Panel outlines plan to assist failing schools

Two months after convening for the first time, members of the Renaissance Advisory Board gave recommendations yesterday on how to transform some of the Philadelphia School District's failing schools.

At a School Reform Commission meeting, Lori Shorr, the mayor's education chief and chairwoman of one of the board's subcommittees, outlined the process by which these schools would be designated as "Renaissance schools."

Of the district's 95 chronically struggling schools, a small number will be assessed by state test scores, graduation and attendance rates and parent and teacher survey results.

In addition, board members will visit schools and engage the surrounding community to assess needs, she said.

By January, that number would be whittled down to a final list.

From there, a council consisting of parents, clergy and community members will choose qualified "teams" to run the schools and ensure a "smooth" transition, said Patricia Coulter, CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia and chairwoman of the subcommittee that is supervising the efforts.

The first set of Renaissance schools is slated to open next fall.

The initiative, as part of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's school-reform plan, includes closing up to 25 of the district's 95 lowest-performing schools and reopening them as either charters or schools run by privately managed firms or individuals.

During the process, the 60-member board - which also consists of a committee aimed at forming transition teams - has dedicated several hours, often sacrificing work to participate in the process, Coulter said.

Their work won't be in vain: Ackerman and other leaders consider the move as a significant step in revitalizing some of the failing schools.

"We have a very enthusiastic level of engagement all throughout," said Leroy Nunery, a consultant and former Edison Learning executive, who is facilitating the group's work. "We prove that we can do this if we try."

Sessions designed to gather public feedback on the recommendations will begin Nov. 2 at Philippian Baptist Church, 5801 N. Broad St.

For more information, go to www.philasd.org/renschools.

Although district officials said the process has been inclusive, Zac Steele, of Juntos, a community group for Latin American immigrants in South Philly, said that administrators should make sure that everyone gets a say.

In the district's lowest-performing schools, "immigrant children are the fastest-growing segment . . . and are heavily represented," he said.

So, putting in place "immigrant-friendly" schools and programs are essential, he said.