Philadelphia’s Renaissance Schools: A Report on Start Up and Early Implementation

In April 2009, Superintendent Arlene Ackerman announced her reform plan for the School District of Philadelphia (the District) – Imagine 2014. Among other major initiatives, Imagine 2014 laid the groundwork for Philadelphia’s Renaissance Schools Initiative. The Renaissance Initiative, set to enter its second year in 2011-12, is an effort to dramatically change student outcomes in the District’s lowest performing schools. This document summarizes key findings from RFA’s research conducted between March 2010 and January 2011 on start up and early implementation of the initiative.