Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

AFTPA marks the passing of leader Sunny Richman

AFT Pennsylvania marks the passing today of a legendary PFT and PaFT leader, Sunny Richman. AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch was mentored by Ms. Richman and shared his thoughts on her contributions to our union.

Labor helps elect Conor Lamb to Congressional Dist.18

AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch congratulated Conor Lamb, the apparent winner of a tight race for Congressional District 18 in Western PA.

AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block PA order to redraw voting maps. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps

Kirsch calls PA Supreme Court ruling a win for students

AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch released the following statement about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to hear the school funding equity case. In a news release, Kirsch called it a win for students, parents and the commonwealth. A Commonwealth Court had rejected the case by six school districts, parents and organizations. Read Ted's comments.

Proposed education savings accounts are vouchers. Period.

A mid-state senator plans to push a bill authorizing education savings accounts, which are the latest iteration of school tuition vouchers. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released a statement opposing this failed privatization strategy. “Let’s not waste time going down this road again – when 20-years of research has shown privatization schemes such as these fail to raise student achievement," Kirsch said. "All students and communities deserve good, neighborhood public schools with the resources to address children’s needs. That’s where we should focus our attention and invest our tax dollars.”

AFT released a new survey of parents that shows that parents want politicians to support neighborhood public schools. Ted Kirsch released the following statement about the study.

Fuzzy pension logic - a lose-lose for retirees, workers, taxpayers

Ted Kirsch says the governor's fuzzy pension math hurts retirees, employees and taxpayers after the Keystone Research Center releases two pension White Papers showing that Gov. Corbett's proposals would dramatically reduce benefits for retirees, while increasing the cost to taxpayers significantly.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN on the DEADLY SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY

June 7, 2023

"What devastation. A deadly shooting at a Virginia high school graduation has torn families apart and traumatized countless individuals. I am so sorry for those whose lives were stolen, and for all impacted by this horror.

"To the entire Huguenot High School community, we send our deepest condolences.

"The ongoing scourge of gun violence across our nation is shameful, and we demand real, sustainable action to save lives."

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON "ACCELERATE PHILLY" SCHOOL DISTRICT 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

June 1, 2023 PHILADELPHIA--"The strategic plan is rooted in an important vision for our District, and rooted in a set of core values that are reflective of a collective vision for a more equitable and just District. The recent landmark school funding decision effectively proved what we've known for decades: there is an inherent injustice in how education is currently funded in this Commonwealth. And in our District, where the students we educate are primarily Black and brown and experiencing poverty, the impact of this inequitable system has been catastrophic. "The strategic plan set forth by Superintendent Watlington and his team, in consultation with stakeholders, lays out what can be accomplished when we look at what is possible and what resources our students need to learn and thrive. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE FATAL SHOOTING OF ROXBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RANDY MILLS

May 26, 2023

"I am so very sorry to learn of the fatal shooting of Roxborough High School student Randy Mills--just 15 years old--his whole life ahead of him.

"My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Randy, and to every member of the Roxborough High School community.

"This loss, which should be unthinkable, is devastatingly far too common. We can and must address the deadly scourge of gun violence."

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