POTTSTOWN >> State funding for public education might seem like a dry policy question to some, but in Pennsylvania it is a no-holds-barred fight with few rules. Some Pottstown officials think it might be time to take off the gloves. Fair education funding...
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Political Blackmail Only Hurts Children and How to Move the Needle Forward on Pre-K – January 30, 2015
Children Held Hostage in Political Blackmail What does the failed sale of the Philadelphia Gas Works have to do with children who attend Philadelphia schools? A lot, according to Pennsylvania Speaker of the House and resident of Allegheny County Mike Turzai. The...
Philadelphia exploring ways to make child care more affordable for the poor – WHYY Newsworks – January 30, 2015
Quality child care could be getting more affordable for low-income Philadelphians. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson introduced a bill in City Council Thursday that would offer a tax credit for families paying for high-quality child care. To qualify, the child care program...
Chartering charters’ future in Philadelphia – South Philadelphia Review – January 29, 2015
The educational landscape of Philadelphia is at a crossroads, and the School Reform Commission (SRC) is currently considering 40 applications for new charter schools. With 86 charters in operation, some operators are applying for new buildings, and many are seeking...
Pa. house speaker blasts City Council on PGW, warns of repercussions to Philly schools – WHYY Newsworks – January 28, 2015
One of Pennsylvania's most powerful state lawmakers says the actions of Philadelphia City Council may put additional funding in jeopardy for the cash-strapped city school district. Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) criticized City Council's decision to...
Should Pa. require students to pass standardized tests to graduate high school? – WHYY Newsworks – January 28, 2015
The clock is ticking.By 2017, in order to graduate high school in Pennsylvania, students must pass three state standardized tests: algebra, literature and biology.Based on most recent student scores — especially in biology — if trends continue, Pennsylvania will soon...
Hite, District make literacy crusade a priority – The Philadelphia Public School Notebook – January 27, 2015
Important changes are starting to ripple throughout the District as a result of Superintendent William Hite’s focus on making all students proficient readers by the time they are 8 years old. The literacy crusade is one of four key “anchor goals” of Hite’s action plan...
2014 brought charters a chance at expansion – The Philadelphia Public School Notebook – January 27, 2015
As 2014 began, it looked as if it might be the year in which the state legislature would finally revise the nearly two-decade-old charter law. There was anticipation that Republican legislators would try to boost then-Gov. Tom Corbett’s poll numbers – sagging mostly...
DN Editorial: Choking on Charters – The Philadelphia Daily News – January 27, 2015
WHO GETS to make key decisions regarding the future of public education? Those who send their kids to schools? The taxpayers who pay for it? Lawmakers who provide school funding? Experts who study academic data and performance? The good news is that everyone has a...
Rick Smith Talks with Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, about PA House Leader Mike Turzai’s Attempt to Bully Philly to Sell the Gas Works – Raging Chicken Press – January 27, 2015
Donna Cooper, executive director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth joins Rick to talk about the latest outrageous strong-arm tactic being deployed by GOP Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and the students his bullying will harm. Listen to Donna’s interview HERE...