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FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
We can’t teach about Brown v. Board without talking about Freedom Schools
The school desegregation ruling is often taught as a celebration of American justice and equality. Here’s what else lessons about it should include.
By Abigail Henry
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
‘You are in for a wild ride.’ New Philly school board picks leaders after clash over nominees.
The board voted to reelect Reginald Streater as its president, but its members’ pick for VP surprised even the winner.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s charter school office was audited by state
The Pennsylvania Auditor General found the charter office complied with all relevant state laws and regulations.
By Dale Mezzacappa
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Pennsylvania's school voucher bill is back
The bill revives a voucher program called the PASS scholarship, which would give students in the lowest-performing school districts up to $10,000 to use at private schools.
By Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia pre-K: Teachers are getting bonuses and families are getting a simpler application
Starting June 3, families will be able to use one, streamlined application for the city’s free early childhood education programs. Preschool teachers will be eligible for new retention bonuses worth up to $2,000.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Year-round school is taking root in Philly this summer. Here’s how students can participate.
The “Summer Achievers” program will start in June and offer a mix of academics and camp-like activities. It could set the table for new schedules at 20 schools in 2025-26.
By Dale Mezzacappa
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
I became a teacher at age 55. It’s been daunting — and thrilling.
Asked to step into the classroom amid COVID and the nation’s racial reckoning, many arrows pointed to saying no. Two bigger arrows pointed to yes.
By John Brown
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphians want more education funding in the city’s budget
Some residents are also pushing the City Council to increase the share of property taxes that go to public schools.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia school leaders questioned about facilities, teacher vacancies, dropout rates
The district and school board have already held several meetings and votes on their $4.5 billion budget.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia mayor’s big test of power centers on one school board nominee
The City Council will not vote to confirm Joyce Wilkerson’s appointment to the school board. But Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to put her on the board anyway.
By Carly Sitrin Dale Mezzacappa
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
School board says goodbye, approves millions for new curriculum and asbestos abatement
The new school board, nominated by Mayor Cherelle Parker, will be seated on May 1 and have its first action meeting May 30.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s new school board will take their seats next week. 1 seat will remain open.
City Council gave their final approval to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s eight school board picks on Thursday, but Joyce Wilkerson’s nomination is still deferred.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
All but 1 of Philadelphia mayor’s school board nominees advance after tense City Council hearing
Former Board President Joyce Wilkerson’s nomination by Mayor Cherelle Parker was deferred, and city officials expressed displeasure about the district’s charter school policy.
By Carly Sitrin Dale Mezzacappa
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Students must take Pennsylvania’s standardized tests online by 2026, governor says
Gov. Josh Shapiro says the testing change will mean less time spent preparing for the tests and more time for actual learning.
By Dale Mezzacappa Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia is ending its dreaded practice of reassigning teachers after the school year starts
Parents, teachers, and others have long criticized the practice of reassigning teachers after the school year has begun. But it’s unclear if ‘leveling’ is gone for good or merely paused.
By Dale Mezzacappa Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Pennsylvania wants to pay student teachers. But the demand exceeds the funding.
Shortly after going live, a new program to pay student teachers received thousands of applications. The state only allocated enough funding for some 700 people.
By Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia mayor’s new school safety plan features more police, social media monitoring
Parker’s plan includes assigning more police to school beats, more closely monitoring shooting threats on social media, and more.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia students, parents: Tell us how much you’re paying in senior dues
Philadelphia schools use senior dues to pay for graduation expenses, class gifts, luncheons, and more. Tell us how much your school is charging and what the dues cover.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia students may miss state aid deadline due to FAFSA woes
Pennsylvania students must submit their state grant applications by May 1, but they need their FAFSAs processed by then. The federal government’s bungled rollout is making that a challenge.
By Carly Sitrin
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to regulate kids' social media accounts
Despite bipartisan interest in the issue, advocates have concerns about privacy and overregulation of young peoples' online presence.
By Stephen Caruso, Spotlight PA
