Seven Phila. schools to become charters
With community support and the blessing of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, seven failing city schools will become charters in September.
A total of 14 schools citywide will get dramatic overhauls - the seven charters and six "Promise Academies" run by Ackerman herself. The fate of one school, West Philadelphia High, is not settled; its advisory council needs more time to weigh options, the district said.
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved all the so-called Renaissance school makeovers except West Philadelphia's on Wednesday. Each was made after an advisory council of parents and community members interviewed potential administrators for the schools and made recommendations to Ackerman.
Bluford and Daroff Schools will be run by Universal Companies. Douglass School will be taken over by those who now manage the Young Scholars Charter School.
Harrity, Mann, and Smedley Schools will be run by Mastery Charter Schools, and Stetson Middle School will be run by ASPIRA Inc. of Pa.
Another school, Potter-Thomas, had its pick of providers but chose to become a Promise Academy, along with five previously announced schools.
Before the commission vote, Pamela K. Williams, leader of the Daroff advisory council, thanked Ackerman for having "a vision of hope for those who others have considered hopeless."
The Renaissance schools, including Daroff, at 56th and Vine Streets, have failed to meet state standards for several years running. They have been cited for a range of problems, from poor instruction to a lack of student safety.
Williams and others are convinced that after years of failed experiments, this is the right move.
A total of 14 schools citywide will get dramatic overhauls - the seven charters and six "Promise Academies" run by Ackerman herself. The fate of one school, West Philadelphia High, is not settled; its advisory council needs more time to weigh options, the district said.
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved all the so-called Renaissance school makeovers except West Philadelphia's on Wednesday. Each was made after an advisory council of parents and community members interviewed potential administrators for the schools and made recommendations to Ackerman.
Bluford and Daroff Schools will be run by Universal Companies. Douglass School will be taken over by those who now manage the Young Scholars Charter School.
Harrity, Mann, and Smedley Schools will be run by Mastery Charter Schools, and Stetson Middle School will be run by ASPIRA Inc. of Pa.
Another school, Potter-Thomas, had its pick of providers but chose to become a Promise Academy, along with five previously announced schools.
Before the commission vote, Pamela K. Williams, leader of the Daroff advisory council, thanked Ackerman for having "a vision of hope for those who others have considered hopeless."
The Renaissance schools, including Daroff, at 56th and Vine Streets, have failed to meet state standards for several years running. They have been cited for a range of problems, from poor instruction to a lack of student safety.
Williams and others are convinced that after years of failed experiments, this is the right move.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20100513_Seven_Phila__schools_to_become_charters.html#ixzz0nuA5zd5m
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