Personal Info
- First NameErikaLast NameOwensOrganizational AffiliationBio
I am the Web editor for this site. Please let me know if you have any comments, questions, suggestions, or gripes about the site!
My interest in education was shaped largely by my time tutoring in the DC Public Schools. I spent every semester of college at Shaw Middle School (DC, not the Phily one) and loved the experience. It was a fitting introduction to the realities of urban education--both the disarray of a school without walls, and the promise of what you can accomplish by building relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
Junior year I did an AmeriCorps term of service at my high school, McDowell, in Erie, Pa.
In addition to K-12 education, I'm interested in higher education, particularly in helping other first generation college students navigate the college application process, adequate financial aid, and success in getting a degree.
I like to share my opinion and love the comment feature. I also like to ask questions, even if I may not have an answer myself.
Recent Blog Entries
More by Erika Owens
EWA conference: Day 2
Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 05/18/2012 - 10:07 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
Education reporters returned to the University of Pennsylvania campus today to learn about education research and reporting tips at the Education Writers Association's National Seminar. Throughout the morning, teachers and researchers are giving brief talks about the teaching profession. Several reporters are tweeting updates during the session.
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Notes from the news, May 18
Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 05/18/2012 - 08:46 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
College for a few The Notebook/NewsWorks
This cover story package from the new edition of the Notebook follows three students who entered Benjamin Franklin High in 2005 and their differing paths through high school and beyond.
See also: Pushing college in tight times The Notebook
The Franklin class of 2009 The Notebook
Education Writers Association conference in town The Notebook blog
The education reporters trade association's annual conference has brought hundreds of reporters and education experts to Penn through Saturday.
Charter school finds success based on intensive teacher training, college focus MLive
Profile of Mastery Charter Schools from a Michigan paper.
Position will help activist fight youth violence The Inquirer
Recent Temple University grad Jamira Burley was just named executive director of the Philadelphia Youth Commission.
Board to resign, Phila. group to take over underperforming Trenton charter school Times of Trenton
Young Scholars will take over the school.
Students dabble in stocks at the Philadelphia exchange WHYY/NewsWorks
Local 5th graders learn lessons in ballroom dance 6 ABC
Unvaccinated kids booted from Pa. classrooms AP via philly.com
A new effort to increase support for J.S. Jenks Chestnut Hill Local
An evening in Africa at Powel Elementary School UC Review
Principal speaks of Burholme school's allure Northeast Times
Students learn to help others Northeast Times
One Letter Per Day: Transparency in Numbers Making the Grade blog
State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition
Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.
Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.
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Education Writers Association conference in town
Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 05/17/2012 - 13:06 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
The national trade association for education reporters is gathering in Philadelphia this week. Today the Education Writers Association's National Seminar kicked off at the University of Pennsylvania.
This morning, reporters from across the country visited schools throughout the city. Reporters tweeted their impressions at visiting Mastery Harrity Elementary, Powel Elementary, Science Leadership Academy, YouthBuild Charter, and Graduate! Philadelphia offices under the #ewa12 hashtag.
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Notes from the news, May 17
Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 05/17/2012 - 07:43 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
SRC hears questions about charter role The Notebook blog
Part of the contract for Mastery to take over an elementary school as a Renaissance School required it to maintain a multi-disability support program, but the District has allowed it to discontinue to program, citing financial constraints.
A bold plan to fix Philadelphia schools The Inquirer (opinion)
Praise for the transformation blueprint for its plan to use strategies "that have been proven to work" to improve schools.
See also: SRC hears more comments on proposed overhaul The Inquirer
New schools plan: Can’t we do better? Daily News (opinion)
Hostile Witness: Make 'em pay City Paper
SRC plan sparks debate. Will debate help? Daily News (opinion)
SRC hears about struggle to maintain continuity in ELL programs The Notebook blog
At its Monday policy meeting, the SRC discussed programs for English language learners.
Corbett: Schools should use reserves to avert cuts AP via the Beaver Times
On a radio show, Gov. Corbett said districts could avoid cutting programs because "they have the money in reserve, but the parents don't know that."
Penn Partners With KIPP Schools to Promote College Completion in Underserved Communities Penn News
One Letter Per Day: Relationships are important Making the Grade blog
One Letter Per Day: The Time is Now Making the Grade blog
Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.
Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.
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Notes from the news, May 16
Submitted by Erika Owens on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 08:49 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
With protesters nearby, Corbett sticks to message for Phila. Chamber The Inquirer
Hundreds of people rallied to protest Gov. Corbett's cuts to education and social services.
See also: Governor in town; activists to protest The Notebook blog
In Philly visit, Corbett says protesters and businesses should agree WHYY/NewsWorks
Gov. Tom Corbett Protests Begin at 4 p.m. PhillyNow blog
Council brings District back for more questions The Notebook blog
District officials clarified points about the transformation plan under consideration.
See also: School plan widely misunderstood, SRC officials say The Inquirer
Penn to team up with KIPP charters The Inquirer
Penn will become KIPP's 10th higher education partner, and Penn expects to admit 12-15 KIPP graduates a year who meet Penn's admissions requirements.
Obama to meet with Center City high school's seniors Daily News
President Obama plans to meet seniors at the Science Leadership Academy when he is in town for a fundraiser.
FUSD hires 2nd member of controversial Philly team The Fresno Bee
Shana Kemp will join Jamilah Fraser on the communications team in Fresno.
Pa. Education Department defends its treatment of Chester Upland The Inquirer
Eight city schools named among best in state The Philadelphia Tribune
William H. Shoemaker Junior High School The Philly History blog
College debt a ticking time bomb — or two, or three Daily News (opinion)
House Democratic Policy Committee Meets in Philly PFT Blog
Communities Raise Red Flags on Schools Overhaul Our City, Our Schools blog
State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition
Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.
Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.
Comments (2)
NEWSFLASH
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About our blog
Blog Topics
Our Current Bloggers
Our retired bloggers
Philadelphia Education blogs
These are some education blogs from Philadelphia. We're still building our blog roll, please contact us if you have a blog you think should be on our list.
- After the Return
- The After School Hip Hop Project
- The Blacktop
- Building a (great) School
- Chalk and Talk
- City School Stories
- Childwatch!
- Coach G's Teaching Tips
- Divided We Educate
- Education Voters PA
- A Good Day Teaching
- The Hall Monitor
- Keystone State Education Coalition
- Knowing Henry
- Jerry's Blog (Philadelphia Federation of Teachers)
- Language & Literacy for All
- Making the Grade
- Office of Teaching and Unlearning
- Parents United for Public Education
- Parkway Peace and Social Justice Blog
- Philly Publics go Public
- Philly School Files
- Philly School Search
- Philadelphia School Stories
- Philadelphia Student Union blog
- Philly Education Justice
- Philly Teacher
- Philly Teacher Talks
- Practical Theory
- Random Acts of Literacy
- Research for Action blog
- This Year at Jenks
- To and Through (Philadelphia)
- A Very Public Education
- The Workshop blog
- A Year in the Life of a Teacher
Notebook Chatter
I've never been so moved by a post.
-- Anonymous responding to Commentary: You're not speaking to me, Mr. Knudsend
Philadelphia blogs
These are some sites from Philadelphia. We're still building our blog roll, please contact us if you have a blog you think should be on our list.
- Green Jobs Philly
- Green Sanctuary Earth Institute of Pennsylvania
- It's Our City
- It's Our Money
- Media Mobilizing Project
- Metropolis
- NewsWorks
- Philadelphia Independent Media Center
- Philly Future
- PhillyNow
- Plan Philly
- 'Round About Now
- Sam's Parlor
- Skyline Online
- A Smoke-Filled Room
- Technically Philly
- Urban Direction
- Voice of Philadelphia
- Young Philly Politics
Education blogs
These are some of our favorite education blogs
Want to see another voice included? Please contact us if you have a blog you think should be on our list.
- Catalyst Notebook
- Center for College Affordability and Productivity
- Charter Blog, The
- Core Knowledge Blog, The
- D-Ed Reckoning
- Defending Public Education in Detroit
- Dewey21C
- Dallas ISD
- District 299: The Chicago Schools Blog
- EarlyStories
- Edspresso
- The Educated Reporter
- Education Week Blogs
- Education for the Aughts: Matthew K. Tabor
- Eduwonk
- EdVox
- Edwize
- Forum for Education and Democracy
- From the newsroom to the classroom...
- Gotham Schools
- High School Soup
- InsideEd
- Inside Pre-K
- Joanne Jacobs
- NYC Educator
- National Schools Board Association Blog
- Paul Tough: Whatever It Takes
- Perimeter Primate
- Quick and the ED, The
- School of Blog
- Schools Matter
- Small Talk
- Smart Solutions K-12
- Spiral Notebook Blog
- Susan Ohanian
- Swift and Change Able
- Teachers Count blog
- This Week in Education
