Philly Teachers Say Pressure to Pass Students Is Undermining Standards As Philadelphia students receive report cards at the close of the school year, some teachers across the district say the grades on paper do not always match what students have actually earned. In interviews with roughly two dozen educators from schools across the city, teachers […]
52 Philadelphia Schools to Dismiss Early as Extreme Heat Hits City More than 50 Philadelphia public schools will dismiss early Thursday as the city braces for dangerous heat expected to push temperatures into the mid-90s. The School District of Philadelphia announced Wednesday that 52 schools will move to early dismissal on June 11 because of the forecast, with sweltering […]
52 Philadelphia Schools to Go Virtual as Heat Wave Forces Closures The School District of Philadelphia will shift 52 schools to virtual learning Friday as extreme heat bears down on the region, underscoring the district’s continuing struggle with aging buildings and inadequate cooling systems. District officials said the affected schools do not have sufficient air conditioning to […]
Pennsylvania Moves Toward Statewide Bell-to-Bell School Cell Phone Ban Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving closer to a statewide ban on student cell phone use during the school day, as both the House and Senate advanced legislation backed by broad bipartisan support and renewed pressure from Gov. Josh Shapiro. The proposal would require public schools to enforce […]
Philadelphia Schools Approve $4.6 Billion Budget as Cuts Collide With Heavy Reliance on Local Taxes Philadelphia’s school board has approved the framework of a $4.6 billion preliminary budget for 2026-27, a spending plan that pairs deep cuts inside classrooms with a funding structure increasingly dependent on city taxes and local contributions. RELATED: Philadelphia School Board Approves […]
Nearly 60 Philadelphia Schools Move Online as Heat Wave Forces District Response Fifty-seven School District of Philadelphia schools will shift to virtual learning Wednesday as an early-season heat wave pushes temperatures higher and renews concerns about building conditions across the city. District officials said the move affects schools that still do not have sufficient air […]
Philly Teachers Union Unveils Alternative to Planned School Closures The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is escalating its fight against the School District’s controversial facilities plan, arguing there is not enough public evidence to justify closing 17 schools and promising an alternative proposal aimed at preserving campuses rather than shuttering them. The union on Tuesday released […]
Pennsylvania is moving closer to implementing a statewide ban on cellphones in school classrooms during school hours. The proposed “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban recently passed the Pennsylvania House Education Committee and will now be reviewed by the full House. If enacted, the legislation would require each school district to establish its own policy to enforce the […]
Philadelphia School District Eliminates Half Days Starting 2026-27 The Philadelphia School District has announced the elimination of all half days beginning in the 2026-27 school year, marking a significant shift in its academic calendar. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. emphasized that the decision aims to improve student attendance and reduce disruptions for families. “Half days […]
Philadelphia is bracing for a significant snowstorm this weekend, prompting city officials to take proactive measures to ensure public safety. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced that a snow emergency will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, urging residents to move vehicles off snow emergency routes to facilitate snow removal efforts. The storm is expected to bring […]
Philadelphia School District Superintendent Tony B. Watlington has unveiled a bold $2.8 billion Facilities Master Plan that proposes the closure or repurposing of 20 schools across the city. The plan, which aims to modernize the district’s aging infrastructure, includes repurposing 12 properties for district use and transferring eight to the city for workforce housing or […]
SEPTA strike looms, disrupting transport for Philly students & workers; families urged to plan alternatives like carpooling, walking groups, remote learning