COUNCILMAN GREEN RELEASES POLICY PAPER URGING COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION REFORM

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today Councilman At-Large Bill Green released a policy paper assessing the present state of education in Philadelphia and presenting a range of recommendations to improve educational outcomes for Philadelphia’s children.

Since running for City Council in 2007, Councilman Green has been a strong proponent of improving public education in Philadelphia. Councilman Green firmly believes that fixing our school system and providing parents with more quality options is critical for strengthening the city’s economy, encouraging middle-class families to stay in or move to the city, and giving our most vulnerable citizens the opportunity to succeed in life. He also acknowledges that education is among the wisest investments of taxpayer dollars, paying enormous returns in future productivity and criminal justice savings.

“Philadelphia is at a tipping point. More than 35% of our children live in poverty and we rank 92nd out of the 100 largest cities in the percentage of residents with college degrees,” said Councilman Green. “Fixing our education system remains our most daunting and critical challenge. If we do not take major steps to transform our school system and improve outcomes, a greater percentage of our residents will be trapped in poverty with fewer opportunities to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow.”

In the paper, Councilman Green presents more than 35 recommended actions to improve education and ensure that parents and students have more quality education options available to them.

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Full text of the education policy paper can be downloaded here.