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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Teachers union ratifies 3-year deal with Philadelphia school district

(WHYY) The Philadelphia teachers union released the details of its three-year contract with the Philadelphia School District after members voted to ratify the deal late Thursday — including a one-time bonus, a 3% annual pay raise and paid parental leave.

Some of the new contract terms include: five weeks of paid parental leave for members who are new parents, including those who adopt children; a 3% pay increase for all members in each year of the contract; a one-time, $1,400 bonus for all union members; and the elimination of a district policy that disciplined members for using sick days.

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City-Wide

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:

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atim Byrd (center), a teacher at Strawberry Mansion High School, discusses citywide efforts to attract and retain more teachers and teachers of color in Philadelphia. Kristen A. Graham / Staff
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philly officials want to recruit more teachers of color to address staffing shortage

Philadelphia has about 200,000 students in public and charter schools, and about 12,000 teachers. The Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition is...

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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.

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