Teaching in the School District of Philadelphia
The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is one of the largest districts in the country, serving nearly 200,000 children who represent the diversity and vibrancy of the city itself. Many languages are spoken throughout the city’s classrooms – as they are in the city’s neighborhoods and communities. As of March 2008, 62.4% of the student population identified themselves as African American, 6.0% as Asian, 16.9% as Hispanic, 0.2% as Native American, and 13.3% as White.
Recent Gains
The School District of Philadelphia has recently experienced impressive gains in student achievement. The number of schools attaining Adequate Yearly Progress requirements of the Federal No Child Left Behind legislation has increased over time – from 58 to 100 schools in the 2005– 2006 school year. Since December 2001, the district is managed by the School Reform Commission administration, which was formed through a state takeover that brought national attention to the SDP and urban school reform. The School Reform Commission led the District through dramatic changes, including the establishment of a data-driven, managed instruction program, new accountability measures, and an unprecedented public/private partnership model that places some of the city’s lowest performing schools under the management of both non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Challenges
In light of this ground-breaking reform and impressive strides in student achievement, the District is now, more than ever, a vibrant and exciting place to work. However, there is still a great amount of work left to do in ensuring that all of Philadelphia’s children have equal opportunities for success. We need our city’s brightest individuals to rise to the occasion and join in our efforts. Despite recent accomplishments, 73% of Philadelphia’s eleventh graders are still evaluated as being below proficient in math, and 67% of eleventh graders are considered below proficient in reading as of the 2005-2006 school year.
You can positively impact the lives of our students by helping us meet the critical need for excellent teachers.
A Typical School Day
Although many schools have unique schedules, on average, the typical school day for teachers involves six-and-a-half hours of instructional time. In addition to instructional hours at the school site, almost all teachers – especially those new to the profession – spend additional time planning lessons, gathering materials, grading papers, and even coaching a sport or moderating a student club. Like most school districts, teachers in Philadelphia also attend regular after-school faculty meetings. It is important to note that Fellows are also required to enroll in university courses beyond their school commitments to ensure their full certification.
Teachers should expect a wide range of parental involvement, depending on individual classroom situations. Involving parents is a critical part of a teacher's ability to be successful with students, and parental involvement strategies will be a focal point during the pre-service Training Institute. |
