Philadelphia school board delays sharing details about charter school evaluation overhaul

The Philadelphia Board of Education is currently undergoing a multi-year process to overhaul the way it evaluates charter schools. This process, known as "Project RiSE," is a crucial component of the board's oversight of charter schools' academic and operational performance. If a school fails to meet the required standards, the board has the authority to initiate the closure process.

The board had originally planned to unveil the new evaluation process in June, but has since postponed the announcement to this month's scheduled board meeting. Peng Chao, the head of the board's Charter School Office, informed charter leaders via email that due to ongoing legal issues, they are currently unable to provide updates on the new evaluation framework.

Several charter schools are presently engaged in legal battles with the district, challenging nonrenewal decisions and the existing evaluation process. Some charter leaders argue that this delay in disclosing information only exacerbates the frustration surrounding a process that has become increasingly opaque. Cassandra St. Vil, CEO of Philadelphia Charters for Excellence, an advocacy group for charter schools, contends that transparency is lacking in this process and calls for consistency.

Despite the board's pledge to incorporate charter leaders' feedback into the new evaluation process, St. Vil is under the impression that she and other members would receive updates at the upcoming board meeting. However, the delay in sharing information has further fueled concerns about the board's commitment to improving district school enrollment and potential conflicts of interest in overseeing charter schools.

Chao reiterated that work on the new evaluation process continues, but provided no further details on when an update might be forthcoming. The preliminary implementation of the new evaluation framework is projected to commence during the 2027-28 school year.