The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 557

The Power and Passion of Constance Clayton By MarthabodaU After five years, Philadelphia's superintendent of schools still believes she can make this city's educational system the best in the country. BY THE TIME CONSTANCE E. Clayton found herself facing fifth grader Michael Hardman in the principal's office at the Gen. John F. Reynolds School one day last year, she already had been involved in a string of activities at the North Philadelphia school.

She had toured classrooms, participated in ceremonies marking the school's adoption by the Philadelphia Daily News, enjoyed a rousing student musical and patiently signed scores of autographs for a sea of eager children. Now, she was looking into the eyes of a poised 9-year-old who had been chosen by his teacher to interview the woman who even a kindergarten pupil had known was the "super-in-tend-ent of all the Philadelphia schools." "How has the education in the public schools improved under your leadership?" he asked. Momentarily taken aback by the question, Clayton widened her eyes behind her glasses and then smiled. Clayton's workday routinely spans 16 hours. At her office, while conversing on the telephone, she also signs letters and documents.

Staff members were amazed last year when she signed each of the 2,500 letters mailed to teachers who had completed 25 years with the district At the Gen. John F. Reynolds School in North Philadelphia, she visits a classroom and embraces teacher Llllie Hayes. "You're all my children," she tells the youngsters. "In several ways," she replied, speaking slowly so that Michael had time to jot down every word.

"I think it has improved because we have a better curriculum c-u-r-r-i-c-u-l-u-m. We are beginning to improve our test scores, and we have been building greater confidence in the school district." It was a capsulized version of the message that Clayton has been spreading ever since she was appointed superintendent in October 1982 to try to rescue a school system that Board of Education president Herman Mattleman once described as "an educational morass." In the intervening years, Clayton has accomplished much. In addition to the new curriculum, she has established systemwide grading and promotion standards. As measured by the district's new testing program, student math and reading scores in the elementary grades have improved dramatically. Clayton has also cemented important ties with the city's corporate community, which has pumped more than $8.5 million into the district through the Committee to Support the Philadelphia Public Schools.

And, by adhering to a comprehensive financial plan, Clayton has transformed the $78.7 million deficit she inherited into surpluses in each of the last four years. But on the eve of her fifth anniversary, Clayton may be facing her most difficult year yet. Next spring, continued on Page 16 MARTHA WOOD ALL is an Inquirer staff writer. September 13. 1987.