HGSE Alum to Head Philadelphia Schools

Harvard Graduate School of Education graduate Arlene Ackerman, Ed.D’02, was named chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philadelphia School District last week by the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC).

“I am honored and humbled that the SRC, the governor, and the mayor believe I can make a contribution to students in Philadelphia,” said Ackerman, who currently works as director of the Urban Education Leaders Program at Teachers College. “I am coming back to active leadership because I have missed my passion — the on the ground battle for our children who attend urban public schools. I believe I still have more to give in this important fight for social justice.”

Ackerman received her doctorate in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from HGSE’s Urban Superintendents Program. “Arlene is one of the leading educators in the United States,” said Robert Peterkin, who served as Ackerman’s academic advisor and who will be a member of her upcoming transition team. “Her commitment to children was evident when she was here at HGSE, and she has carried her ‘dream’ mission of ‘Excellence for All’ to three major urban school districts — Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Philadelphia—in need of radical educational and financial reform. The first two profited immensely from her leadership and Philadelphia will as well. Those who struggle for high quality education for urban students should rejoice.”

Ackerman has more than 30 years experience working in education. Prior to working at Teacher’s College, she served as superintendent of both the San Francisco Unified School District and the District of Columbia Public Schools.

“With Arlene back in public education, the children of America are the winners,” said Jill Wynn, a San Francisco Unified School District board member.

As superintendent in San Francisco, 86 percent of the district’s underperforming schools made progress after Ackerman introduced a program to target additional resources and create a new equitable funding formula for those schools. During her tenure, all students — including special education, gifted, and English Language Learners — showed gains on state mandated tests and consistently scored above the state and national averages in reading and in math.

Ackerman also created several initiatives that are still in place today. She developed consistent dialogue with teachers through the establishment of monthly roundtables and listening sessions at schools. She also created the Office of Parent Affairs, which is dedicated to supporting the authentic engagement of parents at every school, as well as the central office.

Ackerman’s experience and record made her an obvious choice to become the next CEO of Philadelphia schools.

“Ackerman’s passion for children in urban schools, as well as her track record and priorities of putting resources back into the classrooms, fits with the goals the commission has established for our students,” said SRC chair Sandra Dungee Glenn. “Her proven record of raising student achievement and building effective partnerships with diverse communities makes her an excellent fit for Philadelphia. We are confident she will continue her academic accomplishments with Philadelphia’s students.”