The Philadelphia Inquirer says operators who have contracts to run the "accelerated" programs that help at-risk students and those who have already dropped out have been told about the changes, as have those who run disciplinary schools.
District spokeswoman Shana Kemp said the 50 percent cut in alternative education funding would save $25 million, and it was announced previously, although providers learned details this week. Kemp said the district planned to close the 13 accelerated schools, which have a total enrollment of about 1,800 students, and replace them with programs in district high schools. The district has also been considering eliminating full-day kindergarten and cuts in transportation and art and music programs.
Proponents say the idea would be costly in the long run and would undermine efforts to improve high school and college graduation rates.
Nicholas Torres, co-founder of the online public policy publication Social Innovations Journal, said the accelerated schools had become "the preferred and only option" for young people who have dropped out or are in the process of doing so. He said an independent evaluation last year said the schools were successful and popular with students and parents.
"I simply don't understand why we would cut programs that are working," he said.
Todd Bock, president of Camelot Schools, which operates three of the accelerated high schools, agreed.
"I think there are other things to look at before it comes to that," he said. "Twenty-five million dollars, in the grand scheme of things, is a great investment in the long run."
Bock said he was told the district planned to replace accelerated schools with 100-student programs inside 10 neighborhood high schools.
"We don't think this is a good idea at all," he said. "These kids are the most at-risk kids in the district. The proposal would take these students and put them back in the comprehensive school environments where they have not been successful."
Kemp said alternative education providers were told months ago that major changes would be coming, and they would result in the district being able to serve 500 more students.
"The district is well prepared to educate all students while maintaining the same level of service at a lower price," she said.
Cuts to the district's 19 disciplinary schools or "transition" programs for suspended students would save $6 million, she said.
