CDE to Work with County Education Offices in Orange and San Bernardino Counties

SACRAMENTO — At the request of Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a collaborative effort to investigate the operations of the California Charter Academy (CCA) has been initiated between the California Department of Education and the county offices of education in Orange County and San Bernardino County — the two counties in which four CCA schools are chartered.

"Charter schools can serve as incubators for innovation and creativity," O'Connell said. "However, as public schools, charter schools must be held to the same high standards of accountability as all other public schools. I appreciate the cooperation of the Orange and San Bernardino county offices of education in this review of California Charter Academy operations. Working together, we will thoroughly examine the CCA's practices and ensure that students' best interests are being served."

CCA operates four schools and more than 50 satellite sites.

O'Connell ordered the investigation and audit on March 19, following a recommendation by the State Board of Education's Advisory Commission on Charter Schools.  

San Bernardino and Orange county offices of education are contracting with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to conduct the investigation.