By Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Philadelphia School Partnership is celebrating its first anniversary by announcing $2.4 million in grants to three local charter-school operators that have taken over failing city schools.
The three organizations – Mastery Charter Schools, Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania, and Universal Cos. Inc. – were awarded grants based on academic gains their initial turnaround schools made during the 2010-11 academic year. All will use the money to help cover staff and program costs as they convert more troubled district schools into Renaissance charter schools.
Renaissance charter schools are a key component of former Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman’s Imagine 2014 reform initiative.