Post by Moses on Mar 30, 2005 10:05:07 GMT -5
Philadelphia Schools Accountability Report
DLCer Ed Rendell handed over public school $$ to a corporate entity, and makes sure that there is no oversight of his corporate friends
The Philadelphia School District should begin to get rid of programs that are not working, said a report issued today by an independent council appointed to review school reform efforts.
The seven-member Accountability Review Council, made up of educators and community members, cited the district's overall test score growth - which was previously announced in detail by the district - as evidence that improvement is occurring.
But it also noted that achievement gaps remain among students of various races - another fact that the school system has acknowledged publicly - and that district students have a long way to go before reaching proficiency.
"Reform strategies that have not shown measurable progress during the last two years should be critically reassessed," the council said, adding it intends to monitor the district's "data-based decisions" in this area.
It also recommended that practices most successful in improving scores for racial and socioeconomic groups with large gaps in achievement should be identified and used.
But the council did not evaluate the performance of the for-profit Edison Schools Inc. or the other outside managers hired to run 44 of the district's schools. Nor did it comment on specific initiatives launched by district Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas.
The establishment of the Accountability Review Council was required under the agreement that established the commission as the district's governing body after the state takeover in 2001.
Contact staff writer Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com.
— Susan Snyder
Philadelphia Inquirer
2005-03-29
www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/11258742.htm
DLCer Ed Rendell handed over public school $$ to a corporate entity, and makes sure that there is no oversight of his corporate friends
The Philadelphia School District should begin to get rid of programs that are not working, said a report issued today by an independent council appointed to review school reform efforts.
The seven-member Accountability Review Council, made up of educators and community members, cited the district's overall test score growth - which was previously announced in detail by the district - as evidence that improvement is occurring.
But it also noted that achievement gaps remain among students of various races - another fact that the school system has acknowledged publicly - and that district students have a long way to go before reaching proficiency.
"Reform strategies that have not shown measurable progress during the last two years should be critically reassessed," the council said, adding it intends to monitor the district's "data-based decisions" in this area.
It also recommended that practices most successful in improving scores for racial and socioeconomic groups with large gaps in achievement should be identified and used.
But the council did not evaluate the performance of the for-profit Edison Schools Inc. or the other outside managers hired to run 44 of the district's schools. Nor did it comment on specific initiatives launched by district Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas.
The establishment of the Accountability Review Council was required under the agreement that established the commission as the district's governing body after the state takeover in 2001.
Contact staff writer Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com.
— Susan Snyder
Philadelphia Inquirer
2005-03-29
www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/11258742.htm