All charter schools undergo a rigorous renewal process led by the Portfolio Management Team during the fall of the final year of their current contract term.
Renewal recommendations are made based upon a body of evidence of the school’s academic and organizational performance, with academic performance being the primary consideration.
The body of evidence that informs a renewal decision includes:
- School Performance Framework results, which reflect a comprehensive analysis of student academic outcomes, parent satisfaction and student satisfaction;
- A renewal application;
- A renewal site visit that includes classroom observations, teacher and leader interviews, and student and parent focus groups; and
- An examination of school governance and financial sustainability, including a board meeting visit, board leader interviews, and a financial analysis.
The charter renewal process gives charter schools an opportunity to present clear and compelling evidence regarding how well they are serving their students. It also provides the school an occasion to examine progress towards meeting its mission, assess its strengths and needs, and plan a strategy for continuous improvement.
Finally, although it is never an ideal outcome, sometimes during the renewal process, it becomes evident that a school must close in order to improve student achievement.