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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMMarch 15, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 15, 2007
CONTACT:
Kate Philips
(215) 988-0582
PHILADELPHIA – Tonight at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall, Congressman Bob Brady outlined a school reform plan that zeros in on the issues that are most urgent for teachers and school employees. Brady presented his plan at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers candidate endorsement meeting.
Brady said he shares their priorities. As mayor, he would:
- Decrease class size, starting with K-3, to an average of 17 students per class, as in suburban schools.
- Hire back and increase the number of trained Non-Teaching Assistants to help restore order in the hallways.
- Improve communication between school administration and the city’s police department.
- Develop a consistent discipline enforcement code for all schools.
- Cut red tape to more effectively utilize Alternative Schools to help curb school violence and engage troubled kids.
- Institute a “Dean of Discipline” in every school.
- Improve our student to counselor ratio to better respond to student needs.
- Fund our libraries, arts, and after-school programs.
- Implement some recommendations in the Ceisler-Green report such as Accommodation Rooms.
“We must give our teachers the tools they need to prepare our children for the future and create a safe environment where they don’t have to police the halls and fear for their personal safety,” said Brady. “By decreasing class size, hiring more NTA’s and communicating discipline problems with police we can make our hallways safer, and restore a proper teaching environment for our teachers.”
As the next Mayor of Philadelphia Bob Brady will bring hope back to our city by fighting crime, investing in education and creating opportunity for all Philadelphians. www.bobbradyworks.com