Education

Improve Teacher Retention and Pay

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A teacher reads to a group of students at Andrew Hamilton school. A new report found that teachers in their first three years of teaching and teachers of color leave their jobs at higher rates than others. (Carly Sitrin/Chalkbeat)

Progress Updates

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School district wants to close 20 schools starting in 2027, affecting dozens of others

(Chalkbeat) The Philadelphia school district wants to close 20 schools starting in 2027 as part of a reorganization plan that will affect 1 in 3 traditional district schools and reshape the city’s public education landscape.

Nearly 5,000 students would have their schools closed in the coming years, based on this year’s enrollment counts. Another 2,800 students would have their schools moved to a new location.

“We must find ways to more efficiently use our resources, so we can push higher quality programming into all our schools, while at the same time addressing under and over enrolled schools,” Superintendent Tony Watlington said.

Mayor Cherelle Parker wants to lower teacher attrition, in part to uphold educational quality and consistency for students in the Philadelphia School District. Here's some of what she's done so far on this front:

Related News

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Image of Phila School District Superintendent Tony Watlington
The Philadelphia Tribune Company

Philadelphia State of the Schools report shows significant progress on many levels

“Before COVID, our students ranked in the middle or near the bottom among large urban districts,” said School District of Philadelphia Superintendent...
Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington, second from left, Mayor Cherelle Parker, and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg stand along others on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 (Carly Sitrin / Chalkbeat)
Chalkbeat

Philadelphia teachers union ratifies new contract that gives teachers raises, parental leave

Members of the Philadelphia teachers union voted to ratify the union’s new contract with the school district Thursday that includes annual 3% raises...

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Solutions Progress Report

The Solutions Progress Report tracks updates on the key issues and initiatives of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration.

Explore the Solutions Progress Report