This edition of the Notebook NEWSFLASH is also available online at: www.thenotebook.org/newsflash/2005/April
Notebook NEWSFLASH
April 2005
Mark your calendar for a special Notebook celebration on Wed., June 8,
4:30 p.m.- 7 p.m., University of the Arts, Dorrance Hamilton Hall, 320 South Broad St.
Join us for “A Celebration of Voices for Public Education.”
We are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. Lend your talents to one or more of many areas including outreach and program. To volunteer or for ticket information, contact Amy Dalton at amyd@thenotebook.org or 215-951-0330, x160, or go to www.thenotebook.org
Textbook availability shows dramatic improvement, problem spots
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are reading the Notebook NEWSFLASH,
a free monthly email bulletin published by Philadelphia
Public School Notebook.
The Notebook is an independent, nonprofit
newspaper providing information and commentary about
Philadelphia schools and is distributed through schools,
libraries, and community organizations four times
a year (September, December, March, and May). The
NEWSFLASH provides timely stories and updates
in between issues of the paper. We encourage you to
forward this message or print out and share copies
of the NEWSFLASH with others in your school,
community, or workplace.
The Notebook depends on donations
from our readers to support our work. For more information
about how to donate or subscribe, click here. You
can also visit:
www.thenotebook.org/contact/subscribe.htm.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For decades, taking textbooks home has not been an option at many Philadelphia high schools. Teachers distributed textbooks to students for in-class instruction but then collected them, protecting the books from students who might not return them if given the opportunity to take the texts home.
Students, parents, and educational advocates had railed against the practice, arguing that a ban on taking textbooks homes stifled the academic potential of students interested in poring over material at home, or learning lessons from texts at their own, individual pace.
But the $18.7 million purchase in 2003-04 of a quarter of a million new textbooks, followed last summer with an additional $10 million purchase of textbooks, was supposed to change that.
Aside from supporting the District’s new, standardized curriculum, the supply was designed to be large enough to allow each student his or her own book for personal study, and allow each teacher a set to maintain in-house for students to use during class.
“So that even if a child left his book at home, there’s a classroom set in every single room,” explained Creg Williams, the outgoing deputy chief academic officer for the District, who was recently named to head the St. Louis Public Schools.
Interviews indeed reveal that the effort has led to dramatically fewer complaints in high schools about student access to textbooks. But taking books home is still impossible in some instances – including social studies classes at Overbrook High School, where sources say hundreds of brand new textbooks have been sitting in storage since the fall.
In other cases, high school teachers say they’re awaiting supply orders, and until their arrival, they limit the textbooks on-hand to in-class use.
Restocking the high number of textbooks that students do not return is still a real problem that is the primary reason cited for insisting that students leave books at school.
“Our current problem is that we have had so few textbooks returned by students from the first semester, that we are suffering from a shortage for the second semester,” said a teacher at Germantown High School. “The principal has ordered more textbooks, but some students will be without during the wait time.”
‘Constant complaints’ stemmed
Last year, in a survey by the student organizing group
Youth United
for Change (YUC), 68 percent of the surveyed students
reported they were unable to take books home.
YUC officials said they had not explored the issue since the survey. But the executive director of another student organizing group, Philadelphia Student Union’s Eric Braxton, pointed to a steep drop in complaints, which had at one time been “constant.”
“It’s been less of a problem this year, because of new [books for the new] curriculum,” he said.
Eliminating the policy had been a goal for Williams, who said, “I pushed the initiative personally when I came to the District and I began to visit and assess the high schools.”
In 2003-04, the District ordered texts for Algebra I and English I, according to a District spokesman. This year, it followed with orders for English II, Geometry, Algebra II, World History, American History, Social Science, Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry.
District officials said that in these subjects, enough books were ordered to provide each student with a book to take home.
Teachers confirmed strong implementation efforts.
“In September, it seemed like everyone was working together to make sure we had enough books,” the Germantown teacher noted. “Nancy Hopkins-Evans [director of high school curriculum] e-mailed us with the number of books sent and asked what our needs still were."
“We had enough for class sets of core curriculum, plus enough books for the students to take home,” the teacher added.
A West Philadelphia High School teacher reported, “The original shipments were too small, but by October, we had it.”
A teacher at another high school reported, “In English, each class has one set of hardback books. The students were given the soft cover books to use at home.” At that school, another teacher confirmed having sets of geometry books for students to use in-class as well as to take home. But an algebra teacher reported having only one set of books -- reserved for classroom use.
The District in some situations negotiated with textbook providers to supply classroom sets. The Germantown teacher noted that when her school formed a new class in September and requested a classroom set, textbook supplier Key Curriculum Press “right away” responded with a set of Discovering Geometry.
Stored away at Overbrook
Williams said the District had investigated and addressed book-access issues at a few schools at the beginning of the school year.
“We were very aggressive about it,” he stressed. “And I even put my email out there to tell students if you don’t have [books], e-mail me so we can investigate it. . . . So when I hear about them, it gives me the authority to go in say, ‘Why are they saying this? I know that I ordered them. I know they were shipped. Now where are they?’ ”
One District staffer said Overbrook had complained about not having enough books, especially in social science, to distribute to all students to take home. However, the District employee and a teacher at Overbrook questioned whether supply problems actually account for the limited distribution.
Calls to Overbrook principal Ethelyn Payne Young were not returned.
District spokesperson Joseph Lyons said an investigation of such a matter would have to follow the filing of a complaint from a student or parent, by calling the District’s Book Hotline (800-447-1169).
Meanwhile, many school staff maintain their argument that adequate supplies of textbooks remain a struggle, despite the best of District intentions, the aggressiveness of District directives, and even the unprecedented investment in materials in recent years.
“The books are very expensive; some students come and go from the comprehensive high schools and quite a few books get lost,” one teacher said. “Although I do believe students should have books to take home, the folks downtown who make the decisions and pronouncements are not always cognizant of the issues that face us in schools in their efforts to make the curriculum and books available to all students.”
For example, a single classroom set of textbooks is not enough for teachers who move from room to room.
A veteran staffer at a local college preparatory program, who encourages her students to demand their own individual textbooks, sympathized with schools’ budgeting issues.
New books can cost as much as $80 each, she noted. And at schools where the textbook loss rate can number as high as 100 per year, $8,000 in replacement books is not in the budget for some schools.
According to District spokesman Lyons, “Purchasing student take-home texts for all other courses (than the core subjects indicated earlier) and for replacement texts would still be a principal’s decision.”
Sometimes the priority placed on the book purchasing comes under fire.
“Personally, I think the money could be better spent than on all the textbooks,” offered one District employee. “But I know that is what teachers, often parents and sometimes students expect.”
A number of high school seniors might feel disappointed about their social science textbook, according to a source. Due to a purchase error, the book purchased was one published for middle school students.
Finally, one teacher admitted, “The books are big and heavy and students are not always willing to carry them to and fro.”
And that complaint, too has reached District offices.
“I had one official complaint from a parent this year, that the child had too many textbooks, and they were too heavy.” Williams had said. “And I said, ‘Look that’s a good complaint. I want to hear more of those.’ ”
Contact Notebook staff writer Sheila Simmons at 215-951-0330 x156 or sheilas@thenotebook.org.
· A $94 million deal for the purchase of 440 N. Broad Street, where the District next fall will consolidate its headquarters and administrative offices.
The resolution covers the purchase of the building and a “lease and asset purchase agreement” with the Archon Group for interior “fit-out” improvements that include a first-floor training/conference center. Also approved was a $1.2 million contract authorizing the purchasing of furniture for 440 N. Broad. Commissioner Martin Bednarek was the sole vote against the building contract, expressing concerns about the project’s budget and contract provisions.
· Renewal of five-year charter agreements for the following charter schools: Richard Allen Preparatory, Russell Byers, Delaware Valley, Independence, Leadership Learning Partners, Mastery, People for People, Wakisha.
Singling out the academic struggles of Delaware Valley and Wakisha, Schools CEO Paul Vallas stressed that the renewal did not remove the schools from the threat of “corrective action,” a major restructuring of schools that for five consecutive years fail to make their targets for “Adequate Yearly Progress,” as required by No Child Left Behind.
· Approval of the application to open the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School, an elementary school to serve the Chinatown community and sponsored by Asian Americans United.
This resubmitted proposal, with scores of supporters on hand to back several speakers testifying on its merits, overcame opposition from officials of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. and supporters of Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School, located in Chinatown.
· $37 million authorization for the construction of the new, Microsoft-partnered High School of the Future, at 4021 Parkside Ave. Awardees: Daniel J. Keating Co. of Narberth, $20 million for construction; A. T. Chadwick Co., Inc. of Bensalem, $6 million for mechanical work; Royal Mechanical, Inc. of Folcroft, $1.9 million for mechanical (plumbing); E. J. Electric, Inc. of Philadelphia, $7.7 million for electrical; Oliver Sprinkler Co. of King of Prussia, $1.4 million for mechanical (fire protection).
Following up on a question by Commissioner James Nevels concerning naming rights for the school, Commissioner James Gallagher sought a District policy on school naming, including financial and criteria considerations.
· $746,000 grant acceptance from the William Penn Foundation for the Parent Leadership Academy.
According to the District, the Academy aims to help parents become more effective partners in their child’s education, to educate parents on District initiatives, and assist parents with parenting skills, career enhancement, leadership and advocacy skills. Open for participation by parents in all nine District regions, it will be piloted in the South, East and Central regions.
· $300,000 contract with SchoolWorks to provide “consultative services” through June 30 to two transitional high schools, Bartram Human Services and Bartram Motivation.
This resubmitted proposal is one of four contracts to private firms who will serve as “transition managers” at small high schools as part of the District’s Small Schools Transition Project. Others approved previously were Princeton Review, ResulTech, and Kaplan K12 Learning.
In other SRC news . . .
The School Reform Commission adopted
a $1.93 billion "lump sum" budget for 2005-06.
The lump sum budget is a framework for the coming
year's operating budget to be approved by May 31.
The budget is balanced but allows for an increase
in spending of less than 1 percent compared to this
year. Acting Chief Financial Officer Wayne Harris,
who described it as "primarily a maintenance
budget," explained, "We managed to have
a balanced budget without having to step back from
any SRC initiatives."
Albert Bichner has been named Interim Deputy Chief Academic Officer, replacing Creg Williams, who in February accepted the superintendent post at St. Louis Public Schools. A former Northeast High principal, Bichner returns to Philadelphia from the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in Delaware County, where he was principal of Strath Haven High School. . . . Alice Heller, Director of the Office of Charter and EMO Schools, will head up the Center City Schools Initiative. . . . Patrick Henwood has been named Interim Director of Capital Programs, replacing Chris Harris. . . . Yemele Ayala Santiago, former assistant director for the Temple University Office of School & Community Partnerships, moves to Manager of Recruitment and External Relations for the School District of Philadelphia. Ayala, with a Master’s degree from Temple, also worked with GEAR UP. . . Shawn Crowder is executive director of employee entry. . . . Also new to the Human Relations office is Sue Gilbert, executive director of employee support operations, and Andrew Rosen, executive director of employee relations.
John Chapman temporarily moves to University City High School, replacing principal Mary S. Dean.
April 1: Opening of "12 Black Classicists," historic photo exhibition of scholars who made groundbreaking achievements in academia at end of Civil War. University of Pennsylvania’s Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St. Runs through June 30. Features lecture by Michele Valerie Ronnick, April 14. For information, 215-898-7552.
April 4: Kick-off Rally for Week of the Young Child. 12:45 p.m. The Bourse at Independence Mall. Week (April 3 – 9) highlights the need for high-quality early education of young children. Sponsored by the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. Contact Kristine C. Lisi, 215-963-0094, or Kris@dvacyc.org.
April 5: The Quest for Quality: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers in Philadelphia. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. International House, 2nd Floor, South America Room, 3701 Chestnut St. Research for Action releases findings from its second in an annual series of reports on teacher quality in Philadelphia. Register at www.researchforaction.org, or 215-823-2500, ext. 641.
April 7: Opportunities for School Choice: Application Procedures & Deadlines, 10 a.m., Northwest Regional Center, Community College of Philadelphia, 1300 Godfrey. Sponsored by Pennsylvania Parent Information & Resource Center. Free, but registration required. Call 215-763-0883 or go to www.papirc.org.
April 9: 2005 Gimper Awards. Pyramid
Club, Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market St., 52nd Floor.
The Urban Education Fund honors outstanding men and
women in the urban educational community. Award recipients
include Notebook editor Paul Socolar. Cost: $75/person,
$135/couple. For information, call 215-877-5394.
April 9: Around the World Fair. 12
p.m. – 3 p.m. Washington Community Center, Church
of the Advocate, 1801 West Diamond St. Sponsored by
the Junior League and Vision Service
to provide area children vision screenings and connect
good vision and literacy through fun and educational
activities. Contact Adrienne Williams Rose, Office
of Councilperson Blondell Reynolds Brown, at Adrienne.williams@phila.gov.
April 13: School Reform Commission Planning Meeting. 1 p.m., School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 2nd floor Auditorium. To register to speak, call 215-299-7850 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
April 14: School District Parent & Community Roundtable. 12 noon. School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 1st floor boardroom. Guest speaker: Sandi Holly, Office of School Climate & Safety. RSVP to Dr. Joseph Meade, jmeade@phila.k12.pa.us or 215-299-2995.
April 14: 2005 PCCY Super Party. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Please Touch Museum, 210 N. 21st St. Sponsored by Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth. Features: Children’s book authors, music by CAPA, awards, more. $50 per person. RSVP to info@pccy.org. For information, call 215-563-5848, ext. 11.
April 20: School Reform Commission Action Meeting. 1 p.m., School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 2nd floor Auditorium. To register to speak, call 215-299-7850 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
April 28: "The Big Picture: Education is Everybody's Business," lecture by Dennis Littky, co-founder, co-director of The Big Picture Company and Director of the Met Center in Providence, R.I., 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 7 Benjamin Franlkin Parkway, 1st Floor. Free. RSVP by calling 215-665-1400, ext. 3556, or e-mail mwise@philadedfund.org.
June 8: “A Celebration of Voices for Public Education” annual Notebook fundraiser. 4:30-7:30 p.m. University of the Arts’ Dorrance Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad St. To volunteer or for ticket information, contact Amy Dalton, amyd@thenotebook.org, or 215-951-0330, ext. 160 or www.thenotebook.org.
July 21-24: 2005 National Coalition of Education Activists Conference: “The Real Mandate: Education and Fight for Social Justice.” St. Joseph’s University. For information: 215-735-2418, http://edactivists.org.
Every Thursday: Talk radio program with Sandra Dungee Glenn, School Reform Commission member. 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WURD 900 AM. Call-in number: 215-426-1310.
School Calendar
April 4 – 15: PSSA Testing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests in reading and math for students in 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grades, to measure progress toward meeting the federal No Child Left Behind goals.
April 15: Early dismissal.
April 18: Report Cards. Third high school report card issued.
April 30: Early dismissal.
The Notebook NEWSFLASH welcomes brief announcements
of events addressing issues of quality and equity
in Philadelphia public schools. Email your submission
to flash@thenotebook.org
with ‘coming up’ in the subject line.
We cannot guarantee the listing of your event.
back to top
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We want to hear from you! Please send us your comments: email flash@thenotebook.org.
Philadelphia Public School Notebook is a voice for parents, students, educators and other concerned citizens who are working for quality and equality in our schools. The Notebook depends on its readers for financial support. Donations are tax-deductible. Subscriptions to our quarterly print edition are just $20/year for individuals and $35 for institutions/organizations.
To subscribe or donate to the Notebook, please visit our secure online form. Or send your check or money order (payable to the Notebook) to 3721 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------