Phila. sees surge in 'persistently dangerous' schools

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

A surging number of Philadelphia schools have been labeled "persistently dangerous" - so unsafe that parents have a right to send their children elsewhere.

The new list, released yesterday by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, shows a 67 percent increase in schools deemed persistently dangerous, a designation under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The 20 schools on the 2008-09 list is up from 12 the previous school year - including a jump in dangerous middle schools from one to six. For the last several years, only Philadelphia schools have made the state's list.

Schools that qualify as persistently dangerous must have a certain number of serious incidents - such as assaults - that result in arrest for more than one year. The calculation is based on enrollment.

Great moments in public education.