Philadelphia Board Delayed Charter Evaluation Framework
The city school district has postponed updates to its Project RiSE framework amid ongoing litigation with charter schools.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Philadelphia Board of Education has halted the release of its new Project RiSE charter school evaluation framework. Officials confirmed that updates remain unavailable because of legal disputes currently involving several local charter schools.
Why it matters
The delay stems from active litigation regarding nonrenewals and current evaluation standards, creating uncertainty for institutions awaiting the new system. This framework is intended to assess the academic and operational performance of charter schools throughout the district.
The school district initially intended to share framework details by June 2026. The Charter School Office anticipates preliminary implementation of the new Project RiSE system will occur during the 2027-28 school year.
The players
Philadelphia Board of Education
This is the governing body responsible for overseeing the public school district in Philadelphia.
Charter School Office
This department manages the evaluation and oversight of charter schools within the district's jurisdiction.
The details
The Charter School Office relies on these evaluation frameworks to maintain oversight of academic and operational standards across the district. A working group composed of charter advocates and school leaders was previously tasked with providing feedback on the development of the new process.
Timeline
June 2026 was the initial target date for sharing the framework details.
September 24, 2026, was the date of the scheduled board meeting.
The 2027-28 school year is the target for preliminary framework implementation.
Culture Shift
The development of Project RiSE highlights a broader societal move toward increased performance transparency in public education. This process follows a pattern of school districts attempting to modernize accountability systems while navigating complex regulatory and legal landscapes.
The delay creates logistical uncertainty for parents and educators who were preparing for new academic evaluation standards. Families may see continued reliance on older metrics as the district navigates its ongoing legal battles with charter operators.
The takeaway
The pause in the Project RiSE implementation highlights how legal friction between districts and charter networks can stall administrative modernization. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming board meetings for any resolution to the litigation that might impact the 2027-28 timeline.
Further reading
Learn more about the current landscape of Secondary Education in the city.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chalkbeat.
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