Immunization
Charter schools are required to comply with the requirements of the New York State Department of Health (DOH) in effect since September 1, 2016, and should refer to the DOH’s 2020-21 NYS Guide to Required Immunizations .
Charter School Legal Guidance and Resources
New York State’s law on charter schools has changed in important ways. In addition to raising the statewide cap on charter schools, the revised law has implications for charter school approvals, renewals, governance, programs, enrollment, facilities, and more.
Students in Temporary Housing: Students’ Rights and Schools’ Responsibilities
The McKinney-Vento Act gives important educational rights to students who are homeless, or in unstable or temporary housing. The Charter Center hosted a free workshop, presented by NYS-TEACHS, to help schools understand how to meet these students’ needs and comply with changes in the law resulting from the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).
Topics Covered Included:
- McKinney-Vento definitions: Students’ Rights and Schools’ Responsibilities
- Schools’ roles under McKinney-Vento and the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- Transportation and other school services for students in temporary housing
- Incorporating trauma-sensitive practices into school programs and policy
View the presentation HERE
Operations Brief: Frequently Asked Questions about the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
All New York charter schools are subject to the requirements of New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). FOIL is a New York State law that provides the public an avenue to access certain records of public agencies, and it explicitly applies to charters under the Charter Schools Act of 1998.
Basic Educational Data System (BEDS)
These documents provide guidance for administrators and teachers as they complete the Institutional Master File (IMF) and Personnel Master File (PMF) as part of the annual BEDS survey.
General Municipal Law
Charter schools are subject to New York Municipal Law Sections 800-806. Charters, therefore must have codes of ethics and conflict of interest policies. In addition, after New York State enacted the Non-Profit Revitalization Act of 2013, schools must also have whistle-blower policies. See below for some exemplars. Schools should continue to consult with their own counsel when creating these policies.
| Attachment |
|---|
 General Municipal Law FAQ (2010) |
| Conflict of Interest Policy Template |
| Whistleblower Policy Template |
 Model Code of Ethics |
| Ethics for Trustees and Employees of Charter Schools (2010) |
The 2017-18 State Legislative Session and Charter Schools
As part of the agreement to extend mayoral control in New York City for two years, the Charter Center has detailed the provisions and commitments by the State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education that will affect charter schools in New York City.
Staff Handbook
Clear expectations promote strong performances. A comprehensive staff handbook is the best way to ensure all employees understand the professional standards and culture of the school.
Several extensive handbooks are attached, each with particular strengths. SBuffalo’s CS Handbook has thorough sections on social media and computer use and mentions confidentiality of student records. Hebrew CS Center includes well-developed sections on media relations, social media and conflicts of interest, while Excelsior CS is thorough on employment rules and expectations.
School Discipline Codes
Examples of student discipline codes, including those from the panel discussion “Student Discipline and School Culture” held at the Charter Center in October 2015.