This proposal was made possible by Idaho Code, Chapter 52, Title 33, passed by the Idaho Legislature in 1998. This legislation offered a generous invitation for the creation of up to sixty Charter Schools in the first five years after the effective date of the act. Although, to date there are only 13 charter schools in Idaho, it does provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure, as a method to accomplish all of the following:

We respectfully submit this proposal for a five-year renewal of our charter, which will allow parents in the vicinity of Nampa the opportunity to qualify for the lottery in accordance with the Charter legislation.

Our proposal for a Charter School is an alternative educational opportunity that offers students the promise of a Kindergarten through Grade 12 education which will lead to a successful post high school experience and/or admission to an institution of higher education. This promise is made with the understanding that an education is a shared responsibility of the public schools, the parents, the community and the individual learners. The authors of this Charter continue to value the commendable energy, dedication and success of all schools. We believe that our Charter School status in the Nampa will provide a unique and additional opportunity to address the educational needs and desires of our children.

The distinctive aspects of Liberty Charter include the addition of seventh through twelfth grade, the study of a second language, piano lessons for Kindergarten through third grade students, enriched gifted and talented services, high school humanities opportunity, career guidance and development, integration of community, and school and family service into the learning process.

Seventh/Eighth Grade Opportunity - Realizing that the junior high years are critical to a child’s self esteem, the focus of the seventh and eighth grades has been and will continue to be to provide a different environment where students have experienced less stress. There is less movement from room to room, fewer teachers and students, therefore a smaller arena that is not as threatening to a student’s self esteem when taking risks or making mistakes.

High School Humanities Opportunity – Students entering high school arrive with a multitude of budding dreams and desires. At the heart of Liberty Charter High School is encouraging the imagination, curiosity and inspiration in students to enable them to create meaning and purpose from their knowledge, the willingness to grapple with concepts and information until they’re their own, and the gaining of a self-respect and initiative. At the heart of the charter high school is the opportunity to expand upon essential content standards, at the state and district level, using substantial technology, and a myriad of hands-on/application experiences in order for high-level understanding and life skills to also become the goals of each student. On a broader scale, the empowering goal of the school is to provide a substantial academic foundation so that all its graduates possess key advantages upon entering college or applicable to any post-high school/professional field.

Foreign Language - The study of a foreign language is an integral and distinguishing aspect of the Charter curriculum. Research demonstrates that the study of a second language boost English proficiency, improves memory and self-discipline and enhances verbal and problem-solving skills. Studies also show that learning a foreign language actually contributes to better SAT and ACT scores. Most colleges and universities require a second language for incoming students. In addition:

The initial emphasis will be with intermediate level learners (ages 9-13) with a gradual expansion in subsequent years, allowing students at the high school level to regulate their own language acquisition. An expected outcome is that learners will communicate and interact effectively in a second language.

.5 hours per week - It is our belief that early musical training - particularly on the piano - can dramatically boost a child’s brain power, building the kind of skills necessary to succeed in high level math and science. Recent studies of California and Wisconsin showed that after only six months, pre-school piano students out-performed those who had not studied by 35% on measured intelligence tests! Further studies have shown that the best time to boost brainpower through music is between the ages of two and ten.

The explanation for this phenomenon is simple: when a child makes music, brain cells begin firing in patterns - linking with each other and forming a network of lasting connections. This exercises and strengthens the same bridges in the brain that are believed to lay the framework for logic, order, and abstract reasoning.

Therefore, we created a piano lab where primary students (grades K - 3) learn the basics of playing the keyboard. High school students will continue their musical instruction through expanded choir and band programs. It is not our intent to turn every child into a Mozart or an Einstein. But it is our desire to stimulate as much brain activity as possible. . .for the stimulus a child receives early in life will determine how well their brain functions through life.

Gifted and Talented Enrichment - In a society based on democratic principles, each person has the right to learn at the most appropriate level where growth will take place. Because gifted and/or talented students have special needs, they will be provided educational experiences that will strive to meet those needs in the regular classroom as well as in special classes, seminars or workshops. The Charter environment will allow areas to be pursued beyond the scope of the regular curriculum - regardless of their areas of giftedness or talents. This will be accomplished through but not limited to clustering, competitions, consultations, curriculum compacting, honors classes, independent study, interest-based workshops during intercessions, and pullout classes.

Liberty Charter School will use the following outline of identification procedures for our gifted and talented program:

Career Development and Guidance – Participating in a myriad of job-shadowing opportunities, Liberty Charter High School is enabling students to receive and formally document and develop job-skills portfolios. Special time and attention is devoted to scholarship application and experience, on-going resume development, as well as career studies completed by each student.

Community, School and Family Service - Community service is a vital and distinctive element of the Charter curriculum. Learners reap the rewards that come from being active, contributing community members. They experientially discover the interrelationships of community members. They feel the satisfaction of seeing their activity produce positive changes in their community and their lives. Moreover, it is critical that our children develop into young adults who possess a deep sense of loyalty and responsibility for the family that has invested in them. Daily homework will include students being expected to invest back into their families by voluntarily satisfying needs within their homes, as well as complete specific projects with or for their families. Additionally, students will be expected to find ways to invest back into their school by applying to work for various staff in order to learn how to be responsible to job-related expectations. The purpose of School Service is also to help our students realize that the excellence of any school is dependent on a team of workers, of which the students constitute key members.

The community, school and family service requirement are designed to instill a sense of individual, social, and civic responsibility. It enables learners to become whole people whose presence in society is valuable because of their development of values and newly found knowledge to solve for the needs of others. Specifics of the program are determined by the learners and Charter staff during the initial weeks of each school year, based on current community needs and interaction with parents, community and governmental leaders.

Technology - Technology provides learners with skills that prepare them for future employment. The term "technology" includes learning tools such as computers, interactive video equipment, audio-visual aids, scientific equipment and networks linked to local and nationwide resources. These tools help students guide their own education. They support a child’s natural way of learning through individual and group discovery, and through seeking solutions to real life challenges. "Learning how to learn" is the real purpose of education. Those who succeed in this goal become lifelong learners. Interactive technologies properly used for this goal leap the barriers of time, space and limited attention span and bring the world to our fingertips.

Computers are tools used for activities such as:

The Educational Learning Program is accomplished within the context and focus of the Thoroughness Standards as defined in section 33-1612, Idaho Code. The architects of the Liberty Charter School understand that a "thorough system of public schools" in Idaho is one in which:

1. A safe environment conducive to learning is provided;

2. Educators are empowered to maintain classroom discipline;

3. The basic values of honesty, self-discipline, unselfishness, respect for authority and the central importance of work are emphasized;

4. The skills necessary to communicate effectively are taught;

5. A basic curriculum necessary to enable students to enter academic or vocational post secondary educational programs are provided;

of their homes, schools and communities is emphasized.

Liberty Charter School achieves the Thoroughness Standards through its basic curriculum (Attachment 3, matrix) and the unique aspects, which includes the unique aspect of technology integration in all major high school subject areas. The instruction of the curriculum is accomplished by using an aligned proactive method. A combination of a strong emphasis on kindness, the "golden rule", and a reward system (Citizen of the Week and Citizen of the Month) which honors children who are hard working, responsible, honest, respectful, etc. and creates an environment allowing for student peace of mind which then maximizes learning potential. We focus on the memorization and dramatization of classic poetry rich in moral education. Through daily recitation, discussion, and application to life situations, this aligned proactive approach creates a sensitivity for mankind in staff and students.

The Thoroughness Standards are fulfilled through Liberty Charter School’s curriculum. This curriculum is taught, reviewed, and practiced within the context of the mission, The Liberty Charter School’s mission is to develop students who are competent, confident, productive and responsible young adults who possess the habits, skills and attitudes to succeed in life and be offered the invitation of a post-secondary education and satisfying employment.

This mission seeks to develop an educated citizenry for the 21st Century through a dynamic, interactive, academic program where pacing is driven by student capabilities, not textbooks. Our students will be well grounded in the basics, such as, reading, writing, math, science and social studies. In addition, our students will evolve into citizens who will develop the following academic habits:

They will develop personal habits and attitudes of:

n...concentration and perseverance;

n...seeking a fair share of the workload;

n...managing time in a responsible manner;

The development of the above noted habits and attitudes requires a climate that is conducive for learning. The philosophy of the Liberty Charter School is that learning occurs when:

Each child has the right to come to school without fear of taunting, teasing or violence. Each parent has the right to expect a school to provide a safe, kind environment for his/her child. Each staff member has the right to teach without fear of violence. Students, parents and teachers will experience peace of mind in the Liberty Charter School setting. We believe that a "kind" environment should be extended through the potentially tumultuous junior high years.

A BASIC CURRICULUM:

In keeping with the Liberty Charter School’s mission to prepare learners to be functional citizens of the 21st century, we recognize that such preparation is more than the assimilation of facts. Proficiency in a discipline means that the learner becomes a capable practitioner and has a sufficient foundation to pursue advanced study. The Charter emphasizes both the exploration, acquisition and application of knowledge.

Liberty Charter curriculum contains both traditional academic subjects and additional language areas that make the Charter unique. The Idaho State Department of Education’s Standards and Benchmarks serve as the starting point and is enhanced with unifying themes and other creative methods.

The subjects that comprise the curriculum are listed and briefly discussed below. The traditional core curriculum areas - language, arts, math, science, social studies - remain strongly emphasized.

They are augmented by music, theater, art, health, physical, and environmental education. The Liberty Charter School will utilize the basic elements of the Idaho State Department of Educations adopted Standards and Benchmarks.

Language Arts (English and Foreign) - The goal is to develop learners who are effective communicators, who love literature, and are lifelong readers and writers. The curriculum is

literature based. Comprehensive skills, grammar and vocabulary are integrated within the literature program. Specifically, Spaulding Writing Road to Reading will be used in Phonics and Spelling Grades K-8. Shurley Program will be used for English Grades 1 – 8.

Dramatization and memorization of accelerated vocabulary is a motivational aspect of the language arts experience. Writing includes self analysis connected with student learning goals through a personal journal, as well as, creative, expository and professional writing. Communication skills include speaking and writing, and expand into presentation skills, using modern technological tools.

Science and Health - The Liberty Charter science curriculum is a multi-year sequence, which emphasizes hands-on experimentation and functional knowledge of scientific phenomena. Science will be taught in a lab setting Grades 3 – high school. Science curriculum has been aligned with the Idaho State Standards and Benchmarks.

Science must take students beyond the factual approach of reading, reciting, drilling and testing science to actually "doing" and "feeling". This process approach lets students experience the excitement of science so they can better understand facts and concepts.

Kindergarten through third grade students focus on the basic science process skills of observing, inferring, measuring, communicating, classifying and predicting. Fourth through eighth grade students add the integrated science process skills of identifying variables, constructing tables of data, constructing graphs, describing relationships between variables, acquiring and processing data, constructing hypotheses and designing investigations. Ninth through twelfth grade provide more academically and individually challenging situations in which to use the above skills by having students conduct individual and team lab studies.

Math - Kindergarten through eighth grade students master the arithmetic processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals through Hall of Fame Drills. Our math program has been developed by Liberty teachers, K – 7. The program is taught in a fast-paced, direct teaching method. However, since mathematical learning is not a spectator sport, we will continue to have concept and manipulative experiences that engage students in exploring, conjecturing and thinking. This is taught using manipulative materials compiled from a variety of sources. Through these hands-on activities, students will view and use math as a tool for reasoning and problem solving in purposeful ways.

Social Studies and Community Service - Kindergarten through eighth grade will follow the basic elements of the state adopted standards and benchmarks. Social Studies is taught utilizing grade level reading novels taught through a thematic approach. In addition, there will be a strong emphasis on community service in the seventh and eighth grades as students apply their understanding of and their contributions to the world around them. We seek out ways for the students to discover and experience responsibilities and rights as members of our democratic community. Our community service starts at the school site.

Environmental Education – Liberty Charter School emphasizes responsibility towards the health of our cities and our planet. We believe that environmental education starts at home and is more than a once a year activity. Learners will start at the school site, participating in daily activities which will instill lifelong awareness of the critical relationships between the individual and natural environments. Learners will study and debate real life issues such as coping with diminishing

resources. Consistent participation in Nampa community projects will show learners how they can affect the future quality of our cities and health of our green spaces.

Technology – Liberty Charter School emphasizes the area of technology. (Attachment 4). This provides our learners with skills, which prepare them for future employment. This supports a child’s natural way of learning through individual and group discovery and seeking solutions to real life challenges. Learning how to learn is not only the real purpose of education, but it also leads to our goal of becoming lifelong learners.

All students experience a common core of learning which fulfills the school’s mission to produce students who possess the academic and personal habits and attitudes desired of an educated citizen in the 21st century. It is the intent of the Charter School to remain aligned with the general standards and benchmarks of the Idaho State Department of Education.

Our students will be able to:

*...develop oral and written skills;

*...have sufficient knowledge of science to be responsible users of scientific information;

The Liberty Charter School’s learning program is built on the belief that all children can learn, but not in the same way, or equally well from the same sources. It recognizes that children are variously gifted. It is based on the work of Howard Gardner of Harvard, who has identified the following seven capabilities or "intelligences":

Although all seven areas are examined and encouraged through instruction and the gifted and talented program, the Charter School has retained the traditional focus on linguistic and mathematical/logical areas, and have implemented a unique musical component, a piano lab.

One way of accomplishing this focus has been through the Personalized Learning Goal. Working together, student, parent and educator consider the learner’s strengths and weaknesses. They then identify an academic and a personal goal for each learner. These goals capitalize on learner strengths and shore up areas of weakness, while enhancing parental involvement. The Personalized Learning Goal Plan is signed by the student, parent, and teacher.

The personalized goal encourages learners to take responsibility for their own learning, while encouraging teachers, parents and the community to share in that responsibility. Through the use of this personalized goal, the Liberty Charter School has ensured that children are not penalized for the rate at which they learn. The faster learner is continuously presented with new challenges, while the slower learner has benefited from extra adult help, multiple methods and multiple environments.

The learning program supports the Liberty Charter’s mission of developing "lifelong learners." It is designed to stimulate the desire to learn, and it is based on the belief that all learners possess an innate and unique creativity that can be developed given the appropriate environment. It allows for the joy of knowledge, self-expression and the thrill of exploration. It is flexible to accommodate the individuality of learners and to evolve as the Liberty Charter School learns and grows.

The staff and parents of the Liberty Charter School believe that children do not develop character in a vacuum. Character education provides expectation training through memorization and dramatization of classic poetry and historical passages, as well as staff who model essential traits of good character. The staff at the Liberty Charter School has ensured a safe, kind environment which has allowed the students to acquire essential information and attitudes that has helped in the goal of leading productive lives.

The Liberty Charter School is distinguished by the multiplicity of ways in which it seeks to ensure student learning. Some of these are highlighted in the sections that follow. Not all students have equally successful outcomes. The charter uses uncommon means to achieve common ends. Through its multiple methods, all students are successful, capable of fulfilling their potential.

The Subject Matter Method and Direct Teaching Method presume that an educated learner needs to know clearly defined skills and concepts that can best be learned in an organized sequential fashion. Traditionally, this approach has been predominately lecture based. The Charter has added computer-based learning to increase the efficiency of this method and provide the opportunity for drill, which is sometimes necessary.

The Inquiry and Problem Solving Method suggests that learning occurs when individuals think critically and solve problems. The predominate premise of this method is that it is important to know how to retrieve and use the information, not just to have instant recall and possession of the information. Dimensions of Learning is the centerpiece of this method.

The Individualized Learning Method attempts to personalize the learning process to the interests of the individual, by allowing students to develop goals for their self-study. The reasons for learning thus become one’s own curiosity and personal applicability of the information learned.

The Discussion Method encourages learning through sharing of information and concepts within a group, with the thinking process playing an important role. A discussion leader is prepared to recognize each learner’s level of understanding and can respond at the level most helpful to the learner.

The most significant learning opportunity for our students is the number of times they have to learn any given concept. The general principle which our teachers impress upon the learners is "If you don’t get it today, you’ll get it tomorrow. If you don’t get it tomorrow, you’ll get it next month. If you don’t get it next month, you’ll get it next year." This learning advantage alleviates student anxiety, the feeling of desperation if the student doesn’t get it quickly enough.

Other learning opportunities are afforded the Charter School students. Some are familiar, some are novel, but all strive to make learning relevant and purposeful and to actively engage the learner.

Problem-solving groups apply knowledge they have acquired and to practice new skills by tackling both real world problems and problems stimulated to model the current work-world.

Peer teaching provides an opportunity for learner to become educators and reinforce their own knowledge and mastery of new skills through presentation of their own work and "learning buddy" activities.

The Liberty Charter School lists below the standards, which are driven by the philosophy and mission of our charter. The Charter School’s guiding coalition has clearly defined the essential knowledge and skills for student learning in each program area making standards subject specific and focusing on one subject area at a time. The technology unique aspect strand is evidenced throughout the following standards.

Expanding and Integrating Knowledge

Communication Skills

Students will communicate with clarity, purpose, and an understanding of audience using a variety of communication forms and skills.

Thinking and Reasoning Skills

The purpose of assessment is to support and guide the learning process. It is a tool to recognize accomplishment and certify that knowledge has been gained. Assessment also discerns those areas where understanding is still incomplete and enables students to focus their efforts where they will produce the greatest benefit.

Assessment is a means of measuring each learner’s progress according to clearly recognizable standards. It is a tool for helping students learn more about their own strengths and weaknesses without intimidation, fear, or feeling here are winners and losers. It is a source of motivation for the learners and a guide for helping them achieve personal mastery.

Standards and standardization are the basis of assessment. Learners are shown exemplary performances for given tasks. An assessment of their efforts reflects how closely it matches this performance. The goal is to encourage students to do their personal best and show them their own improvement throughout the year.

Self-assessment is a unique learning opportunity for Liberty Charter students. As active participants in assessment of their own work, learners are encouraged to develop intrapersonal understanding of their strengths and deficiencies and an objective view of their accomplishments. In addition, a score on a piece of work can be improved if the learner is willing to accept the challenge for improvement put forth by the assessment.

Performance is assessed on at least three levels. Student progress relative to previous performance will be assessed through portfolios of video taped oral presentations, written reports, individual and group projects and via computer learning packages. In addition, we will assess the

attitudes and personal /academic habits listed in Element 2 through teacher evaluations of projects and video presentations, as well as parental input. Performance is assessed relative to state developed standards. Liberty Charter School will assess our students on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and the ISAT assessment implemented statewide at the direction of the Idaho State Board of Education.

The Liberty Charter School learners are exposed to some traditional examination methods. As required by the Charter, student performance is assessed relative to other learners of the same age, up through the twelfth grade, through district, state and national testing. Specifically, the ISAT assessment.

Students at Liberty Charter School will:

(1) Fall Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

(3) Direct Write Assessment (State) - Grades 4, 8 &11

(4) Direct Math Assessment (State) - Grades 4, 8 & 11

(5) Metropolitan Reading and Math - Grades 1 & 2;

(6) Waterford Testing, Kindergarten - Grade 3;

(7) Idaho Reading Assessment – Grades K – 3,

We will meet the goals identified in this Charter petition when students demonstrate the following;

Special Note: Those students not reading at grade level or computing grade level math will be identified and receive a variety of services including, Special Education, Title 1, tutoring by volunteers, and the opportunity with parental support to attend school during one or more intercessions.

Annual reports will be made to the Nampa School District, #131, Board of Trustees, providing formative and summative data to demonstrate that the school is meeting all the performance standards prescribed by the State and other standards still under construction. This data will include emerging Idaho State Department of Education standards, benchmarks and/or Liberty Charter-developed criteria.

Liberty Charter School students will be tested with the same standardized tests as other Idaho public school students.

Liberty Charter School will be accredited by the Idaho Department of Education as provided by rule of the Idaho State Board of Education. (Attachment 5, 2002/2003 Accreditation Certificate)

The five members of the Governing Board are Bart McKnight, Karry Fergusen, Susan Ellis, Sheila Bryant, and Jeff Cornilles. This expertise includes legal, financial, technical, special education, instructional, higher education and community support.

The Governing Board will continue to direct Liberty Charter School through the years of operation. Thereafter, elections will be run according to the law and will be held on the following rotating basis: Bart McKnight and Sheila Bryant’s positions will open up the first year; Karry Fergusen’s and Susan Ellis’ position will come up the second year; and Jeff Cornilles’ position will come open the third year.

The Liberty Charter School is on a modified year-round, single-track schedule. The calendar will be presented will be presented to the Clerk of the Nampa School District.

Ancillary support personnel, including clerical and custodial, are hired and supervised by the administrator employed by the charter school. The state funding formula provides the money to hire staff through the regular budgetary process. Additional help has been provided by volunteers.

Parents of the students who attend Liberty Charter School are involved at many levels. Parents bring an in-depth understanding of their children’s personalities, learning styles and strengths and weaknesses, which will be central to the creation of the personalized learning goals.

The process to ensure parental involvement is as follows:

2. Parents fill out an in-depth student profile based on Cynthia Ulrich Tobias’s book,

The Way They Learn.

3. Parents who transport their children maximize their opportunities for daily communication between the teachers and themselves.

In addition, parents are encouraged to provide an appropriate learning environment at home for their child to study, to volunteer at the school setting, and to participate in home-projects with their child.

All individuals employed by the Charter must possess the personal characteristics, knowledge base and successful experiences in the responsibilities and qualifications identified in the posted job description. Administrative and instructional staff will be certified teachers, or a waiver or another certification option will be obtained as provided by rule of the State Board of Education. The charter school will follow the same personnel policies, procedures, and practices, including recruitment, selection and hiring of the Idaho Code. The Charter School will follow the supervision, evaluation, and dismissal as detailed in the Idaho Code.

The Charter School will continue to comply with the provisions of’ Idaho Code § 33-5205(3)(f). Each new employee having contact with minor pupils and not possessing a valid Idaho State Teaching Credential must submit two sets of fingerprints to the State Department of Law Enforcement for the purpose of obtaining a criminal background check. This requirement is a condition of employment.

Liberty Charter School will follow procedures to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. (Attachment 6)

The Liberty Charter School identifies the following admission requirements and parameters:

Liberty Charter School will follow the requirements set forth by Idaho Statutes regarding an annual audit.

The accounting records will be kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as dictated by Idaho Statutes. Liberty Charter School will follow the requirements set forth by the Idaho State Department of Education. The same format for account numbering will be used as set forth by the Department of Education.

Liberty Charter School will submit to the Nampa School District, #131 copies of all accounting reports that are required to be submitted within the same time frame as required by the Department of Education. Budget reports will be submitted to the Nampa School District in the prescribed form and dates as outlined by Idaho Statutes.

More detail on accounting procedures will be kept by the Treasurer in an accounting manual.

Liberty Charter School will present a programmatic operation report on or before the November monthly board meeting to the Nampa School District, #131. Liberty Charter School will be responsible and accountable for the learning program, student standards, measurable educational standards, and unique aspects of the contract.

The procedures for suspension and expulsion at Liberty Charter School will follow the procedures as stated in Attachment 7.

All employees who currently are members of PERSI will continue their participation. Employees will contribute at the rate established by PERSI.

All employees shall contribute to the Social Security System.

The Liberty Charter School will make all employer contributions as required by PERSI and Federal Social Security. They will also pay for workers compensation insurance, unemployment insurance and any other payroll obligations of an employer.

This element is not applicable as Liberty Charter School is not a conversion charter school and/or it’s attendance zone is the city of Nampa, Idaho.

Any current Nampa School District employee who becomes an employee of the Liberty Charter School, certificated and non-certificated will not be considered employees of the Nampa School District and therefore, do not have transfer rights. If a Liberty Charter employee wishes to return to NSD #131, he must apply through the District’s employment procedures for new employees. A teacher employed by the Nampa School District who has attained renewable contract status, and thereafter elects to teach in the Liberty Charter School will lose the renewable contract status if the teacher is rehired by the Nampa School District.

The certified staff of Liberty Charter School will be considered a separate unit not be associated with any area school district for purposes of collective bargaining.

The members of an education association and non-union members on the Charter School staff will have at minimum the same salary and health benefits no less than the state’s allocation.

The Nampa School District, #131 shall retain the right to evaluate at any time the degree to which the Charter School is meeting the terms of the contract. An independent evaluator who shall first be agreed upon jointly by the Liberty Charter Governing Board and the NSD #131 and then identified to:

1. visit the charter school to observe day to day operations;

2. review the charter school records and data;

3. directly survey the charter school’s parents/guardians, students, employees;

4. audit the books of the charter school;

5. review, evaluate, and coordinate the administration, scoring, and distribution of the testing program to assure consistency with the Idaho State Dept. of Ed.

The Liberty Charter School will ensure a prompt exchange of student records, follow local school districts practices and procedures in the areas of transitioning students from elementary schools into middles schools and provide transcripts identifying only those courses which the student achieved at least 1 credit in order for other district high schools to accurately determine course placement.  Grades will be applied according to Liberty's standards of attitude of effort; as a result, when at least 1 credit is earned, an 'A' or a 'B' will be applied to transcript.  Liberty Charter High School is the first state high school to implement Idaho State Board of Educations directive that by 2005 students graduating from high school would have mastered the State Standards and Benchmarks.  At the high school's request, the student's Academic File (actual work achieving objectives) and Objectives File (actual objectives with completion identified) can also be sent.

In keeping with Nampa’s general goals, Liberty Charter School will identify special needs students, including LEP (Limited English Proficient), special education, gifted and talented, compensatory education, and provide successful special needs education for them and adopt and comply with the "Special Education Manual" from the State Department of Education as now adopted or as amended.

The Liberty Charter School Special Education administrator will be the Section 504 Compliance Officer.

If a student at the Liberty Charter School is found to be eligible for special education services at the charter school, services will be provided for that student in one or more of the following ways:

The primary learning space is 37,000 square feet building located at 1063 East Lewis Lane, Nampa, Idaho. The facility, built in 2002, will be maintained to code and will ensure that all existing codes are met. The facility will be open to the public at large for inspection at any time.

The governing board continues to employ Rebecca Stallcop as the administrator to operate the school on a day to day basis. The administrator will have all the responsibilities of the superintendent and principal. (Attachment 8)

Liberty Charter School will be liable for all acts, omissions, debts or other obligations. The Liberty Charter School shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify the Board against any claim, action, loss, damage, injury liability, cost or expense of any kind or nature, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and court costs, arising out of the operation of Liberty Charter School and/or arising out of the acts or omissions of the agents, employees or contractors of Liberty Charter School.

There will be no liability for the approving authority, the Nampa School District, #131. The Liberty Charter School may sue or be sued, purchase, receive, hold and convey real and personal property for school purposes, and borrow money for such purposes, to the same extent and on the same condition as a public school district. All employees, directors and officers shall enjoy the same immunities as employees, directors and officers of public schools.

The Governing Board of the Charter School is organized and managed under the Idaho Nonprofit Corporation Act. (Attachment 9) The Governing Board have provided copies of the articles and bylaws of this to the Clerk of the Nampa School Board. The Governing Board are deemed public agents to control the Charter School. The Governing Board has all the power and duties afforded to a Board of Trustees. The Charter School will be considered a public school for all purposes and, as such, shall be responsible to identify and comply with all statutory requirements affecting the operation of a public school. Therefore, the Governing Board meetings follow the open meeting laws, keeping accurate minutes and making said minutes available to the public. If the Charter School is voluntarily relinquished, revoked, or expires, another 501c3, to be determined will be the recipient of all moveable assets.

The Liberty Charter School will maintain insurance for liability, errors and omissions, and property loss. (See Attachment 10 ) Liberty Charter School will procure and maintain insurance coverage that "mirrors" surrounding school districts.

Documentation of insurance coverage will be filed with the Clerk of the Nampa School District by August 1 of each year.

The Charter environment will allow areas to be pursued beyond the scope of the regular curriculum - regardless of their areas of giftedness or talents. This will be accomplished through but not limited to clustering, competitions, consultations, curriculum compacting, honors classes, independent study, interest-based workshops during intercessions, and pullout classes.

Liberty Charter School will use the following outline of identification procedures for our gifted and talented program:

Eligible Liberty Charter School students will participate in dual-enrollment in local school districts in which they reside as provided for in Chapter 2, Title 33, Idaho Code. The students will enroll in the non-charter school within their attendance zone. Transportation will be provided to students by their

parents when exercising dual-enrollment opportunities. Reimbursement for these dual enrollment opportunities will be the same amount as all students who dual enroll from private schools, home schools, and other local public schools. Liberty Charter School School’s hours were set to maximize the dual enrollment opportunities for the students.

Liberty Charter School will identify LEP (Limited English Proficient) and provide a successful education for them.

Liberty Charter School potential LEP students will use a home-language survey upon student’s registration. In addition, the "Woodcock Munoz" test will determine the student’s eligibility and language level – L1, L2, and L3. The "Woodcock Munoz" test will be used as a pre-post test to document the progress in both content areas and English language development.

Once identified, the Liberty Charter School Special Education teacher will administer the LEP program. If a student at Liberty Charter School is found eligible for services, those services will be provided onsite in an inclusion method.

Transportation will be provided by Liberty Charter School for all students. If a special needs student needs special transportation while attending Liberty Charter School, it will be provided if the student is not capable of getting to school in the same manner as other students.

The attached parent/student/staff agreement internet procedure for minors includes the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to all computers at Liberty Charter School with Internet access that protects against access through computers to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, and/or harmful to minors. (See Attachment 11)

The enrollment capacity will be 500 students at the Nampa Charter School and will not result in the reduction of force of any continuing contracted employees of the Nampa School District.

Any material revisions of the Charter must be approved by the Nampa School District, #131.

Any element of the Charter that, through legislation or legal ruling, is deemed to be outside the intent of Idaho Code Section 33-5205 shall be removed from the Charter.

The Liberty Charter School may be revoked by the Nampa School District, #131, Board of Trustees if the Charter School;

All teachers will be accredited in one of the following fields: mathematics, science, language arts, music, or social studies. Additionally, all coursework (e.g. content) will be designed in light of Northwest Regional accreditation and state standards. The emphasis of the high school’s curriculum will be humanities, allowing for consistent integration of literature, writing and reading with historical study. Science and mathematics will likewise be consistently integrated in both group and individual lab study projects in order for students to explore, analyze and solve for community needs. Students’ learning in every curricular area will be most notably advanced using independent learning projects in order to achieve the individualized learning goals of each student. Mini-labs, conducted weekly in small groups, will specifically address student needs in the areas of reading, vocabulary, spelling and writing mechanics. Additional assessment and academic challenge opportunities include Advanced Placement exams in areas of Composition, Literature and U.S. History. Students will also be encouraged and given opportunities to pursue and satisfy dual enrollment requirements for local universities. It is the goal of the high school to ensure that each graduating student who has college as a goal will have obtained a minimum of 9 college credits.