An influential school reform group is urging Philadelphia school leaders to approve every charter school applicant that can effectively run schools that serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Last week, district officials heard pitches from operators hoping to open 40 new charter schools across the city. To back up its advice on charters, …
policy
PSAP Position Paper Details Disparity in Academic Performance in Philadelphia Public Schools
Data show economically disadvantaged students are unequally served by two very different systems of schools within the city; PSAP recommends reforms PHILADELPHIA, PA – Using recently released School Performance Profiles (SPP) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Philadelphia School Advocacy Partners (PSAP), an organization started by the Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP), today submitted to the …
PSP Statement on Applications for New Charter Schools
An analysis of the newest Pennsylvania School Performance Profile (SPP) shows that high-quality charters that primarily serve economically disadvantaged students (>80%) are massively outperforming traditional public schools serving the same population. Out of 194 schools in Philadelphia with student bodies that are more than 80% economically disadvantaged, only 17 earned an SPP of at least …
Where We Go From Here
by Mark Gleason, Executive Director At the Philadelphia School Partnership, all of our work is focused on ensuring that every child in Philadelphia can attend a school that prepares students for college and careers. PSP’s policy positions and priorities are shaped by our experiences funding more than two dozen District, charter and private schools serving predominantly low-income …
Statement on the Cigarette Tax for Philadelphia Schools
Statement from the Philadelphia School Partnership and PennCAN “It has been a long, hard summer for Philadelphia schools. Now is the time to support Gov. Corbett, the General Assembly—Republicans and Democrats—and city and School District leaders as they work together to ensure schools open on time and ready to teach. Both houses of the Assembly …
Mark Gleason’s testimony to the School Reform Commission on charter policies
“Any healthy school system must be dynamic in its approach, which means taking action to address low-performing schools” Testimony to the School Reform Commission, Mark Gleason, Executive Director, Philadelphia School Partnership Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission, thank you for your service, and for the opportunity to comment today. I am the executive director of …
Big news on seniority reform in Philadelphia’s schools
Today’s paper reports that the school district took a big step toward principals having more autonomy to build their teams. What we’ve learned through investing $30 million in 28 Philadelphia schools is that ending outdated seniority policies is critical to creating great schools of all types. Superintendent Hite said in today’s Inquirer, “The overarching focus is …
Philadelphia Magazine: Philadelphia School Crisis – A City on the Brink
Unless we fix the schools, Philly is doomed. But what can be done when the city’s leadership class lacks the will to face the problem head-on? Here are eight changes we need to demand right now—before it’s too late.
Mark Gleason testifies before PA House Democratic Policy Committee and calls for funding and policies that produce outcomes
Today, Mark Gleason, executive director of PSP, testified before the PA House Democratic Policy Committee at the invitation of Representative Brian Sims. Here is his full testimony: Good afternoon. I would first like to extend my appreciation to Representative Sims and the other members of the Committee for holding this hearing today. There is no …
Why we’re talking about seniority
Earlier this week, we joined public school parents and reform organizations across the city in calling on the School Reform Commission to put student needs ahead of employee seniority. Read more from the Inquirer and WHYY here. Why is this reform so critical? The key to great schools is great teachers, and seniority too often …