by Christopher Paslay
Today’s blog post is a special one—it’s the 100th on Chalk and Talk since this site was launched on September 28th, 2008.
In just under 11 months on the internet, this site has received 20,650 views. The exposure and reach of this blog is steadily growing. In June, Chalk and Talk generated 2,995 views—an [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Philadelphia Student Union’
August 19, 2009
Chalk and Talk celebrates 100th post
May 20, 2009
When the community steals from its students
by Christopher Paslay
Over the past decade, education advocates and community groups have been focusing their attention on school equity—the idea that all students, regardless of race and socioeconomic status, should receive an equal education.
As a teacher in the Philadelphia School District, I agree wholeheartedly. All children deserve a quality education. The reality, of course, is [...]
March 12, 2009
The Notebook responds to Chalk and Talk article
by Christopher Paslay
On March 3rd, I posted an article here on Chalk and Talk headlined Do Phila. teachers really view minority children as criminals? In the article I criticized the Philadelphia Public School Notebook for running an objectionable editorial (Changing the odds) that suggested Philadelphia public school teachers were racist and afraid of the communities [...]
February 26, 2009
English classes respond to ‘Imagine 2014’
by Christopher Paslay
Yesterday, while the Philadelphia Student Union staged a predictable protest outside District headquarters to voice their concerns about “Imagine 2014,” Dr. Ackerman’s new strategic plan, I took time to discuss the school reform blueprint with students inside my 11th grade English classes.
I introduced “Imagine 2014” by having students read an overview of [...]
October 13, 2008
Better Way to Police Teens
Note: This commentary was originally published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on January 25, 2008. I’m reprinting it here on Chalk and Talk as a means to try to ease tensions between teens and police in light of the incident at Sayre High School last week.
by Christopher Paslay
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover once said that justice [...]
October 11, 2008
Philadelphia Student Union Fails to Hold Peers Accountable at Sayre
by Christopher Paslay
I’m extremely disappointed with the Philadelphia Student Union. They squandered a golden opportunity during their recent protest at Sayre High School to show the city that they truly value education and strive to hold each other accountable.
I say this with all due respect, in light of the pleasant correspondence I had with [...]
October 6, 2008
The Philadelphia Student Union Answers the Call
by Christopher Paslay
Chalk up another victory for the Philadelphia Student Union. On Thursday they held a rally on the steps of Masterman High School that gleaned the attention of the Inquirer, Philadelphia’s biggest newspaper. Now this prodigious group of Philly teens strikes again with an impressive response to yesterday’s blog, “To Members of the Philadelphia [...]
October 5, 2008
To Members of the Philadelphia Student Union: You Must Speak Out Against Truancy
by Christopher Paslay
On Thursday, October 2nd, two dozen members of the Philadelphia Student Union gathered on the steps of Masterman High School to voice their displeasure over the perceived lack of attention being paid to students’ concerns during contract negotiations between the School Reform Commission and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (“Phila. students voice concerns [...]
