Issue 1 | 2023–2024 charterology the study of what works in education [NOUN] OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS Beehive Academy Alum AIDEN PASINSKY Thrives at Duke University
©2023 Utah Association of Public Charter Schools | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Charterology is published two times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for Utah Association of Public Charter Schools and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Charterology is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools. While the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools encourages a first print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855.747.4003. contents 4 Executive Director’s Message Meeting the Needs of Our Children By Royce Van Tassell, Executive Director 5 Congratulations UAPCS! 2023 Hermes Awards Winner! 6 Committed to Growth Preparing for 20,000 New Students By Royce Van Tassell, Executive Director 8 The New Utah Effective Teaching Standards By Joylin Lincoln, Director of Teacher Licensing, UAPCS 12 Alumni Profile Spotlight Beehive Academy Alum Aiden Pasinsky Thrives at Duke University 16 Celebrate Charter Schools Utah’s Choice in Public Education 20 Circle of Excellence Award Winners 23 UAPCS Training
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Royce Van Tassell Executive Director We are ever so lucky to be part of Utah schools. We get to be crucial partners with parents helping to open and stretch a child’s mind, showing them the beauty and opportunity all around. We work within rules set by our authorizers, the State Board of Education and the Legislature. The women and men who create those rules need to understand our daily challenges and how they can help both us and parents meet the needs of the children in our classroom. That help can come in several ways. Most obviously, they create the budget that funds charter schools, complete with its nuances, strings and red tape. Over the past couple years, UAPCS has worked closely with our public officials to simplify that budget. Every time there’s a new line item, we have new reports, audits, monitoring visits, etc. And we’ve had remarkable success. Even as funding for charter schools has gone up and continues to increase year over year, the number of line items in that budget is shrinking. Not as fast as we’d like, but we’re making progress. Our message of flexibility and local control is getting through. To help our elected officials better understand the challenges in charter schools, we are scheduling monthly meetings with members of the Legislature at charter schools across the state. They want to see the good work you are doing and what we need to better meet students’ and families’ needs. I’ve already spoken to some members of Congress and the Legislature and will be contacting you over the coming weeks to organize more opportunities. MEETING THE NEEDS of Our Children We want to build more bridges between charter schools,so you can more easily share your struggles and successes,problems and solutions. We want to support you better. Expect to see us visiting your schools more often. We want to build more bridges between charter schools, so you can more easily share your struggles and successes, problems and solutions. Our opportunities to share give us strength, confidence and compassion. And we can all use more of that in charterland! So we look forward to working closely with and for you over the coming year. We all hope your summer was relaxing, invigorating and fun — and we know you are now back in the thick of things, on track for a great school year! 4
Congratulations UAPCS! To view this year’s winners, please scan the QR code. https://enter.amcpros.com/hermes/ winners/ 2023 Hermes Awards Winner! Hermes Creative Awards honors the messengers and creators of the information revolution. Armed with their imaginations and computers, Hermes winners bring their ideas to life through traditional and digital platforms. Each year, competition judges evaluate the creative industry’s best publications, branding collateral, websites, videos, and advertising, marketing, and communication programs. We are very pleased to announce that the CHARTEROLOGY magazine was awarded the Hermes Gold for print media. 5
COMMITTED TO GROWTH Preparing for 20,000 New Students By Royce Van Tassell, Executive Director Utah’s charterland is absolutely amazing. Our schools, teachers, parents, board members and students bring a wide range of ideas to more than 140 schools and make our schools vibrant, growing and amazing. We are nimble, decisive and dedicated to meeting the needs of our students, no matter where they come from or what needs they have. And our best days are ahead of us — we have so many possibilities, so many opportunities to grow and serve. As many of you have felt and seen, over the last several months, our largest authorizer, the State Charter School Board, has taken a decidedly different tack. For many years, a number of charter schools preferred to keep their heads down rather than raise a question or seek an amendment to their charter. Coming before the State Charter School Board was simply feared because we didn’t know what might happen. I believe those days are now in our past. Working with the State Board of Education, they have simplified the process for existing schools to expand when those expansions don’t necessitate substantial changes to your building. Similar simplifications in the application and approval process are coming for large expansions, ones that do require changes to your building. These changes are some of the most overt signs that they want to be charter school advocates and partners and that they are releasing the pent-up demand for changes, whether that is an additional grade, additional classrooms or more. Utah charters can and should be looking for opportunities to grow. I am not suggesting that this growth will be easy. It won’t. Unlike the past two decades, in the coming few years, the number of children attending Utah public schools will be effectively static. That means we are going to have to better understand what parents and students are looking for. They have a wealth of choices available to them — boundary district school, out-of-boundary district school, online options, private schools, home schools and, of course, us, Utah’s amazing charter schools. The COVID pandemic was extraordinarily difficult, but it showed both us and parents horizons and opportunities that few of us ever imagined. Many families decided that all zoom, all day was not right for their children. But even in rural Utah, they also decided they wanted more choice options. This was a surprising finding in the most recent polling UAPCS did about choice and charter schools statewide. Until COVID, I have never seen rural Utahns openly looking for choice options. Now, it’s very clear that we should be casting our eyes there because families are looking for education choices that meet each child’s different needs. Another underappreciated opportunity exists in providing schools that match the values parents teach at home. In this regard, charter schools have a distinct advantage over our friends and colleagues in school districts. When parents choose a charter school, they are choosing a set of values. Families with students at Utah Arts Academy (UAA) expect UAA to exemplify certain virtues. Although just a few minutes away, the families with students at 6
St. George Academy (SGA) expect SGA to rely on a different set of values. Neither is “right” or “wrong.” Parents can and do approach value questions differently. If the students at SGA and UAA were switched overnight, both schools would face the tensions over cultural differences that are plaguing school districts around the country. Why? Because there would be a mismatch between the values of the school and the values of the families. It’s no wonder that tension around what is appropriate in district schools spills into the public dialogue. Our friends in the school districts are just as committed to the welfare of the students and families attending their schools as we are. But it is probably inevitable that a single district-wide decision about values-laden issues will create tension with different segments of the thousands of families who attend the district. The growth opportunity for us is to identify cohesive communities and build, expand and serve those communities in ways that reflect their homegrown values. UAPCS is determined to help both existing and new charter schools thrive. Across these opportunities and many others, Utah charter schools will fill an additional 20,000 seats over the course of the 2020s. Utah’s charter school enrollment will be nearly 100,000 by the end of the decade. That is a big goal but one UAPCS is committed to helping us all achieve. That means helping existing schools and new schools simultaneously. You will see us playing in the primordial soup, identifying good potential schools and helping them write strong charter applications. You will see us advertising charter schools when existing schools are doing their enrollment and lotteries. We will advise and help schools that want to open another campus or maybe more than one. We are going to help all of Utah charterland do and be more. And it means we are all going to get better. Utah’s many wonderful charter schools are going to be THE choice for Utah families. You will see us playing in the primordial soup, identifying good potential schools and helping them write strong charter applications. 7
THE NEW UTAH EFFECTIVE TEACHING STANDARDS 8
The new Utah Effective Teaching Standards are set to benefit teachers and students throughout Utah. These standards, which were recently revised and updated, aim to provide a framework for high-quality teaching practices that will enhance student learning and achievement. Here are some of the critical benefits of these new standards: • Alignment with current research: The updated standards reflect the latest research and best practices in teaching. They are evidence-based strategies proven to promote student engagement, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By aligning with current research, the standards ensure teachers have the most effective tools and techniques to support student learning. • Clarity and consistency: The new standards provide a clear and consistent set of expectations for teachers. This helps ensure that all students can access highquality instruction regardless of location or school. The consistent implementation of the standards will make it easier for teachers to collaborate and share resources, ultimately leading to improved teaching practices and better student outcomes. • Focus on learner-centered instruction: The standards prioritize learner-centered education, which puts the needs and interests of students at the center of the learning process. This approach encourages teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of each student, considering their strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. By promoting learner-centered pedagogy, the Utah Effective Teaching Standards foster a more personalized and engaging learning experience for students, increasing their motivation and interest in the subject matter. • Professional growth and development: The new standards provide a framework for teachers to reflect on their practice and engage in continuous professional growth and development. They help teachers identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, allowing them to set goals and seek appropriate support and resources to enhance their teaching skills. This focus on professional growth benefits individual teachers and contributes to collective improvements in teaching quality across the state. • Accountability and support: The standards are a tool to evaluate and support teachers’ performance. They provide a common language and expectation for effective teaching, enabling administrators to offer constructive feedback and guidance to help teachers succeed. By establishing clear expectations for effective teaching, the Utah Effective Teaching Standards also help promote equitable access to quality education for every student in Utah. Reducing the number of standards from 10 to just 5 marks a significant shift in education that holds great promise for teachers and students alike. This streamlined approach is set to revolutionize the classroom experience by enabling educators to concentrate their efforts more effectively. In essence, the move from 10 to 5 standards represents a powerful step towards optimizing education for the benefit of both teachers and students. Standard 1: Learners and Learning Effective teachers demonstrate attention to the impact of unique learner characteristics on development and growth by personalizing learning, building relationships, respecting learner backgrounds and perspectives and fostering student self-awareness. Standard 2: Instruction Design Clarity Effective teachers preview classroom content, demonstrate clarity in how they organize and sequence instruction and plan for learning and student engagement by content, learning progression, instructional planning and engagement. Standard 3: Instructional Practice Effective teachers engage in high-quality instructional practices that are data-informed, exhibit a collaborative approach to teaching and learning and meet the learning needs of each student through instructional strategies, assessment practices, relevance, innovation and technology. Standard 4: Classroom Climate Effective teachers create academic, physical, social and emotional conditions, with an emphasis on academic performance through respectful learning environments, By Joylin Lincoln, Director of Teacher Licensing, UAPCS 9
classroom safety, classroom organization and a growthoriented classroom climate. Standard 5: Professional Responsibility Effective teachers demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to professional and ethical standards within their school, with families and in communities by adherence to laws, rules and policies; continuous professional learning; communication; and professional and ethical conduct. Implementing the new Utah Effective Teaching Standards requires a collaborative effort among educators, administrators, policymakers and other stakeholders. Here are some steps to begin implementing these standards effectively: • Familiarize yourself with the standards: Take the time to thoroughly review the new standards and understand their components and expectations. This will help you align your teaching practices with the standards and identify areas for improvement. • Engage in professional development: Seek professional development opportunities that are aligned with the new standards. This could include attending workshops or conferences, participating in online courses or engaging in peer collaboration and observation. By continuously improving your teaching skills, you can better meet the expectations of the standards. • Collaborate with colleagues: Collaborate with fellow teachers and administrators to share knowledge, resources and best practices aligned with the new standards. Collaborative planning and professional learning communities can provide a supportive environment for implementing the measures effectively. • Provide ongoing support and feedback: Administrators should provide teachers with ongoing support and feedback, focusing on areas of strength and improvement related to the standards. This can be done through regular classroom observations, formative assessments and one-on-one discussions. • Monitor and evaluate progress: Regularly monitor and assess the new standards’ implementation to ensure they have the desired impact on student learning and teacher practice. Collect data — such as student achievement data, teacher self-assessments and feedback from students, parents and guardians — to gauge the effectiveness of the standards. The new Utah Effective Teaching Standards bring many benefits that can improve teaching and student outcomes in the state’s education system. With a focus on current research, student-centered instruction and professional growth, these standards provide a framework for high-quality teaching practices. Educators can enhance student engagement, critical thinking and problem-solving skills by aligning their practices with the standards. Implementing these standards requires collaboration, professional development and ongoing support and feedback. By doing so, educators can ensure they are meeting the expectations and providing a quality education for all students in Utah. Scan the QR code to find the USBE handbook on Utah Effective Teaching Standards. https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/e4b09714-0799-4c8cab5a-49659fd5198c Educators can enhance student engagement, critical thinking and problem-solving skills by aligning their practices with the standards. 10
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ALUMNI PROFILE SPOTLIGHT BEEHIVE ACADEMY ALUM AIDEN PASINSKY THRIVES AT DUKE UNIVERSITY 12
Imagine a student asking to grow bacteria for a project during a worldwide pandemic. A sophisticated, university-level lab is required but not available. If you are a Beehive Academy of Science and Technology teacher, you convert a lab into the required BSL-1 (Biosafety Level 1). As teacher Kerrie Upenieks states, “Making the modifications was an easy decision to make. I always try to support my students and give them opportunities to reach their goals.” This dedication to STEM education and Beehive Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities allowed alumnus Aiden Pasinsky to dive deep into the world of marine biology and hone his problem-solving skills. Aiden is now a freshman at Duke University. His research experience at Beehive not only helped him get into Duke but also helped him secure a position on a marine conservation project and get work in a lab with bacteria growth models. As a double major in biomedical engineering and computer science, he still finds time to speak to several of his Beehive friends daily. Aiden began at Beehive in sixth grade after leaving his private school and looking at a variety of district and charter schools. Aiden remembers his father asking him, “Where do you think you’ll learn the most?” After choosing Beehive, Aiden participated in robotics during middle school. He credits Mr. Bryant with fostering his love of engineering in eighth grade. “He would modify lessons on what his students wanted to know,” Aiden recalls. A couple of years later, when watching a TED Talk by Penny Chisholm, MIT Oceanographer, Aiden became fascinated by the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus. This ocean-based 13
cyanobacterium provides as much photosynthesis as all the world’s earth-based plants. He developed an idea for modifying the bacteria to build resistance to the rising ocean temperatures, and his journey began. Because of the smaller-sized institution, Beehive was able to accommodate Aiden’s request to perform research and was dedicated to seeing him succeed. Aiden experienced unwavering support, prompting him to reflect, “Everyone’s in your corner.” He had several mentors, including science teacher Kerrie Upenieks, who helped prepare him for science fairs and other competitions. He even reached out to Dr. Chisholm to discuss his progress during the summers. Aiden worked on his Prochlorococcus research throughout high school. Aiden’s commitment to scientific exploration was rewarded. His work earned him numerous accolades, including a Silver Medal at the International Genius Olympiad and a spot as a Finalist at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Additionally, he received the prestigious National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award twice for his research on Prochlorococcus, highlighting the significance of his contributions to marine science. He also received the Grand Award at the Utah Science and Engineering Fair. The school’s emphasis on academic excellence was matched by its commitment to fostering personal growth and character development. Aiden participated on the student council, in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), in speech and debate for the Utah Technology Student Association and was a Sterling Scholar Finalist. His graduating class is close with one another, and he maintains relationships with “over a dozen of them.” Aiden appreciated the support of all the teachers and administration at Beehive. He said, “You get out what you put in, but they will make every effort to push you to great heights.” Aiden’s remarkable achievements and continued connection with his Beehive peers exemplify the values and educational excellence upheld by the Beehive Academy of Science and Technology. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the impact of exceptional education, community support and the pursuit of one’s passions in shaping a bright and promising future. Beehive Science and Technology Academy was named #1 Best High School in Utah and #116 Best High School in the nation by 2023 U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about Beehive Academy, visit www.beehiveacademy.org. Because of the smaller-sized institution, Beehive was able to accommodate Aiden’s request to perform research and was dedicated to seeing him succeed. 14
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1 KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM HAMISH BREWER 1 AWARDS DINNER ADDRESS FROM UTAH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BRAD WILSON 18
Students from North Davis Preparatory Academy shared science projects they presented in Spain, in Spanish! 7 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS 19
AWARD WINNERS SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Good Foundations Academy Good Foundations Academy administration, faculty, staff and board work together to increase student engagement, student learning and student success. As a school with an emphasis on character, they work hard to foster in their students a sense of honesty, respect, integrity and responsibility to grow to be contributing members of society. Parent volunteers contribute countless hours to support the school and provide opportunities beyond what the school can provide alone. Their academics and extracurricular activities are strong. The school motto is “Aim High, Work Hard, Be Great!” and that is exactly what happens every day at Good Foundations Academy. Runner-up: Monticello Academy 20
TEACHER OF THE YEAR Denise Mott, Ascent Academy Denise is a veteran educator and has changed many students’ lives over her 30 years in education. She maintains very high expectations for academics and behavior in her classroom. Year after year, students stretch themselves to reach those expectations because the students know she loves them and is genuinely concerned for their success. She builds foundations of trust with her students, who are blessed to be in the classroom of this master teacher. Runner-up: Kathryn Connolly, North Davis Preparatory Academy ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR Tracey Nelsen, GreenWood Charter School Tracey is dedicated to GreenWood Charter School. Her confident leadership shows faith in her teachers, staff and students. She showed grit through the pandemic and doesn’t give up on challenges. She literally had to deal with a dumpster fire! She celebrates the positives and encourages students and staff to grow and develop. She has an open-door policy and lends a hand wherever it is needed. Runner-up: Fernando Seminario, Paradigm High School ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Kory Kyker, Itineris Early College High School Kory is the Registrar at Itineris Early College High School. He has jumped into this essential role with “gusto” and is not afraid to reach out to others, find the best way to complete his role and support students. His attention to detail helped the school stay compliant with the state, while his friendly personality has made him approachable to students and parents. He has tackled the complex master schedule at Itineris with its many concurrent enrollment courses and is constantly looking for ways to improve processes. Runner-up: Betta Gillespie, Legacy Preparatory Academy EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Gloria Tapia, Dual Immersion Academy Gloria is the Assessment/RTI Director at DIA. She also manages federal grants. Gloria builds community wherever she goes and advocates for her RTI staff. She is always looking for ways to build her own skill set in order to best serve students and their families. Student achievement has made great progress, and the numbers show it. Gloria brings both levity and professionalism to DIA programs and the school. She is always approachable, positive and effective in her role. Runner-up: Bruce Hinckley, Career Path High School 21
LEGISLATORS OF THE YEAR Representative Susan Pulsipher and Senator Lincoln Fillmore, Co-Chairs, Education Appropriations Committee, Utah Legislature Representative Pulsipher and Senator Fillmore have worked tirelessly for public education, with attention to public charter schools, to provide significant funding. The WPU was increased 6% overall, with additional funds going to teacher salary increases, full-day kindergarten funding and high-risk student funding. Charter school base funding and LRF funding were also increased. Representative Pulsipher worked to simplify reporting. BOARD OF THE YEAR Voyage Academy Voyage Academy’s board offers oversight without stepping into management. They have built trust with the administration and the school community by keeping in tune with student needs, achievement levels and staff morale. The board is supportive of school events. While mostly parents, they maintain professionalism and objectivity to serve all students. Runner-up: Hawthorn Academy BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR Nate Adams, Red Apple Financial Nate works with several public charter schools, including Dual Immersion Academy and CS Lewis Academy. Angela Fanjul, DIA Director, appreciates Nate’s clear management of finances, especially during the pandemic. Diane Nelson, CS Lewis Academy, appreciates that Nate’s attention to detail is “the best.” Runner-up: Brad Wilkinson, Summit Academy 22
ADMINISTRATORS ACES (Aspiring Charter Executives Seminars) For all those who want to grow into an administrative role or want to brush up on a topic. Held over Zoom from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm on October 18 and 25; November 1, 8, 15 and 29; and December 6 and 13. Administrator Lunch Seminars Held monthly on the third Wednesday over Zoom from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Administrator Retreats In-person meetings held around the state in February and April. New Director Cohort and Book Study Join other “new” directors for networking and discussing Principal in Balance over Zoom from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm on October 19, November 16 and December 14. CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD New Board Chair Training Training and networking opportunities for new board chairs over Zoom from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm on October 16, November 13 and December 11. Board Training Training and networking opportunity for all board members, held over Zoom from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm on November 9 and February 15. Custom Board Training, Open and Public Meeting Act Training and Board Mentors Reach out to shannon@utahcharters.org for more information. PRE-OPERATIONAL SCHOOLS Monthly training Covers all you need to know about opening a charter school, held over Zoom at 7:00 pm on November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 5, April 9, May 14, June 11 and 12 and July 9. MORE RESOURCES Mentors We can provide mentors for a variety of positions, including administration, business management, board members, etc. On Demand Training Videos We have a variety of training videos on our website under the Resources tab and in Training Videos. Sample Forms and Policies Find it under our Resources tab. Podcast Charter School Conversations is available on most streaming platforms and on our website under the Resources tab. Member Meetings Looking for the latest information about charterland? Find it online under the Events tab and in Member Meetings for recaps of current events. All training is provided by a grant from the SCSB at no cost to the participants. UAPCS TRAINING For more details and registration links, visit utahcharters.org/training. 23
Jeffrey M. Hirst, CIC Account Executive 448 South 400 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 (801) 364-3434 www.american-ins.com Creating a protected environment for educational opportunities. American Insurance has worked hard over the years to cultivate relationships with insurance carriers that provide the best coverage and service to charter schools. Our goal is to provide schools with the protection they need so they can focus on education and growth. Program Advantages Include: • Competitive pricing from strong, private insurers • Broad coverage options and strong protection • Flexibility to meet the school’s needs, including out-of-state travel and non-profit board liability coverage • Loss control & risk management resources We are the UAPCS endorsed property & casualty insurance program. Bonneville Salt Flats The Bonneville Salt Flats comprises 30,000 acres of desolate, densely packed salt pan. The spot’s incredibly flat and smooth terrain makes it a popular destination for speed-seeking land racers since 1914. Racing takes place at part of the Bonneville Salt Flats known as the Bonneville Speedway. There are five major land speed events that take place at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bonneville "Speed Week" takes place mid-August followed by "World of Speed" in September and the "World Finals" take place early October. In 1964, a man named Norman Craig Breedlove broke the record for longest continuous tire skid when he lost control of his jet-powered Spirit of America on the flats. The resulting skid marks stretched six miles long. Did You Know? Utah is home to the longest skidmark of all time. This magazine is designed and published by The newsLINK Group, LLC | 855.747.4003 785 East 200 South, Suite 13 Lehi, UT 84043
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