Philadelphia Public Schools
While it’s not quite the ‘year-round school’ Mayor Cherelle Parker campaigned on, the initiative will offer before- and after-school programs and camp activities at 15 new schools.
Philadelphia and other school districts statewide are struggling to find enough certified teachers to fill vacancies, a trend that advocates for students say is diminishing the quality of kids’ education.
The likelihood of a strike is unclear. But if PFT leaders do call a strike of their 14,000 members, it could disrupt the opening days of the new school year. The 2025-26 school year begins August 18 for staff and August 25 for students.
The newly approved city budget represents a missed opportunity to significantly increase funding for public schools, education advocates say.
School district officials promised that residents would inform its facility planning process. But community leaders and parents say they’re not being heard.
The board had rejected the Early College Charter School of Philadelphia’s application in February, a move that raised eyebrows.
The school board initially planned to consider an agreement with the Department of Justice over an investigation into its asbestos management program at its Thursday meeting. But Board President Reginald Streater said the DOJ was not ready to proceed.
Two proposed bills would create resources and incentives for districts to teach students to read using research-backed strategies, including phonics and word decoding.
Money that was supposed to go to vendors for flood damage repair and services for students with disabilities was instead diverted to “malicious actors” bank accounts, according to the City Controller.
State Republicans held a hearing about the Philadelphia school district’s finances. But no district representatives were present to answer lawmakers’ questions.
The Trump administration’s cuts to AmeriCorps programs like Joyful Readers, City Year, ArtistYear, and Teach for America will impact more than 7,500 Philly-area students.
Students at the Academy at Palumbo report broken bathrooms, poor ventilation, and rodents in their school and are urging the school district to make needed repairs.
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.
State Rep. Martina White said this week that ‘systemic abuse’ and other misconduct has hurt students in the city.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said the district has cleared 87% of backlogged cases and is working to further improve its investigation process.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education sent a letter to the Trump administration certifying that the state “has and will continue to comply” with civil rights laws.
This summer, students will be able to learn to weld, launch a small business, play in a drumline or orchestra, or brush up on their academics.
Federal programs created under the Inflation Reduction Act were starting to help Philly schools meet costs of installing renewable energy systems to address health concerns exacerbated by climate change. The Trump administration has put those funds in jeopardy.
Philadelphia’s school district budget relies on more than $190 million in federal money from the Title I funding formula alone.
Amid a national debate over policies like social-emotional learning and DEI, Philly families say that’s exactly what their schools need more of.