NEW PUBLIC CHARTER EVALUATION SYSTEM APPROVED: Designed to be Good for Students, Schools, and Education

June 11, 2024 - The DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) approved an important academic evaluation system to assess District public charter schools and how well they serve their students. This is one significant step in continuing to improve the quality of public education in Washington, DC.

This system, called ASPIRE, is the result of more than two years of planning and collaboration between DC PCSB, DC public charter schools, and other education experts. ASPIRE evaluates schools in the areas DC PCSB believes are most important:

• helping students grow,
• preparing students for college and career success, and
• building a learning environment that supports all students.

“It is a system that is good for students, good for schools, and good for education,” said Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director of DC PCSB. “It will take us all time to get used to the ASPIRE system -- but collectively we must continue to approach student achievement with urgency.”

Dr. Walker-Davis added: “ASPIRE means achieving excellent schools for all students, particularly those from communities that have been historically marginalized.”

“This is the result of much conversation and exploration,” Lea Crusey, DC PCSB Board Chair. “ASPIRE is based on the academic evaluation system that DC PCSB has used for years. We took that model -- and with input from school leaders, experts, the community, and other stakeholders – grounded it in our agency's vision that every DC student receives a quality education and, from that, created ASPIRE.”

Following approval by the Board on June 10, DC PCSB will begin year one of ASPIRE implementation in school year 2024-25.

During the frst year, DC PCSB will test the metrics, review the data, and make adjustments if they are needed. ASPIRE will address many important needs, enabling:

• DC PCSB to have a more nuanced understanding of school strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Schools to have comparable data to understand where their students excel, where they need to take action, and where they can use promising practices to spur innovation.
• Families to have information to make informed school choice decisions. 
• Community leaders and partners to take data-informed school choice decisions.
• Policymakers to have the information and data they need to keep students, community, and equitable outcomes at the center of their policymaking. 

More information about ASPIRE can be found here.