Check out the July NEWSFLASH
To sign or not to sign – tensions rise over Ackerman demand
by Dale Mezzacappa Posted in July 2009 | Permalink
Despite high hopes that contract negotiations between the District and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers would take on a more cooperative character this year, talks are being held in a contentious atmosphere complicated by Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's demand that teachers sign individual contracts.
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"Everyone needs that access. It's not an option''
Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:24 | Permalink
The access is to broadband Internet and the speaker is Vice President Biden, who unveiled the rules for $7.2B in stimulus funds for broadband in Erie County, PA. The announcement was made in a rural part of the county, but the county is also home to the fourth-largest city in the state (and to my family - hello!).
Video of Biden shows him speaking about broadband access in the context of jobs and basic utilities like electricity, for people across the state.
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R.I.P. MJ - A Future Media Literacy Project
Submitted by Samuel Reed III on Wed, 07/01/2009 - 00:22 | Permalink
Last Thursday I turned in my classroom keys and told my teacher friends and colleagues to have a good summer break. Walking home, as I customarily do, I thought of my plans for the summer. More time at the gym, Latin dancing, attending few a media literacy conferences - the normal exciting stuff teachers do to reenergize ourselves for the next school year. When I finally got home, turned on the television, I saw the news flash that Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital and died.
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Camelot gets $15.8M, but are their students well-served?
Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 06/30/2009 - 15:38 | Permalink
The SRC voted last week to renew and increase Camelot's contract, now to serve 1,550 at a pricetag of $15.8 million.
The Times Picayune this week reported on a Camelot-run school in New Orleans, "Is Schwarz School a Safe Alternative?" Judging by the description of decaying facilities, a lack of physical safety for students, and an otherwise chaotic learning environment the answer is a resounding no.
When the School District of Lancaster visited a Camelot-run school in Philly in April, they were impressed with it. Lancaster votes this week on whether they will contract with Camelot to run an alternative-education school.
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June 30: Rendell not budging on funding boost
Submitted by Paul Socolar on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 23:55 Posted in Eye on the budget | Permalink
While it doesn't always work this way, June 30 is the day by which Pennsylvania state government is supposed to adopt a budget. From this budget, school districts finally learn with certainty how much state aid will be available to them.
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Teacher evaluation in the news
Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 22:45 | Permalink
As Philadelphia and several other major districts discuss new teachers' contracts, teacher evaluation is getting attention in the news. A Washington Post article looked at a peer review evaluation and support program in suburban Maryland. The DC teachers' union remains in talks about a new contract.
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Current EditionSummer 2009
Vol. 16. No. 4
Focus on Teacher Excellence
The Notebook explores what defines teacher excellence and how to ensure every student has an excellent teacher.
From this Edition
- Seeing opportunity in teacher talks by Dale Mezzacappa
- New data--same staffing inequities at high-poverty schools Text by Paul Socolar; data analysis by Ruth Curran Neild
To sign or not to sign – tensions rise over Ackerman demand
by Dale Mezzacappa
More from the NEWSFLASH
The NEWSFLASH, a free e-bulletin, provides timely stories and updates in between print editions of the Notebook.
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Past Editions of the NEWSFLASH
Urban School NewsFrom Catalyst: Stories from other cities
- Layoffs in central office begin today, will reach nearly 1,000 by end of summer
- $13 billion in new federal grants to urban school districts
- Ohio revising basic curriculum for pre-K-12 schools
- New research pinpoints factors that affect teacher turnover
- "I am disturbed by the number of African American males dropping out of school," says teacher in response to Catalyst story
