Putting Children First: The Nutter Plan for Public Education
Watch Michael Announce His Education Plan
Download the Full Plan (PDF)
INTRODUCTION
Children in Philadelphia’s public schools have suffered for too long because of decisions that adults have made over the past thirty years. It is time for adults to put our children first.
--Michael Nutter
I have a child in a public school, so I relate to the School District of Philadelphia as a parent as well as a candidate. Although Philadelphia has some excellent public schools, the overwhelming majority of them are inadequate. Every day, many families leave the city because of our inadequate schools.
Thirty years ago, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania paid 55 percent of local education costs. Today the state’s share is 36 percent - thanks in part to a 1991 re-negotiation of the state’s funding formula. A decade later, this formula change in the state’s support for Philadelphia schools had helped to push the School District to the brink of bankruptcy. Schools were underperforming, teachers were leaving the system, facilities were inadequate and our students suffered. The response to that crisis in 2002 was a state takeover of School District in return for additional state money and an agreement to give the Governor three seats on a new five-member School Reform Commission (SRC). Unfortunately, the financial condition of the School District was so weakened by the earlier deal that negotiators in 2002 had few options and trading control for more funding was necessary.
However, despite the infusion of “new” state money, the School District continues to struggle financially. Last fall, the SRC and the School District’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) were surprised to learn of a $73 million deficit in the budget, which required layoffs and other cuts. The estimated deficit was nearly $140 million by early 2007. In addition, recent reports of a declining bond rating have raised serious concerns about the viability of the current financial structure. The School District continues to struggle with a lack of resources, crowded classrooms and buildings that are a hundred years old and completely ill-equipped for the 21st Century.
In the past four years, a new CEO has been hired and test scores have begun to move upward. Thanks to the infusion of new funds and a bond financing, new construction and upgrading projects have begun on a number of schools. In addition, charter schools have provided parents with new choices.
However, despite this progress, it is increasing clear that the District has few options left: Philadelphia’s schools need a new state funding formula that is based on the true needs of preparing students for success. Any realistic solution to the School District’s fundamental challenges must begin with a significant increase in state funding, matched by additional funding from the City of Philadelphia. Anyone who pretends otherwise is being irresponsible.
My plan for responsible reform of public education in Philadelphia starts with two fundamental commitments. As Mayor, I will:
• Lead the fight for fair funding of public education in Philadelphia in order to ensure that Philadelphia has the resources it needs to educate all of our children for success in today’s economy, including providing a safe classroom environment.
• Focus on proven reforms and see them through to full implementation with the resources we have now and will have in the future. This will improve the School District’s ability to provide an excellent classroom experience to our children. Those reforms are:
- Reduce class size o Increase early childhood education
- Expand programs to retain good teachers and principals
- Improve safety inside schools/create a safety zone for students and teachers
- Improve high schools in ways that have been proven to increase success and decrease drop out rates
- Make it easier for parents to get involved
Download the Full Plan (PDF)
