1. SRC Action Meeting June 19, 2013

2. Charter High School for Architecture + Design (CHAD)  The Charter High School for Architecture + Design (CHAD) serves approximately 589 students. CHAD is located in downtown Philadelphia's historic district, one block from Independence Hall.  CHAD is a learning community committed to providing an innovative program of study that integrates the design process with the mastery of a strong liberal arts education.  The school opened in September 1999 and is up for its third charter renewal. Of the students at the school:  15% have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)  0% are English language learners  71% are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch

3.  During the current term, the school has demonstrated variable academic performance:  From 2009 to 2012, the last year for which data are available:  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the reading PSSA increased from 55.9% to 65% (a 9.1 point gain).  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the math PSSA increased from 43.2% to 66.9% (a 23.7 point gain) in 2011, then decreased to 42.6% in 2012.  School response to decline in scores: “Math curriculum was not fully aligned with the PA Standards and the PSSA assessment anchors and eligible content across all grade levels. PA Standards based benchmark assessments and classroom diagnostic tests were not utilized school-wide. Although struggling students were consistently identified, interventions were provided on a limited basis. Action Plan has been developed address decline in performance.”  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Math.  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Reading. CHAD Academic Performance

4. CHAD Academic Performance

5. CHAD Academic Performance * Preliminary Charter School Office Analysis

6.  The school has acceptable ratings in the Organizational Health, Financial Health and Customer Satisfaction Domains.  AYP Status:  CHAD did not achieve Made AYP status during the current charter term. However, over the charter term, the charter school has achieved acceptable levels of student proficiency and academic growth.  Admissions Barriers:  Both the Charter School Office and PCCY identified significant barriers to entry.  CHAD has revised its admissions application. The application length was reduced from four pages to only one page, and the application now only requests basic demographic information.  The Charter School Office is satisfied that the identified admissions barriers have been removed.  Accordingly, we recommend the school for a five-year renewal. CHAD Renewal Recommendation

7. Hardy Williams Academy Charter School  Hardy Williams Academy Charter School, which serves approximately 816 students in grades K-9, is located in Southwest Philadelphia.  Hardy Williams focuses on creating an achievement-focused school culture by “sweating the small stuff” while fostering meaningful, personalized relationships between students and adults.  The school opened in 1999 and is up for its third charter renewal. Of the students at the school:  10% have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)  0% are English-language learners  65% are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch

8.  During the current term, the school has demonstrated improved academic performance:  From 2009 to 2012, the last year for which data are available:  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the reading PSSA increased from 47.8% to 55.3% (a 7.5 point gain).  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the math PSSA increased from 34.8% to 72.2% (a 37.4 point gain).  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Math.  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Reading. Hardy Williams Academic Performance

9. Hardy Williams Academic Performance

10. Hardy Williams Academic Performance * Preliminary Charter School Office Analysis

11.  The school has acceptable ratings in the Organizational Health, Financial Health and Customer Satisfaction Domains.  AYP Status:  Hardy Williams did not achieve Made AYP status during the current charter term. However, over the charter term, the charter school has achieved acceptable levels of student proficiency and academic growth.  Admissions Barriers:  The Charter School Office identified minimal barriers to entry and PCCY identified significant barriers to entry.  The school clarified the difference between the admission application and the standard documents required for enrollment (the latter of which PCCY had focused on).  The Charter School Office is satisfied that the identified admissions barriers have been removed.  Accordingly, we recommend the school for a five-year renewal. Hardy Williams Renewal Recommendation

12. The Math, Civics, and Sciences Charter School  The Math, Civics, and Sciences Charter School serves approximately 900 students in grades K-12 and is located across the street from the School District of Philadelphia Central Office.  The school’s mission is to provide a quality education, preparation for college, vocational training, and the necessary skills for today’s work force. The school reports that in the past seven years of graduating students, there was a 0% drop-out rate, 100% of seniors graduated, 97-98% of seniors attended college, and 2-3% attended trade schools.  The school opened in 1999 and is up for its third charter renewal. Of the students at the school:  3% have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)  0% are English-language learners  79.1% are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch

13.  During the current term, the school has demonstrated variable academic performance:  From 2009 to 2012, the last year for which data are available:  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the reading PSSA increased from 48.6% to 53.9% (a 5.3 point gain) from 2009 to 2011, but decreased to 47.4% in 2012 (a 1.2 point drop since 2009).  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the math PSSA increased from 45.2% to 52.6.% (a 7.4 point gain) from 2009 to 2011, but decreased to 44.8% in 2012 (a 0.4 point drop since 2009).  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Reading in high school grades, but did not meet the standard in elementary grades.  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Math in high school grades, but did not meet the standard in elementary grades. Math, Civics, and Sciences Academic Performance

14. Math, Civics, and Sciences Academic Performance

15. Math, Civics, and Sciences Academic Performance * Preliminary Charter School Office Analysis

16.  The school has acceptable ratings in the Customer Satisfaction Domain.  The Organizational Domain was determined to be an “area of concern” mainly due to concerns regarding teacher certification and quality, which have since been addressed by the school.  The current level of teacher certification is above the minimum requirement of 75%.  The Financial Domain was determined to be an “area of concern” mainly due to concerns regarding enrollment audit reports and a reported PSERs delinquency.  The enrollment audit issues have been resolved.  The school provided evidence that its PSERs payments are now current. Math, Civics, and Sciences Renewal Recommendation

17.  AYP Status:  Math, Civics, and Sciences achieved Made AYP status during 3 out the last 4 years of the current charter term.  Admissions Barriers:  The Charter School Office and PCCY did not identify any admission barriers.  The Charter School Office is satisfied that there are currently no admissions barriers at the school.  School Improvement Plan:  The school agreed to develop an academic accountability plan, to be approved by the District, that sets forth the school’s strategy to increase student performance. The Charter School Office will review the academic accountability plan with the Charter School every four months during the first two years of the new term.  Accordingly, we recommend the school for a five-year renewal. Math, Civics, and Sciences Renewal Recommendation

18. Pan American Academy Charter School  Pan American Academy Charter School serves approximately 700 students in eastern North Philadelphia.  School Mission: Pan American Academy Charter School prepares students for a successful future by promoting academic excellence through rigorous instruction, bilingualism, the integration of cultural awareness and respect throughout all aspects of the curriculum.  Pan American Academy is a K-8 charter school founded by Congreso in September 2008. The school is up for its first renewal. Of the students at the school:  13% have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)  24% are English-language learners  93.5% are eligible for free- or reduced-priced lunch

19.  During the current term, the school has demonstrated improved academic performance:  From 2009 to 2012, the last year for which data are available:  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the reading PSSA increased from 55.0% to 58.7% (a 3.7 point gain).  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the math PSSA increased from 46.7% to 65.4% (an 18.7 point gain).  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Math.  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Reading. Pan American Academic Performance

20. Pan American Academic Performance

21. Pan American Academic Performance * Preliminary Charter School Office Analysis

22.  The school has acceptable ratings in the Organizational Health, Financial Health and Customer Satisfaction Domains.  AYP Status:  Pan American achieved Made AYP status during each year of the current charter term. Additionally, over the charter term, the charter school has achieved acceptable levels of student proficiency and academic growth.  Admissions Barriers:  The Charter School Office identified minimal barriers to entry and PCCY identified significant barriers to entry.  The school revised the application process to clearly distinguish between the information needed for admission versus the standard information needed for enrollment (the latter of which PCCY had focused on). The updated application is currently available on the school website.  The Charter School Office is satisfied that the identified admissions barriers have been removed.  Accordingly, we recommend the school for a five-year renewal. Pan American Renewal Recommendation

23. Young Scholars Charter School  Young Scholars Charter School, which serves approximately 246 students in grades 6-8, is located in North Philadelphia.  Young Scholars Charter School offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum where students are provided double reading and double math to ensure they are prepared for the best high schools and colleges.  The school opened in 1999 and is up for its third charter renewal. Of the students at the school:  12% have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)  1% are English-language learners  85% are eligible for free- or reduced-priced lunch

24.  During the current term, the school has demonstrated exceptional academic performance:  From 2009 to 2012, the last year for which data are available:  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the reading PSSA increased from 60.2% to 76.5% (a 16.3 point gain).  The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the math PSSA increased from 66.3% to 86.4% (a 20.1 point gain).  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Math.  PVAAS - The 3-Year Average Growth Measure indicates that the school exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth in Reading. Young Scholars Academic Performance

25. Young Scholars Academic Performance

26. Young Scholars Academic Performance * Preliminary Charter School Office Analysis

27.  The school has acceptable ratings in the Organizational Health and Customer Satisfaction Domains.  AYP Status:  Young Scholars achieved Made AYP status during each year of the current charter term. Additionally, over the charter term, the charter school has achieved exceptional levels of student proficiency and academic growth.  Admissions Barriers:  The Charter School Office and PCCY did not identify any admission barriers.  The Charter School Office is satisfied that there are currently no admissions barriers at the school.  Accordingly, we recommend the school for a five-year renewal. Young Scholars Renewal Recommendation

29. Admissions Barriers Update  Charter School Office staff have been working with charter schools to address the admissions barriers identified by the Charter School Office and PCCY.  Current Status:  Charter schools have received official notification of the identified barriers.  Charters schools were asked to respond in writing to the identified barriers and describe what steps they would take to address the barriers.  Charter schools have been working collaboratively with the Charter School Office to modify their charter applications.  The Charter School Office is collecting finalized versions of the revised applications that have all barriers removed. The Charter School Office is also verifying that all online applications reflect the agreed upon application changes.

30. Admissions Barriers Update  After the charter applications have been modified appropriately, charter schools will submit a letter to the Charter School Office (a) confirming that the identified barriers have been removed and (b) committing to notify the Charter School Office of any future changes to the admissions policy or application.