Understanding the issue

In Philadelphia, the quality of the public educational system is an issue that underlies almost everything. Without good schools, young families move out of the city, while graduates (and, particularly, non-graduates) struggle to find good jobs and are tempted into the eas(ier) money of crime. Without good schools, the quality of our labor force declines and businesses leave.

Problem is, what can the mayor do about the schools?

In 2001, the state took over the School District of Philadelphia and installed the School Reform Commission. The mayor gets to name two people to that, but that's not even a majority. It's a little like SEPTA -- a major issue for the city to deal with, and yet an institution that the mayor has little control over.

Which is not to say the mayor has NO influence -- all of the candidates have called for input in the decision to replace outgoing schools CEO Paul Vallas, for example.. And that's where education becomes an interesting issue in the race for mayor.

Compare the candidates' plans

Between the ongoing budget woes and recent reports of brutal assaults on teachers, the Philadelphia School District has had a rough year.

The next mayor will have to pick up the pieces.

All five Democratic primary candidates say education is one of their top priorities and have promised improvements like smaller class sizes, more teachers and tougher security.

But given the city’s tight financial constraints, these goals could be hard to realize.

“Unless they can figure out [how to resolve] the costs that are going up really quickly — prisons, pensions, health care — I think it’s going to be hard to pay for this stuff,” said Rob Dubow, executive director of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, a budget oversight group.

So what are the candidates promising to do for the Philly schools and how will they pay for it? Here’s a brief overview of their proposals.

- Catherine Lucey

U.S. REP. BOB BRADY

RECORD Co-teaches a class at Penn. Supported the No Child Left Behind law, which calls for all students to read and do math on grade level by 2014. The Bush administration has been criticized for not providing enough federal funding to help schools reach their goals.

PLAN Includes creating “School Improvement Teams” of administrators and teachers to improve safety and academics in schools. Would hire more non-teaching assistants to help monitor classrooms. Wants to appoint Deans of Discipline at each school.

COST No estimate provided, although spokeswoman Kate Philips said the cost of the entire plan would be “significant.” (The school district’s projected budget for the 2007-08 year is $2.18 billion. These candidate proposals would likely require additional money.)

FUNDING SOURCE Would seek out state and federal funds. Particularly more money from state.

REALITY CHECK More money from the state would be crucial if Brady could get it, said experts.

“I think it can only happen if the CEO of the schools, the mayor and the government are allied,” said Carol Fixman, executive director of the Philadelphia Education Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Philly schools.

But it is worth pointing out that the state already provides half the money for Philly’s schools and has increased its funding over the past five years.

State Budget Secretary Michael Masch appeared at a forum sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer last month and noted that people in Philly always think funding for local schools is too low, while the rest of the state says it’s too high.

STATE REP. DWIGHT EVANS

RECORD A former elementary school teacher, Evans supported the Charter School Law and sponsored the legislation that led to the state takeover of the Philadelphia School District.

PLAN Wants to improve teacher recruitment and retention, increase early childhood programs and put more cops in schools. Also proposes better after-school programs and more effort to involve parents in education.

COST Evans’ campaign did not provide a cost estimate for the new programs, but his plan indicates that he hopes to get as much as $35 million in additional annual funding.

FUNDING SOURCE Evans supports a proposal to increase the share of property tax revenue that goes to the schools — which could generate about $20 million more annually. He also would consider selling city parking garages, investing the money and using the proceeds for education. And he said he would seek more state and federal funding and investments from private donors.

REALITY CHECK Experts agree the property tax shift is a good idea. But Dubow said private donations might be hard to sustain longterm. “It's hard to get recurring contributions from private donors for operating expenses,” he said.

Selling the parking garages would have to be closely analyzed, cautioned a state official, who noted that the city would have to determine how much they would really yield after paying off debts.

U.S. REP. CHAKA FATTAH

RECORD Biggest legislative achievement was his national initiative GEAR-UP, which funds for college awareness programs for low-income kids. The program failed to get funding in Philadelphia this year. Fattah also put together a “last dollar” scholarship fund for local kids.

PLAN Fattah’s “Opportunity Agenda” includes more early childhood education, modern schools, college opportunities for students and adults and anti-violence initiatives.

COST A maximum of $158.85 million annually, according to the Fattah campaign.

FUNDING SOURCE Fattah wants to lease the Philadelphia International Airport to a private operator. Fattah says that could produce $3 billion, which, after paying of debt would leave about $2 billion. If invested at 7 percent, it would yield $150 million a year to invest in anti-poverty and education programs.

REALITY CHECK Critics of Fattah’s airport-lease proposal have noted that Congress would have to expand the airport privatization program for Philly to be able to do this. And putting such a complicated deal together could be a challenge in the nine- to 10-month time frame Fattah has laid out.

TOM KNOX

RECORD Knox’s background is largely in the private sector.

PLAN Wants to create a dual-enrollment program with Community College of Philadelphia and make vocational training more available. Would install surveillance cameras in schools and lend cops to dangerous schools. Also hopes to speed up capital improvements.

COST Knox’s campaign said the plan will cost about $49 million extra annually.

FUNDING SOURCE Knox will look for federal and state funding to offset the cost. Knox has also repeatedly said that he can find cost savings in City Hall that will help him fund new programs.

REALITY CHECK Dubow said that there are only so many places left to cut in the city budget. And again, getting more funding from the state could be a challenge.

And Fixman noted on federal aid: “The federal government does not contribute a lot to public education in America in general. I don’t think I’d place great hope there.”

MICHAEL NUTTER

RECORD While in City Council, Nutter secured additional funding for Community College, sponsored legislation that leased Fairmount Park land to the School of the Future and passed an ordinance that requires annual safety inspections of schools.

PLAN Wants to improve after-school programs, reduce class sizes and create school safety zones for students and teachers.

COST Nutter’s campaign did not provide a price estimate, although he says he hopes to generate $36 million in new annual funding. He also plans to spend $20 million over five years on after-school activities.

FUNDING SOURCE Nutter supports the proposed shift of more property taxes to schools, which he estimates would yield about $18 million annually. He said he would ask the state to match that amount to bring it up $36 million total.

REALITY CHECK Fixman said the idea of seeking matching funds to the property tax shift is a good idea. “I think that’s very smart actually,” she said. “The city should step up to the plate and take care of it's own and the state is more likely [to help.]“

But again, just how much the state would be able to provide is unknown. As Masch noted, there are people around the state who think Philly already gets more than it’s fair share.

Schools CEO Paul Vallas to leave

Read the Daily News' story (posted 4/12/07) here.

On his way out, Vallas has advice for next mayor (4/12/07) WHYY News

What can the mayor do for the schools?

A coalition of education groups has eight specific ideas.

Compare the candidates' education plans:

Michael Nutter's plan (video of the announcement from the campaign via You Tube)

Dwight Evans' plan (discussed on the blog here.)

Chaka Fattah's plans (in his opportunity agenda and in his technology plan.) (The latter was discussed on the blog here.)

Plus, Tom Knox has a brief statement on schools

What the candidates have told the teachers

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has a detailed survey of the candidates' positions on educational issues. Read their results here. That was followed by a March meeting with each of the candidates; read the coverage here.

How would they combat the dropout crisis?

As many as 40 percent of Philadelphia high schoolers leave without a diploma. That was the finding of an alarming recent report -- but a companion report also found that a combined effort from our community could get those kids back on track.

The independent Philadelphia Public School Notebook asked each of the candidates how they would deal with the deepening dropout crisis. Six responded -- and you can read the results here.

Calling on the next mayor to take action

The Philadelphia Cross City Campaign wants to see the city use the influence it does have with the district. "It’s time to put to rest the myth that the mayor is not a key player in city schools,” explained Ken Jones, a member of ACORN, a community organization. “Along with the CEO of the School District, the mayor has the most power and influence of anyone in determining the fate of our schoolchildren." Read their press release here.