The Renewal Site Visit (RSV) is an opportunity for the GVSU DEISS to better understand and explain how well schools are working to educate students as the university considers if a new charter contract should be issued.
The RSV places a small team of experienced educators within the school to collect and analyze observed data about school performance. This visit lasts a full day and is typically conducted in the final 12-18 months of a school's current charter contract.
The RSV is based on a transparent, research-based set of standards - the GVSU DEISS Renewal Benchmarks - that serve as the framework to understand the effectiveness of school practices. The RSV is used to promote understanding and dialogue between the school and the DEISS.
Why does GVSU conduct renewal site visits?
As a charter public school authorizer, the GVSU DEISS is tasked with conducting comprehensive oversight for each of the academies the university charters, and reporting that progress to the GVSU Board of Trustees. The primary legal and contractual obligation in this oversight process is to examine the academic growth across all subgroups of students, which is measured, in part, by the Educational Goals in the charter contract (Schedule 7-1).
The academic outcomes that a school is creating for students is the leading factor in any charter contract renewal recommendation that the GVSU DEISS makes to the GVSU Board of Trustees. Renewal Site Visits give the GVSU DEISS additional depth and evidence toward school operations and academic development.
What are the Renewal Benchmarks?
The Renewal Benchmarks include a set of standards used to assess critical aspects of a school's operation. Renewal Benchmarks are based on research of the best educational practices and seek to address the following four Renewal Questions:
Is the school an academic success?
Is the school an effective, viable organization?
Is the school fiscally sound?
Is the school a safe environment that promotes effective teaching and learning?
What is the RSV process?
The RSV utilizes multiple sources of evidence to understand how well a school is working. It extends beyond standardized measures of student achievement to collect evidence in relation to the protocol's key questions and indicators. There are four general steps in the RSV process:
Pre-visit Planning and Analysis
The GVSU DEISS works with the school to organize the schedule for the RSV. Prior to the visit, RSV team member review documents that the school submitted as evidence that it is meeting the Renewal Benchmarks. RSV members record their initial assessments about the school's performance according to protocol indicators.
On-Site Evidence Gathering
The RSV team spends a day at the school to collect additional evidence through classroom visits and interviews with key school stakeholders.
Development of Findings
The RSV team's primary objective is to develop findings in relation to the key questions. To come to consensus on a set of findings, the team works together to collate and discuss available evidence collected throughout the RSV process.
Feedback to the School
While on site, the RSV team leader communicates with school leadership to keep the school informed of the team's progress and to seek the school's input on that progress.
Questions?
If you have questions or want to learn more about Renewal Site Visits or GVSU's charter contract review processes, please contact the GVSU School Support Specialist assigned to your school.