Achievement model is the only active cross-state, value-added comparison of charter schools; 21 public charter schools recognized for student success improvements
NEW YORK (March 5, 2009) – The Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC), an initiative of New Leaders for New Schools, today announced the conclusion of the second year of a major, cross-state analysis of charter school achievement. Using a value-added model to analyze performance data from nearly 150 high-need charter schools across the country during the 2007-2008 school year, EPIC identified 21 schools that have made the most dramatic gains in student achievement.
The EPIC model uses state test results in reading and math to measure the impact of a school on its students over time. Whereas traditional achievement models measure schools based on the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency benchmarks in a given year, the EPIC model measures the progress students make from one year to the next, independent of proficiency targets.
Many commonly used achievement models do not provide an accurate measure of school effectiveness because they measure current student achievement levels and not a school’s effect on those levels,” said Dianne Houghton, Chief Community Resources Officer of New Leaders for New Schools. “The key difference in our model is that it gauges how much a school has raised student achievement after accounting for factors outside of the school’s control.”
EPIC has attracted a broad consortium of charter schools from all regions of the country. All EPIC charter schools serve high-need populations – on average, more than 70 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch – but are very diverse in their instructional philosophies and management styles. The smallest charters in the consortium serve no more than 50 students; the largest reach more than 2,600. Some are run by charter management organizations that administer
dozens of schools, and others are independent charters.
“Public charter schools are leaders in developing innovative and effective practices in schools, and they are often breeding grounds for new ideas,” said Houghton. “With President Obama’s pledge to expand federal support for public charter schools, there will be increased attention paid to the student achievement practices effective charter schools are using.”
Sharing Effective Practices from Award-winning Schools
EPIC works with award-winning schools to identify and catalogue concrete, replicable practices that can be implemented in other schools serving similar high-need student populations. The resulting case studies are shared through the EPIC Knowledge System, an online professional development platform.
The system provides school leaders with tested tools and practical resources that they can use to strengthen their practice and improve their schools. EPIC’s online professional development modules offer specific practices that school leaders, faculty, and staff have used to improve student achievement.
“We have identified some of the highest performing charter schools serving high-need children in the country, whose strategies for raising student success can be used as examples for other schools,” said Houghton.
The 2008-2009 recognized schools have compelling stories that will serve as valuable case studies.
Among this year’s recognized schools are:
• MATCH Charter Public School, Boston, MA – By developing powerful partnerships
with area colleges and universities, MATCH has developed student support and enrichment programs that are critical to the school’s mission. The school is lauded as one of the best in the country, with 99 percent of graduates moving on to a four-year college or university.
• Mastery Charter Schools: Lenfest and Shoemaker Campuses, Philadelphia, PA – As a
small charter management organization in Philadelphia, Mastery Charter Schools are tackling the issue of educational inequity head-on. By placing an emphasis on effective management and proven practices, Mastery is growing into a leader in urban education.
• E. L. Haynes Public Charter School, Washington, DC – E.L. Haynes has made improving literacy one of the central foundations of their school community. Teachers use and analyze data from interim assessments to see what content their students are struggling with. During a full-day of professional development following each marking period, teachers then develop action plans for addressing curricular challenges and problem areas.
“We are thrilled to be part of a community of educators who are learning from each other and have a strong focus on student achievement,” said Jennifer Niles, Founder and Head of School, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. “Educating students is a critical responsibility and we’re glad that our experiences may help others facing challenges similar to ours – and we’re just as excited about having the opportunity to learn from our peers in other districts and states around the country.”
In recognition of the student achievement gains, EPIC will provide monetary awards to principals, assistant principals and instructional staff at each of the 21 schools. Depending on the level of student gains, teachers and administrators in EPIC-designated schools can each receive between $3,000 and $12,000.
EPIC’s National Charter School Consortium, currently in its second year, is made up of 144 eligible schools in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The Consortium’s goal is to connect with and learn from schools serving high-need populations that are making significant gains in student achievement. EPIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), school district and charter school partners, and private philanthropic funders. The EPIC program is also active in Memphis City Schools, DC Public Schools, and Denver Public Schools. To date, EPIC has given over $4.3 million in financial awards to educators in 68 schools nationwide.
Information specific to the EPIC program and the National Charter School Consortium, including a full list of participating schools, can be found on the EPIC website, www.nlns.org/epic.jsp.
Additional information on New Leaders for New Schools can be found at www.nlns.org.
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EPIC Award-winning Charter Schools for 2008-2009
Alliance, College-Ready Academy High School #4 – Los Angeles, CA
Alliance, Gertz-Ressler High School – Los Angeles, CA
Centennial College Preparatory Academy, Aspire Public Schools – Huntington Park, CA
Lighthouse Community Charter High School – Oakland, CA
Monarch Academy, Aspire Public Schools – Oakland, CA
Synergy Charter Academy – Los Angeles, CA
West Denver Preparatory Charter School – Denver, CO
E. L. Haynes Public Charter School – Washington, DC
The Charter School of Excellence – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boston Preparatory Charter Public School – Hyde Park, MA
Boston Collegiate Charter School – Dorchester, MA
Community Day Charter Public School – Lawrence, MA
MATCH Charter Public School – Boston, MA
Prospect Hill Academy, Upper School – Cambridge, MA
Roxbury Preparatory Charter School – Roxbury, MA
City Charter High School – Pittsburgh, PA
Mastery Charter School – Lenfest Campus – Philadelphia, PA
Mastery Charter School – Shoemaker Campus – Philadelphia, PA
Propel McKeesport – McKeesport, PA
Higgs, Carter, King Gifted and Talented Charter Academy – San Antonio, TX
YES Prep North Central – Houston, TX
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