Latest Headlines

Study Finds Phila. 9th Graders Taught by Least-Experienced Teachers

May 27, 2008

Education Week reports that, “A newly published study of Philadelphia high schools suggests that in 9th grade—the make-or-break year for many students on the path to dropping out of school—students are more likely than their upper-grade peers to be taught by inexperienced, uncertified teachers.”

Source: Study Finds Phila. 9th Graders Taught by Least-Experienced Teachers

Study of ‘94 Adoption Law Finds Little Benefit to Blacks

May 27, 2008

The Washington Post reports that, “A 1994 federal law that paved the way for more white adults to adopt black children has left many parents ill-equipped for the situation and has not achieved the goals of giving black children an equal chance of being adopted and recruiting more black adoptive parents, a study concludes.”

Source: Study of ‘94 Adoption Law Finds Little Benefit to Blacks

Rising Prices Hit Home For Food Stamp Recipients

May 27, 2008

The Washington Post reports, “Christina Hall’s weekly grocery shopping ritual begins Thursday night in the kitchen of her cramped mobile home in Fairfax County, with the low hum of the refrigerator and the steady drip of the faucet in the background.”

Source: Rising Prices Hit Home For Food Stamp Recipients

A mixed effect on giving

May 27, 2008

The Inquirer reports, “With a souring economy, soaring gas prices, mortgage woes and layoffs, you might expect charitable giving to take a nosedive.”

Source: A mixed effect on giving

Ways you can help City Harvest grow

May 27, 2008

The Inquirer reports, “Even if you aren’t a community gardener, you can help City Harvest, says Claire Baker of Philadelphia Green, which runs the prison-gardening program. It can always use gardening books and tools, fruit and vegetable seeds, mature perennials or trees and, of course, donations.”

Source: Ways you can help City Harvest grow

Housing complaints increase, but fewer charges are filed

May 27, 2008

USA Today reports, “The federal government is filing fewer housing discrimination charges even as consumer complaints against landlords, real estate agents and mortgage brokers have risen steadily.”

Source: Housing complaints increase, but fewer charges are filed

Nutter signs ‘improved’ $4 billion budget

May 23, 2008

The Daily News reports, “Mayor Nutter ceremonially signed his first budget into law before City Council yesterday.”

Source: Nutter signs ‘improved’ $4 billion budget

SEPTA quietly OKs budget with no fare hikes

May 23, 2008

The Inquirer reports, “With none of the fireworks that often accompany SEPTA’s financial dealings, the transit agency’s board yesterday approved a $1.095 billion operating budget for the year that begins July 1.”

Source: SEPTA quietly OKs budget with no fare hikes

Nutter’s budget approved, but big decisions loom

May 23, 2008

The Inquirer reports, “Mayor Nutter’s first budget sailed through City Council yesterday, though some of his most difficult financial decisions lie ahead.”

Source: Nutter’s budget approved, but big decisions loom

Service Learning

May 22, 2008

Philadelphia Weekly reports, “It remains to be seen how large a void Safe and Sound will leave.”

Source: Service Learning

Shelter From the Storm

May 22, 2008

Philadelphia Weekly reports, “The foreclosure crisis hits home for kids, says one Dobbins freshman who’s seen it close up.”

Source: Shelter From the Storm

Girls’ Gains Have Not Cost Boys, Report Says

May 22, 2008

The New York Times reports, “The American Association of University Women, whose 1992 report on how girls are shortchanged in the classroom caused a national debate over gender equity, has turned its attention to debunking the idea of a ‘boys’ crisis.’”

Source: Girls’ Gains Have Not Cost Boys, Report Says

Half of states’ schools face steep achievement requirements

May 22, 2008

USA Today reports, “Pink slips for principals and teachers. School-funded tutoring for poor kids. Schools are increasingly looking at those kind of consequences for failing to raise math and reading scores.”

Source: Half of states’ schools face steep achievement requirements

City, NRA to face off on gun laws

May 20, 2008

The Daily News reports, “A Common Pleas Court judge will consider legal arguments from the city and the National Rifle Association today on whether five local gun-control laws passed last month should be enforced.”

Source: City, NRA to face off on gun laws

Where Industry Once Hummed, Urban Garden Finds Success

May 20, 2008

The New York Times reports, “Amid the tightly packed row houses of North Philadelphia, a pioneering urban farm is providing fresh local food for a community that often lacks it, and making money in the process.”

Source: Where Industry Once Hummed, Urban Garden Finds Success