A troubled online charter school is looking to one of the state’s largest, most-respected school districts to help restore its reputation.
The Hope Co-op Online Learning Academy contracted this month with the Douglas County School District for nearly $295,000 to advise it on how to create better guidelines for its 78 learning centers. The contract covers a six-month period.
Hope, a charter school that was authorized by the tiny Vilas School District two years ago, has been criticized for having low test scores and teachers not highly qualified to teach, a state requirement. A Denver Post probe also found that public dollars intended for the school’s operation benefited private and religious schools last year.
Heather O’Mara, who founded Hope as a school to benefit disadvantaged students, said the Douglas County district will provide guidelines on how to operate a solid program.
“We needed to develop within Hope methods to review quality standards,” she said. “Working with another entity that has done that at a large level across the state will help Hope.”
Pat McGraw, chief of staff for the Douglas County schools, said the district has experience setting standards for its own charter schools that could benefit Hope.
The district will provide guidance on leadership, student achievement and budgeting, said McGraw.
Hope, O’Mara said, remains a Vilas School District school.
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-954-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
