Opinion

With $450k consulting contract, Philadelphia’s new school superintendent crushes hopes for change | Opinion

Tony Watlington is bringing in a Tennessee-based firm, and the Board of Ed. isn’t taking questions.

Philadelphia schools change ‘lockdown’ language to reduce confusion amid emergencies

The new language is meant to help staff and students more clearly understand the type of situation they’re facing.

CAPA students walk out to protest discrimination and support their Black assistant principal

The selective performing arts high school is majority Black and Hispanic, but students allege a lack of representation among teachers makes microaggressions common.

Port Richmond school gets a library after years of planning, and students are reading up a storm

Donations are helping Liguori Academy fill up the shelves.

As graduation rates dip, educators at West Philadelphia High School are doing all they can to keep students engaged

“It’s essentially like my 10th graders are eighth graders and my ninth graders are seventh graders,” said one teacher.

With ‘significant’ $10 million funding boost, Free Library forecasts stable five-day-a-week service and major hiring spree

There’s no timeline yet for the improvements — and advocates are pressing for more.

Students are upset and angry about USciences’ plan to yank birth control from health centers post-St. Joe’s merger

People expressed concern over the effect it could have on the school’s science-based curriculum. Some are even considering a transfer.

CCP alum makes $100k gift to Center on Disability to help students like him succeed

Legally blind when he attended college, Gunter Pfau is now CEO of a commerce technology company with 150 employees.

Penn protest supporting Mackenzie Fierceton draws crowds demanding an apology and better student protections

“It is never okay to punish a survivor for what they’ve experienced,” said one speaker at the rally.

Penn releases hold on master’s degree for student at center of controversy over university mistreatment of trauma victims

There’s a campus rally in support of Mackenzie Fierceton set for Wednesday morning.

Spelling Bee

Meet the students repping Philly in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year

Would you have been able to spell “liaise”?

Mr. Julian needs new shoes: Philly students’ joke fundraiser goes viral

These kids didn’t come to play.

About 1 in 7 Philly neighborhood libraries can’t fully open each day, on top of already reduced hours

Advocates — and the new Free Library director — say the solution lies with increased funding for staff.

Spelling Bee

Philly’s 1975 Spelling Bee champ is now a Harvard librarian

Back then, the regional bee was sponsored by The Philadelphia Bulletin. This year, it’s Billy Penn and WHYY.

How much does it cost to attend college in Philadelphia? From Penn to Temple, there’s a big range

Despite high price tags and big endowments, private universities don't pay property taxes in the city.

Philly’s COVID recovery

Philly schools plan to drop their mask mandate, leaving students to worry about safety and confusion

Some think it won’t make a difference, because masking wasn't well-enforced in the first place.

At Urban Navigation, Philly kids can learn music production and engineering — or how to disarm a gun

“We’re teaching them how to respect the weapon,” a co-founder said of the safety training.

Most Philadelphia public schools don’t have a working library, so educators are asking hit comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’ for help

There are reportedly fewer than 10 librarians across the entire district

Northwest Philly students took the lead, organizing an assembly for school teachers on queer and trans issues

The professional development session provided a list of tangible tips.

Penn senior Mehek Boparai reps Philadelphia on College Jeopardy this week

The English major, who fell hard for the show during the pandemic, could hardly believe she made it on.