Paid Summer Internship, Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Posted by on March 26, 2004

Position Announcement – Please post and circulate
Paid Internship available at Philadelphia Public School Notebook, Summer 2004

Philadelphia Public School Notebook, an award-winning quarterly newspaper that promotes public involvement in efforts for quality and equity in Philadelphia public schools, is offering a 10-week, paid graduate student internship for the summer of 2004, to coordinate the research and writing for an edition focused on the implementation of a standardized curriculum in Philadelphia schools. The internship is funded by the Samuel S. Fels Fund.

The project: The most dramatic change in Philadelphia schools this school year is the School District’s implementation of a standardized curriculum in both literacy and math for grades K-9. Changes implemented this year include new instructional models and curriculum materials for teaching literacy and math, longer instructional blocks for those two subjects, a rigorous pacing schedule backed up with benchmark tests every six weeks, an emphasis on teaching at grade level, a new structure for teacher professional development, and a new student report card. In the fall of 2004, new social studies, arts, and science curriculum materials will be introduced, as well as new curriculum materials for grades 10-12.

The new curriculum aligns what is taught in each grade to state standards for what students should know and be able to do. In a system with high rates of intradistrict student mobility, the District has provided instructional models and textbooks that will be uniform systemwide. However, it has not been an easy transition. Many teachers report feeling overwhelmed by the pace and the expectation that they can conduct grade level instruction in large classes with students who vary in their skills. Teachers also complain that the curriculum has been narrowed to focus on only those skills that are measured on the required standardized tests and question the value of all the assessments conducted.

The intern will work with the Notebook staff and an editorial committee to research and write articles that will be published in Public School Notebook addressing the standardized curriculum.

Who is eligible: Any graduate student who is enrolled in, will begin, or has graduated from a graduate or professional program in 2004.

Key qualifications:
-knowledge of urban public education issues generally, and particularly of issues of curriculum and instruction
-superior writing skills; ability to write about complex concepts for non-academic audiences in clear, accessible language
-experience doing interview research
-commitment to improve public education and to educational equity for all students
-ability to work collaboratively with staff team and editorial board

Familiarity with Philadelphia public school system desirable.

Must be available to work full-time for 10 weeks between June 1 and August 31, 2004.

Stipend: $6,000 for 10 weeks of full-time work.

To apply: send brief letter of interest, resume, and writing sample (10 pages or less preferred) to Philadelphia Public School Notebook, 3721 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia PA 19129 or email to notebook@thenotebook.org. Deadline for receipt of applications is April 2, 2004.

Philadelphia Public School Notebook is a quarterly, independent newspaper founded in 1994 to help build a local grassroots movement for public school reform and for public schools that serve all children well. We are celebrating our tenth year of publication and have a circulation of 52,000 as well as a website (www.thenotebook.org) and a monthly email newsletter. Public School Notebook is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

The Samuel S. Fels Fund has supported "internships in community service" since 1992.