Parents United

Back to School: It’s so much worse than you think

“Philadelphia, Mississippi 1963: No black children allowed in libraries Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2013: No school libraries” [This post has been updated: Check our Know Your Rights page to learn how to file a complaint] On Tuesday, dozens of parents came out to District headquarters to finally gain some answers to rumors, questions and fears surrounding theContinue reading “Back to School: It’s so much worse than you think”

Parents United statement on teacher concessions

This morning, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) made the tough decision to agree to a wage freeze and health care contributions. Parents United for Public Education stands with Philadelphia teachers across the city who are making a difference everyday in our classrooms. We also want to make clear that this means the District’s averageContinue reading “Parents United statement on teacher concessions”

In the news: Philly’s budget crisis goes national

Philadelphia’s budget crisis makes national news Philadelphia’s budget crisis made the front page of the New York Times under the headline “A City borrows so its schools open on time.” The story featured the voices of Parents United members Tomika Anglin, Leslie Tyler, and Helen Gym. An accompanying photo essay highlighted a town hall on education atContinue reading “In the news: Philly’s budget crisis goes national”

Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.”

Listening to Superintendent William Hite on “Radio Times” was a harsh wake up call to every parent across the district. He said that the resources given to him will allow Philadelphia to open “functional types of schools”: “On September 9th, we will expect 134,000 young people to return to schools, and when they return toContinue reading “Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.””

50 years after King’s speech, will public education be a last stand?

As we honor the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington today, we reflect on the powerful words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at his most prophetic and radical: “When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarismContinue reading “50 years after King’s speech, will public education be a last stand?”