HOMEWORK

What we seldom consider when seeking solutions for the shortcomings of our
Philadelphia education system is the fact that a student’s home life plays a critical
role in their future success. We cannot simply address school governance,
funding curriculum and philosophy and expect that dramatic, sustainable change
will occur.

The truth is Philadelphia students come from households and communities facing
various challenges – parents who can’t read, incarcerated parents, abusive
parents, unengaged parents, food deserts, unsafe neighborhoods and any variety
of mental health challenges. There is significant research documenting the fact
that almost half of school-aged children in the U.S. have suffered a traumatic
experience related to family dysfunction or poverty. (​
Click here for more
information​
). Given these hurdles, how can we expect that children won’t carry
the weight of these traumatic experiences from their home lives into the school
environment?
Doug Oliver was lucky to have the opportunity to attend the Milton Hershey
School – where everyone associated with the school from the janitor, to the
teacher, to the coach played a role in Doug’s disciplining and character
development. This model is one that the City and School District should embrace
and is the inspiration for the educational policy addendum called: H
​ omework​.

Homework​seeks to propose a comprehensive solution, through a public/private
partnership, to address the issue of education in Philadelphia by engaging City
agencies, the City’s medical and educational institutions and non-profits to
provide our children with a quality education.

 City Agencies
There has never been a coordinated approach among City agencies that seeks to
leverage budgets and combine efforts to improve educational outcomes for
Philadelphia students. There are several City agencies that currently deliver
services to Philadelphia families. These agencies have budgets and resources,
which can be leveraged to augment School District funds for the benefit of
Philadelphia students and their families. Educating Philadelphia students is no
longer just a School District issue – it is a citywide issue. The goal of H
​ omework​is
not to place additional strain on other city agencies that are at times underfunded.
The goal is to break down the existing “silo” system so agencies can work together
to create a true partnership for better outcomes.
Schools in the District should not be without nurses given the resources of the
Department of Health. Students should not be without potable water from school
drinking fountains given the resources of the Water Department. Schools should
not be without after-school programs given the multitude of programs available
through Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. H
​ omework ​
seeks to engage these
agencies that should have a coordinated role in homes and schools and determine
how they can administer their respective budgets through the lens of preparing
Philadelphia students to receive a good education.

The Philadelphia Department of Human Services​has a mission to
“provide and promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children and
youth at risk of abuse, neglect and delinquency.” The agency provides child
protection, foster care/adoption, delinquency, and prevention services to
more than 100,000 children and families each year. The 2016 budget for the
agency through the City’s General Fund is approximately $102.7 million.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health​has a mission to “protect
and promote the health of all Philadelphians and to provide a safety net for
the most vulnerable.” The agency provides support for children and families
to include health centers, lead poisoning prevention, chronic disease
prevention, and maternal, child and family services. The 2016 budget for the
agency through the City’s General Fund is approximately $116.2 million.
The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual
disability Services​provides intellectual disability and behavioral health
services through four departments: Office of Addiction Services, Office of
Mental Health, Community Behavioral Health, and Intellectual disability

 Services. The 2016 budget for the agency through the City’s General Fund is
approximately $13.9 million. In addition, the agency will receive $961.5
million from Health Choices Behavioral Health Fund.  
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation​offers camps, sports and recreation
programs, as well as after-school and youth workforce programs. The 2016
budget for the agency through the City’s General Fund is approximately
$57.7 million.

The Philadelphia Water Department​is responsible for providing safe
drinking water to Philadelphia residents. The 2015 budget for the agency is
approximately $354.7 million.

Educational and Medical Institutions
Philadelphia is home for many of the country’s top educational and medical
institutions. They represent a huge untapped resource for aiding the City in
addressing the school crisis. Although financial support is greatly needed, these
institutions can also assist by dedicating resources to support the physical and
psychological needs of students and families. Some institutions have
neighborhood-specific programs and partnerships in place, but a more
coordinated – Citywide initiative can be created, ensuring that all children from all
neighborhoods can benefit from these partnerships and programs.
Non-Profits
There are countless non-profits in the City that provide much needed services to
children and families in Philadelphia. They often operate independently and raise
their own funds to advance their missions. The City can benefit from the good
work these non-profits are doing in various areas including youth development
programs, tutoring programs, after-school programs, urban farms, and healthy
lunch programs.

 What Will It Take
Coordination is Key
When bringing together the City agencies, educational and medical institutions,
and non-profits, it will be essential that a well-defined plan be created. In
addition, a robust system needs to be developed in order to facilitate effective
communication between schools and agencies regarding the support needed and
later provided to students and families.

Focus on Prevention
Instead of reacting to issues that develop, H
​ omework​can provide a mechanism to
meet the needs of students and families on the front end instead of on the back
end. When student home environments are improved, students can find success
and schools can be more effective.

Modify the Approach
The ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach to disciplining students is being challenged by
schools across the country. Instead of requiring that students ignore their home
life issues during the school day, schools can take steps to address student issues
before they become larger problems leading to suspension or expulsion. By
integrating a trauma response program into schools, including therapists who are
closely aligned with teachers, trauma can be addressed and children can be
provided with the emotional support services they need.
Start Early
Studies have consistently shown that early childhood programs improve
academic outcomes (higher graduation rates, fewer grades repeated, and fewer
students in special education programs).

Homework ​is a big idea that has the potential to solve the School District’s funding
issue, provide Philadelphia students with the quality education they deserve, and
deliver enhanced support to children and families in their homes. By developing a
public/private partnership that brings together schools, City agencies, educational
and medical institutions, and non-profits, we can reshape the way the
Philadelphia education system operates.
Friends of Doug Oliver ​200 S. Broad Street Suite 410, Philadelphia Pa 19102
215.985.4900   C
​ ontact@DougOliver2015.com
© Doug Oliver for Mayor 2015