Notes from the news, June 25
Philly schools boss Ackerman eyes changes for School of the Future Daily NewsAckerman will give the school "lots of attention" moving forward.
Rendell Challenged On Education Spending The Bulletin
House Minority Leader Samuel Smith says "money is not the answer" to education. Rendell's proposed $355 million increase in education funding is expected to be a sticking point in negotiations on the budget again this year.
Hamels donó más de $90 mil a Distrito Escolar Al Día
Cole and Heidi Hamels donated to Wilson and Taylor schools.
Judge rules Lower Merion redistricting broke no law The Inquirer
The redistricting case in Lower Merion was found to be similar to a case from Seattle that went to the Supreme Court. The Court found that the Seattle school district had violated the rights of students when it used race as a factor in reassigning students.
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Notes from the news
Politics swirl around efforts to revise charter law
Preventing financial abuses is one obvious priority. Rendell wants a more comprehensive overhaul.
by Sarah Peterson
In the wake of reports of questionable financial practices in more than a dozen Philadelphia charter schools, state legislators are considering how or whether to overhaul the 13-year-old charter school law to strengthen oversight, tighten accountability, and increase transparency.
The Rendell administration and some legislative leaders disagree over how broad any reform should go – whether to stick to measures designed to prevent financial abuses or wade into deeper waters as to how charter schools are authorized, funded, and renewed.
Under the current law, what records and transactions that charter schools must make public on demand are not clearly specified, even though they are the legal equivalent of a full-fledged school district. Ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements for charter board members and administrators are vague, and the extent of a district’s power to closely monitor charters is hotly debated.
Charter proponents want what they see as barriers to the creation and operation of charter schools to be eased, despite revelations by The Philadelphia Inquirer
Theme articles
- Charter boom – no end in sight by Dale Mezzacappa
- Charter school data spread
- Showing students a world of opportunitiesby Sarah Burgess
- The ultimate challenge: serving every student by Bill Hangley Jr.
- Politics swirl around efforts to revise charter law by Sarah Peterson
- Alliance seeks to unionize Philly chartersby Ron Whitehorne
- Viewing board members' disclosure forms isn't always easy by Paul Jablow
- Parents have praise for charters but want better oversight by Daniel Denvir
- Quicktakes: What's it like going to a charter school? by Benjamin Herold
