Title
Calling for public hearings in Council's Committee on Education to examine the School District's newly proposed admission process for criteria-based middle and high schools.
Body
WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia recently announced the implementation of a new admission process for criteria-based schools in an effort to promote racial equity; and
WHEREAS, There are currently 37 criteria-based schools in the District, the overwhelming majority of which have African American students as the largest represented racial group; and
WHEREAS, Details of this new admissions process are unclear and developing; and
WHEREAS, However, it is known that the overhauled process would utilize a computerized lottery system with a weighted preference for students from select zip codes designated as under-represented or disadvantaged; and
WHEREAS, In addition, admission essays will be evaluated by a computer program which specifically states it is not to be used for grading; and
WHEREAS, Under the new policy, students from these designated zip codes will receive preference at five specific schools: Masterman, Central, Academy at Palumbo, Carver High School of Engineering and Science, and Parkway Center City Middle College; and
WHEREAS, This decision comes after the district announced it would no longer consider standardized testing scores for admission at criteria-based schools for the 2022-2023 school year, with consideration being given to make the policy permanent; this discounts and discredits students who may not get good grades but perform well on standardized test scores; and
WHEREAS, While well-intentioned, many students and parents have expressed feeling blindsided by the changes, believing the new process will have unintended consequences for the students it seeks to help; and
WHEREAS, These policies greatly impact parents and students across Philadelphia; further dialogue should be pursued to ensure fair outcomes for our City's youth; now, t...
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