September 9, 2015

Framework for Evaluation and Oversight of Charter Schools in Philadelphia

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

•In PA, charter schools are approved (authorized) by local school districtsoIn Philadelphia, this is the School Reform Commission (SRC)

•Cyber charter schools are authorized by the PA Department of Education

•Initial three or five year terms, followed by five year terms

•The Charter Schools Office executes authorizing functions on behalf of the SRC such as reviewing new charter applications, conducting renewal reviews, providing oversight, coordinating charter school services, etc.

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Charter Authorizing in Pennsylvania

• Currently, 83 charter schools operate in Philadelphia, almost 1/3 of Philadelphia’s 301 public schools

o 63 traditional charter schools and 20 Renaissance charter schools

• Charter enrollment increased from approximately 40,000 students in 2010-11 to approximately 63,000 students in 2014-15

o Due to new Renaissance schools and continued phase-in of expanding schools

• Additionally, approximately 7,000 Philadelphia students attend cyber and non-Philadelphia charter schools

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Charter Schools in Philadelphia

• Rights of Students• Rights of Parents• Public Interests

• Setting high standards• Decision-making based on standard•Monitoring performance against standards•Consequences for not meeting standards

•Preserving charter school independence•Accountability for outcomes

Minimizing compliance burdens• Room for innovation in public sector

Charter School Authorizing Principles

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Charter Schools Office Performance Framework

A comprehensive performance accountability and compliance monitoring system

Academic Success

Academic Success

5

• The system includes ongoing oversight and evaluation as well as comprehensive renewal reviews during the 5th year of the charter term

Authorizer provides regular assessment

Authorizer provides the public with transparent and comparable information about charter schools

Authorizers seek to balance accountability with school autonomy

Organizational Viability and Compliance

Organizational Viability and Compliance

Financial Health and

Sustainability

Financial Health and

Sustainability

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Charter school renewal and nonrenewal recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of three domains. These domains also drive our ongoing evaluation of charter performance.

1. Academic Success Is the charter school’s academic program successful?

2. Organizational Viability and Compliance Is the charter school faithful to its mission, operating in an equitable manner and in compliance with applicable laws?

3. Financial Health and Sustainability Is the charter school in sound financial health and adhering to acceptable standards of fiscal management?

Charter School Office Performance Framework

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

I. Academic Success• Growth• Achievement • College and career (HS only)

II. Organizational Viability and Compliance • Mission• Compliant programming for special education students• Compliant programming for English Language Learners • Compliant and equitable student admissions policies• Compliant and equitable student discipline policies• Board of Trustees compliance with bylaws and applicable laws• Personnel requirements • Food services and health services compliance •Timely documentation and information submission

III. Financial Health and Sustainability• Financial health• Acceptable standards of fiscal management

Renewal Review Domains Sub-Criteria

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Achievement: •PSSA and Keystone proficiency scores

Growth: •Average Growth Index scores

State Metrics: •AYP through 2011-12 •School Performance Profile (SPP) scores •Priority and Focus federal accountability designations

SDP Metric: •School Progress Report (SPR) scores

Comparative Metrics: •Proficiency outcomes in comparison to District and charter averages •SPP and SPR scores in comparison to other District and charter schools •SPR peer groups

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Renewal Evaluation Academic Success Indicators

Charter Renewal Process Overview

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Annual Reviews – Academics, Compliance, Finance•Reviews for all schools anticipated by spring 2016•Enhanced transparency regarding charter schools•Includes information regarding academic outcomes, school policies (admissions, discipline, ELL, special education), Board of Trustees compliance, and fiscal health

Academic Success – School Progress Report•Rates the academic achievement, academic growth, climate and culture, and college and career readiness of District schools and charter schools in SDP•The emphasis is put on student growth •Includes useful comparisons within “peer group” schools that serve similar student populations

School District of Philadelphia, Charter Schools Office

Annual MonitoringPerformance Framework