Ackerman on schools: Change must come

Change must come to the Philadelphia School District - from the length of the school day to how teachers are hired for vacancies and how they are paid - Superintendent Arlene Ackerman said yesterday.

Her declaration, made during a meeting with the editorial board of the Daily News, came a day after Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan electrified a Monday-night meeting of his members by roundly denouncing key contract proposals offered by Ackerman's administration.

"We will never be able to really move this system, I am convinced, until we are able to change some of the things that actually get in the way," said Ackerman, who characterized the PFT contract as having among the most "contractual hurdles" in the nation.

When the 16,000-member union's contract expires Aug. 31, Ackerman hopes to reach agreement on new language that would alter work rules in fundamental ways. The school day should be lengthened, Ackerman said, because it is 24 minutes shorter than the average day in other Pennsylvania districts. Based on the 180-day school calendar, that's about 10 days less of instruction.

"That's a lot of instructional time that our kids don't get that other children across the state get," said Ackerman. "Many of our young people need more time - not less time."

Regarding assigning teachers, Ackerman said, the district should have greater flexibility to move teachers to schools where they are needed, and teachers should interview at the schools where they want to work.

At most schools, half the vacancies are filled by teachers being interviewed by school-based committees, the rest are filled through seniority.

Ackerman also said she wants to implement "some kind of incentive pay - not merit pay, but based on performance." She said that several "prototypes" have been created that reward teachers individually and by school, classroom or grade.

"It is certainly something we want to talk about, and the time is long overdue," Ackerman said.

Also yesterday, the first demonstration against Ackerman's plan to oust as many as 30 principals from low-performing schools took place at Alain Locke School, on Haverford Avenue, in West Philadelphia.

About eight parents and 20 students rallied on behalf of Principal Vernadine Cartwright, who has led the school for five years.

"She's an exceptional leader. We parents have changed for the better because of her," said Locke Home and School President L'Keisha Wilson.

Tomorrow, Locke parents plan to deliver to Ackerman petitions with 300 signatures in support of Cartwright.

Another principal being removed, Alice Heller, of South Philadelphia High, will be demoted to an assistant principal next year, said principals' union President Mike Lerner, who added that a grievance will be filed.

Ackerman also said that she plans to fire weak teachers.

"Are people feeling pressured? Absolutely. Is it uncomfortable? Probably. But, is it for the right reasons? Yes. It's all part of my strategy to improve achievement." *