Writing the Case for Public School Reform

Julia Hanna:

"One observation that we made early in PELP is that school systems have essentially not changed their personnel practices around hiring and retention since the end of World War II," says Thomas. It was assumed then that applicants for a teaching position didn't want to do anything else, or that they didn't have many other options, conditions that clearly don't hold in today's world, where vacancy rates in urban districts can reach as high as 50 percent at the start of the school year.

Thomas was struck by the Philadelphia district's approach to recruitment and retention. First, Tomás Hanna, special assistant to the district CEO, assembled a task force in 2002 of district employees and private-sector talent to create a blueprint for what came to be called the Campaign for Human Capital. He then oversaw the implementation of a variety of efforts, including a marketing blitz touting the benefits of teaching in Philadelphia; a recruitment event, "Rolling Out the Red Carpet"; leadership training programs for principals; and a mentoring program for new teachers.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 8, 2006 8:48 PM
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