Philadelphia's Renaissance Schools Initiative
Philadelphia’s Renaissance Schools Initiative: 18 Month Interim Report February 2012 Prepared for the Accountability Review Council by Research for Action Authors Eva Gold, Ph.D. Michael H. Norton Deborah Good, M.S.W. Stephanie Levin, Ph.D. About Research for Action Research for Action (RFA) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization. We seek to use research as the basis for the improvement of educational opportunities and outcomes for traditionally underserved students. Our work is designed to strengthen public schools and postsecondary institutions; provide research-based recommendations to policymakers, practitioners, and the public at the local, state, and national levels; and enrich the civic and community dialogue about public education. For more information, please visit our website at www.researchforaction.org. Acknowledgments This research was commissioned by the Accountability Review Council (ARC) for the School District of Philadelphia. We express our appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Wong, Executive Advisor to the ARC, and Dr. Tonya Wolford from the District, for their guidance of this project. We would also like to thank the District’s research staff, as well as ASPIRA, Mastery Charter Schools, Scholar Academies, and Universal Companies for providing data about the Renaissance Schools. In addition, a very special thanks goes to Central Office staff, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and to the principals, assistant principals, teachers, and School Advisory Councils of the two Promise Academy case study schools for accommodating our requests for interviews and observations, and for graciously sharing their successes and challenges with us. This report was greatly enhanced by the contributions of many RFA staff and interns.
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