While state test scores are still too low, Philly superintendent praises progress being made

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Classes for 116,000 students in the School District of Philadelphia begin on Aug. 26 — Superintendent Tony Watlington ’s third first day of school in Philly.

He’s beginning this year by introducing a new English language arts curriculum , renewing focus on teacher training and realigning the district’s supervisory structure based on geographic regions.

He said the district is making progress with improved attendance and higher graduation rates. However, with the majority of students not proficient on state tests, he knows there’s a long way to go.

“I won’t be satisfied until every child can read at grade level, can do computational math, and every child graduates ready to participate in the world’s largest economy,” he said.

State tests show most students are not proficient in English or science and only 19% meet the bar in math.

A new math curriculum was launched last year. Watlington said he’s looking for progress in math when the latest state test scores come out in a few weeks.

Watlington noted investing in the early grades will ultimately pay off in high schools.

“It will take us a little time to turn around poor, sluggish and, in some cases, failing performance,” he added.