Services
CONTRACT AND PROJECT-BASED NATIONAL WORK
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND WRITING: Our team of charter school experts work side-by-side with the founding team to create a strong application. Whether you are an independent group pursuing your first charter school or a small CMO replicating, we have the expertise to help you achieve success. Andrea Rogers Barry leads all of ECC’s technical writing for applications (and renewal applications, too!) and project manages the workflow.
NEEDS ASSESSMENTS: It is important to review academic, operational and board performance to identify areas for growth and improvement. This exercise is as applicable to applicants who have been rejected as it is for mature, established, and successful schools. We are thought partners in this work as charter school professional, with a track record of success identifying schools’ needs and helping to craft action plans.
BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Schools looking to replicate - and small CMOs - often benefit from the planning and organization provided through the process of establishing a business plan. It is always worthwhile to spend some time planning. In fact, many authorizers require it!
SITE VISITS: We provide comprehensive school site visit evaluations. These can be focused on operations, instruction, school culture, desk audits or another topic tailored to your school’s needs. Whether it is in preparation for renewal, or if it’s your school’s first year, it is critical to take a good look at what's happening on the ground.
STRATEGIC PLANNING: As a certified strategic facilitator, ECC co-founder Jill Shahen has helped many schools navigate the process of short- or long-term strategic planning. Our approach is unique because it is explicitly aligned to performance frameworks and accountability standards of authorizers while maintaining the integrity of what is in your school’s charter agreement- a simple but powerful concept that non-charter facilitators often overlook.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH RECRUITMENT: Let us take the burden off your team when it comes to recruitment. We can help recruit executive leadership candidates and conduct initial screenings and interviews as well as assist with final interviews in close partnership with the Board of Trustees. Our team is also able to recruit and screen candidates and make introductions to help fill other leadership and/or operations positions. Additionally, we can help you identify mission- and vision-aligned Trustees - individuals who possess a strong likelihood of being reliable, engaged, and committed to the school. We have a vast network of connections across the country - let us help you by putting our relationships to good use!
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: So many wonderful schools struggle when it comes to effectively communicating with families or recruiting and establishing a reputation in the broader community. We have you covered if this is an area where you need to improve.
DATA: When we take on new school applications, renewal applications, and strategic planning, we rely on the data experts at The Diamante Group to provide precise and accurate data aligned to the project’s needs. The Diamante Group also provides direct support to schools who need intensive assistance with data management and analysis at a discounted rate for ECC clients.
RENEWAL APPLICATIONS: Our team is experienced at writing renewal applications and helping to establish a firm and realistic renewal strategy. This service includes coaching for Board of Trustees, staff, and leadership along the way.
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE COACHING: Our leadership coaching services are tailored to the exact needs of each school, leadership team, member, and Board, and focuses on the basic principles of chartering, understanding accountability frameworks and metrics from either an executive or governance standpoint, and how to ensure the school is looking at and using data and evidence in an effective manner. This service is especially beneficial to those joining a school or Board of Trustees who may not have charter school experience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Charter schools need to tell their story and Jess Mokhiber can help you do it. There is no shortage of critics trying to define chartering and we will take back the narrative. Jessica, a former news reporter, can contract with you to manage your social media, take photos and video, and help you with press work, whether it’s press release writing/media relations work, or drafting and placing op-eds and letters to the editor. Though crisis communications is something we hope you never need, if it happens, Jess can help create a comprehensive communications plan to address the crisis.
PRE-OPENING SUPPORT: What happens after approval but before opening is critical to your school's long-term success. We can provide a pre-opening visit prior to your authorizer visiting! Our team provides guidance and advice to help leaders and boards accomplish key tasks and ensure a smooth year one.
SUPPORT FOR AUTHORIZERS: Our team of charter school professionals is available to help authorizers around the country review new applications and renewal applications or conduct site visits. If you need help, look no further - our experienced team has you covered.
Do you need something that's not listed? Get in touch with us! We are results-driven, experienced charter school experts with an extensive network. If we can't provide a package to meet your needs we probably know someone who can! Contact us today at jill@empirecharterconsultants.com or give us a call at (518) 944-8930. Let's chat about how we can work together to meet your school's needs.