Blog Archives

One Letter Per Day: The Time is Now

5/17/2012

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

May 17, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

According to a recent headline in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Corbett is “open to spending more” on the budget than he had originally proposed. As citizens of Philadelphia and leaders of the School Reform Commission, it is your responsibility to capitalize on this moment and lobby for change in our school system. Recognizing that a lot of what you are requested (more financial concessions from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, increased tax revenue from the city) is quite controversial and no guarantee, it seems that now is the time to build support for a large lobby on the Pennsylvania State Legislature to bring back the funding our school system truly needs.

As you have all mentioned many times before, there is a looming deficit of $218 million for the next fiscal year. While I do think deficit spending sometimes has a purpose, our city would be in a much better position to refocus our energies on education if we knew there was more financial support.

At a recent meeting one Commissioner mentioned that increasing enrollment at high-achieving schools should not yield negative results. I disagree. With funding issues and roster restrictions (as well as capacity limitations in buildings) the increased size may very well be a tipping point of sorts. More students walking through the hallways decreases visibility to support staff like School Police Officers and Non-Teaching Assistants. This could be just what is needed to diminish the “safeness” we often feel in school.

Please consider this an opportunity. We will back you in pushing Governor Corbett for more.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Relationships are Important

5/16/2012

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

May 16, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

In the creation of the “achievement network” plan fostered by the Boston Consulting Group I wonder if they consulted any of the current School Advisory Councils for recommendations on if they wanted to be a part of one in the first place? Instead of asking questions of those who would be affected by these changes, they simply crafted a plan that would affect tens of thousands of students as well as their families across Philadelphia.

Additionally, I wonder if the organizations that lobby to take over these groups of schools are even wanted in those neighborhoods. As is evident from many protesting parents, students, and community members over the past few weeks people can be difficult to deal with if you impose things on them.

In recent discussions I have heard people talk about the possibility of the University of Pennsylvania being looked at as a potential organization that could lead this charge in West Philadelphia. But do those residents feel that is their best option? Do they have positive associations with the university’s history in the region? These are important questions to consider when forcing people to the table to talk.

Instead of creating a opportunity for animosity, I think it behooves us to allow for dialog and self-conducted needs assessments to be conducted. If people from these neighborhoods could identify a specific need and then approach one of these institutions for assistance without risk of losing control, perhaps the outcomes for students would improve anyway. With examples of negativity perceived in the past, I think that would be a valuable option.

If you can reach out to these institutions, we can forge relationships. Just give us time and help.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Use Money Wisely

5/15/2012

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

May 15, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

As you have pointed out numerous times the financial crisis that has hit the country, state, and Philadelphia has had continued fallout in the School District. Non-teaching aides and support staff all over the city have been laid off, fostering increased problems in our buildings. All the while there are still people working in the central offices who have had hands in helping create this crisis today. I was relieved to find out that Michael Masch will no longer be receiving a paycheck from the budget because, in my mind, he was a part of creating the problem.

But the continuation of this problem is even worse: losing support staff means there are fewer eyes in the hallways of our schools. While my students are not generally behavior problems there has still been an increase in issues during transitions between classes and around the cafeteria. I can only imagine the headaches at larger schools like Northeast High School and George Washington High School. With over 2000 students roaming in and out of classrooms there are bound to be issues.

I understand paychecks and contracts are important but what I have seen is a lot of money going toward projects that are not so fruitful. The Boston Consulting Group provided a model of schools very similar to one created in-house by Penny Nixon and her staff. Unless I am incorrect, it seems like the $1.5 million price tag was not worth it.

Instead, that money could be used to reinstate people working in our buildings. It could be used to purchase supplies for classrooms and make sure our students can remain safe and in high-achieving schools, as you have stated you desire. Please consider this request: use money wisely and provide for the outcomes you really want.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Protest the Governor

5/14/2012

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

May 14, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

On Tuesday evening there will be a rally outside Prince Theater (1412 Chestnut Street) at 4pm protesting the cuts in education implemented during Governor Corbett’s tenure thus far. I urge you to attend and see the turmoil the citizens are feeling over the policies he has enacted over the past year and a half. While funding for schools from k-12 and higher education has been reduced, more money has been spent on incarceration: this is not fair nor is it right.

I have asked before for assistance in pushing the Governor to see and understand the needs of citizen in Philadelphia. As a governing body partially appointed by him, it only seems fair to deal directly with him in order to support us in fixing this crisis.

I witnessed a 15 year old girl derail a budget meeting on Thursday night and entirely change the direction of conversation with the simple action of talking. We need you to talk to Governor Corbett to hear and understand how educating the youth of Philadelphia is in his best interest. Instead of forgetting kids who are dealing with poverty at home and lack of resources at school, making our School District one in which students are proud to attend and can persevere when hitting obstacles.

Come to the rally on Tuesday, May 15 at 4pm outside the Prince Theater. I will join you in pressuring our Governor to do what is right.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Visit our schools

5/11/2012

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

May 11, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Yesterday evening I attended the budget meeting at West Philadelphia High School and I was amazed at the outpouring of spirit and passion shown from students, parents, teachers, and community members alike. The fact that a 10th grade student from the school was able to interject with an eloquent and articulate demand for a large community discussion is impressive at the very least. Aside from the myriad comments demanding more transparency in policy-making and cries of help for our children, the one major flaw in the meeting was this: your lack of knowledge relating to on-the-ground issues in our schools.

Chairman Ramos mentioned a transition to use of Restorative Practices in schools and Commissioner Houston offered DonorsChoose as a potential way of restoring funding to parts of our schools. It seemed to me that these comments were well-intentioned but not completely informed.

As a former teacher from the pre-Renaissance West Philadelphia High School I can tell you that Restorative Practices are quite helpful in reducing tensions between students, they help foster community buy-in for schools, and make sure everyone has a voice in conflict. As a member of DonorsChoose, I can tell you it is a non-profit venture created to facilitate the crowdsourcing of funds for specific purposes in schools. This year donors from all over the country assisted me in the purchase of graphing calculators for my students.

These programs and more are currently running in schools across the city. I appreciate immensely the vision you are trying to implement: improving education for our children. But the only way to do that is to understand all the pieces that can be used for that purpose. Come visit our schools - see what is happening in classrooms across the city and ask us what to keep and what to remove. We are just waiting to help.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Over/under capacity

5/10/2012

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

May 10, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

On May 1st, 2012 Thomas Knudsen wrote to you the following:

“By approaching the matching process more creatively this year, our Chief Academic Officer, Penny Nixon, was able to open over 2,000 seats in some of our highest performing schools without changing our overall school budget picture.”

As a teacher at one of those high-performing schools I can tell you that I appreciate the sentiment but am concerned about the implementation. When my school was founded six years ago it was under a very different model of secondary education. Former CEO Paul Vallas envisioned a series of small schools catering to specific aspects of need in the Philadelphia school system. While I may not agree with everything he helped create during his brief tenure, I think certain schools identified as “high-achieving” are that way in some part due to their size.

At a very basic level, the measurement for empty seats in schools is somewhat misleading. Not only does it count “seats” that might double for other purposes already, it disregards some serious limitations of our buildings. My school does not have an auditorium capable of holding the entire student body and our cafeteria strains to hold even a fifth of the current capacity. Adding students will either overcrowd midday lunch periods or force students to have “lunch” during their first period of the day.

In considering this plan I urge you to look at the physical plant of the schools you are suggesting can “take more students.” Additionally, I hope you scrutinize the “empty seats” measurement more carefully in order to create an accurate representation of what the School District can actually do.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: The "Heavy Lift"

5/9/2012

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

May 9, 2012

As councilwoman Jannie Blackwell said today at the City Council meeting, “we have a School District that is all but broke.” This issue is quite evident to teachers across Philadelphia who cannot get supplies like paper, pencils, or markers without spending their own money. What is not so easily understood is how you are going to get some of that money back.

Today you argued for a plan to implement the Actual Value Initiative in order to garner $94 million for the ailing School District. This plan is fraught with controversy and seems like a political bungle in the making. Additionally, Thomas Knudsen is assuming more concessions by a Union that has already given many millions of dollars to the School District.

It seems to me that you are reaching into the wrong “pots” for needed money.

Councilman Curtis Jones said it best today: where is the State’s “heavy lift?” As stated in Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution: "The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth." Since 2002 the State has had a much larger hand in education in this city - we need to ensure that it pays enough to support it.

I urge you to use any and all responsible means necessary to make sure the students in Philadelphia are not disenfranchised due to lack of funding.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: For Us, By Us

5/8/2012

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

May 8, 2012

As I have written previously many teachers in Philadelphia are ready and willing to help alleviate financial stress throughout the School District. One particular aspect I focus on is professional development: since teachers are demanded to differentiate our instruction for students, shouldn’t professional development be differentiated for us?

I have attended workshops on using TI calculators, crafting a seven-step lesson plan, engaging youth in discussion-based classes, and more. Yet I am often forced into sessions where I already understand the methods they are describing and my time is unfortunately wasted. Moreover, some of these sessions are run by contracted companies and still do not benefit us as much as they should. This seems like an unfortunate use of money that could be allocated to better programs.

I am a member of a number of teacher support groups, some run by outside organizations and others by teachers themselves, but all focus on one critical message: teachers know what they need to improve their skills. The Math + Science Coalition run by the Philadelphia Education Fund and EdCampPhilly are two examples of opt-in, low-pressure professional development sessions often run by teachers and for teachers.

These models work and run at low cost. If we are facing a $218 million deficit for FY13, why not begin shaving off expenses from outside contracting and maximize use of teacher time by asking us what we need in order to improve. Perhaps we can connect teachers who have certain skills with those who need to develop them and improve our pedagogy while saving money.

It all starts by those in the administration asking one question of us teachers: what do you think you need?

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Change by Us

5/7/2012

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Quick update: since last week the School District of Philadelphia has decided to rescind its notion to change the 4th quarter grade deadline. Now teachers have until the last day of school (as was the original plan) in order to input grades. I am very happy for this decision as it means we do not lose 6 days of instruction.

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

May 7, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I empathize with your current situation: the recession being felt across the country is still affecting us here in Philadelphia. The decisions you make now regarding layoffs, closing school buildings, reducing education programs, and more are all unpopular choices but may be viewed necessary due to financial restrictions. That being said, I think we need to do a better job at leveraging the networks across the city.

In my view, one of the critical flaws about how the city (and School District) has been running is a lack of easy communication between those with resources and those with need. Until recently it was very difficult for an individual or organization to connect with others in order to share information. Now, with the Change By Us Philly initiative (http://philly.changeby.us/) there is a way to easily connect institutions in order to benefit the community.

I am sure that schools across Philadelphia have individualized needs that could be met by local organizations without too much difficulty. The partnerships you have been talking about could be developed even without creating “achievement networks” that would parcel up the District. Perhaps a food coop would want to adopt a local school to supplement their school lunches and reduce the cost overall. Or perhaps a local business is upgrading their technology and could donate computers to allow students to connect to the Internet. The options are endless.

The best way this can work is through partnerships conducted on Change By Us Philly. I would be happy to assist in organizing potential networks but need support from the School District of Philadelphia. More people need to know about this tool: teachers, administrators, parents, and community members should be trained. Then, maybe, Philadelphia can truly be a City of Brotherly Love.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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One Letter Per Day: Push Corbett

5/4/2012

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If my writing has inspired anyone else to also get involved in this way, please make sure the School Reform Commission know by signing the bottom of your letters with "One Letter Per Day Campaign." Strength in numbers will help turn the tide in our favor.

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

May 4, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Today teachers across the District received confirmation that the original plan to end the fourth grading cycle on June 14th had been reinstated. As an outsider to the decision-making going on in the downtown offices I am unsure whether my previous letter connecting an exact financial amount to six days of school had any effect - but I hope it inspired others to make noise. After all, the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

It is for that reason that I am write today in order to try to make Philadelphia residents and officials squeak loud enough for Harrisburg to hear: we need our money back. Governor Corbett has slashed education funding so such an extent that the finances of the School District of Philadelphia is in shambles. Understanding that mismanagement of funds has also been a culprit of the current budget crisis, our schools are in desperate need of the money that has been removed.

Thomas Knudsen urges us to “live within our means.” At this point, our “means” do not mean enough: in order to fulfill the state requirement to educate our children, we need more than we have.

As the School Reform Commission you are the lifeline between the School District of Philadelphia and the government. It is your job to ensure that our schools open in the Fall of 2012. I urge you to talk to Governor Corbett and get this money back. Make him hear our squeaks of noise before we squeal under pressure.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign

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