In an editorial published by the Public School Notebook, the Law Center’s Michael Churchill discusses the real causes of the Philadelphia School District’s budget gap. Contrary to the belief that the District’s deficits are caused by excessive spending, Philadelphia actually spends $2,703 less per pupil than districts in neighboring counties. Mr. Churchill explains that the […]
In testimony on June 21, Law Center Attorney Sonja Kerr along with several other special education advocates urged the School Reform Commission (SRC), to consider how the reorganization and transition proposals for the next school year will affect the 20% of the students in the district with disabilities.
The Law Center is honored to welcome Ann Carey Juliano and Nicole Perkins to our Board of Directors. We look forward to working with them over the coming years to fulfill our mission of advancing equality for the region’s most vulnerable populations.
The Law Center recently joined over a dozen other organizations in expressing concerns to the General Assembly over the proposed $450 million Education Improvement Scholarship Credit (EISC). The EISC would re-direct money from revenue collections and thus reduce revenue to programs and services like education.
Shelly Yanoff, long-time Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), has announced she’s stepping down. All of Philadelphia will miss her tenacious advocacy and brilliant leadership, which has always been an inspiration to us here at the Law Center. We are honored to have her as a Board Member, and we’re proud […]
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:00 AM, City Hall Room 400
In an article in the Legal Intelligencer, the Law Center’s Jennifer Clarke and David Hanyok highlight the important role parents and lawyers play in making sure that children with disabilities receive a proper education in accordance with the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
What John Street was forced to give away, Mayor Nutter is taking back: City oversight of the School District. Hidden in deceptively bureaucratic language, that is the stunning message of the request for an “Educational Accountability Agreement” Mayor Nutter sent to Chairman Archie and the other members of the School Reform Commission (SRC) last week. […]
In May 2011, Law Center attorney Michael Churchill addressed the School Reform Commission (SRC) in response to a report issued by the Accountability Review Council (ARC), urging them to sharpen their analysis of the Renaissance School initiative over the coming year.
In April 2011, Law Center attorney Michael Churchill spoke before the Equity and Excellence Commission of the U.S. Department of Education on the effects unequal school funding has had in Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia public schools.
