November 17, 2014

Round tables were organized around three topics: Multiple Literacies, STEM and Common Core, and University Assisted Schools. Key takeaways were noted to represent the vibrant conversations that emerged from the diverse group of stakeholders.

Panel Questions

Question 1: How do we define Urban Education in Philadelphia?

Question 1 Takeaways [PDF]

Question 2. Building from your definition of urban education, what work do we need to do related to your topic (multiple literacies, STEM and the Common Core State Standards, or University Assisted Schools)?

Question 2 Takeaways [PDF]

Special Guests

Nancy Butler Songer, PhD

Dr. Songer is known for her research into how to engage and support complex scientific reasoning among students ranging from elementary to high school ages. Her scholarship has received frequent recognition including a Presidential Faculty Fellowship awarded by President Clinton.

Previously, Songer served at University of Michigan. She was chair of the Department of Educational Studies and director of the Educational Technology Program in Michigan's School of Education, where she was a professor of science education and learning technologies. She also was director of the Center for Essential Science, a multi-disciplinary research organization addressing the underrepresentation of urban students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

She began her career at the University of Colorado’s School of Education in Boulder, after completing her doctorate in science education at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a master’s degree in molecular and developmental biology from Tufts University and studied biology as an undergraduate at the University of California, Davis.

Lori Shorr, PhD

Dr. Lori Shorr has served as Mayor Nutter’s Chief Education Officer since he assumed office in January 2008. In addition to her role with the City of Philadelphia, Dr. Shorr has been serving as an Executive Advisor to the School District since October 2011.

Prior to taking this position, Dr. Shorr was the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In this capacity, Dr. Shorr was responsible for the Department’s K – 16 initiatives including dual enrollment, transfer and articulation. She also led Governor Rendell’s Commission on College and Career Success and served on the Governor’s Job Ready Budget Task Force. Previously, Dr. Shorr was the Director of School and Community Partnerships in the Provost’s Office at Temple University.

As the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Shorr is responsible for building the public will and infrastructure to attain the Mayor’s educational goals. These goals are increasing the high school graduation rate to 80% by 2015 and doubling the number of residents with a 4-year degree from 18% to 36% by 2018.

Dr. Shorr was a public school parent for 13 years and Home & School President of her children’s Philadelphia public school for 3 years. She received a BA from Pennsylvania State University and an MA and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

View Dr. Lori Shorr’s presentation