Resolution 230500

..Title Authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold public hearings examining parent universities and their potential impact on student education in Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Parent Universities are services which provide learning experiences to empower families to support student academic success, and to assist parents and guardians in furthering their own education and development of skills; and WHEREAS, the School District of Philadelphia has 113,443 students in District operated schools and throughout the city there 217 schools that are operated by the School District as well. No matter the neighborhood, when parents take an active role in their scholar's education there is increased student success; and WHEREAS, Parent Universities offer parents, guardians, and community members training programs on a broad range of topics; and WHEREAS, the topics of classes and workshop event offerings include learning Common Core, GED, ESL, parenting skills, health and wellness, nutrition, financial literacy, job seeking, career development strategies, and understanding Microsoft Office Suite(Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and more); and WHEREAS, While many different programs across the country operate differently, programs like the one in Chicago, have each "Parent University" comprehensively equipped with a computer lab, a parent resource room, an office area, and an activity room; and WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia in particular, has created specific sets of classes for families of enrolled students. The goal of these programs is to give families a refresher to help their students succeed in the areas of mathematics and computer literacy. Parents themselves also benefit from these types of classes because they can learn tools in everyday life, such as character development, financial literacy, and other learning tools; and WHEREAS, The problem's facing public school education aligns with a national concern for the future and sufficiency of education services. It is essential for this Council body to examine local communities in Philadelphia and understand the need for real reforms for the parents, guardians, and students that are being profoundly affected; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the City Council Committee on Education to hold public hearings examining parent universities and their impact on student education. ..End