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Opinion

Letters: E.W. Rhodes Elementary School needs help

ISSUE | CITY SCHOOLS Rhodes Elementary needs help After his visit to E.W. Rhodes Elementary School, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan proclaimed that the school "doesn't need to be turned around again" ("Union opposes plan to turn around school," Thursday). Katie McGinty, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, called the North Philadelphia school an "inspiration."

    Published 

ISSUE | CITY SCHOOLS

Rhodes Elementary

needs help

After his visit to E.W. Rhodes Elementary School, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan proclaimed that the school "doesn't need to be turned around again" ("Union opposes plan to turn around school," Thursday). Katie McGinty, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, called the North Philadelphia school an "inspiration."

The data tell a different story. In the 2014-15 school year, only 9 percent of its students were rated at least "proficient" on the state reading exam, and 1 percent - three students - were proficient in math.

Low test scores aren't the only source of concern. Rhodes ranked 135th of 139 schools citywide, and 41st of 45 peer schools, on the district's school-climate metric. Additionally, 75 percent of students and 40 percent of teachers were absent for at least 10 school days.

In short, Rhodes isn't meeting the needs of its students and families.

If our city and state leaders believe that Rhodes is a success, I would implore them to reevaluate their expectations for our children.

|Cliff Thomas, policy manager, Philadelphia School Partnership, Philadelphia