Questions cloud Edison takeover

As students at the 20 Philadelphia public schools under the management of Edison Schools, Inc. begin to settle back into classes, questions still linger over the success of the privatization. Edison -- a for-profit company that runs 150 public schools throughout the country -- was brought in by the state in September in an attempt to improve the troubled school system. The company now manages 20 of Philadelphia's lowest-performing schools. The takeover has encountered heavy community opposition from its outset. With the recent resignation of Janice Solkov, principal of the Edison-run Morton McMichael Elementary School, Edison has once again come under scrutiny. Solkov was brought in by Edison as one of the principals who the company hoped would help turn around the ailing Philadelphia public school system. With 30 years of experience, a doctorate in education and a track record for success, she seemed like a natural choice. But after spending just a semester at the school -- which, like many of those handed over to Edison, has been plagued with teacher shortages and other problems -- Solkov has resigned. Edison has undergone financial scrutiny as well as controversy over the success of their curriculum. Before being allowed to assume control of the 20 Philadelphia schools in September, the company was required to turn over some of its financial statements to new school district Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas to prove that it was stable. However, Edison officials remain optimistic about the success of their partnership in Philadelphia. "The reason we believe that we have been invited to be a part of the Philadelphia District is to raise student achievement level," said Edison Schools, Inc. Director of Communication and Advocacy Aparna Prasad. "Our mission is to work with staff, students and the community to bring about dramatic achievement in our schools." Part of the Edison curriculum includes intensive training sessions for teachers and principals prior to the new school year as well as meeting with families in the community to ensure smooth transitions and maintain overall standards for school management. "We have a very open dialogue and communication with them which makes an effective working relationship," Prasad said. "There is already a difference," she added. "I'm standing in a school building right now and school is going on and it's silent in the hallways. The code of conduct and learning environment are taking shape and increasing student achievement is becoming a reality." But according to some, it's simply too soon to tell whether or not Edison's work in the district will accomplish its goals. "It is far too early to assess Edison's success in Philadelphia," said Norman Newberg, a senior fellow at the Graduate School of Education. "However, Edison nationally does not have a distinguished record but rather, a mixed reputation. It has been successful in about half of the projects that it has instituted."

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