Dale Mezzacappa
Chalkbeat
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Past articles by Dale:
Philadelphia officials blast schools chief over asbestos woes, threaten to withhold funding
City officials are alleging that Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington failed to fully inform families and others about the scope of the asbestos problem in school buildings. They also say the district’s budget could take a hit if the city doesn’t receive a remediation plan quickly. → Read More
Shapiro’s first budget boosts school spending but cuts program for districts like Philadelphia
The governor wants extra money for many education-related programs, from additional student meals to school safety. But advocates say his plan to eliminate a special funding stream that helps many school districts like Philadelphia would end up hurting vulnerable children. → Read More
Asbestos closes Philadelphia high school, forcing students to another facility and sparking anger
Building 21 students were unsettled after inspectors found signs of flaking asbestos at the school. Such issues are not uncommon in the district’s aging buildings. → Read More
Evoking civil rights, Philadelphia-area senator proposes $3.15 billion hike in state school funding
The plan from Sen. Vincent Hughes includes targeted funding for districts with acute needs, special education, and tutoring. It comes in the wake of a judge’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s current system of funding schools violates the state constitution. → Read More
Philadelphia mayoral hopefuls must prioritize children’s needs and educator pay, coalition says
The Kids Campaign wants the 11 candidates running to replace Mayor Jim Kenney to detail how they will go about raising teacher pay, improving access to early childhood education, and making juvenile justice less punitive. → Read More
Philadelphia shrugs off national controversy as it updates and reinvigorates Black history lessons
From new primary sources to a book created with the help of a Marvel Comics veteran, Philadelphia educators are trying to present updated and thought-provoking perspectives on Black history and culture to students. → Read More
To meet new state graduation rules, a Philadelphia school holds students and staff accountable
After initial fears, Sayre High School leaders set clear expectations and turned teachers into caseload managers in order to help students meet state-mandated pathways to a diploma. Many students say they appreciate the different opportunities to prepare for life after high school. → Read More
GOP leaders accuse judge of overreach in Pennsylvania school funding case
Republican lawmakers said despite a Commonwealth Court judge’s opinion, more choice for families and not more spending is the key to improve education. A showdown between GOP leaders and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro looms. → Read More
Pennsylvania’s school funding system violates state constitution, judge rules
Students from relatively poor communities in Pennsylvania simply aren’t getting the same opportunities as those in wealthier areas, Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer declared in her Feb. 7 ruling. → Read More
These are the 9 candidates for Philadelphia mayor and their track records in education
The candidates to be Philadelphia’s next mayor have various links to education and youth, and the winner will likely have a major impact on the city’s school district. Check out our overview of where the 9 candidates in 2023 stand on key education issues. → Read More
Philly board of education votes again to deny three charter renewals
For a second time, the Philadelphia school board denies three charter renewals, citing potential conflict of interest. → Read More
Philadelphia teachers union endorses Helen Gym for mayor
Jerry Jordan, the president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, called Gym a “powerhouse of boundless energy,” while Gym said she wants schools to be safe places for learning for students. → Read More
Philly Board of Education sues city, says new building code could delay school opening for thousands of students
Philadelphia Board of Education sues city over new building code, saying new regulations around asbestos inspection could ‘needlessly’ delay opening of schools → Read More
Philadelphia school leaders urge parents to register their children early for kindergarten
Tony Watlington and other Philadelphia school leaders say they want as many eligible children registered as possible before May 31, and are touting the long-term academic and social benefits of kindergarten programs. → Read More
Even with a budget surplus, Josh Shapiro faces big education challenges in Pennsylvania
Josh Shapiro, who will take over as Pennsylvania’s governor on Jan. 17, has a budget surplus to work with. But while he wants to bolster the state’s system of education funding, powerful GOP lawmakers want more school choice for families. → Read More
Philadelphia schools’ post-holiday mask mandate meets with support or shrugs
Aside from anti-mask graffiti at two schools, the Philadelphia school community seems either supportive of — or resigned to — the post-break mask rule for students and staff. → Read More
Nearly half of Philadelphia seniors still working to meet new state graduation requirements
Although many students are slated to earn a diploma based on their state test scores, district officials say a lot of work is needed to help those whose exam results didn’t meet graduation requirements and will need to rely on things like internships and work experience. → Read More
Watlington revamps Philadelphia schools leadership in bid to accelerate academic gains
Tony Watlington said the district needs a “different and better” strategy as recent reading and math scores demonstrate the difficulty schools face in meeting long-term academic goals. → Read More
New officers take over Philadelphia Board of Education
The first new officers to take over in five years, Reginald Streater and Mallory Fix-Lopez to will lead Philadelphia Board of Education. → Read More
With rise in COVID cases, Philadelphia schools will return to mandatory masking after winter break
District officials said in August that masks would be required “upon return from extended breaks and holidays when increased social gathering may heighten the risk of exposure.” The city has seen an increase in COVID cases recently. → Read More