PSP Executive Director Mark Gleason issued the following statement on the SRC decisions on applications for new charter schools: “While the SRC approved five schools with a history of providing increased educational opportunity to disadvantaged students, PSP is deeply disappointed that nearly a dozen other schools with similar records were rejected despite their desire to …
School Reform Commission
Our reaction to last night’s charter votes
Last night, the SRC voted to approve five of the 39 charter school applications, each with a track record of providing excellent educational opportunities to disadvantaged students. We’re thrilled for the 2,600 families who will get to attend a great new school, but we are deeply disappointed that thousands of students will not get the same opportunity …
PSP extends commitment to provide $35 million to the School District to create more seats in high-quality schools
PSP Executive Director Mark Gleason issued the following statement on the pending SRC decisions on 40 applications for new charter schools: “We have been listening to the concerns of education stakeholders, parents and public officials about the potential financial impact of charter expansion on District schools and students. We agree that financial impact is an …
Inquirer: Group offers $35M for new Philly charter schools
By Kristen Graham and Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writers There’s major news afoot in the Philadelphia school landscape: Philadelphia School Partnership is offering up to $35 million over three years to clear the way for the School Reform Commission to approve new charter schools. The money would pay for new charters for 14,000 Philadelphia students. …
Speaker Turzai: "This is about the kids."
In today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai penned a powerful op-ed calling on the SRC to immediately approve all high-quality applicants for new charter schools.The facts could not be clearer. Tens of thousands of children linger on charter school waitlists, forced to attend schools that fail to meet their needs. And some of Philadelphia’s best …
Speaker Turzai to SRC: Approve All High Quality Charters
Yesterday, Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai delivered a clear message to the School Reform Commission: approving at least 13 charter applications from proven school operators is common sense for Philadelphia families.Speaker Turzai – along with State Representatives John Taylor, Jordan Harris, Jason Dawkins and Vanessa Brown – came to Mastery Shoemaker in West Philadelphia for a roundtable discussion with …
Outrageous: Our response to a call for no new charters
A Philadelphia advocacy group just released a report calling on the SRC to deny all 40 charter applications currently being considered – an outrageous recommendation given how many of the applicants are running great schools for families and have long waitlists. Here are the key points every Philadelphian needs to know about these 40 charter …
Dozens apply to open new charter schools in Philly
Yesterday we learned that the School District received 40 applications for new charter schools – the first time the District has accepted applications in seven years. As Mark Gleason said in today’s Inquirer, “The opportunity to create effective new charter schools is great news for low-income and minority families in Philadelphia.” Read our full statement …
PSP Statement on Today’s SRC Action
PSP Executive Director Mark Gleason issued the following statement today in response to the vote of the SRC to require the PFT to contribute to the cost of their healthcare: “We know from our work investing $35 million in Philadelphia schools, including more than $12 million in district schools, that adequate and stable funding is …
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 …