Population from 2006-2012
The 2010 census showed that for the first time in 60 years Philadelphia gained population. After bottoming out in 2006 we have slowly gained about 60,000 new residents over the past few years, according to a new report by Pew Charitable Trusts. This is a tremendous achievement, especially considering the economic recession that hit in 2008. Yet, are we Philadelphians up to the task of keeping these folks in our city? As Larry Eichel pointed out on March 25, there are a lot of variables at concern.
As a resident of a city block containing at least 15 kids of various ages, I know that a primary concern of new residents looking to settle is the state of the school system. Shuttering 23 schools while trying to plug a new budget hole of up to $304 million is not a good sign of sustainability when it comes to our future children in schools. The School District of Philadelphia is finally calling on the city and state to help more, but they are still seriously considering a 10% pay cut from staff - a cut that we cannot afford.
Approximately half of the teachers in Philadelphia have five years of experience or less and chances are many of these teachers are young. If want to keep these young people around in order for them to become veteran educators in the system, we need to do something to retain them. Many principals call for an easier process to let go of low-quality teachers when there are so many good ones who are leaving in droves because of environmental issues at their schools (shuffling between classrooms, large class sizes, ineffective discipline policies, ineffective leadership, etc).
Philadelphia is a great city and a great place to teach. We need to showcase that to the world and not lose out because of poor decisions like ones being offered right now.
Approximately half of the teachers in Philadelphia have five years of experience or less and chances are many of these teachers are young. If want to keep these young people around in order for them to become veteran educators in the system, we need to do something to retain them. Many principals call for an easier process to let go of low-quality teachers when there are so many good ones who are leaving in droves because of environmental issues at their schools (shuffling between classrooms, large class sizes, ineffective discipline policies, ineffective leadership, etc).
Philadelphia is a great city and a great place to teach. We need to showcase that to the world and not lose out because of poor decisions like ones being offered right now.
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