Focus on Speaking Out, Not Dropping Out
April 2011 Vol. 18 No. 5
At Olney West and other high schools, students are greeted by metal detectors used by the District to screen for weapons. But some students say they feel treated like criminals.
A message from students who left
While the numbers are slowly improving, four in ten of Philadelphia's young people never finish high school. This dropout crisis impacts everyone – taxpayers, parents, employers, and community members. But those affected most immediately are the youth themselves.
To gain their viewpoint on what should be done, the Notebook interviewed more than 20 young people who are in alternative schools, GED preparation classes, and other programs for out-of-school youth.
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Painful cuts on the way as District faces shortfall
by Paul Socolar
While activists continue to protest the education budget proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett, a sense of doom is spreading across Philadelphia schools as many doubt the system can close an enormous funding shortfall without slashing staff and eliminating many core programs.
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Table of Contents
Theme articles
- A message from students who left
- 'What are you doing that is making them not want to attend school?'
- Web Exclusive Shirley BrownWeb Exclusive Phozeia ShamaWeb Exclusive Cornelius LincolnWeb Exclusive Jonathan RodriguezWeb Exclusive DeShaun Williams
- 6-year graduation rate grows to 63% by Paul Socolar
- Schools paying closer attention to truancy by Dale Mezzacappa
- Looking for a climate change: Students chafe under safety policies by Bill Hangley, Jr.
- A taskforce agenda awaits District action by Wendy Harris
- Accelerated schools are producing graduates, study finds by Daniel Denvir
- About this edition
- Quicktakes: What does it take to be a good 'graduation coach'? Interviews and photos by Benjamin Herold
Other news & features
- Plans for new Renaissance charters move forward by Benjamin Herold
- Painful cuts on the way as District faces shortfall by Paul Socolar
- SRC to begin 'right-sizing' by Celeste Lavin
- Teach, Tony Danza, teach by Marsha Pincus
Member profile
- Profile of Karren Dunkley, Notebook member by Michele Aweeky
Notebook news
- Notebook wins court case
- Blog wins national award
Cartoon
- April edition cartoon
In our opinion
- What have we learned?
- Cuts cannot stand
From our readers
- School vouchers: Not the fix we need
- Edition sheds light on critical issues
Eye on special education
- Children in city Family Court system need timely evaluations by School District by Sonja D. Kerr
School snapshot
- Astronaut visits Wagner
Activism around the city
- Campaign for Nonviolent Schools mobilizes support for new platform by Michele Aweeky
- Association petitions District for more certified librarians by Michele Aweeky
- Parent groups organize for immigrant-friendly schools by Raquel Ronzone
News in brief
- With Girard-diCarlo's departure, Corbett gets to fill SRC slot by Dale Mezzacappa
- Pa. voucher bill clears first hurdle on 8-2 vote by Paul Jablow
- Four charters get renewals, many wait on expansion requests by Raquel Ronzone
Sports stories
- Friendly competition by Benjamin Herold
En español
- Estudiantes se irritan con las políticas de seguridad por Bill Hangley, Jr.
- Escuelas están fijándose más en las ausencias sin permiso por Dale Mezzacappa
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Philly Ed Feed
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