school

1. Identify a problem.
When you see problems in your school (or community) you may not be the only person who thinks there is an issue. You can talk to a lot of people or make a survey to find out what other people think.

“We wanted to see the most pressing problems in our school. So we wrote down as many problems as we could think of, then we discussed them and met with the principal. Then we got the ok and surveyed our school.” -Ericka, Furness HS

Last week Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the Reverend Al Sharpton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich came to our city as part of their  “Listening and Learning Tour” regarding a national agenda for public education reform.  Students, parents, teachers, and community organizations were left wondering who the group was really listening to, since none of us were included in the tour’s agenda.  We were only able to speak with them through a locked and guarded wrought-iron fence.

In this piece, several Philadelphia Student Union members were interviewed about how they learn best, and about how that is different from the ways they are taught in school. Their answers are very insightful, and point out reasons why some students don't like school and or don't feel like their school is a true learning environment. This piece also offers clues as to how we can improve things. By Gregory Jordan-Detamore.

Listen to the latest edition of On Blast, the youth-produced radio show of the Philadelphia Student Union. On this month's show, we hear testimonies from students at the School Reform Commission, a discussion about
militarization of schools, and a song breakdown of 'One More Drink.' Plus, there's music and other news.

Following up on yesterday's post on the Imagine 2014 presentation at the School Reform Commission we now have video of students testifying at the meeting. Here from them all here - playlist - or below.

The School Reform Commission today held a presentation on the Imagine 2014 plan. There were few changes to the plan, and there remain many questions around the costs to implement Dr. Ackerman's proposal.

This video examines a recent organizing campaign taken on by Juntos and immigrant parents to increase the number of interpeters and services to immigrant students and parents in the Philadelphia School District.