Philasd email thread
You're referring to the infamous Philadephia School District email thread!
For those who may not know, the thread was a series of emails exchanged between administrators at the Philadelphia School District in 2011. The emails were leaked to the press and caused a stir due to their tone, content, and implications.
The thread was sparked by a proposal to close several underperforming schools in the district. The emails were exchanged between administrators, including then-Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and her deputy, Paul Vallas.
The emails were criticized for their tone, which some described as dismissive, condescending, and even racist. The thread included comments about the schools, the students, and the communities they served, which were perceived as negative and stereotypical.
Some of the most controversial comments included:
- Ackerman's statement that the district was "not going to be held hostage" by the NAACP and other community groups who were advocating for the schools.
- Vallas's comment that the district was "not going to be able to save every school" and that some schools were "not worth saving."
- Ackerman's suggestion that the district should consider "reconstituting" schools, which some interpreted as a euphemism for closing schools and replacing them with charter schools.
The email thread sparked widespread outrage and criticism, with many calling for Ackerman's resignation. The incident also led to increased scrutiny of the district's decision-making processes and its treatment of low-performing schools and communities.
The email thread has since become a symbol of the challenges faced by urban school districts and the need for greater transparency, accountability, and community engagement in education policy-making.