Charter School Consulting
Strong systems. Effective leadership. Equitable opportunities for every learner.
As independent LEAs, charter schools have both the opportunity and the responsibility to build strong systems that meet the needs of increasingly diverse and complex learners.
For nearly 30 years, I have worked with Massachusetts charter schools to develop and strengthen special education programs, coach leaders, support educators, prepare for state monitoring, and create more inclusive and equitable learning environments.
My approach goes beyond compliance. Strong special education systems should help schools meet their legal responsibilities and ensure that students with disabilities are fully included in the academic and social life of the school.
Experience From the Ground Up
For nearly 30 years, I've worked with Massachusetts charter schools to establish and strengthen special education programs, support school leaders, and build the capacity of educators to serve diverse and complex learners.
I served as Founding Special Education Director at two Massachusetts charter schools, including award-winning Codman Academy Charter Public School, where I directed special education for ten years, establishing the department and overseeing programs, policies, compliance, and professional development within a rigorous college-preparatory high school.
Our work resulted in the rare finding of “no corrective action” in a DESE Coordinated Program Review. Years later, I was invited back to conduct an audit of its special education program.
My work with numerous other charter schools has included coaching special education directors, providing professional development for educators and leadership teams, conducting program reviews and audits, and offering technical assistance related to special education systems, compliance, inclusion, and educational equity.
Charter School Clients
⦿ Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
⦿ Boston Collegiate Charter School
⦿ Boston Preparatory Charter Public School
⦿ Boston Renaissance Charter Public School
⦿ Brooke Charter Schools
⦿ Codman Academy Charter Public School
⦿ Community Charter School of Cambridge
⦿ Conservatory Lab Charter School
⦿ Neighborhood House Charter School
⦿ Phoenix Academy Charter Academy
⦿ Uphams Corner Charter School
How I Support Charter Schools
Charter Schools are often working to meet increasingly complex student needs while navigating competing demands.
My work begins with understanding your context — what is working, what is getting in the way, and where support is most needed. From there, we develop practical approaches that strengthen systems and classroom practice without adding unnecessary burden.
Special Education Systems & Program Development
⦿ Developing and strengthening special education policies, procedures, programs, staffing, and service-delivery models, including new programming when student needs require a different level or type of support.
Special Education Leadership Coaching & Consultation
⦿ Providing ongoing coaching and consultation to special education directors and other school leaders as they navigate complex student needs, compliance requirements, staffing and programming decisions, challenging cases, and the day-to-day realities of leading special education.
Tiered Focused Monitoring & Compliance
⦿ Helping schools prepare for DESE Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM) and strengthen the systems, documentation, policies, and practices necessary to meet state and federal special education requirements.
⦿ Internal audits and program evaluations
Professional Development for Educators & Leadership Teams
⦿ Providing practical, engaging professional development to help educators understand their roles in educating students with disabilities, building capacity to serve diverse and complex learners.
⦿ Topics include special education, neurodivergence, inclusion, Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive practices, equity.
⦿ Practical, immediately applicable strategies
Special Education & Student Discipline
⦿ Helping school leaders and educators navigate the intersection of disability, behavior, discipline, student rights, and school expectations adhering to all legal guidelines.
Post-Secondary Transition
⦿ Development and review of transition processes
⦿ Student-centered collaboration with state agencies and key partners
⦿ Planning for post~secondary outcomes including college, training, and employment
Multilingual Learners & Special Education
⦿ Helping schools address the intersection of language, culture, disability, identification, assessment, and special education services so multilingual learners receive appropriate and equitable support.
Compliance Matters.
But It Isn’t the End Goal.
Charter schools are built around a mission and a vision for what education can be. Students with disabilities should have meaningful access to that vision.
My work combines deep experience in special education systems and requirements with expertise in educational equity, culturally responsive practice, Universal Design for Learning, neurodivergence, inclusion, and leadership development.
That means helping schools move beyond asking simply, “Are we in compliance?” to asking:"Are our systems working for students? Are educators equipped to meet the learners actually in front of them? Are we maintaining high expectations while providing the supports individual students need? And do students with disabilities have equitable access to the opportunities our school was created to provide?"
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How Can I Support Your School?
Your school may be preparing for Tiered Focused Monitoring, onboarding or supporting a special education director, experiencing changes in the complexity of student needs, reviewing existing programs and policies, or looking for professional development that helps educators more effectively serve diverse learners.Sometimes the need is a single PD session or an objective program review. Other times, schools benefit from ongoing consultation and coaching as they strengthen systems and build internal capacity.
I welcome the opportunity to learn about your needs and explore how I can help.
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What Educational Leaders Say
Janet’s professional development series on culturally responsive educational practices was thoughtful, engaging, and deeply impactful for our district educators. Participants left with practical strategies, meaningful opportunities for reflection, and a stronger understanding of how to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students.”
Melanie Curtin
Superintendent, Weymouth
Public Schools
“Janet founded our Special Education Department, establishing policies and practices that contributed to numerous national awards for our school. She is a culturally sensitive educator who demonstrated deep commitment to student achievement and respect for all students. I counted on her insights, advice, and follow-through in facing countless issues.”
Meg Campbell
Founder, Codman Academy Charter Public SchoolPublic School
Janet Ferone is a thoughtful, strategic, and collaborative educational leader. Through her work with our institution, she demonstrated a strong ability to engage faculty, graduate students, and school district leaders across multiple content areas. Her professionalism, expertise, and commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments made a significant impact on our educational community.
Dr. Giordana Basta
Assistant Provost
Curry College
