COVID-19 Resources for Fordham-Sponsored Schools
Reopening School Buildings
The Safe School Six - plans to have in place prior to reopening buildings (May 11, 2020)
School Facility Preparation Checklist - detailed information for operations (May 11, 2020)
Education/Academic
USDoE/OSEP guidance (March 12, 2020)
OCR webinar (March 16, 2020)
OCR Fact Sheet (March 16, 2020)
USDOE State Waiver for Testing (March 20, 2020)
Ohio Department of Education Considerations for Students with Disabilities During Ohio’s Ordered School Building Closure (March 23, 2020)
Ohio Department of Education COVID-19 Resource Page
Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Update (March 23, 2020)
ExcelinEd (map provides state-by-state updates on education systems)
Updates to Educator Licensure (March 26, 2020)
College Credit Plus guidance (March 27, 2020)
Financial
Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses (March 20, 2020)
Operational
Spectrum free internet for K-12 and college households for 60 days (March 13, 2020)
Ohio School Meal Distribution Sites (updated March 20, 2020)
Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (March 21,
2020)
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools COVID-19 Resources for Charter Schools
Governance
Ohio Attorney General letter regarding applicability of Ohio’s Open Meetings laws (March 13, 2020)
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine News Releases
Legislation
HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (March 25, 2020
Ohio
HB 197 as enrolled, full text (March 25, 2020)
HB 197 Legislative Service Commission Synopsis of Senate Amendment (March 25, 2020)
Teaching and Learning
Uncommon Schools online learning resources (March 30, 2020)
WideOpenSchool (resources for schools and families) (March 30, 2020)
Teach Like a Champion webinars (April 20, 2020)
Reopening School Buildings
The Safe School Six - plans to have in place prior to reopening buildings (May 11, 2020)
School Facility Preparation Checklist - detailed information for operations (May 11, 2020)
Overview of Fordham's Sponsorship Work
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation has actively sponsored (i.e. authorized) charter schools in Ohio since 2005. Our portfolio includes some of Ohio’s highest performing and highly regarded schools.
We have developed expertise in all the core areas of Ohio charter sponsorship, including law, finance, compliance, facilities, new school start-up, closure, managing the application process for new schools, contract management, school monitoring and renewal decisions.
For a more in-depth description of Fordham's sponsorship work, please see our most recent annual report.
If you have questions regarding any aspect of our sponsorship work, they may be directed to our Dayton office at 937-227-3368.
Fordham Foundation Policies:
A04 Conflict policy and process
C03 Contract amendment and update policy
D01 Oversight transparency policy
D02 Enrollment and financial reviews policy
ODE Suspension closing procedures and assurances
Fordham closure protocol spreadsheet
F03 Policy on professional development
Training on Guidance and Monitoring Protocol
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation's monitoring and performance protocol is updated annually and is also available, here.
Fordham publishes guidance that complements the contract and delineates and defines the roles and responsibilities of the sponsor and the school. Guidance is presented twice annually, with each school's fall and spring site visit report.
Fordham also offers training on the written guidance, here. The training includes information regarding school performance, renewal, roles and responsibilities, legal updates and compliance reviews which are also in each site visit report and annual report.
Links to useful resources and organizations
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
National Association of Charter School Authorizers
Ohio Department of Education Office of Community Schools
USDOE's Office of Innovation and Improvement
Ohio Department of Education Trainings
System To Achieve Results for Students (STARS) allows individuals to access information on upcoming professional development and technical assistance programs offered by ODE. You can search for by topic, date, or area of focus. NOTE: To search STARS you must first sign in to your SAFE account on the Ohio Department of Education's website.
Epicenter
All Fordham sponsored community schools use Epicenter, a web-based workflow and compliance tool for authorizers and schools. It provides a single place to keep records and track activities to streamline the compliance process. Epicenter allows both the school and the sponsor to store, share, and access documents remotely, making the sponsor's oversight of community schools more convenient and efficient. Epicenter also functions as a document retention system.