Students push for changes in District's discipline policy

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 18:04 | Permalink

by Katie McCabe

Student leaders and community allies working with the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools voiced their opposition Thursday to the most recent draft of the School District’s discipline policy at a press conference on the steps of District headquarters.

Two charters to grow; seven more must wait to learn fate

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 16:29 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

A divided School Reform Commission approved the expansion of two more charters on Friday, but delayed decisions on two others pending the result of the state’s ongoing investigation of possible cheating on state tests. Five other schools also have pending renewal or modification requests.

SRC moves to outsource 3 management jobs in transportation

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 12:26 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

By Katie McCabe

The School Reform Commission voted Monday to outsource the three top management positions in its transportation department, but recessed until Wednesday to allow more time for talks with the labor union representing bus drivers, mechanics, and other blue-collar workers whose jobs could be facing a similar fate.

Impact100 awards grants to afterschool programs

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 12:45 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

At a time when public funding affecting many of the city’s youth is in jeopardy, the women of Impact100 Philadelphia have chosen to award their annual grants to two organizations serving Philadelphia children: After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP) and the Village of Arts and Humanities.

The two organizations accepted awards of $100,000 each in a ceremony June 26 in the Village’s Ile Ife Park.

SRC makes it official: Creighton to Universal, Hope Charter to close

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 13:54 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The School Reform Commission brought closure Friday to two running controversies from this spring, formally granting a charter for Universal Companies to run Creighton Elementary as a Renaissance charter and accepting a proposal from Hope Charter High School to close in 2013.

Council members, Enon pastor endorse Hite

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 16:44 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

By Katie McCabe and Benjamin Herold for WHYY/Newsworks

After a whirlwind 48 hours of public meet-and-greets with superintendent finalists William Hite and Pedro Martinez, key segments of the Philadelphia community appear to be leaning toward Hite as the preferred candidate for the job.

Two City Council members who attended both public forums came out assertively in support of Hite: Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who chairs the Council's education committee, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.

William Hite: A look at his background in 5 critical areas

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 12:01 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Attending tonight’s public engagement forum to hear from superintendent candidate Bill Hite?

Here are links to previous reporting done on five important areas.    

1. Education & experience

Pedro Martinez: A look at his background in 5 critical areas

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 16:28 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Attending tonight’s public engagement forum to hear from superintendent candidate Pedro Martinez?

Here are links to previous reporting done on five important areas.

1. Education & experience

Principals frustrated; Nixon outlines some leadership strategies

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 13:28 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Monday night's School Reform Commission meeting gave principals the chance to vent their frustrations about lack of support from the District and high turnover.

More than 20 participated in a public discussion and were forthright about what they were not getting from the District and how they were rarely consulted about important decisions before those decisions impacted their schools.

College Board guide for undocumented students released

Submitted by Katie McCabe on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 15:13 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Undocumented immigrant students face a number of significant obstacles on the path to college. The College Board is seeking to make that process a little easier with its recently released resource guide for undocumented students planning for college.

The resource guide was released just weeks before President Obama issued an executive order that will enable undocumented youth to delay deportation and apply for work permits.