I am pleased to see that students in PA and Philadelphia are improving in their PSSA test scores. The city and state still have a ways to go before all of the children in public schools are making the grade in passing these tests.
I notice that there is always an emphasis on the usual top schools like Masterman, when we discuss the local schools. This is appropriate since it always is one of the best in the state. I should mention that my daughter attended Masterman before going off the college.
Masterman, like other special schools in the district have a vetting process, which helps keep them at the top. Essentially, they weed out some students in their admission process. Then there are some other schools that take all comers.
I feel Mayor Jim Kenney’s plan, via the soda tax, to prepare children will have a positive impact on these ‘all comer’ schools. It is one important step in helping to keep our children in school and better prepared for their educational experience.
Additionally, I believe that you cannot fairly compare the schools that have no special admissions policies with those that have them.
Also, in the end, it’s the outcomes that count. Do students graduate and go to college and/or can they fill out a job application and get a job that pays a living wage. You may or may not do well on a test. However, this is only one factor in preparing one for the work world and possible future educational experiences.
Heshimu Jaramogi
SOLAR FLARES–send letters to the editor to…c/o Phila. SUN, SOLAR FLARES, 6661 GERMANTOWN AVE, PHILA., PA 19119
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