Superintendent Jerry D. Weast acknowledges the need to close the achievement gap between black and Latino students and their peers. Since taking office last year, Weast has implemented initiatives such as reducing class size and expanding full-day kindergarten to help close the achievement gap. The Philadelphia Inquirer has released its annual Report Card on the Schools, covering the 167 school districts in the Philadelphia region. Among the trends reported in the review are shrinking elementary class sizes, high rates of teacher retirement and the rise of a younger and less experienced teaching force. The SOL tests cover English, math science and social studies.
Students take an exam once they have completed the course in the subject.
Those who fail a test will have several opportunities to retake it before the end of their senior year. The Education Department is accepting applications for grants to help recruit and train educational personnel to meet high professional standards as bilingual teachers. Switzer Building Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. The institute is intended to advance promising prevention, intervention, treatment, education, detention, and aftercare programs and services within the context of an integrated continuum of care for delinquent and at-risk girls and their families. December 1, 2000.