In a June 18 press conference at the Graduate School of Education, President Judith Rodin gave the preliminary outline of a new collaboration with neighborhood schools which includes a leadership role in the two "clusters" being formed for existing schools; assistance in the relocation of a magnet school to Market Street; and the creation of a new PreK-8 "Demonstration School" in the 4200 block of Locust Street. Following is a summary of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Penn, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. See MAP below

Partnering the Public Schools in University City

Specific to the PreK-8 Public School

1. The University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have agreed to work collaboratively to establish a new PreK-8 university-assisted public school in West Philadelphia, which will open no later than September 2001. Note: An important goal of this collaboration will be to involve parents, residents, businesses, community groups and educational organizations.

2. The new PreK-8 university-assisted school will be a neighborhood school, which will draw its students from a predetermined catchment area. Note: The diversity of the area will ensure that the student body will be racially integrated and economically diverse.

3. The new PreK-8 university assisted public school will be housed in a new facility on land made available at nominal cost by the University of Pennsylvania. Note: The parcel of land under consideration--known as the Divinity School site--is between 42nd Street on the east, 43rd Street on the west, Locust Street on the north and Spruce Street on the south.

4. The School District of Philadelphia will provide the capital for the construction of the new PreK-8 university-assisted public school. Note: The expectation is that the School District of Philadelphia and Penn will work together on the design and construction of the new school; the current construction estimate is a minimum of $14 million.

5. The curriculum of the new PreK-8 university-assisted public school will meet or exceed the School District of Philadelphia's academic standards. Note: The School District of Philadelphia and Penn will "...consult and cooperate..." in the appointment of a principal for the new school.

6. The University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have agreed that the new PreK-8 university-assisted public school will be a Demonstration School that will "maximize student achievement, provide a rigorous clinical setting for the professional growth and development of preservice and in-service teachers, and develop, test and refine effective instructional and curricular programs and practices through applied research." Note: The agreement stipulates that teachers for the new PreK-8 uni-versity-assisted public school will be selected on the basis of classroom demonstrations and written and oral examinations; the school will be available to provide demonstrations and models for the School District of Philadelphia.

7. The University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have agreed to form a legal entity that will have authority over the governance and operations of the school. Note: This entity will include the principal, representatives from the teaching staff, representatives from Penn and representatives from among the parents and guardians of children attending the school.

8. The new PreK-8 university-assisted public school will be expected to be the catalyst for the development of innovative and comprehensive community services in partnership with the surrounding community. Note: The expectation is that the new school will house extended day and community programs, with the potential to include health services, adult education, day care, recreational and other social and neighborhood services.

9. The University of Pennsylvania will provide up to $700,000 in annual operating support for the new PreK-8-university-assisted public school, based on an allocation of $1,000 per student, for the purpose of reducing class size and otherwise supporting the school's educational mission. Note: This support will continue from the opening of the new school for a 10-year renewable term.

10. The University of Pennsylvania will provide academic support for the new PreK-8 university- assisted public school through the Graduate School of Education and, as is appropriate, other schools at the University. Note: The expectation is that this support will include student participation as student-teachers and mentors, teacher access to Penn's practice laboratories, professional development opportunities for in-service teachers, ongoing linkages between the school's curriculum and Penn's undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, GSE faculty involvement with teachers and ongoing oversight and support for academic programs

Specific to the Engineering and Science High School

1. The University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have agreed to work collaboratively to establish a new location for the existing Carver High School for Engineering and Science in a new facility on a site at the corner of 38th and Market streets. Penn will work with the University City Science Center, the current owner of the site, to make it available at nominal cost. Note: The precise boundaries are yet to be determined, but the site appears to be just under two acres.

2. The School District of Philadelphia will provide the capital for the construction of the new Engineering and Science High School, and it will support its operation.

3. The University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have agreed that prior to the development of the new Engineering and Science High School, the parties will work with the existing staff on a revision of the existing mission statement to support and enhance its membership in the Penn/Drexel University community.

4. The University of Pennsylvania will encourage members of its faculty to provide academic and technical support to the Engineering and Science High School. Note: The expectation is that Penn also will use its best efforts to engage other institutions--Drexel University, the University City Science Center, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the Community Colleges of Philadelphia--to develop and support additional connections with the high school.

The PreK-8 demonstration school is scheduled for construction within the next three years on the site of the former Philadelphia Divinity School, now owned by the University. Please see this issue's brief history of the site, and a Speaking Out exchange on the future of childcare facilities now housed there.

Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 1, July 14, 1998