Foundation under scrutiny
Children's First Fund gave thousands on Ackerman's way in, too
Submitted by Benjamin Herold on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 15:44 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Benjamin Herold
for the Notebook, WHYY/NewsWorks
The same charitable foundation that funneled $405,000 in controversial anonymous donations to support the buyout of departed Philadelphia schools superintendent Arlene Ackerman also gave the District $150,000 to support Ackerman’s arrival.
Over $10,000 of that money, which was used to create a “CEO’s Transition Fund” to cover expenses related to Ackerman’s transition team, went directly to Ackerman herself.
Comments (26)
Some school openings begin
Mastery Simon Gratz opens its doors
Submitted by thenotebook on Mon, 08/29/2011 - 13:15 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Katrina Morrison and Benjamin Herold
Mastery Charter welcomed students to Simon Gratz High on Monday morning, opening the doors at the first of three neighborhood high schools being converted to charters under the Renaissance Schools initiative this year.
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4 lessons from TFA's summer bridge class
Submitted by thenotebook on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 14:08 Posted in Class notes | Permalink
Megan Carlson is a second year Teach for America corps member. She worked alongside Tom Ng, who is also in his second year with TFA; Jason Watson; and Samuel Reed of the Philadelphia Writing Project in a weeklong course to prepare incoming 2011 corps members for the realities of teaching in Philadelphia schools. This blog is adapted from The Carlson Salon blog. Megan Carlson wrote the post; it was submitted by Samuel Reed.
I felt humbled when I finished my duties as a teacher assistant for this year's summer bridge course. During the course, facilitators demonstrated creative methods and strategies for teaching, and, more importantly, they encouraged a critical discourse around issues of testing, grading, creativity, race, privilege, and inquiry.
We asked the tough questions and came away with some reflections that will guide our work this school year.
Comments (12)
Notes from the news, Sept. 1
Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 09:23 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
Welcome back to school, teachers!
Children's First Fund gave thousands on Ackerman's way in, too The Notebook blog
The fund donated to a transition fund when Ackerman joined the District. Its tax-exempt charity status is now under scrutiny for funneling $405,000 of anonymous donations to Ackerman, a former member of the fund's board.
A plan first, then a superintendent The Inquirer (opinion)
Education Voters Executive Director Susan Gobreski writes about the priorities we need for our schools.
Ackerman's Message Machine City Paper
City Councilman Bill Green wants the city to look into Ackerman's spending on communications staffers who supported her personal image.
See also: Ackerman says no more interviews - unless she likes you The Hall Monitor
No trust for an elected school board? The Notebook blog
Ron Whitehorne responds to the Daily News's editorial that was skeptical of an elected school board.
See also: Push is on to end Philadelphia School Reform Commission WHYY/NewsWorks
A Good School Opening: Teachers Will Make It Happen City School Stories
A "heartfelt thank you" to the teachers officially starting a new school year today.
Be One School Practical Theory blog
SLA Principal Chris Lehmann explains how it's critical that a school be "one school," where an administrator should want the same things for teachers and for students.
Journal Philadelphia Writing Project
Essays from teachers about ways to improve their practice.
Are taxpayers entitled to know how public funds are spent?Keystone State Education Coalition
DN Editorial: Clean up Ackerman buyout mess Daily News
Back to School with budget cuts Radio Times
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No trust for an elected school board?
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 13:35 Posted in Blogger commentary | Permalink
The People's Paper, it seems, is not big on the idea of allowing “the people” to choose who runs their schools.
A recent editorial warns that an elected school board “could be a worse idea than the contract that allowed Arlene Ackerman to walk away with nearly a million dollars after three years as superintendent.”
Why?
Comments (17)
Notes from the news, Aug. 31
Submitted by Erika Owens on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 08:03 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
Democratic legislators seek to abolish Philadelphia School Reform Commission The Inquirer
Six local legislators held a press conference yesterday to discuss proposed legislation in the state senate to abolish the SRC and create a nine-member elected school board.
See also: State legislators want end to SRC The Notebook blog
State Senator Wants Philadelphia School Reform Commission Abolished CBS Philly
Inquirer Editorial: Could a board do worse? The Inquirer
Schools still have nearly 200 vacancies The Notebook blog
Schools with the most vacancies, 10 or more, are all, or were slated to become, Promise Acadamies.
Principals reject contract offer Daily News
The principals union voted to reject a giveback offer to the District.
See also: Phila. School District principals reject givebacks Philly.com
Examples show it's not all about the schoolchildren in Philadelphia Daily News (opinion)
The District is about big money and help for cronies, not "the kids."
See also: Trust and Leadership Making the Grade blog
Recovering from Hurricane Arlene The Inquirer (opinion)
Public school parent and Notebook supporter Anne Gemmel describes the "perfect conditions" for hurricane Arlene.
What Would Ronnie Say About Montco Republicans Now? Philadelphia Magazine
Vahan H. Gureghian is a major player in Montgomery County and state Republican politics, and his company operates a charter school in Chester.
Perzel was an effective leader, many say, but he fell prey to the thrill of power The Inquirer
Former Gov. Mark Schweiker credited Perzel for his role in the creation of the SRC and "nine years of sustained increases in student achievement."
THE LONG GOODBYE: What’s $400K Spent On Spin When You’re Getting Paid $1 Million To Quit? Phawker
The City Paper reported on Ackerman's PR machine run out of the District communications office.
See also: City Paper Uncovers Secret In-District Ackerman PR Mission Philebrity
Germantown H.S Promise Academy's Back-To-School Block Party draws a crowd WHYY/NewsWorks
New Promise Academy Germantown High welcomed 250 people with a festive party.
Back to School at C.W. Henry Mt. Airy Patch
Mom Discusses Lower Merion Schools Segregation Lawsuit Fox 29
Overcrowding Problems Lead Penn Alexander to Waitlist Kids UC Review
Rooted in Community! POPPYN blog
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Schools still have nearly 200 vacancies
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 17:55 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Avi Wolfman-Arent
Two days before teachers are due to report for the first day of school, nearly 200 positions have yet to be filled and hundreds more teachers are just now learning where they will be working for the coming school year.
Filling vacancies has been particularly difficult for the Promise Academies, according to the District’s online vacancy list.
Comments (91)
State legislators want end to SRC
Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 14:40 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
This morning several state legislators gathered at School District headquarters to discuss legislation they intend to propose calling for an end to the School Reform Commission. State Senators Mike Stack, Shirley Kitchen, Larry Farnese, Christine Tartaglione, Andy Dinniman, and LeAnna Washington gathered to describe the legislation that would replace the SRC with a nine-member elected school board, each member serving a four-year term.
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Notes from the news, Aug. 30
Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 09:16 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
Mastery Simon Gratz opens its doors The Notebook blog
Students at Mastery's Gratz Renaissance School get a head start on the new school year.
Waste, abuse and some good ideas for Philadelphia schools - More Ackermania WHYY/NewsWorks
Dave Davies highlights three key pieces of coverage of Ackerman's departure, including Helen Gym's op-ed on avoiding malaise.
See also: How to avoid malaise after the tumult The Inquirer (opinion)
Ackerman Message Machine Uncovered The Naked City blog
Sources tell the City Paper that the District's communications office under Ackerman spent time supporting her personal public image.
"Excuse me, Ms. Ackerman? Someone has asked to see your buyout agreement again." It's Our Money blog
One item in Ackerman's buyout agreement requires the District to only share the agreement after an open records request and to notify Ackerman and her lawyer of the request.
Where is the Democracy in Anonymous Power? City School Stories
Temple University to give 250 four-year scholarships to campus neighbors The Inquirer
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Notes from the news, Aug. 29
Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 08/29/2011 - 09:32 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink
State senators take aim at SRC, favoring an elected board Daily News
State Sen. Michael Stack introduced a bill to abolish the SRC.
See also: Critics question oversight of Philadelphia schools AP via Houston Chronicle
DN Editorial: A primer on problems with an elected school board Daily News
An elected school board? We vote no. It's Our Money
Something Rotten in Dauphin Annethensome blog
Schools, their principals and divisions for 2011-12 The Notebook blog
The District released a charter of schools showing the new academic divisions for this school year.
Karen Heller: Again, politics trumps education in Phila. The Inquirer
Ackerman says her error was to not play politics as superintendent.
See also: Inquirer Editorial: Looking ahead at city schools The Inquirer
Ackerman’s Criticism Of School Officials May Cost Her CBS Philly
Ackerman epilogue to be written Daily News (opinion)
Ackerman’s ouster shows public school bosses need to know three “R’s” plus one “p”….politics! Philadelphia Sun
Philadelphia public schools, after Arlene Ackerman Radio Times
Three up, three down - superintendent-saviors falter in Philly WHYY/NewsWorks
A look back at Philly's last three superintendents.
Pa. charter bill gets mixed review The Inquirer
A new proposed charter bill would still leave issues with how Pennsylvania deals with charter schools, critics said at a hearing last week.
IRS asked to review Ackerman bailout charity tax status PhillyDeals blog
Anonymous donations for Ackerman's bailout were given to a nonprofit and donors were told the contributions would be tax-exempt.
District paid for Ackerman farewell video The Inquirer
A District spokesperson said the video was created by the former head of the communications office.
Buyout packages becoming common for departing school superintendents The Inquirer
School Choice in Philadelphia is a Myth Philadelphia School Search
Get Ready for Kindergarten [VIDEO] Philadelphia School Search
School choice programs are making inroads The Inquirer (opinion)
Making Brownies as High Stakes Testing The Workshop Blog
Minority student bullying rises Philadelphia Sun
Our view: PSSA cheating tarnishes school reforms Erie Times-News
MyPhillyLawyer Negotiates Resignation of Embattled Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman 24-7 Press Release
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Current Edition Summer 2011
Vol. 18. No. 6
Focus on Going to College
Resources and the attention of the mayor are focused on increasing college-going.
From this Edition
- Building on dreams of college by Dale Mezzacappa
- The view from Sayre: Making them believe by Bill Hangley, Jr.
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