Philadelphia Public school students can expect big changes when they head back to school Tuesday – there will be more counselors, more enrichment activities and more teachers to reduce class sizes in the early grades, according to Kristen Graham of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The initiatives are a part of Imagine 2014, Philadelphia School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s blue print for the next five years to improve graduation rates, reduce truancy and offer greater support to teachers and students.
“”We believe this is the blueprint for accelerating our achievement,” Ackerman told the paper. We’re very excited for the school year to begin.”
High school students will get an extra period in their day and will be required to map out a plan to graduate, according to the paper.
Additionally, for the school district’s lowest performing schools, there will be more spots for pre-school-age children and students at risk of dropping out.
The district will reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade from 30 to between 20 and 26 students depending on the grade and if the school is failing.
School officials, who have not released the full five-year cost of the plan, expect to close up to 35 failing schools and reopen them as charters or turn them over to private managers.
There will be enough textbooks this year, according to Ackerman. Last year, there was a shortage of proper classroom materials at some schools, according to the paper. Ackerman promised, along with some members of her staff, to review buildings and supplies.
“If any school doesn’t have books, I’m going straight to that principal,” Ackerman told the paper.
The plan also calls for the professional development of principals and teachers. A new office of teacher affairs will support struggling educators with mentors. Last year, 100 teachers and more than 30 principals were rated unsatisfactory, according to the paper.
