Philadelphia's Aspiring Class

Tom Ferrick has an excellent column in today's Philadelphia Inquirer that discusses the great work that Paul Vallas (the Philadelphia School District's CEO) is doing to respond to the "Aspiring Class". Ferrick notes recent School District initiatives to create more magnet high schools and to implement enrichment programs at all district grammar schools. Ferrick describes the Aspiring Class as "consist[ing] of parents in the city - who come in all colors and classes, who want more for their children than marginal or minimum-wage jobs, and who see education as the way to achieve it. They demand more of their children and they demand more from their children's schools."

While public education is a major priority, the Aspiring Class is a growing demographic in Philadelphia that has broader concerns. The Aspiring Class loves the City and urban living but demands excellent public services. If they don't get what they need here (or don't know they can get it), they leave. Other City agencies would do well to listen to and respond to the Aspiring Class. Keeping these folks - and their tremendous intellectual, social, and fiscal resources - are essential to the long-term economic viability and social vitality of our great city.