Their place in the city’s education landscape has taken on new importance as the share of English learners has also increased.

Ending a monthslong budget impasse, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed several code bills that create a student teacher stipend, add money for school choice programs, and send millions to community colleges and libraries.

Pennsylvania House Democrats’ refusal to pass a budget bill with a school voucher program halted negotiations but Shapiro vowed to line-item veto the voucher program when a budget bill hits his desk.

School board rejects applications for charter schools