Education: GEAR UP Helps Students Plan for Life After High School
In a low-income district also struggling with major budget cuts, the GEAR UP program’s goal is to increase the number of Philadelphia students that attend postsecondary institutions. The highly competitive GEAR UP grant, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, provided a six-year grant to service seven high-poverty middle- and high schools […]
Powelton Village: As School Libraries Close, a Non-Profit Fills the Void
[vimeo 80776295] It’s no secret that the School District of Philadelphia has fallen on hard times. The district has to work with the budget it has set and because of this budget there have been many staff layoffs. Among those laid off include principals, assistant principals, secretaries and teachers. One position that was hit hard were […]
Haddington: WePAC Holds a Conversation on Philly Schools Budget Crisis
Members of the West Philadelphia Alliance for children (WePAC) recently hosted a discussion “Budget Battles: A Conversation on Philly Schools” at the Haddington Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. WePAC provides literary programs to young students. It’s funded by private dollars and offers all of its services at no cost to schools or to […]
Philadelphia Schools: A Special Report
The School District of Philadelphia plans to close 23 schools in August–a decision aimed at saving money because of a $300 million budget deficit. The closures have affected neighborhoods throughout the city in a variety of ways. Some parents and students are trying to save their schools–worried about safety of their children and the economic […]