The city’s district and alternative schools have lost students, while charter and cyber charter enrollment has grown slightly. The number of English language learners has nearly doubled over the past decade.

District officials have expanded access to autistic support classes. But as school closures loom, families and advocates say it’s still not enough.

The City Council also pressed school officials about why the principals union has not had a contract since August.

The new test scores also show a statewide decline in reading proficiency.

The new state budget also includes $10 million for literacy instruction and initiatives.

The budget will send $193 million more to Philly schools and add accountability reforms for cyber charter schools, among other changes.

State lawmakers say they could be nearing a budget deal. But the delay has already been costly for schools.

At a Chalkbeat event in Germantown, city residents said they want district leaders to give serious weight to community feedback in their closure plan.

Philadelphia school leaders said Tuesday they won’t publish recommendations this month of which schools to close, pushing back a long-awaited deadline.

To address Philadelphia’s severe teacher shortage, educators and advocates want to inspire more high schoolers to go into the field through hands-on opportunities.