Group Supporting Improved Teaching Methods for Philadelphia Children Grows
(PHILADELPHIA) July 24, 2013 – The Coalition for Effective Teaching announces new support from key regional organizations in its call for both the School District of Philadelphia and the teachers’ union to push for union contract changes that support effective teaching in Philadelphia’s public school classrooms as well as greater management accountability for improving the conditions in schools.
The newest members of the Coalition are: The NAACP, The Urban Affairs Coalition, Parent Power, and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. The new member organizations add significant new heft to the Coalition’s efforts to persuade the School District and teachers’ union to adopt a new contract and management practices that will improve school conditions for teachers and students.
NAACP Philadelphia Branch President Jerry Mondesire said “We are eager to bring our experience in fighting for a fair chance for all children to this Coalition. The teachers’ union and management must make the kinds of changes that this Coalition is fighting for because we know these changes can increase the odds that students in this school district can succeed.”
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President and CEO of The Urban Affairs Coalition, said “We believe that the Coalition for Effective Teaching aligns with UAC’s mission of bringing stakeholders together to ensure that our young people are given a fair chance at an excellent education.” She also stated “We are going to use this opportunity, as we have used other educational reform efforts, to move the ball forward for Philadelphia’s students.”
Parent Power, a Philadelphia-based organization that works on behalf of children’s rights and is dedicated to improving education for underserved students, is excited at what the Coalition can do to bring about effective change to Philadelphia’s schools. Quibila Divine said “In the last year we’ve seen our schools stripped to the bone. Schools have been closed, teachers have been laid off, and many of our children will have to travel farther to go to school next year. By working together, this Coalition can be a mighty voice in making sure our children still get a proper education.”
Steven Wray, Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, said “Education at all stages, from cradle to career, is more important than ever in today’s knowledge-based economy, both for individual opportunity and regional prosperity, This Coalition supports the changes that will attract and keep talented teachers who will prepare our students to graduate able to compete in the global economy.”
In addition to the new members, the Coalition also includes The Urban League of Philadelphia, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, The Philadelphia Education Fund, Congreso, ASPIRA Inc. of Pennsylvania, Education Voters of Pennsylvania, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) said “As our Coalition continues to grow, our message of effective improvement to public education in Philadelphia will grow louder. As the District and the teachers’ union begin to negotiate in earnest, we will work hard to build the public support necessary for the union and management at the district to adopt changes we recommend.”
For additional comment from each Coalition member, contacts are:
NAACP Philadelphia Chapter
J. Whyatt Mondesire
infosundaysun@yahoo.com
215-848-7864
Urban Affairs Coalition
Felicia Harris
fharris@uac.org
215-851-1701
The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
Allison Kelsey
215-875-1000 ext. 114
akelsey@economyleague.org
Parent Power
Quibila Divine
quibila@msn.com
215-225-7241
Philadelphia Education Fund
Kimberley Imperiale
Kimperiale@philaedfund.org
Cell – (610) 659-5919
Public Citizens for Children and Youth
Anthony Hopkins
anthonyh@childrenfirstpa.org
215-563-5848 ext. 23
Congreso
Lisa Varon
varonl@congreso.net
267-765-2271
Yvette Nunez
nunezy@congreso.net
215-765-2262
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Natalie Giuliante
ngiuliante@uwgpsnj.org
215-665-2509
The Urban League of Philadelphia
Nadine Bonner
nbonner@urbanleaguephila.org
215-985-3220 ext. 211
ASPIRA Inc. of Pennsylvania
Martha Sierra
msierra@aspirapa.org
215-455-1300 ext. 120
Education Voters of Pennsylvania
Susan Gobreski
susan@educationvoterspa.org
215-564-2299