Teachers' Union Weighs in on Ackerman Departure

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Jerry Jordan praised in a statement Monday.

Here is that statement from Jordan, in full:

In the wake of the biggest budget deficit, the most significant program cuts and largest employee layoff in the more than 30 years, a change in leadership is a step in the right direction and is welcome news to the teachers and support staff who have been disregarded and disrespected repeatedly by this administration.

I hope that with new leadership we will see a new attitude throughout the administration and at the School Reform Commission—one that understands the needs and concerns of students and their families, values the contributions and opinions of teachers and staff and genuinely wants to include all of education’s stakeholders in formulating the best route forward for public education in Philadelphia.

Instead of treating PFT members as adversaries, I hope that the acting superintendent sees teachers, staff and their elected union representatives as partners in reform and allies in the struggle to prepare every student to be a well-educated, responsible and productive worker and a thoughtful and engaged citizen.

With the drastic cut in state funding and greater demands for accountability, everyone who cares about education will need to work together to prepare children today to be the leaders of tomorrow.

PFT members look forward to working collaboratively with the new administration to ensure that safe, engaging, high-quality schools are the norm in the city of Philadelphia.