We have some great news: Last night, the SRC voted to approve three new charter schools – Esperanza, KIPP and Russell Byers (all PSP grantees) – giving 2,000 more families the opportunity for a high-quality education. The latest votes also underscore the importance of our continued fight to put quality schools above political interests. The SRC denied nine other …
charter schools
PSP Grants $10.5 Million to Help Open 5 New Charter Schools
Great Schools Fund also makes incubation grants to support 3 schools applying for new charters The Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP) today announced that its Great Schools Fund will award $10.5 million to help open five new public charter schools in Philadelphia. The grants will support the startup and gradual expansion of the schools, which together …
Metro: Philly High School fair to be held at Pennsylvania Convention Center
More than 100 schools will be on hand to help students figure our their options. For about nine years, Philadelphia’s 8,500 8th graders have done all (well, most?) of their homework. Now comes the biggest project yet. Finding a high school. More than 100 public, private, charter and Catholic high schools will be on hand …
Position paper calls for closure of low-performing charters
This morning our sister advocacy organization, Philadelphia School Advocacy Partners (PSAP), released a policy brief calling for stronger charter school governance in Philadelphia. The paper makes several recommendations including the closure or transformation of low-performing charters coupled with the expansion of high-performing schools. You can read about it in today’s Inquirer.Specifically, the paper endorses PA Senate …
In today’s Inquirer, a must read op-ed
In today’s Inquirer, two civic leaders co-authored a great op-ed about the need to change the local dialogue around charter schools. Read it here.Sharmain Matlock-Turner and Michael Pearson write about a recently released study showing that urban charter schools in Philadelphia have increased educational opportunity for our city’s most disadvantaged students.We agree: it is critical to act on …
PSP Statement on charter approvals and denials
PSP Executive Director Mark Gleason issued the following statement on the SRC decisions on applications for new charter schools: “While the SRC approved five schools with a history of providing increased educational opportunity to disadvantaged students, PSP is deeply disappointed that nearly a dozen other schools with similar records were rejected despite their desire to …
Our reaction to last night’s charter votes
Last night, the SRC voted to approve five of the 39 charter school applications, each with a track record of providing excellent educational opportunities to disadvantaged students. We’re thrilled for the 2,600 families who will get to attend a great new school, but we are deeply disappointed that thousands of students will not get the same opportunity …
Special Report: Anatomy of a Turnaround
Charter-run Renaissance schools are one of Philly’s few education success stories. A deep dive inside one attempt to transform a failing school begs the question: Should this be the future of reform? by Roxanne Patel Shepelavy The School Reform Commission will vote Wednesday on whether to approve any of the 39 new charter school proposals—a …
Our response: An analysis of the cost of charter school expansion
The mission of the Philadelphia School Partnership is to expand the number of great schools in Philadelphia—district-run schools, public charter schools, and private and Catholic schools—thereby increasing access to quality education for low-income families. This mission aligns with the stated goals of Governor Wolf, Mayor Nutter, Superintendent Hite and the School Reform Commission. Dr. Hite’s …
PSP extends commitment to provide $35 million to the School District to create more seats in high-quality schools
PSP Executive Director Mark Gleason issued the following statement on the pending SRC decisions on 40 applications for new charter schools: “We have been listening to the concerns of education stakeholders, parents and public officials about the potential financial impact of charter expansion on District schools and students. We agree that financial impact is an …