Spring Break
School district proposes layoffs
By: Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: News
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:28 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:28 AM EST
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:28 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:28 AM EST
The Philadelphia School District is considering laying off over 100 teachers as part of 98.5 million dollars in proposed budget cuts for the district, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Drexel has a longstanding relationship with the school district and officials at the University remain confident that the cuts will not impact the partnership.
William Lynch, director of Drexel's school of education, does not anticipate any programs between the University and the Philadelphia School District ending because of the proposed cuts.
Lynch explained that many programs involving Drexel and the school district are supported by outside funding including state funding.
"We understand our relationship with the Philadelphia School District to be a long-term one," said Lynch. "Many of our activities are very stable."
Lynch did acknowledge that programs between the two parties could change over time, saying change is "an ongoing fact of life."
The School of Education is a member of the Partners Committee, which is a collection of local colleges with teacher education programs. The committee discusses topics related to Philadelphia Public Schools such as teacher preparation, explained Dr. Sheila Vaidya, associate director of research and outreach programs and associate professor at the School of Education.
Some students at the SoE student teach at the public schools. Lynch explained that as part of the requirements for gaining teaching certification in Pennsylvania at the School of Education, students must teach at a school where their performance can be supervised.
The SoE runs the Math Forum for Philadelphia students, Lynch acknowledged. Drexel hosts a math teachers' conference for the school district. Representatives from the University serve upon request on committees and advisory teams for schools.
For instance, said Lynch, Drexel helped certify elementary school teachers for middle school math and science.
Lynch said that the University has an especially close relationship with University City High School.
William Lynch, director of Drexel's school of education, does not anticipate any programs between the University and the Philadelphia School District ending because of the proposed cuts.
Lynch explained that many programs involving Drexel and the school district are supported by outside funding including state funding.
"We understand our relationship with the Philadelphia School District to be a long-term one," said Lynch. "Many of our activities are very stable."
Lynch did acknowledge that programs between the two parties could change over time, saying change is "an ongoing fact of life."
The School of Education is a member of the Partners Committee, which is a collection of local colleges with teacher education programs. The committee discusses topics related to Philadelphia Public Schools such as teacher preparation, explained Dr. Sheila Vaidya, associate director of research and outreach programs and associate professor at the School of Education.
Some students at the SoE student teach at the public schools. Lynch explained that as part of the requirements for gaining teaching certification in Pennsylvania at the School of Education, students must teach at a school where their performance can be supervised.
The SoE runs the Math Forum for Philadelphia students, Lynch acknowledged. Drexel hosts a math teachers' conference for the school district. Representatives from the University serve upon request on committees and advisory teams for schools.
For instance, said Lynch, Drexel helped certify elementary school teachers for middle school math and science.
Lynch said that the University has an especially close relationship with University City High School.
