Oct 16, 2023
HELPING HISPANIC STUDENTS REACH FOR THE STARS The first Latina astronaut to go to space, Ellen Ochoa, said, “The opportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education is what allows you to stand out.” With six out of...
Sep 28, 2023
Testimony Presented to the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission By Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First September 14, 2023 The evidence presented in the historic William Penn v Commonwealth litigation demonstrates that the legislature and...
Sep 8, 2023
THE HEAT IS ON It wasn’t too long ago when school board meetings discussed student success, teacher performance, and keeping buildings and budgets in good shape. But COVID masking requirements elicited an ugly side of civic engagement. A new movement that used...
Aug 17, 2023
Testimony on Revoking the Charter of Franklin Towne Charter High School School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Meeting August 17, 2023 Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First I am Donna Cooper, the Executive Director of Children First. Our...
Aug 11, 2023
EDUCATION FUNDING DELAYED IS EDUCATION DENIED Additional funding for PA’s lowest resourced schools took center stage at the state capitol on Thursday, Aug 10th. In a House Education Committee hearing, lawmakers, education leaders, and school...
Jun 30, 2023
LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATION Philadelphia served as the birthplace of our nation nearly 250 years ago when 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence that read: “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with...
