Calling for the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings on the status of public schools in Philadelphia, the programs that exist and what we can do to insure that every student receives a quality education and support services necessary for positive childhood outcomes.

WHEREAS, It is possible for several different schools to exist in the same geographic area and have boundaries that correspond to different types of neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, There are several types of models used in Philadelphia Public Schools such as Renaissance, Magnet, Vocational etc., all of which have varied outcomes; and

WHEREAS, School models, programs and services should be coordinated in such a way as to best serve that particular community and school; and

WHEREAS, The general public should be given more information as to how programs and services get placed in a particular school, geographic area and neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, More children from low income families should have access to schools that have first-class programs and services; and

WHEREAS, Communities should have the opportunity to be actively engaged in the selection process that determines the types of programs and services that are provided in their neighborhood schools; and

WHEREAS, Communities should have a say in the types of schools that go into their neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, If a neighborhood school is set to be closed, the community should be notified before the final decision to close a school has been made, and have the opportunity to be involved in the process of deciding the final outcome of the school; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the City Council Committee on Education, Hold hearings on the status of public schools in Philadelphia, the programs that exist and what we can do to insure that every student receives a quality education and support services necessary for positive childhood outcomes.

End