"But I am not sure I understand what you are saying is Penn's fault? That they created an excellent K-8 public school that makes it easier for their staff and faculty to live in the neighborhood if they have kids?...
I don't believe that you can ask Penn to try to solve the problems of a public school system that is tremendously flawed by dramatically changing the way they run their one little site." Guy, Thanks for clearing up the topic for me. I was very confused. But why do you say I hate good children? Is it because I prefer honesty to deception? Or is it because I'm not ruthless? After you answer, I'd be happy to continue a discussion. Glenn ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [email protected] Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 5:12 PM Subject: Re: [UC] PW article, catchment and real estate Glen, It is certainly a shame that public education leaves so many unprepared for the real world. But I am not sure I understand what you are saying is Penn's fault? That they created an excellent K-8 public school that makes it easier for their staff and faculty to live in the neighborhood if they have kids? Phila public education is not a "zero sum game" where there's only so many quality teachers and quality students that if they all congregate at 43rd and Spruce at Sadie Alexander that there won't be enough left for the other schools. In addition, Penn doesn't have an obligation to change the course of Phila public education. They do have a need to make the surrounding area as livable, safe, and attractive that they won't have a need to build a fortress around the campus. Yes, since they are creating an excellent public school they could try to solve more of Philly's public education problem while they are at it, but I don't really fault them for stopping where they do. There are plenty of neighborhood kids getting an excellent education at Sadie Alexander presently. Why fault Penn for not changing the dynamic of public education in all of West Philly and SW Philly? Isn't that too much to ask? I guess I don't see a negative to creating this wonderful educational opportunity. The fact that it also raises real estate values is not a nefarious plot by Penn, it's the realities of a market driven society. The alternative is to have no school. I don't believe that you can ask Penn to try to solve the problems of a public school system that is tremendously flawed by dramatically changing the way they run their one little site. Guy -----Original Message----- From: Glenn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, 25 May 2008 7:34 am Subject: [UC] PW article, catchment and real estate Philadelphia Weekly has a short interesting article (a snapshot) about the confluence of education, real estate and gentrification issues here in our upscale village. http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/articles/17058/news In this short piece, it corroborates a point that was widely discussed here. The description captures how the Penn catchment area was drawn around the potential real estate value of housing stock. The lines aren't drawn logically around neighborhoods or existing residents, but instead are obviously based on real estate value projections. I hope Philadelphia readers consider what happens to public education under the model! As long as elite schools and catchment rules are carved out for elite neighborhoods, do we really need to dedicate any resources to the kids of the "prostitues, gang members, and drug addicts" who have been pushed to the poor schools and poor areas???? The parents have long been a business write off for society. Are the kids far behind? Any thoughts about the article? Glenn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.1/1464 - Release Date: 5/24/2008 8:56 AM
