Education Discussion Group at The Inquirer

A City That Works - May 22, 2008

Report by moderator Susan Gobreski

What does this goal mean to you?

• Placing kids in post-secondary; making sure they get beyone the first year.

• Add vo-tech back in/options for kids

• Meaure increases in literacy.

• Graduation levels increase.

• Nice schools that are treated with respect.

• More people see themselves as stakeholders.

• More volunteers in schools (e.g. seniors, business people).

• “Bridge” programs to lead kids to college or work.

• Every first grader should know the names of five Phila. area colleges.

• Effective integration of education and employment.

• Ready access to early-childhood education.

• Students as customers.

• Higher retention rate for teachers.

• Schools anchor communities.

• We stop losing kids.

• Lower truancy rate.

• Better internal financial accountability and transparency (for SDP) e.g. reports on SDP spending are accessible and understandable.

• Successful students are recognized/honored.

Performance measures (What success would look like)

• We could measure the number of volunteer (hours) in each school.

• The percent of children in afterschool/rec center programs would increase.

• Track the number of students who enter “bridge” programs and track the number of Phila. high school and college students who go on to be employed by local businesses.

• Survey local businesses on satisfaction with local graduates; utilize results.

• Reports (performance, fiscal) would be available on the Web.

• College students visit grade schools on regular basis/expose kids to college students.

Customer-service standards

• If not treated politely, you get a tax reduction.

• Half-day response to complaints (half-day turnaround).

• 24-hour turnaround on school complaints.

• More forms that can be downloaded and submitted online.

• A “311” for schools.

• School Stat.

• Hard copy reply to inquiries.

• 311 will take citizen reports on inefficiency/ineptitude. (Citizens could provide descriptions of workers not doing job, waste, etc.)

• Easy, clear system to escalate unresolved complaints.