Edison Schools Selected to be Lead District Advisor in Historic Philadelphia School Reform Plan Wednesday, March 27, 2002 Yesterday, Philadelphias School Reform Commission (SRC) announced its selection of Edison Schools as the Lead District Advisor for the Philadelphia School District. Edison was chosen from a field of nine finalists following a three-month competitive process that resulted in a team of consultants being named to assist in the district reform efforts. To be asked to play such a prominent role after such a competitive process is gratifying, said Chris Whittle, Edison CEO. We look forward to learning the details of the SRCs reform plan and hope that we will soon be able to reach agreement on a contract. Doing so will help us proceed with the most important work at hand improving the educational opportunities and outcomes for Philadelphias children. In selecting Edison as the Lead District Advisor, the SRC outlined the companys responsibilities which will include the following: examining the central office and identifying best practices from other large urban districts; preparing the District for the federal No Child Left Behind Act; improving classroom management and school climate throughout the district by applying Edison methods; assessing the effectiveness of the Districts professional development programs; and improving teacher and principal recruitment and retention, including the development of intensive orientation and professional training programs. Edison will report directly to the SRC. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the SRC seeks to hire Edison for its experience. SRC Chairman, Jim Nevels said, the bottom line is you have a firm that has system-wide experience in a lot of different places. What we wanted to do was capture that experience. The Commission said that it would enter contract negotiations with Edison soon. Last week, in related news, the SRC announced that Edison is a finalist in a competition for management companies and community organizations to operate up to 100 of Philadelphia lowest performing schools. The SRC stated that a final decision on a lead provider and additional providers is expected no later than April 17, 2002.
|
||||