Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Essential education reporting in Philadelphia

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Leadership & Management

What’s next in search to find Philly’s new schools superintendent

By Dale Mezzacappa and Johann Calhoun

Diversity & Equity

Philly needs more Black teachers. A new report shares insights on how to retain them.

By Dale Mezzacappa

Philadelphia Gun Violence

Some kids ‘don’t come back’: One Philly school grapples with gun violence

By Johann Calhoun

Federal policy and reform

School repair should remain in federal bill, Philly officials urge

By Johann Calhoun October 8

Broke in Philly

Philly overhauls selective admissions policy in bid to be antiracist

By Dale Mezzacappa October 6

Early Childhood

‘Alarming’ shortage of child care workers in Philadelphia prompts recruitment event

By Dale Mezzacappa October 5

Leadership & Management

Philly parents and teachers wonder what’s next after Hite announces exit

By Johann Calhoun September 30

Leadership & Management

Philadelphia Board of Education promises ‘robust’ process to find new superintendent

By Dale Mezzacappa September 28

District Management

Hite will leave superintendent post after nearly 10 years at the helm of Philadelphia schools

By Dale Mezzacappa and Johann Calhoun September 27

Early Childhood

Parents, here’s how you can help your kids in math — without worksheets

Experts say parents can help young children build math competence with simple activities that are part of everyday life

By Ann Schimke September 27

Reopening

Trash piles, staff shortages and COVID testing woes — a rocky start for Philly schools

By Dale Mezzacappa September 24

COVID safety

Philly health officials relax rules around school building closures and quarantines, recommend increased testing

By Dale Mezzacappa September 22

GAMP, Penn Alexander in Philly recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools

By Dale Mezzacappa September 21

COVID safety

Frustrated by school district, Philly Council to hold hearings on how to fix ‘substandard’ buildings

By Aaron Moselle WHYY September 17

Broke in Philly

Philly equity coalition ‘has ignited a new vision of bringing change,’ superintendent tells community in progress update

By Dale Mezzacappa September 17

Reopening

Shutdowns, testing, quarantines have become a maze for Philadelphia parents to navigate

By Dale Mezzacappa and Johann Calhoun September 16

Broke in Philly

Another Philadelphia school temporarily shut due to COVID cases

By Johann Calhoun September 15

Chalkbeat National

COVID devastated many Latino families. During Hispanic Heritage Month, tell us how your school community has supported you.

By Caroline Bauman September 15

Reopening

Use the National Guard to get Philly kids to school? Hite is considering it.

By Dale Mezzacappa September 15

Jobs

Three schools in Philadelphia temporarily close due to COVID cases

By Dale Mezzacappa and Johann Calhoun September 14

School safety

‘They don’t care enough about my kid’: Philly parents disgusted by rampant schoolyard trash

By Emily Rizzo WHYY September 9

Leadership & Management

New Masterman principal wants to create more opportunities at Philadelphia’s elite magnet

By Dale Mezzacappa September 8

First Person

I’m a Philadelphia principal. Here’s how we have prepared for a year like no other.

Our school is facing devastating enrollment declines, COVID losses, and other trauma. We know our educators have an important role to play.

By Julio C. Nuñez September 3

Reopening

After parents express frustration with weather notifications, Philadelphia schools go virtual Friday

By Dale Mezzacappa and Johann Calhoun September 2

Unions

Philadelphia teachers will get 9% raises over three years in last-minute deal

By Dale Mezzacappa September 2

Reopening

‘All children deserve buildings like this one’: Philadelphia opens a new school

By Dale Mezzacappa September 1

Broke in Philly

Philadelphia district, teachers union reach tentative agreement

By Dale Mezzacappa August 31

Reopening

Philadelphia district welcomes 125,000 students back to school

By Dale Mezzacappa August 31

Reopening

Parents, teachers protest building conditions day before Philadelphia students return to school

By Johann Calhoun August 30

Early Childhood

Parents of early learners prepare for first day of school in Philadelphia

By Samaria Bailey August 30

School safety

Masterman teachers protest unsafe conditions

By Dale Mezzacappa August 26

Diversity & Equity

Some Philadelphia teachers stand firm on teaching about race

By Johann Calhoun August 26

COVID safety

Vaccine mandate gets approval by Philadelphia school board

By Dale Mezzacappa August 24

Broke in Philly

Most City Council members back Philly teachers union’s call for wider student COVID testing

By Dale Mezzacappa August 23

Broke in Philly

COVID safety tops Philly students’ concerns before return to school: ‘I’m a little nervous’

By Johann Calhoun August 23