SRC proposes policy on charter school changes

The Philadelphia School Reform Commission has unveiled a proposed policy that would allow charter schools to apply to increase their enrollment and change their grade configurations - but only when the school's operating charter is up for renewal.

Currently, the commission considers requests from charters on an ad hoc basis and has no policy for evaluating them.

Under the proposal, schools would have to demonstrate strong academic performance, have good management and financial track records, and show that their facilities would accommodate the requested changes.

Schools also would be required to present evidence of community and parental support for the requested changes and show how they would fit with the district's strategic plans.

How many students a charter can enroll has been the subject of controversy. While the district wants to manage charter growth, some charter schools want to grow without any limits. Some observers say this proposal could highlight the issue.

The district will hold a public forum on the proposal on Sept. 10.

Currently, the district's charter school policy does not cover requests for enrollment expansions and grade changes. The commission sometimes has approved changes before a charter is up for renewal.

Most operating charters are renewed every five years, although some have three-year terms.

"This has been something that the charter schools and the school district have wanted to consider for some time," said Benjamin W. Rayer, an associate superintendent who oversees charter schools.

The proposal, he said, was designed to make the entire process clear and understandable to all.

Rayer said district staffers believe that the proposed policy would not conflict with a July 2008 amendment to the state law that said a district cannot limit a charter school's enrollment after it has been given a charter.

Unlike other districts, all of Philadelphia's charter school agreements set enrollment maximums.

Lawrence Jones, president of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools, yesterday said that the proposal was a welcome starting point for discussion but that the coalition wished it had been involved with drafting it.

"We will have some public comments on what we like about it and what we think needs to be more user-friendly," said Jones, who is also chief executive officer of the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School in West Philadelphia.

The district has scheduled a public forum on the policy draft Sept. 10 at the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School at 447 N. Broad St. from 5 to 8 p.m.

The commission expects to vote on the proposed changes later in the fall.