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Education
A Day to Remember – Nov 10, 2023
Vets call on each of us to engage and protect democracy The daily count of lives lost in the wars raging around the world breaks our hearts. Today we are called on to acknowledge the bravery of the 16.5 million veterans living among us and the millions more...
This is what angels do! – Nov 3, 2023
CAN ANGELS POINT THE WAY TO LITERACY FOR LAWMAKERS? Here’s your chance to meet Philadelphia’s literacy angel, Dorian Harris, who’s made family literacy the core value of his own family and the community of families in our region. As a single parent raising...
TESTIMONY: Child Literacy – PA House of Representatives
Testimony Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First PA to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joint Hearing Education and Appropriations Committee October 24, 2023 Currently, more than 50,000 third graders in the state are struggling with...
The Next Big Things – Oct 20, 2023
WE LEARNED SOME BIG THINGS "You’re being told no all the time, and you could get discouraged about life," said Philadelphia high school student Rhymier McKellar. Rhymier sounded like a grownup, detailing his rebellious life of "running around being wild, a...
TESTIMONY: Philadelphia City Council Early Intervention Services
On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Philadelphia City Councilperson Kenyatta Johnson held a hearing on Early Intervention Services for children in Philadelphia. Melissa Suarez, is an Early Childhood Education advocate and a graduate of our Parents Empowered for Change...
It’s not rocket science – Oct 13, 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 10 Hispanic...
TESTIMONY: Basic Education Funding Commission
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...
Stop the Chaos in Our Schools – Sept 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...
Testimony: Revoking the Charter of Franklin Towne Charter High School, August 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...