Parents United

Video of the Day: Investing in schools creates twice as many jobs as military spending

Say what? UMass economist Bob Pollin argues against “austerity” and heightened militarism, saying that education is by far the better investment. “Spending on education is one of the best ways to create jobs, and it’s maybe the best way insofar as we already have an infrastructure in place called the system of public education atContinue reading “Video of the Day: Investing in schools creates twice as many jobs as military spending”

Is this our Mayor?

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter made an appearance last night on “All In with Chris Hayes” on MSNBC about the awful decisions made this year about Philadelphia public schools. From mass school closings to reckless charter expansion, from closing schools to opening prisons, from eliminating fundamental education responsibilities to laying off thousands of Philadelphians – what,Continue reading “Is this our Mayor?”

This week’s Action Alert for schools

This week is a busy week of action for our schools. Whether it’s as simple as a phone call, as direct as testimony to City Council, or as extensive as a lobby day to Harrisburg, make some time for our schools this week!

This is not a school: Parents United statement on district layoffs

[Update: The District has actually issued 3,783 layoffs, over 20% of its total staff.] “This is not a school” Parents United for Public Education Statement on District layoffs, June 7, 2013 3,000 layoffs. Aides, secretaries, nurses, librarians, art and music teachers, classroom teachers, assistant principals, counselors—people who have worked in our children’s schools for years,Continue reading “This is not a school: Parents United statement on district layoffs”

A public thanks to Commissioner Joseph Dworetzky

The SRC’s vote May 30th stripped away any pretense that next year’s budget has a child-centered, education-focused mission. Gone from the budget are core educational responsibilities: the arts, guidance counselors, books & supplies, librarians, sports, and extracurricular activities and clubs. The budget hurt every single school in every neighborhood across the city, from the most strugglingContinue reading “A public thanks to Commissioner Joseph Dworetzky”