16 Philadelphia principals lack state credentials
Sixteen principals in the Philadelphia School District are working without proper state certification, officials said Tuesday, citing a failure to monitor staff credentials.
The disclosure cames days after LaGreta Brown, the former principal of South Philadelphia High, resigned after The Inquirer asked questions about her credentials.
The principals will face no discipline, and efforts are under way to get them emergency certification or submit proof of coursework needed to obtain full certification.
"There is simply no excuse why the district did not properly monitor the certification expirations and requirements," Superintendent Arlene Ackerman said in a statement. "Just as every employee in the district must pass an FBI background check, all teachers and principals require up-to-date certifications. We failed to do our job in these cases and will take immediate steps to repair the process."
Brown was hired last year even though she lacked an active Pennsylvania certificate. She was supposed to get an emergency certification but never followed through, officials said.
Her situation prompted the district to check the credentials of the approximately 400 principals and assistants in the system, officials said.
Of the 16 other principals and assistant principals who lack valid certificates, 10 had active Pennsylvania certification at one time that has since lapsed. Most had failed to take necessary continuing education classes.
Six came from out of state and never obtained emergency certification to work here.
All have been directed to fix their certification issues immediately, officials said.
There will be no sanctions against the 16, said Estelle Matthews, chief of human resources. A district
The disclosure cames days after LaGreta Brown, the former principal of South Philadelphia High, resigned after The Inquirer asked questions about her credentials.
The principals will face no discipline, and efforts are under way to get them emergency certification or submit proof of coursework needed to obtain full certification.
"There is simply no excuse why the district did not properly monitor the certification expirations and requirements," Superintendent Arlene Ackerman said in a statement. "Just as every employee in the district must pass an FBI background check, all teachers and principals require up-to-date certifications. We failed to do our job in these cases and will take immediate steps to repair the process."
Brown was hired last year even though she lacked an active Pennsylvania certificate. She was supposed to get an emergency certification but never followed through, officials said.
Her situation prompted the district to check the credentials of the approximately 400 principals and assistants in the system, officials said.
Of the 16 other principals and assistant principals who lack valid certificates, 10 had active Pennsylvania certification at one time that has since lapsed. Most had failed to take necessary continuing education classes.
Six came from out of state and never obtained emergency certification to work here.
All have been directed to fix their certification issues immediately, officials said.
There will be no sanctions against the 16, said Estelle Matthews, chief of human resources. A district
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20100519_16_Philadelphia_principals_lack_state_credentials.html#ixzz0oTECGXIr
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