Monthly Archives: January 2012
Test your knowledge of Pennsylvania’s charter schools!
1. What percentage of public schools in PA are charters? A) 11.3% B) 18.4% C) 0.45% 2. What percentage of PA charters made AYP in 2011? A) 73.1% B) 89.0% C) 55.6% 3. What percentage of PA’s 142 … Continue reading
Filed under Charter Schools
What Happened to the Philadelphia School District’s 2008 Five-Year Financial Plan?
by Christopher Paslay Tom Knudsen, the District’s new Chief Recovery Officer, is searching for consultants to help the District develop a five-year financial plan to balance the budget. Tragically, this would not be necessary if the District simply followed its … Continue reading
Filed under Dr. Ackerman's Strategic Plan, School Resources
Payroll Woes: Is the Philadelphia School District the Next Chester Upland?
by Christopher Paslay The Chester Upland School District recently ran out of money and can no longer pay its teachers. At the latest SRC meeting, Feather Houstoun admits that this summer, the Philadelphia School District may not ‘be able to … Continue reading
Filed under School Resources
Bloomberg and Christie Ignore Major Findings on Performance Pay
by Christopher Paslay Despite growing evidence that performance pay has no effect on student achievement, politicians continue to push for its use. In July of 2011, the RAND Corporation issued the following news release about their study on performance … Continue reading
Filed under Performance Pay
Schools’ decline echoes values
“The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is planning to close 49 schools, and thousands are feeling the pain. Michael Wetzel, a veteran English teacher at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High Schools in Drexel Hill, told The Inquirer that the news of … Continue reading
Filed under Holistic Education, Inquirer Articles
Cashing In On Kids: The Miami Herald’s Must Read Series on Charter Schools
by Christopher Paslay Principals serving as board members and overseeing management contracts. Discrimination against the poor and students with special needs. These are just some of the issues the Miami Herald tackles in their recent investigative series on charters. … Continue reading
Filed under Charter Schools
