Charter schools are held accountable, through the terms of five-year performance contracts called “charters,” for high student achievement. Charter schools must meet the same Regents’ performance standards established for all public schools as well as the goals established in their charter. If a charter school fails to meet those terms, it can be closed. The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has set performance standards for all DOE-authorized charter schools. These standards are organized under five categories:
- high academic attainment and improvement- responsive educational program and environment- responsible school leadership, governance, and management- financial sustainability and internal controls- strong culture and supportive relationships
The DOE is responsible for monitoring the performance of DOE-authorized public charter schools against these standards and has developed an oversight framework that collects information and data critical to renewal decision-making. The Accountability Handbook is a tool for DOE-authorized charter schools to understand the Charter School Office's accountability framework. See also: a brief presentation given to charter schools at the 2009 Accountability Workshop.
Clicking on the name of a charter school below will take you to the following acountability resources for that school:
Annual Report: Every year each charter school is required to submit an annual report of their students' academic performance outcomes and their progress toward the goals of their charter.
Annual Site Visit Report: The Charter School Office visits each school at least once in their first, second & fourth year of operation and generates a report of findings. The State Education Department (SED) visits schools in their third year of operation. SED visit reports are not included below. Please visit their website for more information.
Annual Site Visit Report School Response: Each school has the opportunity to generate a response to the findings in the Site Visit Report.
Annual Audit: Every year each charter school is required to engage in an independent financial audit.
DOE Progress Report: The outcomes on these reports were generated from New York State testing data and student attendance. Renewal Report: In their fifth year of operation, charter schools must apply for renewal of their charter. The renewal report combines DOE findings from multiple sources including a multi-day site visit in order to answer three questions:
The report contains the Chancellor's recommendation on whether or not the school's charter should be renewed and the length for which it should be renewed (up to five years). This recommendation does not become a finalized decision until it is approved by the New York State Board of Regents.Please select a school to be taken to its accountability resource page: