Part I: Overview of Innovations Public Charter School

Innovations Public Charter School (IPCS) is committed to creating an engaging environment that prepares its learners for life in a changing world. This community will think independently and creatively as both teachers and students take responsibility for learning. The teaching staff will continue to innovate through collaboration and technology using an inquiry/project-based curriculum.

Innovations Public Charter School will open in August, 2001. The school will service approximately 90 students in grades 3, 4 and 5 for the first two years. Second grade will be added the third year. K-1 will be added year 4. By SY 2004-2005, Innovations will service 120 K-5 aged children (see enrollment chart in Section VIII, page 3 for details which will explain how an enrollment cap of 120 students is possible despite increasing the number of grade levels serviced). Total enrollment for the school will remain at approximately 120 students.

IPCS will be located on the campus of Kahakai Elementary School. It will be an inclusive school accepting all applicants regardless of ethnicity and/or spoken language, and it will meet the educational needs of a diverse heterogeneous population.

This charter school will enable colleagues with the same vision and mission to plan and work together. As we understand it, we are the first group of teachers in the state to plan a program together and seek a charter. Common educational philosophy agreements among the staff and reduced staff size will enable decisions to be made in a timely manner. Learning will be enhanced by drawing on each staff member's area of interest, expertise and strength. Grade level curriculum will be taught to any child who is ready, regardless of age. Subjects will be integrated into project formats and reflect the interest of individual students regardless of grade level. Students will be organized into teams structured by developmental levels and interest, but these teams will be flexibly populated, permitting children who are interested to move from one to another as different subjects and projects are pursued. Reports on student progress will be aligned with the curriculum and reflect the development of the child. Each child will have a staff mentor who follows the development of that child from year to year.

These arrangements are not found in non-charter schools in Hawaii`i, in as much as the existing infrastructure restricts team building, shared learning, experiential project-based systems, and innovative and creative management. The strategies employed will demonstrate that learning is a shared responsibility. Students will take an active role in the design and implementation of integrative learning projects as well as assume responsibility for their success. They will share a curiosity and enthusiasm for learning in a non-traditional environment.

The curriculum will be based on Hawai'i's Content Standards. Unit planning will be assessment- driven and will involve students in the planning and assessment process. Innovations' students will be assessed using the same instruments as non-charter school students, during the same time frame, using Hawaii State assessment tools. Integrated formal and informal assessments that confirm student progress and provide for early identification of students requiring either additional support or greater challenges will be employed along with assessments that measure the acquisition of higher-order skills.

An Accountability Plan which is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders will measure student progress, monitor effective implementation of school programs, and provide information needed for the Annual Accountability Report.

Innovations Public Charter School Planning Committee is comprised of an Interim Board consisting of teachers, parents and community representatives. The Interim Board oversees the Founders Group comprised of the following potential parents and interested community members of IPCS: Jonathan and Tiare Hee, Ms. Cindy Foster, Sharon Azevedo, Debbie Waitley, David and Valerie Hoke, Mary Sue Ross, Kim and Pali Mench, Taylor and Felicia Easley, and Toddy Martin.

This implementation plan was developed as a cooperative effort between the Interim Board and the Founders Group, with input gathered from the community at-large through public and PTO meetings, and informal small group discussions with community members and parents. The purpose of these meetings and discussions was to discern what parents and community expected from a charter school, share initial planning ideas and receive feedback and solicit help from interested volunteers. Input received from parents and community is reflected in this plan.

Once chartered, the Interim Board will be replaced by a Local School Board (LSB) consisting of parents, teachers, staff, the teacher director, student and community representatives, each chosen by its constituent group. The LSB will be responsible for policy decisions and for periodic review of the school mission, major administrative decisions, performance criteria and personnel.

To keep the community informed, Innovations Public Charter School has established a web site for continued updates on the progress of IPCS. This site contains links to state and national charter web sites, Hawaii Consortium meeting minutes and Innovations Public Charter School information. Parents and community are invited to contact us via e-mail with any concerns, comments or suggestions.

As IPCS continues its development phase during SY 2000-2001, meetings with parents and the community will be held to disseminate information and gather input.