In the absence of a litigation tool, you're left with persuasion. It's hard to convince the Legislature to help the city. The trick is for the government to come up with a method that doesn't just help Philadelphia. The tide may eventually turn, fueled by a growing realization that states need to maintain urban centers as job magnets. Highly skilled, younger workers want a vibrant urban experience.
Most experts agree that improving public schools is key.
And the Philadelphia district's interim chief executive officer has taken that first step. At Kirsch's prompting, CEO Philip Goldsmith plans to convene a meeting this month to address safety issues and develop a common agenda. The meeting will include representatives, teachers, principals, administrators, government officials and community leaders. Parents and students will also be invited. These reports came on the heels of the rash of school shootings in the late 1990s.