Resolution 010642

..Title Authorizing City Council's Committee on Education to conduct joint hearings with the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to examine the findings and the recommendations set forth in the report of Edison Schools, Inc. concerning the future of the Philadelphia School District. ..Body WHEREAS, Edison Schools, Inc., was hired by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to conduct an evaluation of the School District of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Edison Schools, Inc. has now issued a report setting forth its findings and recommendations for changes in the management of the School District, including recommendations for the privatized takeover or breakup of the School District; and WHEREAS, Despite the obstacles created by a financially strapped school district that serves a largely economically impoverished student body, since 1996 Philadelphia's public school students have continued to demonstrate appreciable improvement in all major content subjects according to school district test results; and WHEREAS, Public education is a pivotal cornerstone of American Democracy that guarantees free access to a quality and sound education to citizens of all racial, ethnic and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and to those who are mentally and physically challenged; and WHEREAS, A well informed decision about the fate of our public schools should be based on an impartial and fair evaluation that takes into account all of the educational, social and economic variables that impact on the school district's ability to provide a quality and efficient education, as stipulated by the state constitution; and WHEREAS, A thorough public review of the findings and recommendations set forth in the Edison Schools report is essential before any action is taken to implement that report; and WHEREAS, Such a public review should be conducted jointly by the Council and by the Board of Education; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Committee on Education is hereby authorized to conduct joint hearings with the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to review the findings and recommendations set forth in the report of Edison Schools, Inc., concerning the future of the Philadelphia School District. ..End