Policy 1315 - Continuous Improvement Plan

Continuous Improvement Plan
Idaho Code states that public charter schools shall develop an annual continuous improvement plan, or may use their performance certificate in place of a separate continuous improvement plan. 

Section 33-320, Idaho Code:

"CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND TRAINING. (1) Each school district and public charter school in Idaho shall develop an annual plan that is part of a continuous focus on improving the student performance of the district or public charter school. A public charter school may use its performance certificate in lieu of a separate continuous improvement plan." 

If the Board opts to develop an improvement plan, the improvement plan shall designed to improve student achievement, assess and prioritize needs, and measure outcomes.

The Board shall work with the Executive Director to engage students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members as appropriate in the planning process.

The annual continuous improvement plan shall:

  1. Be data driven, specifically in student outcomes, and shall include but not be limited to analysis of demographic data, student achievement and growth data, graduation rates, and college and career readiness;
  2. Set clear and measurable targets based on student outcomes;
  3. Include a clearly developed and articulated vision and mission;
  4. Include key indicators for monitoring performance; and
  5. Include a report of progress toward the previous year’s improvement goals.

Multiple measures shall be used to determine student readiness and improvement. At a minimum, the Board shall set a benchmark for each of the following metrics:

  1. Career and College Readiness: The number and percentage of students meeting the college ready benchmark in mathematics and English Language Arts on a state recognized college entrance exam. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students meeting the college readiness benchmark.
  2. High School Readiness: The number and percentage of students meeting proficient or advanced on the 8th grade Idaho Standards Achievement Test in mathematics and English language usage. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced. 
  3. 7th Grade Readiness: The number and percentage of students meeting proficient or advanced on the 6th grade Idaho Standards Achievement Test in mathematics and English language usage. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced.
  4. 4th Grade Reading Readiness: The number and percentage of students reading at grade level on the spring 3rd grade statewide reading assessment. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring at grade level.
  5. 3rd Grade Reading Readiness: The number and percentage of students reading at grade level on the spring 2nd grade statewide reading assessment. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring at grade level.
  6. 2nd Grade Reading Readiness: The number and percentage of students reading at grade level on the spring 1st grade statewide reading assessment. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring at grade level.
  7. 1st Grade Reading Readiness: The number and percentage of students reading at grade level on the spring kindergarten statewide reading assessment. Improvement shall be measured by year over year growth in the percentage of students scoring at grade level.

The Board may engage in planning training to assist in the process and the development of the plan. Qualified planning training may be reimbursable by the state through the process outlined in Idaho State Board of Education rule.

The Board shall continuously monitor progress towards the targets for student outcomes included in the plan by using relevant data to measure growth. Such progress shall be included in the Board’s annual evaluation of the Executive Director.

The Charter School plan, or performance criteria, shall be made available to the public by being posted on the Charter School website. If the Board chooses to develop a continuous improvement plan, the plan must be reviewed, updated annually, and posted no later than October 1 each year.

Cross References:
§ 1645 Board Development Opportunities
§ 4130 Public Access to Charter School Website

Legal References:
I.C. § 33-320 Continuous Improvement Planning and Training
I.D.A.P.A. 08.02.01.801 Planning and Training

Policy History:
Adopted on: May 17, 2021
Revised on: December 18, 2023
Reviewed on: