Hello, my name is Finesse Davis and I am representing the Overbrook chapter of the Philadelphia Student Union.  As a senior, I've experienced the issue of teacher quality in Philadelphia public schools.  This is an issue that not only affects students in school but their lives after school as well.  Teacher contracts are now under negotiation, but how are the students' interests being considered in these negotiations?  Read more...

As Philadelphia public high school students, we experience firsthand the effects of inadequate school funding.

At Masterman High School, for example, one of the best schools in the city, most classes have about 33 students. There is such a shortage of space that classes are held in the lunchroom and library.

As a Philadelphia public high school student, I experience firsthand the effects of inadequate school funding. For one thing, our school is overcrowded. Most classes have about 33 students, and there is such a shortage of space that we even have classes in the lunchroom, li­brary, and auditorium. From time to time, our teachers cannot give us handouts be­cause either the photocopy machines are not working or the school is experiencing a paper shortage. We have problems keep­ing new teachers. We do not really have any sports facilities other than a gym, and our science “labs” are merely tables with utility hookups. And I go to Masterman. At neighborhood high schools, condi­tions can be even worse. Read more...

How can you put a price on educa­tion? Why should the quality my education be determined by funds which are based on local property taxes rather than the need of the students?

At Martin Luther King High School, students deal with issues associated with a lack of funding. Year after year, we suffer from a lack of experienced teachers, school books and materials, and the horrible physical condition of old school buildings. Currently, we are being run by Founda­tions Inc. which is a for-profit company in partnership with the school district. Since its initiation in 2001, M.L.K. has remained in Corrective Action II.

Hi, my name is Sadae Canty and I’m here today with the Philadelphia Stu­dent Union. We’re here today to address the inequitable distribution of teachers in the Philadelphia School District. Urban districts like Philadelphia have a hard time getting and keeping qualified teachers. Low achieving schools with more poor and mi­nority students have more teachers with less experience. Teacher contract negotia­tions are coming up and we feel it is time for some of our issues to be addressed.