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He's at it again
Harvard prof Paul Peterson last week published another study alleging improvement in the Philadelphia School District’s for-profit model. The study, partially underwritten by Edison Schools Inc. (the...
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BRT patronage at the School District must end
It’s budget season at the School District, and that means time to roll out our top contender for a “School District Expense That Makes No Sense.” This year’s winner, who has been on the District’s hit...
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Imagine 2014 draws 300 to West Philly
Last night, I joined hundreds of parents and community members at the School of the Future for the District’s latest “Imagine 2014: Strategic Plan” meeting. District officials said more than 300 people...
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In a shocker, Dungee Glenn out
In a shocking turn of events, both the Inquirer and the Daily News are reporting that School Reform Commission Chair Sandra Dungee Glenn may be off the SRC. Media reports say that she may be replaced...
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Tax abatements: Do they rob a generation of Philly kids?
Yesterday I was listening to "Radio Times" on WHYY discuss property tax abatements, which are coming to the end of their 10-year term. One strand largely absent in the dialogue was the impact of...
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Election Day is not a School Holiday
As a parent, I’ve never been a fan of the policy to close school on election days – a ridiculous practice that has been going on since the Vallas administration. But the latest news that the city is...
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Parents: Schools need your vote today!
Today is election day.Some studies show that almost 85% of Philadelphia voters will stay home and give up their right to vote. But if you care about where the money goes in the Philadelphia public...
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Notes from the news, Oct. 20
Pa. expediting education and welfare payments following budget dealPhiladelphia Business Journal Gov. Rendell said, “We were able to make all priority payments within four business days after the...
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Mastery Charter summer school dilemma
If you have followed my posts about charter schools you may surmise that I am both a supporter and detractor of charter schools. Now, I have a personal dilemma with Mastery Charter Schools' summer...
View ArticleA New Year, a new blogger
For the last year few years I’ve had the pleasure of working with parents from ACTION United (the organization formerly known as ACORN) on issues pertaining to our neighborhood schools. In 2011 I am...
View ArticleNo more Ms. Nice Mom
So back to the issue of parenting – from the standpoint of a “guest teacher,” the 21st century term for a substitute teacher.Last week I had my first day working for the District at a high school in...
View ArticlePhilly parents' long-anticipated date with Ackerman approaching
Arlene Ackerman has agreed to a February 4 date for a public forum/meeting with interested parents and community members sponsored by ACTION United.read more
View ArticleACTION United meets with top District staff
Who was it that said the joke about pit bulls and hockey moms?Oh, right.Well, how about asking what's the difference between pit bulls and Philly parents? On Feb. 4 you would have had to say...
View ArticleCharter School Invade and Retreat; Another Helps a Turkish Personality While...
Parents have a lot to think about this week as it relates to charters.Georgia Charter-School Operator Nixes Martin Luther King; Sticks w/BirneyThe company - Mosiac Turnaround Partners - were awareded...
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Parents loud and clear at Council budget hearing
You could hear the crowd all the way in North Jersey from yesterday’s City Council hearing on the District’s 2011-12 budget.Hundreds of people and about 130 speakers - among them many parents - packed...
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