Carly Sitrin

Carly Sitrin

Philadelphia Bureau Chief

Chalkbeat Philadelphia is led by Bureau Chief Carly Sitrin, who joined Chalkbeat in March 2023. Carly came to Chalkbeat from POLITICO, where she covered New Jersey education and established herself as a go-to source on school funding, teachers’ unions, and school integration. Carly began her education reporting career at our partner NJ Spotlight News, where she worked as a reporter covering schools, cannabis and other policy issues and also held the role of social engagement manager. She has also worked in a variety of roles at Vox, Muckrock, The Boston Globe, and Scripps Howard News Service.

Board members said that low test scores at KIPP North Philadelphia Academy and People for People Charter School led them to start a process that could close the schools.

The district ‘knowingly and regularly’ failed to make necessary asbestos repairs and endangered students, according to federal officials.

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.

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.

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said those working in child care provide ‘the most essential service’ in Philadelphia.

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.