Question 1

What is the app? Is it free? What kind of information can be submitted?

Accepted Answer

The PFT Healthy Schools Tracker Mobile App allows users to identify and report specific problems with building conditions in schools. Conditions such as leaks and water damage, mold, peeling paint, compromised materials (like mold on chairs or wet books), and floor tile damage can all be reported. It helps act as an early warning system, and can identify problems when they start and prevent more expensive or consequential problems.

Question 2

How can I get started using it?

Accepted Answer

You can download the mobile app for FREE from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. After you download the app, open it, then choose a school. We recommend you register, as it makes use easier. Identify the specific location of the problem (which classroom or part of the facility), identify the type of problem, and give a few details about the size or frequency of the problem. Then, you can provide any more information you think is relevant. Snap a picture and hit submit. It’s just that easy.

Question 3

Is this just for PFT members?

Accepted Answer

No. Anyone can use this app. Parents, students, other staff, community members, and the organizations that partner with schools can all use the app. Anyone with information about current school conditions is encouraged to report. This is citizen science and crowd-sourcing at its best; people who are most directly affected can identify the issues that need to be addressed. The more data there is, the better we will be able to understand the problems and what is needed to make our schools safe and healthy.

Question 4

Who gets the data?

Accepted Answer

The PFT Healthy Schools Tracker mobile app was commissioned and is being supported and used by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund (PFT) in order to identify problem conditions in school buildings and help get solutions implemented efficiently and effectively. The PFT gets the data from the app and has agreed to provide summaries of the reported problems to the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) as part of their work to address learning conditions deficiencies. PFT will be working to identify useful ways to share and report findings with policy leaders and the community to help inform our ability to take action. PFT will also work with SDP on the actions, and time frames, taken to address the identified problems. Photos may also be shared in public PFT reports.

Question 5

Are people allowed to make submissions without permission?

Accepted Answer

Union members are allowed to submit information about sub-standard, unhealthy, or unsafe conditions to their unions and are, in fact, being encouraged to do so by the PFT. No one should be penalized for reporting unsafe or unhealthy conditions in our schools. The PFT has said there are no rules, regulations, or other policies that preclude anyone from reporting problems to the PFT.

Question 6

Can I use the app and report issues anonymously?

Accepted Answer

This information is being reported to the PFT and they will not be reporting on individual users, or providing anyone’s name, email address, or other personal information without their permission. It would be very helpful if users provide contact information in order to receive updates and other feedback. In some cases, the PFT may not be able to follow up if sufficient details are not provided and there is no way to get back in touch with people.

Question 7

Will I get a direct update about what happens with the information I submit? Will the problem get fixed?

Accepted Answer

This is not an official work order — the School District itself processes those. Staff are still responsible for reporting problems to Principals and Building Engineers, as is the current procedure. But you should also report directly through the app as well. This will help with problem reporting and tracking, with getting things fixed, and with identifying working condition patterns that need to be tackled. There will be regular communication between PFT and district officials to address working conditions. They will be compiling information, inspecting sites, and following up on the status of work orders to ensure that action is being taken to address problems and that the most serious problems are addressed quickly. PFT will be keeping people informed and is also sharing information with, and obtaining updates about, evaluations, response, and outcomes by working directly with the District on these issues.

PFT Healthy Schools Tracker App

About the App

Walkthrough

A Guide to the PFT Healthy Schools Tracker App

Questions about the app?