News from KIPP Philadelphia

Interesting news from Marc Manella, the rock star founder of KIPP Philadelphia and now the Executive Director of KIPP Philadelphia Schools (currently two schools, with plans for many more):

 

Good morning Whitney – I thought I'd fill you in on some interesting happenings here in Philly.  Here is the email I sent to my leadership team Friday after the Thursday vote by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers to ratify the new Union contract that is (rightfully, in my opinion) getting so much positive press from both sides:

 

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Team,

 

I've been reading everything I can find about the new teacher contract the PFT ratified last night, and I think some components of this are actually really good for kids.  If you haven't had a chance to read about this yet, read this: (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20100122_Philadelphia_teachers_approve_new_contract.html)   

 

The new contract calls for the following:

-          The first semblance of merit-pay will be implemented next year, with the entire staffs of the highest performing schools receiving bonuses. (Top 25% of failing schools, top 10% of other schools).

-          It expands site selection to all schools in Corrective Action II, although frustratingly it keeps the old provision for other schools, (some site selection spots, some seniority spots, unless there is a majority vote of the faculty calling for 100% site selection at that school.)

-          Also, and perhaps most excitingly for kids, it "creates a Peer Assistance and Review program (PAR), based largely on ones in Montgomery County, MD and Toledo, OH in which specially trained consulting teachers will work with new teachers and those who have been rated "unsatisfactory" to help them improve. If they continue to flounder, a joint committee appointed by the District and the union can recommend termination"

 

The devil is always in the details, and ideas that sound good on paper can be screwed up in practice, but these provisions are progressive and positive.  In all, I think today was a good day for kids here in Philly.

 

mm

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In the 72 hours since the vote, the distressing news is that the bozos are crawling out of the woodwork saying the same horrific things that cause some to paint all Union members as regressive, selfish, and anti-kid.  Check out the comments to this article in the Public School Notebook (http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/102125/aft-president-declares-philadelphia-contract-breakthrough), especially this one by "Jeff":

 

"Until they stop blaming the teachers for failing schools, nothing will ever change. The problem is, and always has been, the students and their parents. You can trade the staff of a failing school with the staff of a beautiful suburban one, and everything will stay the same. In fact, the good school may improve because the teachers will be so happy to have "good students" that they'll flourish and teach what's left of their hearts out. I want a "super" to come in a say: "Do what you think is best for your kids," and then go hide. There's nothing wrong with the teachers; they're all hard-working and quite efficient. The powers that be and the students are the problem, and always have been. In fact , it it weren't for these teachers, these kids would be a bigger mess than they already are."

 

Unreal.