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 districts o In 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 to approximately 63,000 students in 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

EquityAutonomyAccountability 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 5 The system includes ongoing oversight and evaluation as well as comprehensive renewal reviews during the 5 th 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 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 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

Renewal Application Charters prepare & submit application Charter Schools Office (CSO) reviews data Renewal Site Visits CSO releases protocol CSO hosts orientation webinar Visits conducted RSV findings shared Ongoing review of renewal application and Epicenter submissions Additional Data Collection and Review Financial review (Auditing Services) Enrollment audit (Auditing Services) PDE reports review Ongoing review of renewal application and Epicenter submissions CSO Renewal Recommendations Prepare renewal and nonrenewal recommendation reports Release reports SRC Consideration SRC reviews information SRC Votes Action meetings 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 Monitoring Performance Framework