The UFT announced on Feb. 27 that it will close its K–8 charter school in East New York, Brooklyn, at the end of the school year. At the same time, the union has asked the State University of New York to renew the charter for grades 9–12.

“The UFT charter school outperformed its district in math in grades 3 and 4, and has a high level of parent satisfaction,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “But a student or a school is more than a test score, and SUNY’s sole focus on state tests has meant that overall our elementary and middle school results have fallen short.”

Mulgrew noted that more than 90 percent of the high school students graduated within four years and more than 71 percent enrolled in further education within six months.

“The multiple measures of success for high school students have allowed our high school to demonstrate some of its progress,” he said.

The UFT charter school opened in 2005. The K–8 school and the high school operate under one charter, but they are in different buildings and have their own staffs.

Union officials said the contractual rights of all staff members will be protected. The UFT will assist any displaced staff in finding new positions and work with the Department of Education to ensure appropriate placements for all students affected.