Talk radio station 900AM WURD’s Eye on Education series aims to address the difficult issues the Philadelphia education system is currently facing by focusing on models of success in education both locally and nationally.

The series kicked off with coverage of a School District of Philadelphia press conference.  At the conference, Superintendent Dr. William Hite outlined his budget plan to open schools on time in September despite a significant cash shortfall. The second event was at a State of Education panel on September 13 organized by the Philadelphia Community of Leaders at Universal Audenried Charter High School.

On September 30, the series concludes with the WURD Speaks: Eye on Education Symposium community forum from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Franklin Institute at 222 N. 20th Street.

At the symposium key stakeholders will come together to explore problems while offering solutions to the Philadelphia school system’s crisis. 900AM WURD host Eric K. Grimes (Brother Shomari) will be the moderator.

Panelists include:

• M. Night Shyamalan, filmmaker and author of “I Got Schooled”
• Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at University of Pennsylvania who has done pioneering research on “grit”
• William Hite, Jr., Ed.D., School District of Philadelphia Superintendent
• Rahim Islam, CEO of Universal Charter Schools
• Naomi Johnson-Booker, Ed.D., CEO of Global Leadership Academy

The event is free, but registration is required. Register at EventBrite.