The PA Charter Performance Center improves the quality of education, especially for at-risk students, by producing unbiased, accurate and timely information that will build momentum for the adoption of sound state-level charter school policy.

Charter schools are educating a growing share of Pennsylvania’s K-12 students. In 2021, 146,000 students attended a Pennsylvania charter school, an astonishing 85% increase in just ten years. Low-income and at-risk students are more likely than other students to enroll in charters. While only 16% of district schools are located in high poverty areas, 58% of brick and mortar charter schools are operating in high poverty census tracts. This raises significant equity issues about who attends charters and how are they doing.

While enrollment is growing, student learning is not keeping pace. The 2022 state education assessments show that 83% of 3rd through 8th grade charter students failed their Math PSSA and 62% failed English Language Arts. Over two-thirds of 11th graders attending charter schools failed the Algebra Keystone Exam and 55% failed Literature. More concerning is the fact that all cyber charter schools are currently performing in the lowest 5% of all schools in the state.

Không có thông tin thiên vị, dễ tiếp cận, không thể có trách nhiệm giải trình để thúc đẩy hoạt động của trường bán công hoặc đóng cửa các nhà điều hành hoạt động kém. Trung tâm tìm cách thu hẹp khoảng cách này bằng cách cung cấp thông tin đáng tin cậy về kết quả hoạt động của trường cho các trường điều lệ và các trường do học khu điều hành để thúc đẩy cuộc thảo luận về chính sách ở Harrisburg và giúp phụ huynh đưa ra quyết định tốt nhất cho con cái của họ.

Công việc của Trung tâm có thể thực hiện được nhờ sự đóng góp hào phóng từ Quỹ Ivywood.

MOST RECENT RESEARCH

• Letter to the PA Senate on Cyber Charter Schools (2024)
• Philadelphia Charter School Students Not Immune to Consequences of State Underfunding
• Quarter Billion Dollar Cyber Surplus (2023)
• The Unfulfilled Charter School Promise (2023)
• PA Disconnect in Cyber Charter Oversight and Funding (2022)
• A New Look at Cyber Charter Fund Balances (2021)
• Surprising Outcomes for Students in Charter Schools in New Orleans (2021)

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