I am an educator at Anne Frank Elementary, one of the leading public Elementary Schools in Philadelphia. I am here to vent my frustration about the upcoming renewal of the CLI contract and the potential expansion of American Paradigm Charter company to the Northeast including the 19115 zip code of my school.
I have worked for the District since 2001 and money issues have always been front and center for district woes. No surprise since Philadelphia is the poorest major US city. Charter schools siphon money away from public schools thanks to one of the worst charter school laws in the country. Therefore, we must be especially prudent on how money is spent in this District. Charter schools are not a fiscally prudent solution to the overcrowding problem in the Northeast since charter schools continue to suck money out of the District. We must have a moratorium on charter expansion until all public schools are made whole and all buildings are safe and toxin free.
What does it take to become a teacher? You earn a college degree that involves coursework in how to deliver, assess, and manage the content that you specialize in. You are required to complete student teaching where you put these theories into practice under the supervision of a veteran teacher. In pursuing an Elementary certification, you take courses on how to teach Literacy to students in K through 6. This is common knowledge, so it baffles me; why have we paid millions of dollars to CLI to “coach” teachers in what they have already earned degrees certifying their competency? Make no mistake, there are also the endless walkthroughs, informals, and formal observations by rating officers (the principal) to determine who is or is not capable. If there are problem areas that need addressed, the District already employs coaches to assist these teachers. If your rating officer finds the teacher’s work to be satisfactory, why would they need coaching from CLI? to the tune of millions of dollars?
Could one of the problems in retaining quality, experienced teachers be the result of the District always treating teachers as the problem that needs fixing? Is the solution truly to pay CLI $17 million on top of the millions they have already received? Is CLI what our students really need to be reading on grade level, prepared for graduation and ready to compete in a global economy? I think not.
Do any of tonight’s Action Items include spending millions to reduce class size? That is what our students really need.
Do any of tonight’s Action Items include spending millions to restore libraries in all of our schools? That is what our students really need.
Do any of tonight’s Action Items include spending millions to address EVERY toxic condition in EVERY school? That is what our students really need.
Do any of tonight’s Action Items include spending millions on increased support staff that work with students on literacy skills? That is what our students really need…NOT more millions of dollars on outside agencies like CLI or lost to expanding charter companies like American Paradigm. Thank you.
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Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools
A grass-roots organization of parents, community members, and school staff, fighting to defend public education. We work together to provide analysis and demand accountability from the School District of Philadelphia to provide students with a high-quality education.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 