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Apr 2, 2009

Recent Posts

Another SRC nominee in limbo

The Notebook has reported that Gov. Rendell recalled the name of Joseph Dworetzky as his nominee for the School Reform Commission. Read Dale Mezzacappa's full story on the Dwortezky move here.

Rendell says he intends to resubmit Dworetzky's name for the open slot on the SRC. But with Heidi Ramirez's resignation last week, this move leaves two seats on the SRC in limbo.

The Notebook is continuing to follow the coverage of Ramirez' resignation. Len Rieser wrote a post describing the extensive powers of the SRC under the takeover law. You can find an updated list of stories about the resignation here.

Keep checking the Notebook blog for updates on this story and other District news.

School Reform Commissioner Heidi Ramirez resigns

The Notebook has continuing coverage of this story. Heidi Ramirez resigned from the School Reform Commission late afternoon on August 19, at the close of a four-hour meeting, declaring in a prepared statement that her expectations about the oversight role of the body were not shared by others and that she felt she could do more "to improve teaching and learning for our most needy students" from work outside the SRC. The Notebook has this breaking news report on the governor's side of the resignation. The Notebook was the first to report that Heidi Ramirez was planning to step down. Local Latino leaders sent a letter to Governor Rendell urging him to support Ramirez. The Notebook gathered reactions from the education community. Stay tuned to the Notebook blog for updates on this and other District news.

What Happened Behind Closed Doors?

Anytime the District has to rally a line-up of politicians to testify on its behalf, you know something’s up. On Wednesday night, a group of political heavy-hitters opened the School Reform Commission meeting to urge the SRC to vote in favor of the District’s controversial strategic plan – Imagine 2014.

Post by Helen Gym.

Anytime the District has to rally a line-up of politicians to testify on its behalf, you know something’s up.

On Wednesday night, a group of political heavy-hitters opened the School Reform Commission meeting ...

Imagine 2014: Year one items

The School District of Philadelphia released a document outlining the items that will be implemented during year one of Imagine 2014, for the 2009-10 school year.

Here is an excerpt of a District document that outlines the priorities for Phase 1 of Imagine 2014, 2009-10. The plan has 170 items in all. In the PDF 48 items are bulleted for Phase 1, though it has been reported that Phase ...

Many kids in Philly missing breakfast and lunch

At Thurgood Marshall elementary school in Olney, a K-8 school with an enrollment of about 600, more than nine out of ten students eat breakfast in school every day. Compare that to Andrew Morrison elementary just a few blocks away, a school with similar demographics -- a mostly African American and Latino population, 85 percent of which are poor enough to qualify for free and reduced price lunch -- where only about 30 percent of the students eat breakfast at school. These differences are outlined in a document from the state Department of Education that tracks participation in school breakfast, which is free and available to all students.

by Dale Mezzacappa

At Thurgood Marshall elementary school in Olney, a K-8 school with an enrollment of about 600, more than nine out of ten students eat breakfast in school every day. Compare that to Andrew Morrison elementary just a few blocks away, a school with similar demographics -- a ...