Edison Schools Announces Change in Relationship with Boston Renaissance Charter School

Thursday, May 16, 2002
Edison Schools announced today that effective July 1, 2002, it would no longer be managing the Boston Renaissance Charter School. After seven years of work, in which Edison helped the school develop into one of the largest charter schools in the country, Edison and the school’s board agreed that the school should now run on an independent basis. Edison and the school are in the process of negotiating a new relationship in which Edison will provide the school discrete services such as special education and professional development.

“Edison has been a crucial and effective partner in the building of this school. We are very grateful for all they have done to get us to this point,” said Roger Harris, headmaster of the school. The likely restructuring of this relationship was by mutual agreement.

The loss of this contract, and associated revenue adjustment, were built into the guidance that Edison provided in its third quarter earnings call on May 14.

Contrary to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal, the change in the relationship was not on the basis of student achievement. Noted John E. Chubb, Edison’s Chief Education Officer, “During Edison’s tenure the school’s gains on the state’s high stakes test, the MCAS, exceeded those of the district and the state during the same time frame.”

“Edison has played a critical role in the development and growth of Renaissance,” said Dudley Blodget, president of the Renaissance Board. “Our decision to separate represents the Board's belief that we have the strength on-site to move the school forward. In many ways we have experienced academic success and we have done so with Edison as our partner.”




Archive of all News From HQ stories.

Archive of all News From Our Schools stories.

Back...