On 1/27/2011 11:54 AM, Kathleen Turner wrote: > The real source of the problem is that since Kindergarten is not > mandatory in Pennsylvania (I don't think kids are actually required to > attend school until they are 8, which is completely ridiculous) -- the > schools are not really required to ensure space for them. If you do > somehow get admission to another school for kindergarten, there is no > transportation available. > > Kathleen
I'm not sure about your other statements but you are correct that PA children do not need to be enrolled until age 8, but if they are enrolled at a younger age they must remain enrolled, well, until 16 when they can withdraw (with parental consent?) Can you imagine getting by today with only 8 years of so called 'formal' education? Plus, fully half of the students who enroll in a Philadelphia public high school drop out without graduating! The rates are worse for older youth in foster care which is why DHS partnered to open the Arise Charter School to meet the unique needs of older foster youth. Too new to know if it's succeeding but hopefully. Would be great to see everyone on this list without kids of their own, or with, mentor or tutor a child through one of the many organizations that have such programs. In fact, the Mayor just announced a mentoring program specifically aimed at helping students graduate from high school and navigate admissions and transition to college. Please, consider getting involved in either a one-on-one way like this or a systemic way. - Ricky
