Performance Framework

What is the performance framework?

The performance framework is the most important tool that the Commission and charter schools utilize as they collectively strive to create student-centered, academically rigorous, fiscally sound, and organizationally vibrant public charter schools. The purpose of the performance framework is to provide guidelines for charter school planning, implementation, self-evaluation, authorizer monitoring, and continuing improvement.

The Commission uses the framework as a tool to “ensure the highest standards of accountability and oversight” [RCW 28A.710.180 (1)] and engage in continuous learning and compliance conversations with charter schools. Charter schools view the framework as a critical self-evaluation tool for both continuous improvement and compliance.

 

How many performance frameworks are there?

There are three performance frameworks the Commission uses to assess a charter public school’s performance:

  • Academic Performance Framework
  • Financial Performance Framework
  • Organizational Performance Framework

 

What is the Academic Performance Framework (APF)?

The APF is designed to allow the Commission to evaluate a school’s academic performance and answer the question “is the charter school’s academic program a success?”. The APF includes indicators and measures related to academic performance standards to ensure that a school is implementing its academic program effectively, and that student learning is taking place. These standards include:

  • State and Federal Accountability (Washington School Improvement Framework)
  • Geographic Comparisons (Assigned School Comparisons)
    • Proficiency
    • Growth
    • Graduation Rate
    • EL Progress
    • Regular Attendance
    • 9th Graders on Track
    • Dual Credit
  • Comparison to Schools Serving Similar Students (Regression Analysis)
    • Proficiency and Graduation Rate
  • School Specific Goals
    • Goals and measures developed in collaboration between the charter public school and the Commission that is specific to the student population and the school academic programming

 

APF Resources

Below are links to the APF, the overview of the APF and the methodology document.

 

Previously adopted APF:

 

What is the Financial Performance Framework (FPF)?

The FPF is a monitoring tool that provides the Commission with key data to assess the financial health and viability of charter schools in their portfolio and to determine whether deeper analysis or monitoring is required. The FPF summarizes the charter school’s current financial health while taking into account the school’s financial trends over a period of three years. The measures are designed to be complementary, as no single measure gives a full picture of the financial situation of a school. Together they provide a comprehensive assessment of the school’s financial health based on a school’s historic trends, near-term financial situation, and future viability. These measures include:

  • Current Ratio
  • Days Cash
  • Debt Default
  • Total Margin
  • Debt to Asset Ratio
  • Cash Flow
  • Enrollment Variance (Informational Only)

 

FPF Resources

 

What is the Organizational Performance Framework (OPF)?

The OPF is designed to monitor the charter schools on the compliance-related standards that they must meet. The OPF is intended to create all charter public schools as though they are the same only in terms of meeting minimum legal and ethical requirements. This enables charter public schools to retain the flexibility and autonomy to be different in the ways that matter most for a school’s mission, vision and educational program. The expectations set out in the OPF derive from state and federal law, as well as the operating terms in the charter application and is most closely aligned with the charter contract for documenting operational expectations. Indicators and measures include:

  • Educational Program
  • Financial Management and Oversight
  • Governance and Reporting
  • Students, Parents and Employees
  • School Environment
  • School Specific Goals (Non-Academic)

OPF Resources

 

Other Resources