Parents United

Beyond the $50 million deal: What about the schools our children deserve?

Alfie Kohn’s 2000 book titled The Schools Our Children Deserve has become a visionary slogan for public education advocates across the country. It was the phrase I was thinking of as I listened to last week’s dueling press conferences between the Mayor, the District and City Council about the lack of funding that threatened theContinue reading “Beyond the $50 million deal: What about the schools our children deserve?”

Photo of the Day: Schools burn, Guv heads up river

Could this photo be any more iconic of the disconnect between our Governor and the state of schools? On the day that Supt. William Hite announces an unprecedented possible shutdown of Philly schools for a failure of funding, Governor Tom Corbett kicks off his kayaking vacation. The governor is oblivious and far, far away. Psst,Continue reading “Photo of the Day: Schools burn, Guv heads up river”

Lessons from a budget battle

Last Thursday, City Council decided democracy was inconvenient. Faced with a deluge of phone calls and an unprecedented outpouring of parent action around the progressive Use & Occupancy tax, City Council President Darrell Clarke shut down an expected vote on the tax and instead announced that the City would seek over $74 million for schoolsContinue reading “Lessons from a budget battle”

City Council final session today

Today is City Council’s last session. It isn’t lost on us that City Council plans to end its year without giving our children a guarantee about school funding. The good news is that the activism of parents and community members on the ground has sent a clear signal all the way to the governor’s officeContinue reading “City Council final session today”

Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council

This is a defining moment for public education in the City of Philadelphia. Never has so much been on the line – from thousands of essential jobs for Philadelphians to fundamental educational programs and services. In the past month, thousands of Philadelphians have marched at City Hall and lobbied City Council on behalf of supportingContinue reading “Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council”