We Assess

Assess the quality of all district and charter schools in Cleveland. The Alliance will work with the CMSD and partnering charter schools to adopt a quality framework to consistently evaluate the performance of all public schools in Cleveland. This framework will be evidence-based, comprehensive and look objectively at academic, financial and operational performance, as well as student, parent and teacher satisfaction. All public district and charter schools in Cleveland will be annually assessed using this framework. Once collected and analyzed, the Alliance will work with the state to ensure that all schools are held accountable for performance, and recommend speedy closure as necessary.

We Communicate

Communicate to families about quality school options in Cleveland. The Alliance will be responsible for communication with the public (in particular students and their families) about the quality of public schools in Cleveland. The Alliance will produce an annual report summarizing the results of the school quality reviews and will mount an aggressive marketing campaign during open enrollment to provide students and families with the information they need to make good educational choices.

We Ensure

Ensure fidelity to the citywide education plan – The Cleveland Plan. The Alliance will ensure that all components of the plan are implemented based on an agreed upon timeline and measures of success. In particular, the Alliance will work with the CMSD and partnering charter schools to develop a multi-year plan to ensure that Cleveland is developing a diverse set of educational options for students and families across the city. The Alliance will have a particular focus on bringing the best national education models to Cleveland and spurring models unique to our city with local community partners. The Alliance will also develop venues for the community and institutions to have a voice in the development of new schools. The Alliance will monitor and ensure faithful execution of the plan for the benefit of all of Cleveland’s children. Should conflicts arise among any of the Alliance partners, the Alliance will serve as the mediator and provide written recommendations to be considered by the parties in the resolution of these conflicts.

We Monitor

Monitor the quality of all district and charter schools in Cleveland. Currently, Cleveland has no ability to influence the quality of charter schools that open within city limits nor whether failing schools close. As a first step, the Alliance will promote standards developed by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers as it relates to the authorization of new charter schools and timely closure of failing charters. In order to open a charter school in the City of Cleveland, the Alliance will request that the state require “sign off” by the Alliance in addition to sponsorship by an authorized entity as currently defined in state law. To ensure fairness and transparency, an appeals process to the Ohio Department of Education will be defined should the Alliance deny approval to a charter school that meets the defined standards.