One of the region’s most influential children’s advocacy organizations called for priority funding for the city’s public neighborhood high schools, which it said educate higher numbers of the system’s most vulnerable students, and at higher cost.

In a 26-page report released Monday, المواطنون العموميون للأطفال والشباب (PCCY) acknowledged no “quick fix” for improving academic performance in the city’s public high schools.

But the organization suggested investing in neighborhood schools, many of whose students are considered at-risk, live in households that qualify for free or reduced lunch, speak languages other than English or attend special education classes.

PCCY provided an analysis and overview of the Philadelphia public school system just ahead of a turnover in the city administration and state judicial system.

“Based on the high graduation and academic performance levels being achieved in magnet schools, and to some extent, the other city-wide special admission schools, the best option for moving the needle dramatically on citywide outcomes of student achievement and graduation rates is to focus on the neighborhood high schools,” the report stated.

The report was a collaborative effort between the School District of Philadelphia, the Department of Human Services, Philly Fellows, and the Policy Lab of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Education reform experts and the school district’s leadership have turned to new models of instruction, the report stated, however, basic education services are lacking in many public high schools.

PCCY recommended directing education spending in the following areas:

Provide summer school for every grade for remedial work, along with more aides in classrooms and more remedial courses offered as electives

Skills-based learning, which has proven effective in career and technical education (CTE). A recent district evaluation shows CTE has eliminated achievement gaps by race

College preparatory classes, replacing honors courses with Advanced Placement courses, to make curriculum at neighborhood schools more attractive

In-school arts classes based on students’ interest level with the goal of keeping students more engaged

Mayor-elect Jim Kenney pledged to support efforts to expand more community schools during his successful election campaign. Otis Hackney, who gained experience in city public schools and served in the Philadelphia suburban school district before returning to South Philadelphia High School as principal, will serve as chief education officer in the incoming Kenney administration

The Philadelphia Tribune – December 8, 2015 – اقرأ المقال على الإنترنت