Research Internship, Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Posted by on March 10, 2010

[emailed 3/3/2010]

Paid Summer Internship Opportunity in Philadelphia

Where: The Philadelphia Public School Notebook, an award winning semi-monthly newspaper (http://www.thenotebook.org) that promotes quality and equity in the city’s public school system.

What: Research and writing about state funding and district budgeting in Philadelphia schools for the Fall 2010 edition and for the website.

Stipend: $6,000 for 10 weeks of full-time work between late May and September, supported by the Samuel S. Fels Fund.

Who is eligible: Any graduate student who is enrolled in, will begin, or has graduated from a graduate or professional program in 2010. We are open to candidates with a background in social science, education, business, or journalism. We anticipate a competitive application process.

Key qualifications:  Knowledge of urban education issues, superior writing skills, especially the ability to convey complex ideas in non-academic language; experience doing interview research; a commitment to educational equity, and the ability to work collaboratively with a staff team and editorial board. Familiarity with the Philadelphia public schools and a background in school funding issues are desirable.

Background of project: The Pennsylvania legislature has changed the education funding formula in order to close an “adequacy gap.” For two years, Philadelphia has received unprecedented funding increases that have been used to hire more counselors, reduce class size, and expand dropout prevention, among other initiatives. But the 2009 increase was paid for by federal stimulus funds, which are due to expire. And with revenues depressed by the recession, the entire legislature up for re-election, and Gov. Ed Rendell leaving office, the adequacy formula is now in political jeopardy.

The intern will work with The Notebook’s staff to research school funding, develop and discuss story ideas, interview important players including legislators, share findings with staff and editorial board members, and write articles for both print and the website.

How to apply: Send a 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 dalem@thenotebook.org. Application deadline is April 1, 2010.

Philadelphia Public School Notebook is an independent newspaper founded in 1994 to build a grassroots movement for school reform. It has a circulation of 60,000, a monthly email newsletter, and a website with active bloggers that is updated daily. The Notebook is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, located near public transportation. The Samuel S. Fels Fund has supported “internships in community service” since 1992.