New School Performance Index released
by Erika Owens on Mar 01 2012 Posted in Latest news
The District updated its website with 2011 School Performance Index rankings. It shows that two of the schools just named Renaissance charters increased their scores compared to last year. Creighton and H.R. Edmunds both improved to a score of 8, while Cleveland and Jones remained steady with scores of 9 and 10, respectively.
The new rankings are accompanied by a Frequently Asked Questions document. The document explains that "the SPI compares the current year’s data to the baseline data in 2009 for each school year," making it possible to evaluate a school's progress or lack of it. How the SPI is calculated based on PSSA scores and other measures is described in detail.
Update: In an email, District spokesperson Fernando Gallard explained that Renaissance Charter Schools from the first two years of the intiative were not included because:
"Schools with only one year of data do not get an SPI rank. The first round of Ren Schools only have one year of data. The second round have no data. (They have data as SDP schools, but we consider them closed). They need two years of data."
Check back for additional info on the SPI rankings in the coming weeks.
Comments (7)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 12:02.
Where are the Renaissance Charter schools?
Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 14:09.
Thank you for the question. I just updated the post with information from District spokesperson Fernando Gallard.
Submitted by David Lapp (not verified) on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 14:30.
I find this explanation completely lacking:
First, these schools were decidedly NOT "closed." Instead of "closing" the schools (which was an option) the district specifically chose instead to keep them open. They are supposed to be the same schools, just with new management. The students are supposed to be the same students. No one is suggesting that the charter operators are responsible for last years scores, but how will anyone know if the new management is successfully creating a "renaissance" if we don't have a baseline.
Second, to give the public any faith in this process it's incredibly important to know how these schools were performing the year before they were turned over. If the district wants to hide this information, it could be because the schools were actually performing better last year and could call into question the entire rationale for restructuring. Indeed, this was the argument made by Hope Moffit and others against turning over Audenreid. The public needs to see how Audenreid and the other pre-renaissance schools scored on the SPI last year.
Especially in light of recent reporting by the Notebook that Universal was handed over Audenried rent free and that the other Renaissance charters are costing the district, we need some sunlight into what was happening with students there last year and whether or not this Renaissance process has any validity.
Submitted by Mark G. (not verified) on Sat, 03/03/2012 - 15:56.
Of course, the district will hide whatever it has to hide. Who didn't know that? What a silly post!!
Submitted by looking for the finer things (not verified) on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 14:20.
Why aren't the promise academies being converted to charter schools? Only two promise academies have made AYP and none of the promise academies have made the kind of gains that should have been made given the kind of money and support they received. Each PA has tons of money. I recently met a principal of a promise academy school that bragged about having 3 assistant principals, 3 deans of students and 3 out of the classroom teacher leaders. He talked about his bonus and how he uses the money . He talked about the cost of his office furniture. How can this be? I don't know of any other school with that kind of support structure. Things are so out of balance in the school district. No wonder there is such a big deficit in the district. How widespread
is this kind of out of balanced school funding? This is truly a shame. Shame on all those who allow situations like this to continue.
Submitted by Milton (not verified) on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 18:14.
Are you the dwarf who runs Mastery?? Charters are almost as corrupt as the Catholic Church.
Submitted by David Lapp (not verified) on Sat, 03/03/2012 - 15:44.
Milton, I don't appreciate and I don't understand your comment. Are you trying to insult someone? By calling them a dwarf? Do you have anything behind your assertion that all charters are corrupt?
One of the really great things about this forum is that it has generally been one for substantive, reasoned, and respectful (even when forceful) discussion of issues related to public education. I'd encourage you to continue to contribute your thoughts and opinions here, but leave out any crass or unsubstantiated character attacks.
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