This statement is in response to news that the School District of Philadelphia may begin disciplinary action toward teachers who had informed parents of their opt out rights around high stakes testing. The District move follows this City Paper article announcing that 17% of students at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences refused to take … Continue reading
Category Archives: War on Teachers
How do you win a war by firing on your own soldiers? ~ Diane Ravitch
Statement: Students deserve an apology – not insults
Last month the School District of Philadelphia hosted a screening of the controversial film “Won’t Back Down” (read Helen Gym’s review of the movie here) shortly after the School Reform Commission took unprecedented action to revoke the teachers’ contract. Students conducted a protest of the film screening. It went downhill from there. According to this video, … Continue reading
This happened today: Bodine High loses teachers, cancels physics
This is what “leveling” means in Philly public schools. It means the District refuses to hire needed staff so schools lose teachers to send to other schools seven weeks into the school year. What difference does a teacher make? Check out what happened when Bodine High School for International Affairs (one of Philadelphia’s “innovative” global … Continue reading
Gerald Wright: The SRC has gone too far
On October 15, parents across the city gathered at 440 to decry the SRC’s decision earlier this month to throw out the teachers’ contract. Parents United for Public Education joined with Action United and PCAPs to organize the rally because we believe that a strong school district works in partnership with its labor force, not … Continue reading
Smart read of the day: Lisa Haver on why real accountability goes both ways
“The question then is: Is accountability applicable only to those in the classrooms? Why do we not hold those in leadership positions accountable? It is the responsibility of the Superintendent and the SRC to make sure that we have a functioning system which meets all of the needs of our students. It is their responsibility … Continue reading
Governor Corbett runs from Philadelphia voters – again
In a large rally yesterday, Parents United for Public Education joined with our partners at PCAPS and PA Working Families to greet Governor Tom Corbett who was trolling for campaign dollars with Gov. Chris Christie at an event hosted by the Republican Governors Association. Originally intended for the Union League, the campaign suddenly switched locations the day of … Continue reading
When Ed Reformers speak: “Schools shouldn’t have a right to exist”
The Philadelphia School Partnership was founded with a mission “to accelerate” the pace of education reform in Philadelphia and to raise $100 million to wield its agenda. So why has PSP in its short tenure here become such a polarizing institution? Hmm . . could it be the fact that they: Have prominent voucher advocates on … Continue reading
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 average … Continue reading
Helen Gym: SRC statement: Going to war on your own soldiers
These remarks were made at the Aug. 15 SRC special meeting which stripped seniority from the teachers’ contract. This means that the District has the right to arbitrarily determine which staff to return to schools based on “need.” The SRC voted unanimously to do so. Last week when you Superintendent Hite issued your ultimatum, parents … Continue reading
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
