SRC takes step to close World Communications Charter
The School Reform Commission on Friday voted to begin the process of shutting down one of the oldest charter schools in the city, and gave its blessing for another charter to add high school grades.
The School Reform Commission on Friday voted to begin the process of shutting down one of the oldest charter schools in the city, and gave its blessing for another charter to add high school grades.
Citing years of low test scores, a declining graduation rate, and a host of other academic and administrative deficiencies, the commission voted, 4-1, to revoke its operating agreement with World Communications Charter in Center City.
The next step for World Communications is an Aug. 15 hearing, then another SRC vote. The school, which has 556 students in sixth through 12th grades, was among the first four charters to open in Philadelphia, in the fall of 1997.
There are currently 83 independently run, publicly funded charter schools, enrolling 63,441 students, according to the School District's website.
DawnLynne Kacer, executive director of the district's Charter Schools Office, told the commission that World Communication's graduation rate decreased from 62 percent in 2012-13 to 53 percent in 2013-14, and that only six 12th graders scored "college ready" on SAT and ACT exams over a three-year period.
In 2014-15, Kacer said, World Communications did not offer any advanced placement or college prep classes, while special education and English language learner instruction was not in compliance with the charter agreement.
"Not only was there under-performance, but the performance has been in a rapid and consistent decline over the past three years," she said, noting that the proficiency rate for high school students fell by 22.1 percent in Algebra I, 36 percent in literature, and 20.3 percent in biology.
World Communications board president Victoria Rivers rebutted Kacer's findings, which she called "old data and outdated numbers."
She contended that under the charter's current leadership, 52 students completed advance placement courses; 78 out of 81 seniors graduated this spring; 98 percent of seniors took the SAT or ACT exams; and 95 percent of seniors are headed to college.
"We plan to submit our intent to renew by July 28, and our charter application by Aug. 28. I hope that you will work with us . . . in a fair and equitable manner," Rivers told the commission.
By a 3-2 vote, the commission approved with conditions Belmont Elementary Charter School's request to open a ninth- through 12th-grade school in 2017, adding one grade each year of the four-year agreement.
The West Philadelphia charter opened in 2003 and enrolls 890 students on two campuses.
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