The Renaissance initiative was supposed to turn around 10% of Philadelphia’s low-performing district schools by ceding them to charter organizations. After 14 years, the program has faded into the background.

The program, called Handle With Care, involves referrals by police to schools when law enforcement encounters children at traumatic events like domestic violence or sudden deaths.

Their place in the city’s education landscape has taken on new importance as the share of English learners has also increased.