The cost-cutting model of education
reform in Philadelphia has had a huge negative impact on neighborhood
schools that have struggled to provide children with a top-notch
education using very limited resources. But as we’ve seen, the
“austerity reform strategy” hurts our more successful schools as well.
The plans to eliminate bus service to the Girard Academy Music Program (GAMP)
would destroy one of Philadelphia’s best public schools. GAMP has a
well-earned reputation as a premier magnet school, known as much for the
diversity of its student body as it is for its stellar music and
Taking away GAMP’s yellow bus service
means many families would be forced to withdraw their children from the
school. Too many parents are not in a position to provide crosstown
transportation, and putting young children on (sometimes multiple) SEPTA
buses is a huge safety concern. Of course, some parents will be able to
make arrangements. But once again, our most economically vulnerable
students and parents stand to lose the most as more resources are taken
away from our public schools.
The single-minded focus on saving
money has done nothing but hurt our neighborhood schools and students.
Certainly this is not what Judge Doris Smith intended when she dissolved
the Desegregation Court Order with the School District.
Given their so-called focus on
creating “high-performing” seats, the SRC’s willingness to jeopardize
the future of one of our best public schools is as puzzling as it is
disturbing. And where is the equity? If GAMP were a charter school, the
school district would have to pay for the busing, regardless of cost.
The entire SRC strategy thus far has
been predicated on taking staff, programs, resources and support away
from public schools. The race to preserve the bottom line is becoming a
race to the bottom. This is not only affecting high-poverty,
low-performing schools, but eroding the quality of celebrated
institutions like GAMP.
It’s impossible to replicate
successful schools by eliminating the very programs and features that
make these schools successful. And we do want our public schools to
succeed… Don’t we?