Carly Sitrin

Philadelphia Bureau Chief

Chalkbeat Philadelphia is led by Bureau Chief Carly Sitrin, who joined Chalkbeat in March 2023. Carly came to Chalkbeat from POLITICO, where she covered New Jersey education and established herself as a go-to source on school funding, teachers’ unions, and school integration. Carly began her education reporting career at our partner NJ Spotlight News, where she worked as a reporter covering schools, cannabis and other policy issues and also held the role of social engagement manager. She has also worked in a variety of roles at Vox, Muckrock, The Boston Globe, and Scripps Howard News Service.

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Philadelphia school safety chief Kevin Bethel named city police commissioner

Bethel, who promoted changes to juvenile justice, will be the city’s top cop under mayor-elect Cherelle Parker.

Carly Sitrin

and

Dale Mezzacappa

| November 22

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Look up your Philadelphia school’s scores on the latest state English and math tests

District leaders say the scores on Pennsylvania exams are encouraging but that more work needs to be done.

Carly Sitrin

and

Dale Mezzacappa

| November 8

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Cherelle Parker will be the next Philadelphia mayor

Parker will have the power to reshape the school board and drive the city’s conversation about school safety, infrastructure, charter schools, and more.

Carly Sitrin

| November 8

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Philadelphia voter guide: Where the mayoral candidates stand on education

The mayor has no direct control over the schools, but appoints all of the school board members. Here’s where the candidates stand on charter schools, school safety, and more.

Carly Sitrin

| November 1

FROM chalkbeat Philadelphia

A transit worker strike could send Philadelphia schools back to remote learning

Nearly 55,000 students use SEPTA to get to and from school, and the district would be unable to find suitable transportation for them if transit workers strike next week.

Carly Sitrin

| October 27

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Philadelphia mayoral election 2023: What Cherelle Parker thinks about important education issues

Here’s what she had to say about year-round school, charter seats, an elected school board, and more.

Dale Mezzacappa

and

Carly Sitrin

| October 26

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Philadelphia mayoral election 2023: Where David Oh stands on important education issues

Here’s what he had to say about an elected school board, charter seats, school funding, and more.

Carly Sitrin

and

Dale Mezzacappa

| October 26

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

What education questions do you have for Philadelphia’s mayoral candidates?

Help us make Chalkbeat’s voter guide for the general election.

Carly Sitrin

| September 27

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Philadelphia students made minor gains on their state exams

The increases are relatively small, but they’re giving school leaders hope that Philadelphia students can continue to boost their scores in the years to come.

Carly Sitrin

| September 7