Constitution Center: 'What do you want to hear from our next president?"

The National Constitution Center wants to know what one thing Americans yearn to hear from the next President when he gives his inaugural address on January 20th. The Center is asking people to write down those desired presidential words, using a Web page they’ve developed. Responses will be displayed in an exhibit at the center, discussed in a December program with famous speechwriters, and if, all goes well, sent to the next president’s speechwriting team to be reviewed as the winner of the election prepares his Inaugural Address. To take part, click here.

This item from United Way of Southeastern PA's "What Matters This Week 7/21/08."

Let's hope 'terms and conditions' are transparent!

Among the legislative items featured in a recent edition of the Education and Policy Leadership Center's Notebook was a summary of Section 2502.46, which "requires the Philadelphia School District to submit annual reports to PDE on the use of state funding for partnership schools. The reports will include information on the number of students attending each partnership school, the total dollar amount to be paid to each school by the District and the specific terms and conditions agreed to for such payments, and the total costs actually paid by the District to each partnership school. Additionally, the law requires the District to provide an explanation if a difference exists between the costs actually paid and costs agreed to for each partnership school as well as an accounting of where the unexpended dollars were utilized."

Shakeup of disciplinary school system underway

by Dale Mezzacappa, Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Acknowledging for the first time that only seven percent of students sent to privately managed disciplinary schools successfully return to regular schools in a given year, District officials are revamping contracts this summer to require the providers to collect more data and show evidence that students are progressing toward graduation. (click here for full story).