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The discussion must continue
The first nine months of the state's takeover of the Philadelphia public schools were an extraordinary period of conflict and change. The School Reform Commission opted for a never-before-tried strategy, turning 45 schools over to assorted outside managers, and they approved many big consulting contracts to purchase advice from outside companies. The driving philosophy was that the School District has failed, and it's time to let the private sector try.
What was also extraordinary was the outpouring of debate from a cross-section of stakeholders, including parents, students, educators and other concerned citizens. Countless speakers at SRC meetings sent a consistent message: the community wants to see proven school improvement strategies that focus spending on classrooms.
The arrival of Paul Vallas as CEO has restored a sense of normalcy. He has put many consulting contracts on hold, redirecting funds to facilities improvement and after-school programs. He has made it clear that he is watching Edison and the other managers like a hawk.
But one thing that should not return to "normal" is the intense level of public discussion about how our schools and our students are doing. It is by making public what is going on in schools that we ultimately hold our schools accountable for providing a quality education.
Only out of public conversations can we construct a shared vision of how we want our schools to change.