4/9 teachers left DCPA last year, 6/11 teachers were new this year, with 3 being laid
off to budgetary reasons and one teacher from being moved to Office Administration. DCPA
discussed their recruitment strategy, but did not address their retention strategy for teachers.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 6.

Criterion 7.
The schools educational program sets forth appropriate strategies to be employed to
accommodate the needs of at-risk students and those needing special education services.
Committee Summary:
In reviewing their renewal packet, the procedures include county wide identification (copied
from somewhere outside of their school) and grades (through 12th grade) not served by their
school. During the observation, DCPA had no understanding of the problem solving team as
required by 14 DE Admin. Code 923.11.9. The RTI lead teacher was unfamiliar with the
problem solving process. Their Child Find procedures indicate they had a SS Team and 504
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team; however no evidence in their renewal packet or during our observation supported the
effective use of SS Teams, problem solving teams, or procedures (beyond page 14 of the packet).
The team was not provided written procedures for RTI, 504, or problem solving procedures. The
renewal packet does not describe specific interventions for students or the process for cycle
review.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 7.

Criterion 8.
The plan for the school is economically viable, based on a review of the schools proposed
budget of projected revenues and expenditures for the first three years, the plan for
starting the school, and the major contracts planned for equipment and services, leases,
improvements, purchases of real property, and insurance.
Committee Summary:
Delaware College Preparatory was first put on probation November 14, 2012 at a time when
there was 232 students and very narrow budget margin. On April 16, 2014 the Red Clay School
Board voted to place DCPA under formal review for revocation of their Charter based on a
number of factors including further declining enrollment and projected deficit spending. At the
time, and in order to meet financial obligations, the school was able to restructure its existing
debt service. This helped the immediate cash flow issue, but the restructuring increased long
term obligations which further impedes financial viability in the long term. The financial models
presented at the time of formal review called for specific action plans to increase enrollment to
245 in 14-15 and all future years (3 Year Plan).
However, enrollment actually decreased from 218 in 13-14 to 203 in 14-15. This presented
major financial obstacles and available funds were monitored closely in order to assure payroll
obligations could be met. The Fiscal Year ended with an extremely low balance of $1,315.76 in
operations and $1,044.30 in local funds and encumbrances of $4,321.78 and $1.00 respectively
(Daily Validity Report). The recommendations from the formal review required the school to
begin to build a carry forward balance which they have failed to do. Additionally, costs from the
14-15 school year for alternative placement were not encumbered and paid in the amount of
$58,558 indicating the FY15 budget year would have actually ended in deficit status had the
encumbrance been made.
Each spring, the school has consistently missed the 80% enrollment target. However, based on
the process for formal review, enrollment continues after the April 1 deadline and it is never
certain which students will enroll and remain until the September 30 count. Going into the
school year 15-16, the school requested several charter modifications to assist with enrollment
challenges. The financial committee recommended in favor of allowing the school to expand the
number of K-2 classroom as well as enroll new scholars in the upper grades in an effort to
rebuild enrollment and establish financial viability. However, the 15-16 school year enrollment
further declined to 186 based on the September 30 count.

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The school is in the process of modifying the budget and further reducing staff in order to ensure
payroll and payments obligations can be met for the year. Close monthly monitoring will
continue with Red Clay staff as well as the Department of Education and Division of Accounting
with significant concerns if the school will be able to meet all payment obligations through June
30, 2016. Budget reductions will have an impact on staff, students and the overall academic
program. While the debt service payments remain interest only for the year, with an established
pattern of enrollment decline, there is no evidence the school will be able to restructure debt or
meet future year payment increases. The school has also experienced significant issues with the
current building which are only likely to continue if not increase without any financial reserve or
ability to make repairs.
The Department of Education annually produces a Financial Framework report outlining
several key financial indicators (Financial Framework Report). For the 14-15 review, Delaware
College Preparatory Academy was scored below standard in all categories, with 6 of the 9
categories ranked as Falls Far Below Standard. These include: Ratio, Enrollment Variance,
Default, Debt to Asset Ratio, Cash Flow and Overall Rating. This was a change from the
previous year where 4 categories met the standard and 6 fell below.
Finally, in the charter renewal request the school has suggested a recruiting and enrollment
plan based on establishing PreK classrooms that is not financially viable. No model was
provided, however PreK generates no units under the state funding formula outside of special
education. Expanding PreK to increase enrollment would draw from extremely limited
resources and further impact financial viability.
The June 23, 2014 Accountability report concluded with grave concerns about the schools
enrollment, financial condition and economic viability. Monitoring and probation was
continued, but the schools further decline in enrollment provides evidence there is not a
sufficient financial plan for continued operations and economic viability.
DCPA has not met the standard of Criterion 8.

Criterion 9.
The schools financial and administrative operations meet or exceed the same standards,
procedures and requirements as a school district. If a charter school proposes to operate
outside the states pension and/or benefits system, a specific memorandum of
understanding shall be developed and executed by the charter school, the approving
authority, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Controller General
and the secretary of Finance to assure that the states fiduciary duties and interests in the
proper use of the appropriated funds and as a benefits and pension trustee are fulfilled and
protected, the states financial reporting requirements are satisfied, and the interests of
charter school employees are protected. All charter schools shall operate within the
Delaware Financial Management System (DFMS) and be subject to all of the same policies
and procedures which govern other agencies operating with such system, except that any
charter school previously approved to operate outside of the DFMS may continue to so

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operate subject to the terms of its memorandum of understanding until such time as the
schools charter is renewed pursuant to this chapter.
Committee Summary:
DCPA changed business managers in the middle of the 14-15 school year and contracted with
Michelle Lambert, CPA LLC & Associates, a qualified vendor tasked with completing financial
operations, including expenditures, and payroll as well as preparing monthly financial reports
and the schools operating budget.
The state auditors office conducted an audit of the schools Purchasing Card and personal
reimbursement procedures for Fiscal year 2014 and noted several areas the school was out of
compliance with state procedures including unidentified and undocumented purchases and/or
reimbursements for the Board President and Executive Director (Audit Report). The auditors
noted several exceptions to personal reimbursements to the board president for $7437.74 in
reimbursements that were more than two years old and $11,054 for highly questionable and
unsupported reimbursements including lack of receipts and questionable documentation. The
audit report also noted direct financial conflicts with purchasing procedures and Delaware Code
including a violation of 29 Del. C. S5805 which states no state employee, state officer, or
honorary state official may participate in the review or disposition of any matter in which that
individual has a personal or private interest. In the audit report, the Board President claims to
have made personal loans to the school. The audit report also notes this financial liability was
never formally recognized in any financial reports or information provided.
The audit report was released on September 30, 2015 which is the same day as DCPAs charter
renewal application was submitted. No mention of the audit or its findings were made in
DCPAs application.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 9.

Criterion 10.
The assessment of the schools potential legal liability and the types and limits of insurance
coverage the school plans to obtain are adequate.
Committee Summary:
The School has provided copies of current policies and evidence of adequate types and limits of
insurance. Based on the concerns noted above, with no available cash balance, the schools
lacks any real ability to incur legal costs if any claim were to be made against the school that is
not covered under the liability policy.
DCPA has met the standards of Criterion 10.

Criterion 11.

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The procedures the school plans to follow to discipline students and ensure its students
adherence to school attendance requirements comply with state and federal law.
Committee Summary:
During the 14-15 SY DCPA had a suspension rate of 18% which is 7% higher than the Red Clay
District Average and 8% higher than the state average during that time period. In addition
DCPA has experienced a three year negative trend in its average daily attendance from 217
during the 2012-13 SY to 173 during the previous school year. The total current district DAYS
OUT percentage is 6% while DCPA was 10% during the previous school year. Based on this
data, the Committee believes DCPA must seek alternatives to their increasing use of out of
school suspensions and find other methods to insure increased student attendance.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 11.

Criterion 12.
The procedures the school plans to follow to assure the health and safety of the students,
employees, and guests of the school while they are on school property are adequate and
that the charter school will comply with the applicable provisions of local, state, and federal
law, including the provisions of 11 Del.C. Ch. 85.
Committee Summary:
DCPA has not updated the school Emergency Response Information Portal system since 2013
according to a review of the status of the Emergency Plan. There are several sections of the
required information such as current emergency team members that have not been regularly
updated. In addition, there have been no Fire or Emergency Drills recorded in the ERIP Drills
section. Currently DCPA is NOT in compliance with the Delaware Omnibus School Safety Act,
Title 29, Chapter 82 section 8237.
Additionally, DCPA was placed in Corrective Action by the State School Nutrition Office due to
many compliance issues, including nutritional value of the food served.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 12.

Criterion 13.
The school shall have a satisfactory plan for timely transferring student data and records
to the Department of Education.
Committee Summary:
DCPA has met the standards of Criterion 13.

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Criterion 14.
The schools board of directors shall annually certify to the Delaware Department of
Education, on a form to be provided by the Delaware Department of Education, that prior
to the payment of any fees or other sums to any management company employed by the
board, the board will insure that sufficient revenues of the school are devoted to adequately
support the schools proposed educational program. Such form of certification may require
documentation of all actual or proposed expenditures by the school. Failure to provide
sufficient funds to adequately support the schools proposed education program shall be
grounds for revocation of the schools charter.
This criterion is not applicable since no management company is involved.

Criterion 15
The school shall have a satisfactory plan to ensure the effectiveness of its board of trustees,
including governance trainings conducted for any new board members and at a minimum
of once every 3 years.
Committee Summary:
DCPAs Board of Directors complies with the necessary trainings, as per State Code.
DCPA has met the standards of Criterion 15.
Criterion 16
The school shall have a satisfactory plan for procedures it will follow in the case of the
closure or dissolution of the school, including a plan to set aside sufficient funds to cover
the salaries owed to those employees who are paid over a 12-month period. For a new
applicant granted under this chapter, the application shall include a reasonable plan to
establish sufficient available balances pursuant to 516(1) of this title.
Committee Summary:
DCPAs financial situation described earlier in this report concerns the committee in regards to
Criterion 16.
DCPA has not met the standards of Criterion 16.

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