Imagine 2014

Renaissance 2010 was Chicago’s school turn around model, just as Imagine 2014 is ours here in Philadelphia. These processes are what our districts think are going to help us. But, will they really help? Will our voices be heard?  Will our thoughts be implemented into the system?

The process in Chicago began in 2005, 4 years before Imagine 2014 was implemented by Dr. Ackerman in Philly. I interviewed Osha Dancy, a high school student and member of Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), to learn about how the Renaissance 2010 process has played out in Chicago, and how students have been impacted by this reform. Based on what has happened in Chicago, we’ll see what may be in store for us here in Philadelphia.

This month's show features: Youth artists & organizers create an album to tackle the drop-out crisis; Kansas City students see half of their public schools shut down; Highlights from PSU's official launch of the Campaign for Non-violent schools; West Philadelphia High students put forward their hopes & concerns for the Rennaissance 'turnaround' of their school; Plus music & other education news.

My experience in school has been hard because I have been told that I would never amount to anything. I’m organizing with the Philadelphia Student Union (PSU) to prove to those people who have counted me out that I am somebody and my opinion matters. I come from University City High School, which is an Empowerment School. Empowerment Schools are the district’s “lowest performing” schools on standardized tests. So the message that I get is that I am a troublemaker, that I am low class, or that by the time I get to 12th grade I will drop out.

Along with other members of the Philadelphia Student Union, I recently interviewed Heidi Ramirez, a member of the School Reform Commission (SRC) who  announced her resignation last month. We asked her about subjects such as teacher quality and the school district's strategic plan.

Listen to the latest edition of On Blast, the youth-produced radio show of the Philadelphia Student Union. On this month's show, we hear testimonies from students at the School Reform Commission, a discussion about
militarization of schools, and a song breakdown of 'One More Drink.' Plus, there's music and other news.

Over at YPP there is a great discussion happening of the Imagine 2014 plan and the role (or lack there of) that students, teachers, and communities play in the plan.

In the days leading up to the School Reform Commission's vote on their 5-year strategic plan,  Imagine 2014,  PSU and other goups put forth a set of demands that needed to be met before the School Reform Commission could responsibly vote on the plan.

Philadelphia Student Union asks you to attend the School Reform Commission (SRC) meeting this Wednesday April 22 from 6-8 p.m. at 440 North Broad St.  In this meeting the SRC may vote on Imagine 2014, the District's strategic plan for school reform.

See MMP and Philadelphia Public School Notebook's coverage of the last SRC Meeting: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Following up on yesterday's post on the Imagine 2014 presentation at the School Reform Commission we now have video of students testifying at the meeting. Here from them all here - playlist - or below.

The School Reform Commission today held a presentation on the Imagine 2014 plan. There were few changes to the plan, and there remain many questions around the costs to implement Dr. Ackerman's proposal.