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Editor and director of the Notebook since 1999, Paul was one of the Notebook’s founders in 1994. He came to the Notebook as a public school parent with a long history of involvement in public education and other social justice issues. His children both graduated from Philadelphia public schools. He has been an active Home & School Association member and served as a parent representative on a School Council. Prior to becoming editor, he worked on education issues for the National Coalition of Education Activists and the American Friends Service Committee.

Montessori charter renewed, Childs closed

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 15:08 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The School Reform Commission today put two once-controversial issues to rest. After a year in which its future was in limbo, the Philadelphia Montessori Charter School won a renewal of its charter through June 2014, subject to meeting several conditions. And SRC approved the closing of the George W. Childs Elementary School building in South Philadelphia, relocating that school to nearby Barratt Middle School.

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10 facts about the latest AYP results

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 01:35 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The School District has just released positive news about Philadelphia schools making adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind law. The governor comes to town Friday to celebrate the results.  Here is a list of the schools that met all their targets in 2010 along with 10 key stats from a District presentation on the latest results:

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Graduation rate inches upward to 63%

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 10:03 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The six-year graduation rate for the School District has climbed to 63 percent, the highest in recent history, according to a preliminary report just released by the District.

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Archie sheds light on bonus situation

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 09:48 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Asked to expand on remarks that appeared in a Sunday letter to the editor, SRC Chair Robert L. Archie told reporters Wednesday that Superintendent Arlene Ackerman won't be eligible for another performance bonus from the District until after June of 2011, at the end of her third year with the District.

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Another communications chief out

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 17:22 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Before completing two full weeks on the job, Lisa Mastoon, the District's chief public information officer, resigned Friday.

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Black and Latino boys disrespected, task force finds

by Dale Mezzacappa
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