Brian Cohen
  • Making the Grade Blog
  • About Me
  • Tutoring
  • Press
  • Resources to Share

SRC Public Comment

5/31/2012

1 Comment

 
Here is the text of the speech I gave at the SRC meeting tonight. Apparently it was well received.

Good evening and thank you for your time tonight. I know everyone is busy - commissioners and community members alike - yet we are all here because of one core belief: we care about the children of Philadelphia.

It is for those children - our children - that I speak tonight. They are suffering. They are confused. They are angry. And all because of the broken promises we made to them. The public school system is a contract - one that we adults make with the future of this country: to ensure these kids are prepared for what lies ahead in the best way we know how. Unfortunately, at this moment, we are in breach of that contract.

In these dark times of budget cuts and lack of hope I often think about my grandmother. She was a teacher for 40 years of apartheid in South Africa. In addition to her day job at school she would volunteer on weekends to ensure rooms packed with those deemed second-class citizens were preparing themselves for a brighter future. She felt everyone deserves an education.

I understand that the problems we face in Philadelphia are different from what she faced in South Africa, but the message I bring to you is the same: this contract we have made applies to all students, regardless of neighborhood, race, socioeconomic status. Current budget decisions as well as the proposed reorganization plan are cutting into the heart of this belief and, I think, will result in a two-tiered education system in this city. Instead of dragging us into this potential debacle, work with us to ensure a better future - one that we and our children can be proud of; not one that allows the dissolution of the contract.

The matter boils down to two related problems: money and organization.

The budget has been cut to the bone. In my role I see the suffering every day: lack of resources for my students; inability of children to get medical care due to shortage of nurses; teachers unable to provide one-on-one attention due to increased class sizes; and more demands on everyone, leading to lower morale across the board. This is not the bright future we promised.

At the same time an outside firm is brought in to craft a plan to reorganize, paid for with money that could be leveraged to directly affect students now. Many in positions of power are negotiating with corporate entities instead of focusing on the problems of our students. With the decentralized nature of this plan, who will advocate for those children? We spend so much time talking about contracts for adults, we forget about the contract with the kids.

We need creativity and ideas to get through this financial crisis. We need more than just the status quo. I know you have been pressuring the city for finances but at the same time the community is surrounding you and could help. Instead of lobbying City Council, why not listen to us and get the assistance of very motivated people to analyze the budget, to contact our network, to demand change from not just the City, but also the State and local foundations. Perhaps if the William Penn Foundation saw a group of citizens taking charge they would offer $1.2 million to them instead of an outside company.

In 1918, John Garber - then superintendent - wrote that “a school system that is not costing a great deal these days is not worth a great deal.” In the years following this message the community rallied to build school after school, including the Academy at Palumbo, where I work.

The rallying cry of citizens getting involved is in line with what we want our students to feel in the future: civic connection and responsibility. We have parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community members who long to assist in the planning. Get us involved. Bring us up to speed. We have plenty of volunteer hours to spend on the goal of ensuring our children are prepared for what is to come.

We can do better. We must do better. Please, let us help.

1 Comment

Public Comment

5/31/2012

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Reduce Churn

5/30/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 30, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Another major aspect of wasteful budgeting in the School District is all the movement, or “churn,” of teachers throughout the city. Not only does a consistent teacher in a building help with the long term of student education, it is also more cost effective.

I have seen it myself over the past three years when I have been transferred from my position and had to seek out a new school at which to work. Instead of focusing my energies on my students, I had to determine where I would be in the coming year. Each interview took time away from my students and potentially required spending money on a substitute teacher so that I could run a demonstration lesson or other requirement for the job.

I have heard stories of teachers finding out on the last day of work that they are being transferred. This unprofessional attitude may (and often does) lead them to remove themselves from the profession entirely instead of dealing with the chaos that ensues. We lose many high quality teachers that way.

I urge you to take a closer look at what is happening in schools and imagine a world where teachers have consistency with their students and lessons so that they can work in a professional manner and build a brighter future with their students.


Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Reduce Waste

5/29/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 29, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

In the days leading up to the budget vote this Thursday I would like to focus your attention on a few particular items of expense that might be used to assist in alleviating some of the deficit we are projecting for the School District.

One of the most key factors I have experienced firsthand is waste.

I live nearby a number of School District buildings and have noted on numerous occasions that the lights are on even though no one is using the building. As an environmentalist at heart and with a mindset of efficiency, I find this to be unacceptable. I understand the need to keep what many call a “ghost” light on for any major incidents, but keeping the lights on in hallways or classrooms seems like a large waste of resources.

Perhaps this is one of the many negative outcomes of reducing the building engineer employees: fewer people to be mindful of these expenses. Or, perhaps, no one really takes notice. In either case, this needs to end in order to keep the money focused on one thing only: educating our kids.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Respond

5/25/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 25, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

For the past 19 school days I have been writing letters daily in order to attempt some kind of response regarding current issues facing the School District of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, what I have written has garnered no response. I understand you all have very busy schedules and must focus on the trials affecting our students and schools but I have to wonder if this is indicative of the larger problem I have referred to so many times in my letters: lack of transparency and public knowledge of the internal activities of the School Reform Commission.

As this letter comes just as a long weekend approaches I will keep it short and to the point: we need to know that you are listening to us. The students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community-members need to know that you are assimilating what we are saying so we are not detrimentally affected by your decisions. Unfortunately, that has not been the case in recent weeks and months. Please take time to think about how to be more open with what you do so that we understand and, maybe, support it.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Community Supervision

5/24/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 24, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I was fortunate enough yesterday to attend an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS program that brought Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown to a roundtable discussion with a small group of interested parties and I was excited to be able to ask a question regarding the supervision over funds being used by the School District, more specifically the $94 million being proposed as part of the Actual Value Initiative. Her answer was somewhat vague but understandable that there would be an accountability structure put in place to make sure the School Reform Commission and the School District were beholden to a few key criteria in ensuring the money was well spent.

While I support the idea of supervision and accountability, it makes me a bit leery that the discussion described is taking place without publicity and, more importantly, some kind of community connection. Unfortunately, the city government is complicit in the fiscal irresponsibility over the past 10 years. We need something different to be created to watch over any money being spent by the School District and School Reform Commission.

The majority of the current iteration of the SRC was not involved until a few months ago but I think you understand my point - we need someone with a vested interest who has not already had their proverbial “hands in the pot” to help take care of things. This could be an elected board of some kind or an already-established community group. We just need someone to have faith in and, unfortunately, right now that does not seem to exist.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: $1.2 million

5/23/2012

1 Comment

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 23, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Judging from the article just posted on The Notebook’s website entitled “More private money paying for District consultants” there is some money in our community that can be used for specific purposes. Unfortunately, that money seems to be going to causes supported by a small number of people while initiatives supported by many go by the wayside.

I wrote earlier this month about some specific costs that schools have and need assistance with: teachers, of course, but also non-teaching aides, textbooks, office supplies, and more. The William Penn Foundation has seen fit to spend an extra $1.2 million on the Boston Consulting Group to implement a plan that has now been delayed until at least 2013. Why not use some of that money on classrooms this year?

It truly does take a village to raise a child so shouldn’t it take the support of the entire city to help the 200,000+ children in Philadelphia?

While this assumption might be faulty, there must be some communication between you all and the William Penn Foundation. Why can you not leverage this dialog to support those who really need the help: the children. $1.2 million can go a long way.

I urge you to use your contacts for the good of all children now instead of planning some lofty work that has much community opposition.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

1 Comment

One Letter Per Day: Effect on a Child

5/22/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 22, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I have written extensively to you regarding the potential impact of budget cuts on the grander scale of the School District of Philadelphia but have yet to tell you of some smaller, anecdotal reasons why the budget cuts will severely inhibit the work I do in my school. One major impact is that teachers are being pressured to compromise our ideals due to lack of resources.

At this moment across the School District students, teachers, and parents are fretting over final grades. Parents are pressuring students to attend tutoring sessions; teachers are pressuring parents to ensure attendance; students are pressuring teachers to give them “make-up work” in order to pass. While that is quite normal, the lack of resources is causing an issue in which students who actually fail their courses may be pushed through due to lack of space in those courses next year.

Here is an example to clarify:

Joseph Smith is in an Algebra 1 class and has been consistently failing the entire year, despite numerous calls home, parent meetings, and many special considerations for accommodating his needs. At this point he is on his path to failing the course for the year. Unfortunately, because the upcoming Algebra 1 classes are full due to lack of resources, he will not be guaranteed a spot in the class next year. It is indeed possible for him to be “pushed forward” to the next math class, Geometry, without having mastered the content necessary to understand it. Or, in extreme cases, his grade will be changed to “just passing” so that he can more “legitimately” take the course.

I understand the importance of fiscal conservancy – I am no advocate for wasting money. However, if we want to ensure that the next generation of Philadelphia citizens is prepared for the future, we need to make sure they do not fall behind now. When you say the School District has been eaten to the bone in Philadelphia I disagree: I think we are way past that and need to make sure to get our money back.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Community Voice

5/21/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 21, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I am very happy to hear that you have decided to delay voting on the reorganization plan for the School District until next year. This move shows some sensitivity to the needs and desires of the community: something that has been felt very lacking in recent months. Yet this delay will not completely overhaul the perception that many residents of Philadelphia have that you are not always fighting in their best interests.

At the very beginning of your tenure you often discussed the idea that you need to gain the public’s confidence. I truly applaud that idea but unfortunately have seen much of the opposite being accomplished over the past few months. Instead of using transparency in order to ensure equal opportunity for public comment there has been a lot of dealing behind closed doors. One of the main concerns is that Thomas Knudsen, the Chief Recovery Officer, has not been in the public eye, yet is received $25,000 each month.

If you truly want to be perceived as advocates for the community then you need to ensure the community has a voice and that you listen to it. The delay in the vote on the reorganization plan is a good start. But if you really want our trust, be a bit more clear in answering our questions (including what Thomas Knudsen is doing all this time).

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments

One Letter Per Day: Transparency in Numbers

5/18/2012

0 Comments

 
To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 18, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Since mathematics is a language of reason and logic I have always been curious to incorporate numbers as tools in any argument that I make. Recently I learned that a specific number is being focused on in many budgetary conversations in the District: $101,500. This is the allocated “average cost” of a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, regardless of where they are teaching or how many years of experience they have.

But where does this number come from?

Just last year this number was $94,500. I completely understand rising costs of pensions, benefits, and inflation as a reason to calculate an increase - but who calculated the original number?

One of the major factors you seem very clear on is that the Union will have to make concessions when it comes to salaries and benefits. Before any of that happens, I think it makes perfect sense to explain the reasoning behind some of these numbers. I imagine it will take some communication with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers as salary is a part of the collective bargaining agreement, but it should be done.

Publicly.

If this number is too high, then schools should be able to use that extra money to cover other costs necessary. Or, perhaps, the District should use that money to defray debt service. Whatever the case may be, we need to have a better understanding of that number. Numbers make powerful arguments.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    I am a math teacher in the New York Department of Education. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people across the country to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!

    Picture

    Contact Me

    Picture

    Email Updates

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    March 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.