Philadelphia Schools Project

Programs: Great schools fund - investments:psp has developed a methodology for identifying, selecting and making grants to high performing schools and school operators. Psp developed its model by studying the approaches and due diligence processes of other organizations across the country doing similar work. Psp's model considers quantitative academic performance and qualitative data about a school's or operator's management team, governance structure, and operational capacity. The ultimate goal of the fund is to dramatically increase the number of students prepared to succeed in college and the work world. Within ten years, the great schools fund aims to create 35,000 seats in high-performing schools. Psp makes grants and invests in leaders and schools that can demonstrate their capacity to create and lead schools that can put and keep the vast majority of students on a path to postsecondary education and career success. Psp evaluates all of its investments and the overall fund's performance against a set of key student outcomes that indicate whether schools are on track to prepare students for success beyond graduation. Generally, psp makes four types of grants:incubation -- psp supports the earliest stages of new school idea development and planning. Grant funds support the completion of a school plan, development of a business plan, or drafting of a charter application, for example. Incubation grants may also support early stage startup activities. Start-up -- psp supports the launch of new schools. Grants cover costs associated with planning and startup of a new school such as: facility acquisition/renovation, hiring, staff training, and school supplies. Applicants seeking startup funds should have a concrete school model and plan ready to execute. Growth -- psp supports school expansions. Grants support building the leadership and operational capacity of existing successful schools and school operators so they can manage growth while maintaining high academic outcomes. Grants also support the opening of new schools or the expansion of existing schools. Applicants seeking growth funds must already be operating a successful school(s). Turnaround -- psp invests in the turnaround of low performing schools by talented teams. Turnaround grants are only made to individuals and teams with a strong track record of successful turnaround or with experience successfully opening an urban school. During 2014, psp awarded incubuation, startup, turnaround and growth grants to eighteen operators that were managing a total of thirty-one schools. Psp also awards special purpose grants to other organizations that meet and fall within the organization's program activities. As with the investments, psp works closely with each grantee to monitor performance and to offer support toward the desired outcomes. During 2014, psp awarded ten special purpose grants. Five of these grants were awarded to various schools. Each grant funded consulting and other expenses related to the submission of charter applications. The remaining five grants were awarded as follows:- to engage in planning of an educational collaboration zone in north philadelphia- to support a research project that will compare teacher attendance patterns in school districts in 42 of the nation's largest cities. - to support its affiliate, philadelphia school advocacy partners, in order to build its administrative and operational capacity and refine its strategy and goals during the first six months of operations- to support the school district of philadelphia's purchase of a pre-k literacy curriculum- to fund the implementation of an environmental education program.

psp developed and now maintains a multimedia information resource that helps parents and guardians to learn about schools in philadelphia. The website and corresponding print edition provides comprehensive information on all k-12 schools located in the city of philadelphia, including district, public charter, parochial and private schools. Data is culled from every available source, including public sources and trusted partners, such as the school district of philadelphia, the pennsylvania department of education, and the archdiocese of philadelphia- office of catholic education. The goal is to present relevant, timely, user-friendly information to help parents and students evaluate, compare, and demand high-quality school options. It also features advice and answers to frequently asked questions on topics such as charter schools, scholarships, high-school application process, interacting with a student's teacher, and much more. It is free to use and does not accept advertising. The project is consistently critically reviewed by a developing advisory council, which includes parents and representatives of local education researchers, school leaders, civic groups, and foundations.

talent and collaboration (formerly known as the great schools compact): psp aims to leverage best practices by convening leaders from all types of schools and facilitating collaboration in the creation and implementation of initiatives to enable schools to operate more effectively. Much of psp's efforts in this arena relate to the recruiting and training of school leaders and teachers. In collaboration with school operators, psp manages several projects focused on developing and strengthening the skills of school leaders and teachers. It also manages projects focused on simplifying the process of applying to schools and helping schools to share services and achieve cost savings through joint purchasing.

to ensure that the conditions exist in philadelphia and pennsylvania to support the growth and improvement of quality schools, the organization occasionally advocates in support of education-related policies. Psp's advocacy is always nonpartisan; it does not support or advocate on behalf of candidates for elected office.