PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Representatives from the School District of Philadelphia are making their case for why a North Philadelphia charter school shouldn’t be allowed to continue operations.
The future of the KIPP North Philadelphia Academy charter school is on the line at a virtual hearing that began Tuesday. The Philadelphia Board of Education voted a year ago to begin the process not to renew the K-8 school’s charter, citing 37 academic and organizational deficiencies.
Peng Chao, who heads the district’s Charter Schools Office, testified that an evaluation from his office showed 13% of KIPP students passed state math exams in 2021-22. He said scores have only fallen since then, with state math, English and science scores lagging behind other district and charter schools, while absenteeism and suspension rates have been much higher.
“From a trend perspective there was a decline in every year,” he said. “The report kind of confirms in terms of academic success, especially, that the school continues to underperform.”
In his opening statement, KIPP attorney David Heim questioned whether the nonrenewal was warranted.
“Do the challenges that KIPP North faced, and faces, justify the draconian step of closing this school in North Philadelphia?” he asked.
Three years ago, the board approved a one-year renewal with conditions for KIPP, but board members last year were concerned over the school’s continued decline in proficiency.
“The same record that supported renewal in the Charter School Office’s opinion was transformed into a case for closure.”
A hearing examiner will ultimately present the school board recommendation on the nonrenewal. The school will remain open in the meantime.
