The Board Appointed Peng Chao as the Chief of the Charter Schools Office
The Board recently appointed Peng Chao as the permanent Chief of the Charter Schools Office (CSO.) During the past two years, Mr. Chao has served as Acting Chief of the CSO and has demonstrated his leadership, commitment and passion for this work.
“I am simultaneously excited and humbled at the opportunity to continue to lead this important work with the Board of Education,” said Mr. Chao. “Families across our city want and deserve the best school options, and I look forward to continuing to build off of our team’s work to ensure that every charter option in Philadelphia offers a welcoming and nurturing environment where every student can pursue their dreams.”
Mr. Chao joined the CSO in 2013 and has held various positions in operations, community engagement, turnaround, new charters and amendments. Coming from a family of educators, Mr. Chao began his career as an eighth grade math teacher at a District school then served as a founding teacher leader and seventh grade math teacher at a Philadelphia charter school. Mr. Chao holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania.
As a result of his work here in Philadelphia, Mr. Chao has gained national recognition as a thought leader on charter school authorizing and on the critical role that public education plays in shaping the future of equity and excellence.
“Mr. Chao’s elevation to Chief of the Charter Schools Office is the result of his continued commitment to leadership focused on steering the CSO to be the ever-evolving partner, resource and dependable professional office that it aspires to be under what has been a challenging environment, including the pandemic,” said Board of Education President Reginald L. Streater, Esq.
“I have worked with Peng Chao and the Charter Schools Office for many years and would like to congratulate him on his new position as Chief of Charter Schools,” said Natalie Wiltshire, CEO of KIPP Philadelphia. “Leadership appointments such as these provide space for us to take stock of opportunities for improvement in systems and processes. This is a moment for us all to work together for the betterment of Philadelphia’s students. KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools is excited to collaborate with Mr. Chao with that goal in mind.”
Mr. Chao’s beliefs about public education reflect his tenure as a District and charter school teacher and are rooted in creating safe spaces for students and providing high-quality instruction. In alignment with these beliefs, the Board has directed him to continue working with all charter schools to ensure that our system of schools provides wide-ranging options and opportunities for all of our students. “We are confident that he will continue to advance our shared vision for student success in his new role as Chief of the Charter Schools Office,” Board President Streater said.
“MaST Schools is excited to continue its work with Peng Chao and the Charter Schools Office in his official appointment as the Chief of Charter Schools Office,” said John F. Swoyer III, MaST Schools CEO. “We are hopeful that the development and growth of the relationship between charter schools, authorization, and compliance can have a shared voice at the table in the future under his leadership. Peng has been open to participating in this conversation, and while there is still a lot of work to be done to build a team approach to the standards of charter schools, I am hopeful that the relationship can continue to develop in the future. I am also thankful that he can take that feedback and create the steps necessary to balance the communication along with the Philadelphia School Board of Education.”