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State Department of Education authorizes renewals of charters of four HOPE Academies in Cleveland and Akron after unprecedented evaluation of academics, governance, and finances.

Columbus, Ohio — December 10, 2002 —The Ohio Board of Education today approved, by a vote of 16 to 2, charter renewals for four HOPE Academy locations in Akron and Cleveland. The approvals follow the most comprehensive onsite evaluations ever undertaken by the state for community–based charter public schools’ academic programs, governance and finances.

“This very significant action by the state reaffirms that HOPE Academies are delivering on their promise to provide high-quality alternative educational options for urban students in a safe, clean, positive, caring environment built on respect,” said Mark Thimmig, CEO and president of White Hat Ventures LLC, parent company of Akron-based White Hat Management, LLC, the privately operated education management company engaged to operate the HOPE Academies. “These renewals prove that educational options can and do work, are a victory for choice and, equally important, a victory for HOPE Academy families.”

The Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Community Schools assigns scores based on the implementation of all sections contained in the contract. A school receiving a score of 75% -100% will be recommended for contract renewal. Renewals authorized today by the state Department of Education were the charters of:

HOPE Academy Brown Street, which serves students in kindergarten through grade eight at 1035 Clay St., Akron; evaluation score 91%.

HOPE Academy University, 220 S. Broadway, Akron, which houses kindergarten through grade seven; evaluation score 88%.

HOPE Academy Chapelside, located at 3845 E. 131st St., Cleveland, with students in kindergarten through the eighth grade; evaluation score 91%.

HOPE Academy Cathedral Campus, 10615 Lamontier Ave., Cleveland, where students attend kindergarten through the eighth grade; evaluation score 89%.

The charter school evaluation process used to assess the aforementioned academies goes far beyond any evaluation undertaken at existing traditional public schools. Under state law, community-based charter public schools undergo educational and financial audits twice a year. Every five years, they also go through more extensive evaluations by the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Community Schools.

The onsite evaluation process involved two days of intensive interviews by the Ohio Department of Education with HOPE Academy staff, parents, students, and board members. During the onsite evaluation, the ODE observed classes, reviewed the daily operation of the Academies, and reviewed hundreds of documents. Concurrently, a separate ODE team completed an intensive data analysis of HOPE Academies’ educational plan, financial plan, governance and administrative plan, and academic assessment and accountability plan. This is the first renewal evaluation for these schools, each of which opened in 1998.

“We are very pleased by the results of the evaluations,” said Dr. Ronald Brooks, Director of Instruction for White Hat Management. “Our programs are geared specifically to the specialized needs of the children who come to us, and it is clear that the HOPE Academies principals, teachers, and staff are serving our students well.”

There are now 10 HOPE Academies statewide, serving more than 3,300 students. In addition to the four whose renewals were authorized today, there are four others in Cleveland, one in Canton and one in Cincinnati. Each is a tuition-free public school that offers a high-quality alternative to traditional public schools. The environment and curriculum are specifically designed to help students, and their parents, overcome obstacles so that the students can reach their academic potential. The curriculum emphasizes reading and math, while also providing a focus on helping each child master the fundamentals of writing, science, social studies, citizenship, health, music, art and physical education.

“To have all four of the HOPE Academies evaluated pass is an outstanding achievement,” said John Morris, CEO and President of White Hat Management. “Such results demonstrate the value of having the support of an experienced and dedicated education management organization such as White Hat Management working in concert with the non-profit board members as well as with the families, principals, teachers, and staff of the schools.”

HOPE Academies feature computers in every classroom, a computer lab and a full-time technology instructor. A majority of the certified staff in the four schools reviewed successfully received SchoolNet Novice certification, which will significantly increase the instructional benefits to the students. School uniforms are part of the mandatory dress code. Each school is staffed with an administrator, other administrative staff, supervisors, instructional aides, a full-time nurse, a full-time family advocate, and a techno-ed teacher. Extracurricular activities are available.

Charter schools such as the HOPE Academies are independent public schools made possible by a 1997 Ohio law. Like all other schools in Ohio, charter schools are required to administer Ohio Proficiency tests, and adhere to local and state health and safety codes. The schools are typically separate and distinct from the local city boards of education.

Charter schools are becoming increasingly popular nationwide because education professionals, parents, and community or business leaders have flexibility in shaping the school, its curriculum, instruction, staffing, budget and internal organization. For parents who do not wish to or cannot financially afford to send their children to private school, or are presently dissatisfied with their local public school, charter schools may be a better option than relocating to a new community with better performing schools. A defining aspect of charter schools is that they are attended by students whose families choose them and are staffed by educators who choose to work in them specifically.

About the Academies
HOPE Academies are charter schools that serve school children in kindergarten through eighth grade. HOPE Academies are committed to helping parents and children overcome obstacles so the students can reach their academic potential. HOPE Academies approach this goal by providing a high-quality school of choice with curriculum and programs specifically designed for their student population.

HOPE Academies are alternative community schools. When children come to a HOPE Academy, they find a safe, clean, positive, caring environment built on respect. No matter where a child begins, HOPE Academies do everything possible to raise his or her level of academic proficiency, by helping each child master the fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics. At HOPE Academies, there is hope for every child.

About White Hat Management
White Hat Management, founded in 1998 by Akron industrialist and education activist David Brennan, is among the premier full-service education management organizations in the United States. The Company is the largest charter school operator in Ohio. White Hat operates three types of schools: HOPE Academies; Life Skills Centers, which are alternative high schools; and OHDELA Academy, which provides educational resources and support to parents who educate their children at home. White Hat currently employs more than 700 people, including more than 600 teachers, staff and administrators in the schools it operates. For more information, visit www.whitehatmgmt.com.

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