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Back to the drawing board: A Promise Academy struggles to move forward The Notebook blog Potter-Thomas opened as a Promise Academy last fall and made AYP for the first time this year, but after Promise Academies staffing questions lingered most of the summer, it’s facing last-minute teacher vacancies and a lot of new staff.

Ackerman and top staff fell out of touch toward the end The Inquirer Ackerman was not meeting with the District CFO, even though the District was facing a major budget crisis. A Nutter administration source cited Ackerman’s troubles managing the District as part of why she had to go.

Could MPS’ Thornton return to Philadelphia? TMJ 4 Gregory Thornton is currently superintendent in Milwaukee, with Heidi Ramirez as his CAO. He said  he’s focused on the opening of schools in MPS, but that he’s monitoring the headlines from Philly.

Proposed charter legislation raises concerns The Notebook blog Yesterday the state senate held hearings on a new proposed charter bill. The Education Law Center shared its written testimony to the committee.

Finally, some encouraging news PFT Blog As of yesterday, 562 laid-off teachers have been recalled.

TransPasses Officially Approved For Next School Year Mt. Airy Patch At Wednesday’s charged meeting, the SRC also approved a deal with SEPTA  to continue to provide TransPasses to students.

Support for bill to ban teacher strikes The Inquirer There is a committee hearing on the proposed bill, which would impose penalties on teachers who strike illegally, and their union.

Clout: Ex-schools chief Vallas blasts Ackerman’s buyout Daily News Vallas criticized Mayor Nutter for supporting the buyout.

Excused absence? Daily News

Ending the Celebrity CEO Role of Schools Chief Young Philly Politics

West Philly School supplies drive UC Review

‘Henry Got Crops’ Stand Brings Produce, Smiles, to Area Roxborough-Manayunk Patch

Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary School The Frankford Gazette

Parents Blast SRC for Ackerman Buyout PhillyNow blog

Letters: Too high a bar for former Philadelphia School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman? Daily News

Not one legislative minute spent on promoting what works or on making schools safer Keystone State Education Coalition