Hite Sees Danger In Bill To Address PA Struggling Schools
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The superintendent of Philadelphia's public schools says proposed legislation to deal with underperforming Pennsylvania schools could have damaging effects on the city school district.
Appearing at a state Senate Education Committee hearing on the measure that would place struggling Pennsylvania schools in a state-run system, Philadelphia School Superintendent William Hite said there are aspects of the bill that could support efforts to improve schools.
But he says there are other aspects of it that could cripple those efforts.
For example, Hite says the bill could force a significant increase in charter school enrollmen, which would see more cuts to district schools already operating with insufficient resources.
"To mandate turnaround without providing the resources to support it will be to the detriment of tens of thousands of students remaining in district schools." said Hite.
The committee chairman who is sponsoring the bill says he understands the need for additional school funding but says additional accountability is needed along with it.
