Parents work to rejuvenate a public school

Kristin A. Graham of the Philadelphia Enquirer reports on the inspiring story of parents who decided to take a stand and come up with an ambitious plan for improving a local public school:

“It was a two-page wish list, full of goals both lofty and practical: “reopen the school libary,” “establish a language program,” remove “bars/grates/fencing if possible.”

A handful of playground moms brainstormed the plan and presented it to a Philadelphia School District official last fall as a blueprint for a vibrant neighborhood school.

The school, Andrew Jackson Elementary at 12th and Federal, has failed to meet state standards for several years running. Seventy-six percent of its students are poor. Student outcomes have caused the district to classify Jackson an “empowerment” school, among the lowest performers in the city.

Still, the moms want to send their children, now toddlers, there…”

Read the full story here.