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 …
union contract
PSP Statement on Authorization of Cigarette Tax for Schools
Statement from the Philadelphia School Partnership’s Executive Director Mark Gleason: “PSP applauds the leadership and members of the General Assembly for authorizing the Philadelphia cigarette tax, and for coupling the much-needed new funding stream with a charter-school reform that is in the best interest of students and families. “Now those students and families need state …
Two-pronged attack on teachers’ seniority planned
Seniority for public school teachers is in the crosshairs in Philadelphia and soon will be a target across Pennsylvania.
Frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations for a new contract for Philadelphia teachers, a coalition of education and parents' groups says it will call on the School Reform Commission Monday to immediately pull seniority off the bargaining table and give Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. a free hand in assigning staff.
Parents and School Reform Groups Urge SRC to Implement Work Reforms on seniority and Staffing Now
Today, public-school parents and education reform groups today called on the School Reform Commission (SRC) to use its existing authority to implement policies that put student needs ahead of employee seniority when it comes to hiring, assigning and compensating teachers. Parents and advocates alike urged the SRC to end the negotiation stalemate by using its …
Our statement regarding union contract negotiations
We are encouraged that the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is now saying its members will make a contribution toward health benefits, which have increased dramatically in cost over the past decade and now account for nearly 10% of the School District’s entire budget. This is common practice in other school districts and is a necessary …
Our Response to Action United and PFT Attacks
Misguided and inaccurate attacks simply waste time and money, and do nothing to solve the problem. Our children are waiting, and they deserve better. Action United and its supporters at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers are spending tens of thousands of dollars to divert the public’s attention away from the real issues at the center …
A path forward for Philly’s schools
With district schools set to open in less than four weeks, we have clearly arrived at a time for action. Superintendent William Hite has called for at least $50 million in additional funding just to open schools. But we know the bar must be set higher: The goal must be opening schools that are rich …
Daily News Editorial: District must fix teacher policies
Contentious contract negotiations, like those involving the School District and the teachers’ union, are usually at heart a battle of narratives – between management, which is often in financial crisis, and labor, whose narrative is about protecting beleaguered workers from being exploited. They are rarely a celebration of hard data and facts about hiring, compensation …
Major study released on teaching in Philadelphia
A major new study released today on Philadelphia’s teaching force confirms what we know from our investments in Philadelphia’s great schools: Talent is key and as a city we’re not doing enough to attract, develop and retain great teachers. Read a summary of the report here. The National Council on Teacher Quality’s in-depth study– available …
Two must-reads
We want to be sure you catch two “can’t miss” commentaries that ran in the Inquirer this week: This morning, School Reform Commission chair Pedro Ramos explains that the District’s request for more funding isn’t about saving the status quo; when coupled with meaningful reforms, the funding will help to build on the transformational change …