Fixing The School District of Philadelphia

By Keith Newman

A four point plan based on replicated research to fix Philadelphia Schools now.

1. Introduce a character education curriculum.

a. Character Education curricula raise test scores,

b. Character Education curricula improve school climate,

c. Character Education curricula have been shown to reduce crime in the neighborhood.

2. Research Reports by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia concludes many children in Philadelphia suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome.

a. Identify (it's not hard) and treat students for emotional disabilities.

b. Joseph Marshall, the author of Street Soldiers believes the emotions must get out before the academics can get in.

3. Work with parents.

a. Teach and train parents in the neighborhood as to what skills and abilities their child should arrive at school

b. Follow up with how these skills evolve each year.

c. These parents then train other parents in the neighborhood

d. These activities take place in the neighborhood, not at some downtown facility.

4. Create professional learning communities (PLCs).

a. National and international research conclusively demonstrate the most effective way to improve schools is to create PLCs, not through school reconstitution as Philadelphia is currently doing.