Tony Watlington
The district did say it has concerns about data related to students with disabilities and those taking Algebra 1.
Four schools in the region were honored this year under the U.S. Department of Education program.
With closures on the table, Philly principals defend their schools before Board of Education.
Tony Watlington shared his priorities for this new school year including how to better train and recruit new teachers. He also hopes to rebuild trust with the school community through better customer service tools.
The additional revenue over 5 years announced by Mayor Cherelle Parker will help pay for Parent University and extended-day pilot programs.
Philadelphia schools will get a $232 million increase, but the state opted not to codify a plan to close funding gaps between low-income and wealthy districts.
Mayor Cherelle Parker stressed the pilot won’t significantly change the academic calendar, won’t be mandatory, and won’t disrupt collective bargaining agreements.
Over 100 students, educators, and parents rallied outside the Board of Education meeting on Thursday demanding the school district do more to support difficult classroom conversations about the rights of Palestinian people.
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.
The district and school board have already held several meetings and votes on their $4.5 billion budget.
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.
The agreement, which was reached roughly six months before the current contract’s expiration date, came as a surprise to many.
More than 3,000 students at Northeast High School are learning remotely this week after a shooting injured 8 students less than a mile from their school.
At the same event, new Mayor Cherelle Parker called on the state to provide the school district more funding.
Board President and Vice President Reginald Streater and Mallory Fix-Lopez will remain in their roles for the time being. Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker could pick new board members.
Nearly 55,000 students use SEPTA to get to and from school, and the district would be unable to find suitable transportation for them if transit workers strike next week.
The new school year will also feature new curriculum materials and a revamped plan to make students safer.
Watlington said this coming school year he’s focused on accelerating reading and math performance, school safety, and high-impact tutoring.
Board members approved millions in spending on technology, summer programming, and curriculum. They also denied a charter school application.
Superintendent Tony Watlington wants new incentives for educators to work at schools that are difficult to staff, a $70 million overhaul to curriculum materials, and more.