Introduction to Charter School Renewals
Chicago’s Board of Education belatedly renewed contracts with 16 charter schools Thursday after months of delays to reevaluate the criteria by which charters are judged. Each of the schools received short renewal terms of between two and four years, giving the publicly funded but privately managed institutions a shorter leash under a mayor and school board that have ratcheted up scrutiny on charter operators.
Background on Charter School Renewals
The votes come in the aftermath of last winter’s Acero Schools debacle, in which the operator announced the closure of seven of its 15 schools before the Board of Education swooped in to take over five of them in an expensive move. The board typically votes on charter extensions in January or February but pushed back its decisions multiple times as it debated greater accountability for charters.
New Rules for Charter Operators
Chicago Public Schools officials are also placing new rules on operators: They must give up to 18 months’ notice of plans to close campuses and return any unused funds within 45 days of closure. Charter officials cannot sit on their board and also hold employment, and schools can’t pressure students with absence or discipline problems into voluntarily transferring.
Schools Receiving Renewals
The 16 networks that were renewed operate 21 campuses with almost 9,000 students. About 50,000 kids attend Chicago charters citywide. The schools receiving two-year terms were: Alain Locke, Passages, ASPIRA, EPIC, Erie, Moving Everest, Providence Englewood, Rowe, Urban Prep Bronzeville and Urban Prep Englewood. Catalyst Maria and Instituto Health Sciences notched three years. Catalyst Circle Rock, Horizon, North Lawndale College Prep and Perspectives earned four years.
Amendment Attempts
A group of board members tried at the last minute to amend all the two-year terms to three years, other extensions from three to four years and a few from four to five. But the efforts failed in split votes. The board did nearly unanimously vote to increase North Lawndale’s extension to four years; CPS had recommended three.
Reaction from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools said in a statement that the renewals were a “testament to the success of our schools and the importance of the charter model to the city of Chicago.” But the group criticized the short terms as “not aligned with student interests or consistent with national standards for strong authorization.” INCS has pushed for extensions of seven to 10 years for high-performing schools, five to six years for those meeting academic standards and no less than three years for operators with financial, academic or operational concerns.
Evaluation Criteria for Charters
CPS evaluates charters in four areas: academic performance, financial performance, organizational compliance with CPS and federal policies and inclusion and equity. Under state law, charter operators have to meet standards in all four categories to receive five-year extensions. To get more than five years, they have to score the highest marks in all four areas. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointed board, however, added a greater emphasis on reviewing charters’ records on student discipline and their services for English learners and special education students.
Conclusion
The decision to grant shorter renewal terms to Chicago’s charter schools reflects a shift towards greater scrutiny and accountability. While the Illinois Network of Charter Schools has expressed concerns about the impact of these shorter terms on student interests and national standards, CPS officials argue that they are necessary to ensure that charter operators are prioritizing corrective actions to address deficiencies. As the charter school landscape continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the effects of these changes on students, families, and the broader education community.
FAQs
Q: How many charter schools received renewals from the Chicago Board of Education?
A: 16 charter schools received renewals, operating a total of 21 campuses with almost 9,000 students.
Q: What are the new rules for charter operators in Chicago?
A: Charter operators must give up to 18 months’ notice of plans to close campuses, return any unused funds within 45 days of closure, and cannot pressure students with absence or discipline problems into voluntarily transferring.
Q: How do CPS officials evaluate charter schools for renewal?
A: CPS evaluates charters in four areas: academic performance, financial performance, organizational compliance with CPS and federal policies, and inclusion and equity.
Q: What is the reaction from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools to the shorter renewal terms?
A: The Illinois Network of Charter Schools criticized the short terms as “not aligned with student interests or consistent with national standards for strong authorization,” and has pushed for longer extensions for high-performing schools.
