Title
Resolution declaring a State of Educational Emergency in the City of Pittsburgh.
(Cablecast Public Hearings held 6/30/21 & 7/14/21)
(Cablecast Post Agendas held 6/23/21, 7/7/21, 7/2721 & 7/28/21)
Body
Whereas, the twin public health crises of systemic racism and Covid-19 resulted in school closures and, in turn, fueled the educational achievement gap, the net result is the creation of an educational emergency in the City and School District of Pittsburgh. This emergency will have grave, long-term negative consequences for families in the City and the District but will disproportionately affect the health and safety of the city's African-American families in particular; and,
Whereas, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in Summer 2020, declared that it considers the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), declared by the World Health Organization ("WHO") a global pandemic, an emergency within the meaning of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949; and,
Whereas, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, in October 2020, concluded that, "while there have [sic] been evidence that the PPS is attempting to close the achievement gap between its African-American and White children, the statics [sic] do not support a conclusion that the standard of substantial progress has been satisfied."; and,
Whereas, according to the most recent Pittsburgh Public Schools PSSA score data (2018/1019) disaggregated by race found that in English Language: in 3rd Grade 38.5% of African-American Students were proficient compared to 75.7% of White students; in 5th Grade 31.4% of African-American Students were proficient compared to 74.2% of White Students; in 8th Grade 28,7% of African-American Students were proficient compared to 68.7% of White Students.
Whereas, according to the most recent Pittsburgh Public Schools Keystone score data (2018/1019) disaggregated by race found that in English Literature: in 11th Grade 43.1% of African-American Students were proficient com...
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