Focus on The Takeover: One Year Later
Summer 2003 Vol. 10 No. 4
Students at FitzSimons Middle School, which was turned over last fall to Victory Schools. Victory has divided the school into separate boys' and girls' academies.
Quietly, battle over private management of schools rages on
by Paul Socolar
The noise level is lower at School District headquarters this spring, but the political struggles over private management of schools continue.
Despite the departure of the Ridge/Schweiker team from Harrisburg, there is still strong support among influential state legislators and on the School Reform Commission to extend the experiment in privatized school management that was started last year.
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Understanding the state takeover of Philadelphia's schools
by Len Rieser
On December 23, 2001, Philadelphians awoke to the startling news that their schools were now -- as the Philadelphia Inquirer put it -- "the property and problem of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
The transfer of control, which was reported to have occurred at precisely 12:01 a.m., seemed to plunge the city's children into uncertainty. "We're in [Governor] Schweiker's hands now," a Daily News columnist wrote, with evident apprehension.
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District evaluates progress in the takeover schools
by Ajuah Helton
Philadelphia's reform plan that overhauled the management of 70 schools has been described as an historic experiment. Amid public outcry, private companies and nonprofits were brought in to manage some schools, while others were converted to charter schools or restructured under District management.
Now, as Year One of the reform draws to a close, many wonder whether the sweeping changes have translated into better student performance, and how the School District is measuring improvement.
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Table of Contents
Theme articles
- Quietly, battle over private management of schools rages on by Paul Socolar
- Teacher turnover high at the 'takeover schools' by Kurt Spiridakis
- Principals offer mixed perspectives on first year of takeover by Sukey Blanc
- Understanding the state takeover of Philadelphia's schools by Len Rieser
- Centerfold chart: A look at the school managers in the 'multiple provider' model Research for Action
- District evaluates progress in the takeover schools by Ajuah Helton
- Money talks: EMOs give generously by Paul Socolar
- Are these the District's 'lowest performing schools?' by Paul Socolar
- Enhancing parent involvement: many strategies available by Amy Rhodes
Other news & features
- June 30 deadline looms for action on Rendell's education program
- Rendell plan would lower local taxes, raise state income tax
- Independent school proposals shelved for now by Aldustus Jordan
- Outside providers play growing role in alternative schools by Dennis Barnebey
Cartoon
- Summer 2003 cartoon by Eric Joselyn
In our opinion
- The takeover -- one year later
From our readers
- Time for action to fund schools
Eye on special education
- Many children eligible for Supplemental Security Income by Robert Lukens
Activism around the city
- Rally for funding equity draws busloads to Capitol
- Organizing against military in schools
- Parents rally for funds, more equity for Title I
- Kensington students have plans for new high school
- E.M. Stanton coalition wins fight to save school
Neighborhood Notebook
- At two West Region schools, new openings for parent power by Amy Rhodes
- In Overbrook, a change agent
News in brief
- Reduced class size a budget priority
- More charter schools coming this fall
- Privatization an issue in upcoming contracts
- Registering students: focus of broad coalition
En español
- La toma de las escuelas por parte del estado por Len Reiser
- ¿Son éstas las 'escuelas de peor desempeño' del Distrito? por Paul Socolar
Guest opinions
- Increased graduation requirements helped students – why lower them? by Rochelle Nichols Solomon
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