Education Group - May 15

A City That Works - May 15, 2008
Education Discussion Group at Einstein Medical Center

Ninety percent of this group were teachers and students.

-- Jean DiSabatino

What does this goal mean to you?

• Reduce the drop out rate from 50 percent to 0 percent.

• Reduced class sizes.

• Safe and secure schools.

• Reduced truancy rates.

• Increased library use.

• Teacher accountability.

• Everyone in system encouraging students to learn, all staff operate from attitude that all children “will shine.”

• Re-establish or strengthen Comprehensive Student Assistance Program.

• Restored arts.

• Strengthen non-collegiate (vocational) course of study.

• Partnerships with parents/families – seek their commitment to be involved in their childrens’ education.

• Schools are more parent-friendly.

• Improved school climate, culture of respect.

Performance measures (What success would look like)

• Importance of early childhood education and kindergarten – making sure students are ready for school.

• City government to bring pressure on state legislation to lower compulsory education to five years.

• Involvement of Labor and Industry and Public Health to improve quality of day care and preschool education.

• Improve lead testing programs for children – enforce lead testing of rental properties, etc.

• Increased number after-school programs and recreation centers through partnerships with community civic groups.

• City sponsors high school student leadership programs - increased apprenticeships.

• Increased safety and security around and within schools.

• Institute “Philly Stats” format in schools – Police Captains of each district have monthly meeting with school and city officials and community.

• Reinstitute “Officer Friendly” – community relations officers spend more time in schools.

• Control of schools brought back to elected school board.

• Mayor’s Council on Education reconfigured.

• In order to foster family involvement – employers allow parents to take off from work to attend school activities.