Leadership & Management
Better advising for high schoolers and more oversight for which credentials schools encourage students to earn can make a difference, some experts say.
The move comes after weeks of explosive fights between members of the City Council and the school board over the district’s school closure plan.
Isaiah Thomas, chair of the council’s Education Committee, said officials were prepared to shut down Thursday’s scheduled Board of Education vote on 17 school closures.
The School District of Philadelphia released its initial school closure proposal in January. Members of the City Council and other officials have criticized it ever since.
Philadelphia teachers say many students are earning low-value credentials as an easy path to graduation. No one knows if that’s benefiting graduates.
Lift Every Voice lobbied officials extensively about the need for daily recess, giving students the chance to move and stretch, and guaranteeing water and bathroom breaks.
School Board President Reginald Streater acknowledged that budget cuts could be painful. But he said something must be done to address the district’s $300 million structural deficit.
School district officials say they’re facing a $300 million budget shortfall. Parker responded by increasing the tax she initially proposed from 20 cents to $1.
Small teams of educators working together to support students and improve their teaching styles could be the key to keeping more teachers in the classroom, advocates say.
The proposed bill includes some exceptions, including for students with disabilities.
Philadelphia district officials say they’ve learned lessons from the last round of school closures. Some people aren’t so sure.
Gov. Shapiro is also seeking $158 million for career and technical education programs, $420 million for pre-K programs, and $35 million for student teacher stipends.
Many school communities hope leaders will soften the district’s proposal to close 20 schools beginning in 2027.
The school board voted to ratify the contract at its Thursday board meeting nearly four months after the union’s previous contract expired.
School board members voted to approve a raise and contract extension for Superintendent Tony Watlington Thursday night.
Philadelphia Academies Inc. is bringing its 9th Grade Success Network to four new district schools.
Board members said that low test scores at KIPP North Philadelphia Academy and People for People Charter School led them to start a process that could close the schools.
The current state budget has left schools with a $4.5 billion ‘adequacy gap.’ City education leaders and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers want that to shrink.
Potter-Thomas School Principal Nichole Polk was bullied for her stutter in fifth grade. Now she wants her students and staff to support each other in finding their voices.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said the district has cleared 87% of backlogged cases and is working to further improve its investigation process.