Or baloney
The next hearing on whether or not to renew the boys’ Philadelphia Truebright Academy Charter School’s status is scheduled on September 24, 2012 at the offices of the School Reform Board in Philadelphia. To date we have not received any information on the August 20th hearing, but will post it as soon as the SRB posts the meeting minutes.
But what we do know is that this school touts favorable statistics like a, “Nearly 100% graduation rate and 100% post-secondary institution acceptance rate. These students aren’t only making the grade, they are excelling. This year’s 44 graduates received more than $1.5 million in college scholarships.” Okay, this is a bit confusing, if by their own admissions they had a “nearly 100% graduation rate”, then how does their claim that they have a “100% post-secondary acceptance rate” add up? It seems to us that you have to graduate first before you can be accepted into any post-secondary institution.
If in fact Truebright's claims of student scholarships added up to 1.5 million, that means that the average Truebright graduate received a $34,000 scholarship. What are the odds of that happening? It seems like the boys should take up craps instead of education, because clearly they are extraordinarily lucky at gathering and graduating gifted students.
And to segue into another one of their topics of propaganda, take a look at their “anti-discrimination” employee policy as posted on their website: “Truebright Science Academy Charter School (TSACS) does not discriminate against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability as those terms are defined by law or any other legally protected basis in any aspect, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer and termination.” Apparently the boys forgot to read their own manual when they canned the 8 American employees that were fired in July for filing EEOC discrimination complaints against the school and its administrators.
And as a side note, when we looked up the Board of Directors and staff list on their website, both were mysteriously missing … But then again, that has been an ongoing and consistent problem with all of the boys’ schools, the lack of transparency. They are quick to take American tax dollars to fund their schools, but not so speedy when it comes to posting their Board members or staff lists for their benefactors (the tax payers) to see.
Below is another statement made by Truebright Science Academy regarding the SRB’s attempt to shut them down. And beneath that bit of whining propaganda is the school’s policy on “employment and non-discrimination in its entirety, which is of course -- more of the fictional than factual nature (as bolstered by the termination of the 8 American employees):
http://www.truebright.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329:public-notice&catid=1:latest-news
STATEMENT OF THE TRUEBRIGHT SCIENCE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONCERNING THE SRC HEARINGS REGARDING OUR CHARTER RENEWAL
The Truebright Science Academy Charter School Board of Trustees is hopeful that the SRC will conductour charter renewal hearings that begin July 10 in a fair and impartial manner, and in so doing, will base its decision on the best interests of our students. It is unfortunate that the Office of Charter Schools recommended that the SRC deny our charter renewal after we had informed the Office its recommendation would be based upon seriously flawed data.
Located in a neighborhood hit hardest by the School District of Philadelphia’s minority high school dropout crisis, Truebright is moving into its sixth year of educating students who primarily reside in North Philadelphia. Many students enter Truebright performing below grade level—sometimes years behind. However, through our smaller learning environment, access to individualized student attention, a holistic curriculum, and additional resources such as Saturday School, most of those who remain with us graduate and move on to higher education. Our first two senior classes (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) boasted a nearly 100% graduation rate and 100% post-secondary institution acceptance rate. These students aren’t only making the grade, they are excelling. This year’s 44 graduates received more than $1.5 million in college scholarships.
There is no question that Truebright has succeeded in reducing the school district’s minority high school dropout crisis. Numerous parents—and students—have told us that the public school option Truebright has provided them has made the difference between failure and passing; graduating and quitting. For some students, a Truebright diploma will mean the difference between unemployment and a gainful career. Rather than render its decision on the district’s recommendation that was based upon flawed data, the SRC should instead look at the true facts and consider the hope for a promising future we have given to so many young people and vote to renew our charter.
http://www.truebright.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=91
Truebright has provided academic success for families looking for a well-balanced educational program in a very safe learning environment. We are committed to building a firm foundation for the career and vocational paths our students choose. We continue our tradition of providing the best education today by preparing our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Meeting the needs of the whole child has always been our commitment.
Truebright Science Academy Charter School has a curriculum designed to meet the needs of all students with the emphasis on improving student achievement. Students enjoy a warm, friendly and safe academic environment where they are challenged both academically and through the arts. The faculty, staff, and students display diversity in talents, ethnicity, and backgrounds. We celebrate student and staff diversity here at Truebright.
Truebright Science Academy Charter School (TSACS) does not discriminate against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability as those terms are defined by law or any other legally protected basis in any aspect, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer and termination.
But what we do know is that this school touts favorable statistics like a, “Nearly 100% graduation rate and 100% post-secondary institution acceptance rate. These students aren’t only making the grade, they are excelling. This year’s 44 graduates received more than $1.5 million in college scholarships.” Okay, this is a bit confusing, if by their own admissions they had a “nearly 100% graduation rate”, then how does their claim that they have a “100% post-secondary acceptance rate” add up? It seems to us that you have to graduate first before you can be accepted into any post-secondary institution.
If in fact Truebright's claims of student scholarships added up to 1.5 million, that means that the average Truebright graduate received a $34,000 scholarship. What are the odds of that happening? It seems like the boys should take up craps instead of education, because clearly they are extraordinarily lucky at gathering and graduating gifted students.
And to segue into another one of their topics of propaganda, take a look at their “anti-discrimination” employee policy as posted on their website: “Truebright Science Academy Charter School (TSACS) does not discriminate against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability as those terms are defined by law or any other legally protected basis in any aspect, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer and termination.” Apparently the boys forgot to read their own manual when they canned the 8 American employees that were fired in July for filing EEOC discrimination complaints against the school and its administrators.
And as a side note, when we looked up the Board of Directors and staff list on their website, both were mysteriously missing … But then again, that has been an ongoing and consistent problem with all of the boys’ schools, the lack of transparency. They are quick to take American tax dollars to fund their schools, but not so speedy when it comes to posting their Board members or staff lists for their benefactors (the tax payers) to see.
Below is another statement made by Truebright Science Academy regarding the SRB’s attempt to shut them down. And beneath that bit of whining propaganda is the school’s policy on “employment and non-discrimination in its entirety, which is of course -- more of the fictional than factual nature (as bolstered by the termination of the 8 American employees):
http://www.truebright.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329:public-notice&catid=1:latest-news
STATEMENT OF THE TRUEBRIGHT SCIENCE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONCERNING THE SRC HEARINGS REGARDING OUR CHARTER RENEWAL
The Truebright Science Academy Charter School Board of Trustees is hopeful that the SRC will conductour charter renewal hearings that begin July 10 in a fair and impartial manner, and in so doing, will base its decision on the best interests of our students. It is unfortunate that the Office of Charter Schools recommended that the SRC deny our charter renewal after we had informed the Office its recommendation would be based upon seriously flawed data.
Located in a neighborhood hit hardest by the School District of Philadelphia’s minority high school dropout crisis, Truebright is moving into its sixth year of educating students who primarily reside in North Philadelphia. Many students enter Truebright performing below grade level—sometimes years behind. However, through our smaller learning environment, access to individualized student attention, a holistic curriculum, and additional resources such as Saturday School, most of those who remain with us graduate and move on to higher education. Our first two senior classes (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) boasted a nearly 100% graduation rate and 100% post-secondary institution acceptance rate. These students aren’t only making the grade, they are excelling. This year’s 44 graduates received more than $1.5 million in college scholarships.
There is no question that Truebright has succeeded in reducing the school district’s minority high school dropout crisis. Numerous parents—and students—have told us that the public school option Truebright has provided them has made the difference between failure and passing; graduating and quitting. For some students, a Truebright diploma will mean the difference between unemployment and a gainful career. Rather than render its decision on the district’s recommendation that was based upon flawed data, the SRC should instead look at the true facts and consider the hope for a promising future we have given to so many young people and vote to renew our charter.
http://www.truebright.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=91
Truebright has provided academic success for families looking for a well-balanced educational program in a very safe learning environment. We are committed to building a firm foundation for the career and vocational paths our students choose. We continue our tradition of providing the best education today by preparing our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Meeting the needs of the whole child has always been our commitment.
Truebright Science Academy Charter School has a curriculum designed to meet the needs of all students with the emphasis on improving student achievement. Students enjoy a warm, friendly and safe academic environment where they are challenged both academically and through the arts. The faculty, staff, and students display diversity in talents, ethnicity, and backgrounds. We celebrate student and staff diversity here at Truebright.
Truebright Science Academy Charter School (TSACS) does not discriminate against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability as those terms are defined by law or any other legally protected basis in any aspect, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer and termination.
