Philadelphia's school year just ended, and the Philly Daily News has a summary of the some of the results of the large-scale reforms implemented by the city. Some called this "the biggest experiment in the history of American public education" - but did it work?
Here's a glimpse from the ground level of the historic school year that was.
THE GRADUATE
There was a slight smile on the face of Selemawit "Selam" Tewelde as she sat in an empty classroom the other day. The smile said the Bartram High School student was glad to be among her classmates who graduated Wednesday...She's already been rejected by West Chester University, Penn State University and Kutztown University. She's now placing her hopes on Lincoln University, which hasn't gotten back to her.
"The education that I received at this public high school puts me below everyone else in magnet schools or suburban schools. I'm not prepared for college," said the 17-year-old..."Sometimes I just wish that colleges could understand what type of area or school that I went to," she said, "to understand why this student is lacking in certain parts."
THE NEW TEACHER
When Sara Demoiny, 22, was hired last year fresh out of Carson-Newman College near Knoxville, Tenn., she didn't have a choice of whether or not to work at a school being run by a private manager. Her lack of seniority assured that she would be, as veteran teachers fled to district-run schools.
Her first year done, the social studies teacher believes she and Edison have succeeded...The social studies curriculum was sound, she said, and teachers received 45-minute group professional development sessions every other day.
THE RESTRUCTURED
If John Barry Elementary School is any indication, the district's effort to start reforming 21 low-performing schools in-house was a tough assignment...The reform process - called restructuring - brought the school more money, but it was still as violent, mouse-infested and lacking in essential materials as ever...
...teachers left because they couldn't stand the heat of accountability and reforms such as a new curriculum and materials in math, reading and science, said Principal Jill Silverstein, a 33-year district veteran.
"If you turn over every rock, then you mess up the soil. That's what's going on here," said Silverstein, who doesn't hesitate to call the cops when kids fight. "But there are forces that don't always understand how things need to be. Change is painful."
Posted by kswygert at June 20, 2003 01:18 PM