The Philadelphia Board of Education voted at a special action meeting tonight to approve a new three-year contract agreement with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT). The agreement, reached a week before the August 31 deadline, provides greater stability for the District’s educators and ensures students’ learning continues uninterrupted. Under the new agreement, approximately 14,000…

At the February Action Meeting, the Board of Education passed a resolution opposing federal cuts to K-12 funding. These cuts would have a devastating impact on our most vulnerable students—reducing support for low-income families, English language learners, and students with disabilities. What do students in the School District of Philadelphia stand to lose? Education Funding…

In October 2024, the Charter Schools Office (CSO) launched Reimagining School Excellence (also known as Project RiSE) at the direction of the Philadelphia Board of Education. Today, the CSO announced a new website for the project so that families, community members, and school communities can follow the work closely. Project RiSE is a multi-phase initiative…

At its September 19th Action Meeting, the Board of Education welcomed and officially appointed Charles Rinker and Kenzy Ahmed as the Student Board Representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. Jake Benny was also appointed as an alternate for this school year. In this advisory role, they will act as a voice for their peers, providing…

On September 19, 2024, during its monthly Action Meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution directing School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D. to complete Phase 8 of the Facilities Plan by engaging community stakeholders in a robust process. Launching the development of a facilities plan with a Board-directed resolution…

This evening marked the final Action Meeting of the Philadelphia Board of Education for the 2023-2024 school year, with the Board reviewing and voting on key items including expanded learning opportunities in partnership with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s Administration, school-based health and mental services, professional development and curriculum coaching for school staff, and capital and…

This evening marked the first Action Meeting of the Philadelphia Board of Education with a new slate of Board Members, led by Board President Reginald L. Streater, Esq. The nine-member board, appointed by Mayor Cherelle Parker, has been in place since May 2024. “This Board of Education, made up of both new and veteran Members,…

At the first organization meeting of the new slate of Board Members – with four returning and five new – the Board of Education elected its leadership: Reginald L. Streater, who will serve as President, and Wanda Novalés, who will serve as Vice President. Both will serve until the Board’s legally mandated December organization meeting….

In July 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General commenced a performance audit of The School District of Philadelphia’s Charter Schools Office (“CSO”) to determine whether the School District’s authorizing practices are compliant with applicable laws and guidance. Today, this independent audit has been made public and is accessible in its entirety here. With…

The Board of Education invites current 9th and 10th grade students to bring student voice to the Board by applying to become a Student Board Representative or Alternate for the 2024-2025 school year. Interested and eligible Philadelphia district and charter school students are encouraged to submit an application no later than April 2, 2024 at…

After 6 years of unwavering commitment to the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia, Vice President Mallory Fix-Lopez announces her resignation, effective April 18th, 2024, due to a pre-scheduled medical procedure in mid-April. She has withdrawn her name for consideration for re-appointment to the Board of Education. Vice-President Fix-Lopez was appointed to…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education has announced at its Action Meeting today that the official portrait of Board Member Joyce S. Wilkerson has been installed at the Education Center. The portrait, titled “Joyful Determination,” commemorates Ms. Wilkerson’s tenure as Board of Education President and School Reform Commission Chair along with her dedication…

January is dedicated to recognizing Board of Education Members for their dedicated public service and commitment to public education excellence. Please join us this month in recognizing the School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Members who volunteer their time and leadership to serve the nearly 200,000 students in Philadelphia who attend district, charter and…

The Board of Education extends heartfelt congratulations to Chief of School Safety Kevin Bethel on his well-deserved appointment as the Police Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia. While we recognize that his transition represents a significant loss for the School District, we are confident that Commissioner Bethel will bring his unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership…

At its October 19th Action Meeting, the Board of Education voted to add four new policies, amend 13 policies and eliminate one policy. The updates to the Board’s Policy Manual align Board policies to current law and practices, reflect the promise of local control and align with the policy revision timelines the Board expects of…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education has appointed  Peng Chao as the permanent Chief of Charter Schools. During the past two years, Mr. Chao has served as Acting Chief of Charter Schools and has demonstrated his leadership, commitment and passion to this work. Mr. Chao is uniquely positioned to lead this work through…

In December 2021, the Board of Education commissioned an independent investigation concerning allegations of racial bias in charter school authorizing practices to determine whether there was objective, factual support for specific allegations of race discrimination or racial bias alleged by some Black charter leaders and whether the charter renewal process has caused discriminatory effects on…

At its September 21st Action Meeting, the Board of Education will welcome and officially appoint De’Naiza Watson and Cavance Snaith as the Student Board Representatives and Doha Gassem as an Alternate for the 2023-2024 school year. In this advisory role, they will represent the interests of their peers and advise the Board on the impact…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education is asking the public to share feedback on its communications by launching a community-wide survey that will be open September 18 – October 6, 2023. The Board of Education has partnered with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to develop a Strategic Communications Plan. A key part of this…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education invites the public to attend the first of three Goals and Guardrails Committee meetings scheduled for this year on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 4 p.m., in the Education Center Auditorium, located at 440 North Broad Street. The next meetings will be held on October 12 and…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education will consider the adoption of “The Juneteenth Education Resolution” at its June 29th Action Meeting. This resolution would ensure that Juneteenth is taught in all content areas in K-12 classes, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Juneteenth is now a national holiday that commemorates the end of…

The Board of Education is excited that the School District of Philadelphia has a proposed Strategic Plan that aims to provide every learner with the opportunity to achieve positive life outcomes. “I truly believe that every child can learn and every learner can be taught,” said Board President Reginald L. Streater, Esq. “Yes, the Board…

Philadelphia— The Board of Education invites rising sophomores and juniors to bring student voice to the Board by applying to become a Student Board Representative or Alternate for the 2023-2024 school year. Interested Philadelphia public and charter school students may apply online here until April 28, 2023. Beginning this year, the Board will be adding…

It takes a village to educate our children. Parents and guardians, family members, educators, counselors, school leaders, nurses, support staff, our partners and more wrap their collective arms around our students to provide the academic, social and emotional support that our learners need to thrive and succeed. Also, our Mayor and City Council Members, who…

The Board of Education is outraged and disheartened that children and adults continue to be the innocent victims of  gun violence in Philadelphia on a nearly daily basis. The tragic and senseless shootings that happen in neighborhoods throughout the city, indelibly harm our school communities in myriad ways – taking lives, traumatizing survivors and threatening…

At its January 26th Action Meeting, the Board of Education held an end-of-year update on the Goals & Guardrails progress monitoring sessions held in 2022. Last year, the Board monitored progress for all five academic Goals and all four Guardrails. As a reminder, Goals & Guardrails is the Board’s five-year strategic plan to raise student…

As the governing body for the School District of Philadelphia, the Board of Education’s main role is to oversee all policies and budgetary decisions for the District. But the Board has two other important duties. One is to appoint and evaluate the Superintendent. The other is to serve as the authorizer of all brick-and-mortar charter…

Statement on the Lawsuit from Board of Education President Reginald L. Streater, Esq. The School District of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit today challenging the City’s environmental “best practices” law. If allowed to stand, the law could needlessly threaten the opening of many District school buildings at the start of the next school year, jeopardizing the…

At its December 15, 2022, Action Meeting, the Board of Education held its annual organization meeting and elected new leaders: Reginald L. Streater as President and Mallory Fix-Lopez as Vice President, who immediately began serving their one-year terms. They replace Joyce S. Wilkerson as President and Leticia Egea-Hinton as Vice President, who opted to leave…

Board of Education President Joyce S. Wilkerson received the Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award today for her longstanding commitment to the educational needs of urban school children. The Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) presents this award each year to recognize current or former school board members who have made a difference for…

Working to promote integrity within the School District of Philadelphia is a little known department: the Office of the Inspector General. In 2019, the Board reestablished the OIG as an independent entity charged with investigating and reporting on fraud, waste and abuse within the School District. While most employees are honest, hard-working people dedicated to…

The Board of Education publicly thanked Governor Wolf and the state legislature for passing a budget that includes a historic $525 million increase in basic education funding. This is the largest increase in Pennsylvania’s main subsidy for public schools. The School District of Philadelphia is set to receive approximately $200 million more than last year….

The Board has been monitoring the progress of Goals & Guardrails, our plan to raise student achievement, for nearly two years. This monitoring has helped the Board identify our students’ needs and then invest in targeted strategies and resources. In the first 20 months of monitoring progress toward achieving our Goals & Guardrails, the Board…

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has launched a Transition Team as part of a three-phase effort to lay a strong foundation for student growth and achievement in the School District of Philadelphia. In Phase 1, Dr. Watlington held dozens of Listening and Learning Sessions with school communities, advocacy groups, community leaders and city officials. Insights…

PHILADELPHIA— At its September 22nd Action Meeting, the Board of Education will welcome and officially install Sophia Roach and Love Speech as the Student Board Representatives for the 2022-2023 school year. In this role, they will represent their peers by sharing student concerns with the Board at its monthly meetings and by reporting Board deliberations…

PHILADELPHIA—Board of Education Member Reginald L. Streater was recently named a U.S.A. Justice Program Fellow by Eisenhower Fellowships. This is a new fellowship program that will send rising American leaders abroad on individual professional journeys to enhance their perspectives and sharpen their skills for advancing racial justice in their communities and professions. This new program…

PHILADELPHIA—The Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Friday, August 26, 2022, at 9 a.m. in the Education Center Auditorium at 440 North Broad Street. The public may attend in person or watch via video conference. The Board will consider a proposed Release and Settlement Agreement among The School District of Philadelphia, acting…

The Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia will welcome new Board Members Sarah-Ashley Andrews and Chau Wing Lam to their first Action Meeting today. Ms. Andrews and Ms. Lam, who share a commitment to educational equity, were sworn in on June 28, 2022. “On behalf of the Board, I welcome our new…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education supports the Budget Bill, approved by the Pennsylvania House and Senate and signed by Governor Wolf, that will include a $525 million increase in basic education funding, the largest increase in Pennsylvania’s main subsidy for public schools. Not only will this benefit all public school districts in…

At its May 26th Action Meeting, the Board of Education approved the operating budget for the 2022-2023 school year. This operating budget increased by more than $175 million, reaching the highest level of investment in our schools and students since fiscal year 2011. A one-time infusion of federal funding from the American Recovery Plan Act…

At the Board’s Action Meeting on May 26th, Board Member Mallory Fix-Lopez asked our school communities to support  Governor Wolf’s proposed education budget for K-12 schools. The proposal includes significant funding increases for Basic Education, Special Education, and the Level Up initiative as well as charter school funding reforms to align payments with costs. This…

In an effort to connect with students on important issues, Student Board Representative Armando Ortez participated in a recent panel discussion on the impact of gun violence on students across the city. More than 100 people attended this virtual meeting, including students, educators and former Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., Ed.D. This panel was organized…

On June 16th, Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., was sworn in as the new Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the School District Administration Building and was followed by a reception for employees to meet the new Superintendent. Dr. Watlington will soon be sharing his vision for the…

An updated ordinance being proposed in the City Council would require every school in the School District of Philadelphia to ensure compliance with “best practices” for asbestos testing, remediation, abatement, cleaning and management before a school is allowed to open. We know this proposal comes from a sincere place of concern for our school children…

During Board of Education testimony before Philadelphia City Council on May 4, 2022, the Board applauded the work of Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council to implement new programming and to dedicate funding to address the current gun violence crisis in Philadelphia. However,  Board Member Reginald Streater said, “More needs to be done to protect…

School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Member Maria McColgan, M.D., has announced that she will resign from the Board, effective May 6, 2022. Dr. McColgan was appointed to the Board in 2018 and currently serves as Chair of the Policy Committee. “It has truly been an honor to serve the city of Philadelphia, the…

The State Charter School Appeal Board (CAB) today upheld the School District of Philadelphia Board of Education’s decisions to not renew the charters of Olney Charter High School and John B. Stetson Charter School. Based on CAB’s decisions, Olney and Stetson will continue to operate as Renaissance charter schools for the remainder of the 2021-2022…

Since the school year began, Student Board Representatives Rebecca Allen and Armando Ortez have been connecting with students in the city and across the country to gain insight on student concerns. For instance, early last fall Rebecca and Armando attended the Superintendent’s Advisory Board meeting where high school students shared their feelings about transitioning from…

In January, the Board began its second year of progress monitoring of Goals & Guardrails, the Board’s five-year plan to increase student achievement. Goals are related to academic achievement and college and career readiness, while Guardrails are the conditions that must exist in schools to support student achievement. The Board has invested significant time each…

Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) Members have actively approached their role as liaisons between the city’s school communities and the Board of Education. Since the school year began, Council Members have engaged in Board work, served as trusted channels of communication and supported community drives for food, clothes and holiday toys. To begin with,…

The Board recently adopted a resolution to support the Pennsylvania School Funding Lawsuit, which could significantly impact funding for under-resourced school districts across the state. The lawsuit, being tried in Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg, alleges that school funding is inadequate and inequitable and asks the state to distribute more funds to low-wealth districts. According to…

The Board of Education has authorized Ballard Spahr LLP, a Philadelphia-based law firm, to conduct an independent investigation concerning allegations of racial bias in charter school authorizing practices. The law firm will conduct this investigation on a pro bono basis. The Board, which authorizes charter schools in Philadelphia, takes allegations of racial bias seriously. The…

At its Action Meeting today, the Board of Education will consider adopting a resolution to support the Pennsylvania School Funding Lawsuit, which could significantly impact funding for under-resourced school districts across the state. The lawsuit, now being tried in Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg, alleges that school funding is inadequate and inequitable and asks the state…

At its August 19th Action Meeting, the Board of Education will appoint new members of the Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) who will serve two-year unpaid terms, beginning August 31, 2021.  PCAC serves as a bridge between the city’s school communities and the Board of Education with council members sharing critical information on Board…

At a special meeting today, the Board of Education approved a resolution to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all School District of Philadelphia employees. The Board authorized this mandate to protect the health and safety of all School District students and staff. “It is the Board’s duty to protect our children, many of whom cannot get…

At its June 24th Action Meeting, the Board of Education will officially install and welcome Rebecca Allen and Armando Ortez as the Student Board Representatives for the 2021-2022 school year. In this role, they will represent their peers by sharing student concerns with the Board at its monthly meetings and by reporting Board deliberations and…

To ensure that all Philadelphia public schools are safe havens for immigrant students and families, the Board of Education will consider adopting “The Welcoming Sanctuary Schools” Resolution at its June 24th action meeting. Proposed during Immigrant Heritage Month and developed in partnership with the community organization Juntos, this resolution is designed to ensure safe learning…

At its May Action Meeting, the Board of Education monitored progress toward achieving Guardrail 4: “Our students’ potential will not be limited by practices that perpetuate systemic racism and hinder student achievement.” Board members reviewed data, identified trends and asked questions regarding Guardrail 4 in a discussion led by Board Vice President Leticia Egea-Hinton. To…

At its May 27th action meeting, the Board of Education adopted the FY 2021-2022 budget, which is the first budget aligned to the Board’s new strategic plan, Goals & Guardrails. “Goals & Guardrails have allowed us to set clear expectations for student success, monitor progress towards those expectations, and adopt a budget and policies that…

The Board of Education wants every school to be a safe, welcoming and healthy place where our students, staff and community want to be and where our students learn, thrive and succeed! What investments should we prioritize to make this happen? We invite you to share your ideas with the Board on Thursday, March 18,…

The Board of Education welcomes three new Board Members who were sworn in by Mayor Jim Kenney on February 19, 2021. The new Board Members, who share a commitment to improving public education for the city’s children, are Lisa Salley, Reginald L. Streater and Cecelia Thompson.   “On behalf of the Board, I welcome our…

The Board of Education invites students, who are rising juniors and seniors and who would like to bring student voice to the Board, to apply to become a Student Board Representative for the 2021-2022 school year. Interested students may apply online here by 5 p.m. on March 22. “For me, being a Student Board Representative…

The Board of Education held a public hearing on the phased closure of Austin Meehan Middle School on February 16, 2021. The District provided information at the public hearing on the rationale of Meehan’s closure which is primarily driven by the construction of a new K-8 school nearby which has been referred to as the New…

The Board of Education invites Philadelphia residents, who are passionate about improving public education, to apply by March 1 for a position on the Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) that begins in the 2021-2022 school year. PCAC serves as a bridge between the city’s school communities and the Board of Education with council members…

The Board of Education invites Philadelphia residents, who are passionate about improving public education, to apply by March 1 for a position on the Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) that begins in the 2021-2022 school year. PCAC serves as a bridge between the city’s school communities and the Board of Education with council members…

The Board of Education is reviewing this year’s new charter school applications. Pennsylvania Charter School Law requires the Board to accept and review applications for new charter schools in Philadelphia. This year, the Board has received 5 applications for new charter schools. You can learn more about the applicants and read their applications here. The…

With the New Year, the Board of Education begins a new chapter of reimagined governance that invites public input into the Board’s core work of improving student achievement via Goals & Guardrails, the Board’s five-year plan. Specifically, the Board is making its work more accessible to diverse groups by: revamping its public testimony procedures, creating…

Now that the Board of Education has formally adopted Goals & Guardrails at its December 10th action meeting, we would like to express our gratitude to all those who helped inform this strategic vision and five-year plan that will focus intently on student learning and achievement. We spent the past two years listening to the…

The Board of Education voted to fundamentally change its focus and operating structure when it formally approved the new Goals & Guardrails initiative at its December 10th action meeting. This five-year plan for the Board focuses intently on student learning and achievement and creates new ways for the public to hold the Board accountable for…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education has announced that Ameen Akbar has resigned from the Board, effective immediately, to care for his father who is in declining health. Mr. Akbar was appointed to the Board by Mayor Jim Kenney and sworn in by Philadelphia City Council on May 1 along with his seven…

At its September 17 Action Meeting, the Board of Education officially installed and welcomed Keylisha J. Diaz and Toluwanimi Olaleye as the Student Board Representatives for the 2020-2021 school year. As Student Board Representatives, they will represent their peers by sharing student concerns with the Board at its monthly meetings and by reporting Board deliberations…

Keylisha J. Diaz and Toluwanimi Olaleye will be formally installed on September 17th as the new Student Board Representatives for the 2020-20201 school year.  Keylisha J. Diaz, a junior at Philadelphia Military Academy, is a natural leader who, as a Student Board Representative, wants to be a voice for all students across the district to…

Toluwanimi Olaleye and Keylisha J. Diaz will be formally installed on September 17th as the new Student Board Representatives for the 2020-20201 school year. Toluwanimi Olaleye, a junior at Carver Engineering and Science, described as passionate and determined, loves biology and is an aspiring pediatric oncologist. She currently participates in the Junior Fellows Program, hosted…

Today the Board of Education publicly released the Inspector General’s Report commissioned to investigate the major renovation project at Benjamin Franklin High School and Science Leadership Academy that led to the closure of their shared campus in October 2019. “The Board felt it was crucial to have an independent investigation and to share the Inspector…

While the new school year will begin with remote learning, Board members look forward to the time when students and teachers can safely return to their classrooms and when Board members and the public can also safely return to district headquarters for Board meetings. We know that getting back to in-person learning will require significant…

Julia Danzy Mallory Fix-Lopez   During the last several months, we have all been focused on the new realities of living in a socially distanced world – from learning remotely to working from home to celebrating milestones online. And some things may have fallen to the wayside, like filling out the 2020 Census. However, there…

As we officially mark the end of the 2019-2020 school year and turn toward all that is to come in 2020-2021, Board Members are spending time reflecting on the year. To end our year, we’d like to share with you the reflections of individual Board members presented at our June 11th committee meeting. We look…

At this moment, when our schools, city, and country are experiencing the impact of generational trauma and suffering, suffering which has most critically impacted the Black community, Board Members want to respect this time for our school communities as a moment to process events and to begin healing. We believe that the trauma our students,…

  (Board President Joyce Wilkerson presented the following testimony to Philadelphia City Council during a budget hearing on May 20, 2020.)     Good morning, Council President and members of City Council. Thank you for having us here today. My name is Joyce Wilkerson, and I am the President of the Board of Education. I…

Members of the Board of Education extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Ameen Akbar, who was appointed to the Board of Education by Philadelphia City Council on May 1, 2020, for a four-year term. Over the last two years, members of the board have worked hard to develop a spirit of collegiality and…

Joining districts across the nation, The Board of Education has approved a resolution calling on governors and state legislators to preserve state funding for public education and asking Congressional delegations to advocate for additional federal funding for public education. Board members consider this a critical resolution for public education in Philadelphia, as the district has…

I am deeply honored and, at the same time, saddened to have this opportunity on behalf of the Board to thank Vice President Wayne Walker for his dedication to the School District of Philadelphia and his many contributions to the work of the School Board.   Wayne has spent his career focusing on corporate governance,…

It is with real sadness that we are saying goodbye to Dr. Chris McGinley as a member of the Board of Education. I had the privilege of co-chairing the Student Achievement Committee with Dr. McGinley, and it proved to be an invaluable experience. As a career educator from a family of career educators, Dr. McGinley…

Safeguard Education and Don’t Let Coronavirus Force Budget Cuts Doha Ibrahim, Student Representative on the Philadelphia Board of Education, Lincoln High School Class of 2020 Imere Williams, Student Representative on the Philadelphia Board of Education, Boys Latin Charter School Class of 2020    We are members of the class of 2020. In the last few…

By: Julia Danzy and Mallory Fix Lopez are members of Philadelphia’s Board of Education and co-chair the Board’s District Partnerships and Community Engagement Committee (Also posted in The Notebook: Board members urge public participation in virtual meetings)   Recently a school counselor reached out to share some of the challenges his school is facing during…

The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education will hold one joint meeting for its Finance and Facilities Committee and Student Achievement and Support Committee on Thursday, April 23, beginning at 5 p.m. Prior to this meeting, a budget hearing will be held at 3 p.m.   To comply with public health guidelines regarding the…

As I hope by now everyone knows, the Board is committed to assuring that each and every student in the city of Philadelphia receives a world-class education that is beyond compare. And we are taking steps to make that happen. However, as a District responsible for almost 204,000 students and thousands of staff, first and…

As we are tasked with the mission of educating students, I deeply thank our teachers for their creativity and perseverance in keeping that going under such unusual circumstances. I know it’s the Board’s intention to make sure that, in the absence of access to our buildings, the learning and ancillary support services can continue, with…

I want to take a moment to acknowledge how difficult these last several weeks have been for our communities and our city, and to thank the District, our educators, and our school and city staff for everything they are doing to support and educate our children. As a grandmother of school-age children, I have seen…

This crisis is a wake-up call. We should be outraged that our most vulnerable communities and children are at most risk as a result of the coronavirus crisis and school closures, and that the achievement gap will likely widen during this time. We should be more outraged because, despite the new crisis, this is not…

These are scary times for all of us who have been impacted by school closures due to the COVID-19 virus. Dealing with so many unknowns can sometimes seem overwhelming.  It can cause us to fear our continued existence, create stress in our homes and add to the trauma that so many of our children and…

I know that the lives of every single person in the city changed abruptly on March 16 when schools were closed, and parents were left to figure out how to adjust. Every day I wake up thinking that so many of our parents are essential workers who are reporting to hospitals, grocery stores, shipping companies,…

In order to conduct essential business for the School District of Philadelphia, the Board of Education will hold its Monthly Action Meeting on Thursday, March 26, beginning at 5 p.m. The meeting will focus on accomplishing critical business for the School District of Philadelphia.   In the interest of the health of our staff, board…

As we come to the end of a long and unprecedented week, we want to take a moment to thank Superintendent Hite, and the many teachers, principals, and school communities who have jumped in feet first to serve our students and communities in this difficult time. As always, student learning remains our first priority, and…

Due to the extraordinary circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, The Philadelphia Board of Education is cancelling two committee meetings scheduled for Thursday, March 19. Both the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting and the Student Achievement and Support Committee meeting will be cancelled. As we all adjust to respond to the critical challenges…

The Board of Education (“Board”) is announcing temporary measures in place for its upcoming public meetings in order to limit risk of exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus), a public health matter. These measures are in place starting with the scheduled March 19, 2020 committee meetings. The Board will continue to post the latest update on our…

At the October Action Meeting the Board of Education approved a number of bond transactions designed to fund necessary capital improvements and refund certain bonds to achieve savings. The District generated $530 million for its Capital Improvement Program, which will enable a more comprehensive approach to work on the District’s facilities. A portion of the…

On October 10th, the Board of Education announced it would consider the recommendation of non-renewal of Olney Charter High School and the non-renewal of John B. Stetson Charter School. Below are links to the hearing officer’s reports: Hearing Officer Report – Olney Charter High School Hearing Officer Report – John B. Stetson Charter School: ASPIRA,…

Doha Ibrahim is a senior at Lincoln High School. She is also involved in Philadelphia’s Citywide Student Government, sits on the Superintendent Advisory Board and runs her own business, Doha Photography. Read Doha’s interview below to learn more about her and her interest in being a Student Board Representative for the 2019-2020 school year. Q:…

Imere, a senior at Boys’ Latin Charter School, is a champion for education and a colossal advocate for student voice and involvement. He is very active in his school community where he sits on the Honor Council, acts as a steering committee member for Boys’ Latin and is the Student Government Class Officer. We sat…

On Wednesday, May 1 the Philadelphia Charter Schools Office received an application to form a Multiple Charter School Organization (MCSO) from Freire Charter School. According to the Pennsylvania Charter Law, the Board of Education most vote on the MCSO application within 45 days of receipt. The Board will schedule a special meeting to hear from…

As a child abuse pediatrician, a former elementary school teacher and now a School District of Philadelphia Board Member, words cannot express my profound appreciation of school nurses and the importance of the work that they do. Their dedication to children is unparalleled. Every nurse I have ever met or spoken with always held the…

The Board of Education’s Charter Schools Office has announced that it has received revised charter applications for two proposed charter schools: Joan Myers Brown Academy: A String Theory Charter School and Tacony Academy Charter School at St. Vincent’s. The Board of Education denied the original charter applications for these proposed charter schools in February 2019….

Today, the The School District of Philadelphia’s Charter Schools Office (CSO) released the 2018 Annual Charter Evaluations (ACEs) for 72 Philadelphia charter schools. Any Philadelphia brick and mortar charter school not being evaluated for renewal during 2018-2019 will receive an ACE. The 2018 ACE primarily reflects the performance of charter schools during the 2017-2018 school…

Today, the The School District of Philadelphia’s Charter Schools Office (CSO) released the 2018 Annual Charter Evaluations (ACEs) for 72 Philadelphia charter schools. Any Philadelphia brick and mortar charter school not being evaluated for renewal during 2018-2019 will receive an ACE. The 2018 ACE primarily reflects the performance of charter schools during the 2017-2018 school…

As mandated in the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter: “The Board of Education shall convene at least twice-yearly a Parent and Community Advisory Council comprised of stakeholders from across the City to consult on issues pertaining to educational policy and family and community engagement in schools.” The Advisory Council will provide input and guidance to the…

The Board of Education has selected 13 Philadelphians for its first Parent and Community Advisory Council. Members of the Council represent a diverse group of stakeholders including community members, faith-based leaders, and former educators. The Council will serve as an additional link between the Board of Education and Philadelphia communities. “We are grateful to have…

This evening at the Board of Education’s Monthly Action Meeting, Board members voted to approve the amended academic calendars for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years. The calendar revision for the 2018-2019 school year is a change of date for Pennsylvania’s Primary Election Day. The current calendar reads that schools will be closed for the…

I’ve worked closely with school counselors in times of celebration and in times of tragedy in schools. Day-to-day counselors provide guidance and support to hundreds of children by removing obstacles to academic success and helping students grow to be the best versions of themselves. Counselors routinely help students make informed choices about the future by…

I always knew I would devote my career and passion into improving the lives of children. Before entering medical school, I was lucky enough to participate in a master’s program at Temple that allowed me to develop skills while teaching in Philadelphia public schools – it was an invaluable experience! Wanting to stay in Philadelphia,…

There have been some changes to the Board’s 2019 committee meeting schedule, and to committee memberships. Finance and Facilities Committee Leticia Egea-Hinton, Co-Chairperson Lee Huang, Co-Chairperson Wayne Walker, Member Joyce Wilkerson, Member Student Achievement and Support Committee Chris McGinley, Co-Chairperson Angela McIver, Co-Chairperson Julia Danzy, Member Mallory Fix-Lopez, Member Maria McColgan, Member Policy Committee Joyce…

Our goal is to make our work and decision making visible to the public by providing better access to documents and information and that’s what we are working toward with our new system, Novus! Novus offers a user-friendly format with a helpful search function that will make it easier than ever to find information for…

We recognize that as the first locally controlled School Board in seventeen years, our priority is gaining the trust of the public through our actions. We know how important it is for the public to understand how the Board operates and to provide opportunities for the community to be heard. That is why Transparency and…

With nine Board members, we are able to break down into smaller committees to focus on specific areas that are critical to educational excellence. Those committees are: Policy, Finance & Facilities, District Partnerships & Community Engagement and Student Achievement & Support. Our committee structure allows us to use our experience and expertise to make informed…

We spent the Spring and Summer listening, learning and working together to define our priorities as a new Board. We participated in listening session in various communities in Philadelphia, we’ve held many action and committee meetings and we’ve visited schools so that we could hear from the community about what they feel is important and…

For nearly our entire lifetime, students were not directly involved in the governing of the District. However, we, the students spend most of our time in our schools and are directly impacted by decisions of the School Board. That’s why we are so excited and grateful to act as Student Board Representatives and bring student…

9 individuals make up the Board of Education. While we have varying professional backgrounds and interests, the one thing that we have in common is our passion to improve the quality of education for the children of Philadelphia. We have participated in listening sessions, visited schools, and met with parents and community members to learn…

Our committee meetings give us a better opportunity to engage with our constituents who attend the meetings. Often we are able to give speakers more time to share their testimony (without a timer) and we are able to respond to their questions, or connect them to the appropriate District staff. We want to be able…

After we were appointed as a new Board of Education one of our first priorities was to get into the community to hear from our constituents. We participated in a five-part listening tour to learn about the education issues that are most important to Philadelphians. It is essential that we know what is being done…

We want to better engage with the communities we serve and address key District governance matters. One way that we are working toward this is through our [developing] Parent & Community Advisory Council. We are in the process of selecting 12 individuals who will work together to develop plans that produce real results and encourage…

In order to live up to its name, the District Partnerships and Community Engagement committee has committed to participating in meetings across all areas of our Philadelphia community. The goal of having meetings in the community is to meet with community partners in various neighborhoods across the school district to learn of partnerships in action…

The Board of Education’s Charter Schools Office has announced that three new charter school applications were received by the November 15, 2018 deadline. These applications are for new charter schools seeking to open in the 2019-20 school year. “We will rigorously review each application and issue evaluation reports in accordance with the Charter School Law,”…

PHILADELPHIA — The Board of Education is now accepting applications for it’s Parent and Community Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will provide input and guidance to the Board by communicating the interest and concerns of Philadelphia public school parents and community members. The Council will work together to develop plans that produce real results and…

The new Board of Education held its monthly public action meeting and Student Board Representative installation ceremony on September 20, 2018. Julia Frank, a senior at Northeast High School and Alfredo Praticò, a senior at Masterman High School were recognized by Superintendent Dr. Hite, Mayor Kenney, and the principals of their high schools before taking…

The Board of Education has selected two non-voting Student Representatives who will serve in an advisory capacity to represent the interests of students in Philadelphia. The selected students are Alfredo Praticò, a senior at Masterman High School and Julia Franks, a senior at Northeast High School. “We have been anxiously awaiting this huge opportunity to…

Alfredo is very active in his school and in his community. He is on Masterman’s School Advisory Council, the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, City-Wide Student Government, Philadelphia Youth Commission, All-City Orchestra, YoYo Club at Clemente Rec Center, and is an Alter Server at St. Andrew’s Church. We sat down with Alfredo to learn more about what…

Julia Frank, a senior at Northeast High School, is an entrepreneur, holds a part-time job and is actively involved in her community. She is the owner of City Slickers Lip Balm Co., works at Ernie’s Pizzeria, and is a Red Cross/CPR certified babysitter. She has also volunteered at Kenbrook Camp, Children’s Nursery Caretaker, and Spirit…

This morning the Board of Education held its first Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting at 440 N. Broad Street. The Board introduced its committee structure at its first meeting on July 9 and adopted the structure at the August 16 meeting. For more information on each committee, please visit the Board of Education website. “We…

The Board of  Education announced today which members will serve on the Board’s proposed committees. The Board introduced the proposed committee structure at its public meeting on July 9, and during the meeting Board members expressed their interest in serving as a member or chair of the committees. Board President Joyce Wilkerson made the appointments,…

At the first public meeting for the new Board of Education each Board member shared individual statements about their vision for the work ahead.  Each message was filled with hope and excitement about the progress that is taking place in Philadelphia’s public schools and appreciation for Philadelphia’s community of educators and families. Click here to read…