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Boston Unive Residential Charter School The First Residential Charter School in the Nation Boston University Residential Charter School PRINCIPAL PARTNERS Boston University Charter School, Inc. Boston University Fourth largest private university in the country. Strong commitment and history of service to the Greater Boston community, particularly in the arena of public education and at-risk youth. Access to highly-respected faculty and extensive research capability to support the project. Access to student teachers and graduate level interns in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, and Education. Concord-Assabet Family and Adolescent Services, Inc. Private, not-for-profit agency providing services to nearly 8,000 individuals annually across a broad range of services. Specializes in full range of services for adolescents from prevention to residential treatment and special education; operates multi-site residential and day schools for emotionally disturbed adolescents. Holds licenses for foster care, group homes and emergency shelters, adoption, and outpatient mental health clinics. Wholly owned subsidiary: International Institute for Innovation in Education and Child and Family Development. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PRINCIPAL PARTNERS Other Collaborating Organizations Brewster Academy and the Endeavour Group 176 year old independent, coeducational boarding and day school located in Wolfeboro, NH. First working application of the Endeavour Group's School Design Model© Peer learning, individualized curricula, tutoring, small group interaction, direct teaching, network technology, demonstrated mastery, and close monitoring of student performance. International Center for Residential Education Washington, DC based nonprofit organization established in 1993 to improve the quality and increase the availability of residential education as one option for at-risk American youth, using domestic and international models of residential education. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Academic Component School Design Model©- Developed by Dr. Alain Bain of the Endeavor Group and built on carefully researched best practices in education. Mastery curriculum designed to meet the individual cognitive and affective needs of every student. Technology utilized as a core teaching/learning/communications tool. Application of the School Design Model© Student-centered teaching and learning guides the curriculum. Each student's learning styles are known before instruction begins. Students are helped to progress at the fastest rate possible. Seven week in-service teacher training program ensures that student learning styles and best practices are integrated into every class. Interdisciplinary teaching teams provide challenge, guidance and support to small student groups. Technology common to the everyday worlds of business and play is matched in the key learning environment for students: their school. All staff and students have ready access to technology and can access resources from across the campus or from around the world. Decency, honesty and integrity are core values integrated throughout the curriculum. Caring and hard work are rewarded. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Residential Component Residential Life: Facilities and Staffing Fort Devens offers a beautiful and safe campus-like setting with excellent facilities that are readily adaptable to educational use. Students will live in clusters of family-style homes with resident staff couples who support their academic efforts, and social and emotional growth and development. Family-style homes will be limited to eight students in order to ensure a nurturing, supportive environment and to accommodate individual needs. Residential Life: Core Program SAFETY: Provide a safe environment in which youth learn that they can trust adults to protect them from bodily and psychological harm. COMMUNITY: Provide young people with the opportunity to be valued and contributing members of the community. Belonging is primary and community service opportunities prove to each youth that he or she can make a positive difference in someone else's life. IDENTITY/SELF-ESTEEM: Provide structured opportunities to test individual and collaborative strengths and abilities thereby building self-esteem, and individual and group identity. Individual and community responsibility inform the core values that are an integral piece of community life. STRUCTURE: Clearly articulated expectations and a structured daily plan provide students with the guidance and discipline they seek and need. Opportunities for individual choices within this structure facilitate development of sound decision-making and personal responsibility. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Other Program Elements Formal orientation period including outdoor challenge activities in residential groups. Individual student plan/contract into which the student has significant input. Built-in peer support systems. Formal links between academic and residential components. Staff training, staff support and staff advancement systems that enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of staff by building on their innate talents and abilities. Management philosophy and style clearly articulated to staff and students and which provides ample opportunities for feedback. Staff and student accountability for a clearly articulated, shared set of core values. Linkage to family and home community before, during and after student's stay. Linkage to the nearby community to facilitate community service, extracurricular activities, academic exchanges, and work. Assistance to students in straddling their two worlds: the cultures of their family and home community and the residential education community in which they are living. Clear guidelines coupled with flexibility in dealing with disruptive behavior. Preparation for the post-graduate life and after-care to ensure student's successful transition. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School CURRENT STATUS The Charter Boston University Residential Charter School Currently holds one of 25 charters issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the 1993 Education Reform Act. Revision of Charter Proposal Submitted 3/96 reflecting partnership with Concord-Assabet. Budget changes resulted in a 40% reduction in the projected per pupil expenditures over the original budget. Additional Affiliations Identification of curriculum model: School Design Model© from Endeavor Group and Brewster Academy. Consultation with the International Center for Residential Education, Washington, DC. Site The Massachusetts Government Land Bank Letter of Commitment received March 1996 to provide educational, residential, and recreational facilities at Fort Devens. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School CURRENT STATUS Funding Education Reform Act of 1993 Provides mechanism for allocating local per pupil costs to Charter Schools. Department of Education Planning Grants for Charter Schools pending. The CARLISLE Foundation Planning grant awarded. William K. Bradford Publishing Company Donation of educational software pledged. Boston University Planning support ongoing. Foundations and Corporations Requests for start-up support in process. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School CURRENT STATUS Pending Business Department of Social Services Negotiation for blended foster care rate to fund residential component Meeting scheduled April 3 with Secretary of Health and Human Services, Gerald Whitburn. Completion of implementation plan Hiring and training of core staff Renovation of facilities Projected opening: January 1997 Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HISTORY Development of Conceptual Framework Christian Science Monitor op-ed piece (August 1992) by Rear Admiral W. Norman Johnson proposes use of military assets (veterans and facilities) to address problems facing at-risk youth. "Veterans and the Inner City" forum co-sponsored by Boston University and Business Executives for National Security (November 1992) "First in Peace" concept developed by Rear Admiral Johnson (December 1992) - generates broad interest and support from political leaders, foundations, and the media, nationwide Veterans as teachers/mentors for at-risk youth Utilizing sites on closing/downsizing military bases Center for Naval Analyses conducts review of programs nationwide serving at-risk youth Consultation with educators and leaders in social services, education, community service, and child welfare. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HISTORY Concept Application/Demonstration Projects 1993 "First in Peace" summer camp launched by Boston University at Fort Devens Target population: 45 high-risk adolescent boys from Boston Program design: 4-week residential summer program combining education and community service with the National Park Service 1994 Summer of Safety Program sponsored by the National Civilian Community Corps and implemented by Boston University at Fort Devens Target population: 100 youths, ages 14-17 from across the country Program design: 7-week residential summer program combining education and community service in 8 communities in eastern Massachusetts. Winter 1994-Development of Boston University Residential Charter School Proposal Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96 Boston University Residential Charter School PROGRAM HISTORY Charter Awarded December 1994 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Planning Phase - August 1994 to July 1995 Boston University authorizes hiring of planning staff. Massachusetts Government Land Bank, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Education allocate Fort Devens property and facilities to Boston University Residential Charter School. Evaluation of other residential education models nationwide. Meetings with representatives of state youth agencies. Development of business plan. Strategic Partnership Developed Partnership proposed with Concord-Assabet Family and Adolescent Services, Inc. - September 1995 Memorandum of Understanding signed between partners - January 1996. The CARLISLE Foundation expresses interest in program and introduces partners to Brewster Academy and the developers of the School Design Model©. The CARLISLE Foundation funds Concord-Assabet to continue planning/implementation process with Boston University for the residential charter school. Boston University/Concord-Assabet 3/28/96