In 2000, if you drew a pie chart that defined where Philadelphia children went to school, there would be small slices for private and parochial schools, but most of the pie would read "public schools."
Like all monopolies, the School District was resistant to change. Superintendents came and went, each promising educational reform, but not much of it stuck. We have been in reform mode since the hiring of Superintendent Mark Shedd in 1966, which means we are celebrating our 45th year of school reform. Maybe we should have a party to mark the occasion.
The rhetoric of reform aside, most adults in the system - with the notable exception of parents - were satisfied with the status quo.
As Ackerman herself wrote in these pages in October: "I've come to a sad realization. Real reform will never come from within the system because too many powers that be (the teachers' union, politicians, consultants, vendors, etc.) have a vested interested in maintaining the status quo that is failing our children."
You could call that sour grapes (after all, she was forced to leave), but I have heard similar laments from superintendents, school board members, and others who have tried to effect change in the district. As one former school official put it: "Everyone talks about the kids . . . but really it's all about the jobs."
About 15 years ago, a group of politicians, parents, and educational reformers came to the conclusion that serious reform could not take place within the system. They began to advocate for vouchers and charter schools.
