News and Updates

BPCPS Leads Nation in Value-Added Study:
Demonstrates Diverse Population Can Grow, Achieve at Highest Levels Hyde Park (March 5th, 2009)

The Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC), a national 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. Boston Preparatory Charter Public School led the nation, joining the "Gold Band" of five highest achieving schools.

Using a value-added model to analyze performance data from nearly 150 charter schools across the country during the 2007-2008 school year, EPIC identified 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. BPCPS's accomplishment on the list is especially notable, given the school's particularly high percentage of high-need students: 16% have disabilities; 76% live in poverty. The school's results run counter to state and nationwide trends which demonstrate an ongoing achievement gap between high-need populations and regular education populations. BPCPS is actively closing this gap.

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.

In recognition of the student achievement gains, EPIC will provide monetary awards to principals, assistant principals and instructional staff at award winning schools. Depending on the level of student gains, teachers and administrators in EPIC-designated schools can each receive between $3,000 and $12,000.

According to Principal Amanda Gardner: "We are thrilled to receive such a prestigious honor. To be ranked as one of the top five charter schools in the nation is an accomplishment that makes our staff, students, and families especially proud. We look forward to working with EPIC to disseminate best practices to other schools across the nation as we continue working to close the achievement gap that exists in our nation’s public schools. Additionally, we are proud to serve as a model of the power and efficacy of inclusive education. BPCPS is a school that serves a particularly diverse student population. We are most proud that a school serving a high percentage of students with disabilities is leading the nation and setting an example of academic achievement and educational excellence for all."

A complete list of award-winning schools follows. 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.

Gold-Gain Schools

• Boston Preparatory Charter Public School – Hyde Park, MA
• The Charter School of Excellence – Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Higgs, Carter, King Gifted and Talented Charter Academy – San Antonio, TX
• Mastery Charter School – Shoemaker Campus – Philadelphia, PA
• MATCH Charter Public School – Boston, MA

Silver-Gain Schools

• 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
• Boston Collegiate Charter School – Dorchester, MA
• Community Day Charter Public School – Lawrence, 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
• Propel McKeesport – McKeesport, PA
• YES Prep North Central – Houston, TX

For more details, contact Anders Peterson.

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