Carly Sitrin
@carlysitrin.bsky.social
📤 1976
📥 1054
📝 90
Philly Bureau Chief at Chalkbeat. I have a dog named Ladle. Email me:
[email protected]
Hey hi! Are you in Philly? Do you have thoughts/opinions/things to say about high school graduation requirements? I know you do! We want those thoughts!! Put them here and tell your friends to weigh in!
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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The number of Philadelphia students passing their state exams to graduate has plummeted
Philadelphia students are increasingly graduating through pathways that don’t require them to pass standardized tests. We need your help reporting on how students, families, and teachers have experien...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/01/12/philly-students-graduate-without-passing-keystone-exams-new-data-shows
12 days ago
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I yelled when we didn't have a budget so only fair that I yell when we do have a budget
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Philly schools will get $193 million more in a new state budget lawmakers finally passed
Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro said the budget deal reflects a bipartisan compromise.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/11/12/pennsylvania-budget-deal-means-193-million-increase-for-philly-schools/
2 months ago
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Sorry to be annoying but PA STILL DOESN'T HAVE A STATE BUDGET. Philly schools are having to burn millions of $$ on interest payments just to "keep the lights on." That’s equivalent to roughly 200 teacher salaries.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Philadelphia schools on the hook for millions in interest as state budget delay drags on
The Philadelphia school district has borrowed more than $500 million to make up for missing state funding as Pennsylvania’s budget impasse has hit four months. Even once lawmakers reach a deal, the di...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/11/11/pennsylvania-budget-standoff-forces-school-districts-to-take-out-loans
2 months ago
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Newark's board of ed considered extending the superintendent's contract in Sept. That vote failed. Then, in the dead of night a month later with no public notice, a board member changed her vote. The district now says the whole thing is legit. We have questions.
www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2025/...
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Newark board member’s late-night vote swap was “totally improper” expert says
In a surprise move Thursday night, the Newark school board’s sudden decision to flip a member's vote raises ethical questions about board procedures.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2025/10/31/superintendent-roger-leon-abrupt-contract-extension-raises-ethics-questions
3 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Jim MacMillan (he/him) ☘️
3 months ago
Feeling optimistic and eager to see impactful and much-needed solutions reporting from
AGVR.org
co-director Sammy Caiola in this crucial new role:
add a skeleton here at some point
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Over and over again Newark residents have demanded that their school district leadership be more transparent. Instead, decisions to extend Superintendent León’s contract have consistently been made with little to no public input.
www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2025/...
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And just like that, Newark’s superintendent apparently got a contract extension
Last month’s proposal to extend Roger León’s contract fell short after objections from parents and others. But at Thursday’s meeting, with no prior public notice, a board member announced she would re...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2025/10/31/school-board-approves-leon-contract-extension-after-member-switches-vote
3 months ago
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We've been following Alpha School co-founder Mackenzie Price's efforts to open a cyber charter school in PA. It's been rejected as "untested" with no evidence that the school can help students meet academic standards
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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We've been digging around in the Philadelphia Public School Notebook archives to see how different Philly school district leaders presented school closures and I gotta say, it's all looking a little familiar...
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
3 months ago
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Across Philadelphia, young kids are waiting months and sometimes years for early intervention services that they are legally entitled to. Parents told
@rebeccaredelmeier.bsky.social
getting support through the federally mandated, publicly funded early intervention system can be exhausting.
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How Philly’s early intervention program is failing the city’s youngest kids
When Kimberly Halevy’s son was 3, she started hearing from his preschool that he needed extra support. But more than a year later, she describes the effort to get her kid services through Philly’s ear...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/10/20/kids-experience-early-intervention-delays-in-elwyn-program/
3 months ago
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Hey hi, Pennsylvania still doesn't have a state budget and it's having a REAL impact on our youngest learners
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Philly preschool owners are draining their savings during the state budget impasse
More than 100 days into the Pennsylvania budget impasse, some Philly preschool owners are using their own savings and taking out loans to stay afloat. But lawmakers still seem far from a budget agreem...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/10/10/pennsylvania-budget-delay-strains-preschool-providers/
4 months ago
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OK EVERYBODY WE’RE PIVOTING TO HOCKEY
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
4 months ago
Concerns about crumbling asbestos have closed several Philly schools in recent years. One lawmaker who spoke in favor of the legislation said the current state of school buildings is “both a crisis of education and a public health crisis.”
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‘We are not being proactive’: State lawmakers push bill to gather school facilities data
Concerns about crumbling asbestos have closed several Philly schools in recent years. One lawmaker who spoke in favor of the legislation said the current state of school buildings is “both a crisis of education and a public health crisis.”
https://bit.ly/42G1gOX
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Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ahhhhhhhhhh
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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JORDAN DAVIS ROLLS A NAT 20
4 months ago
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Hi from the Philly school fair! Thank you to all of the overwhelmed families who took the time to chat with me about the school selection process today!
4 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
4 months ago
After Charlie Kirk's assassination, what teachers say faces a new kind of scrutiny
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After Charlie Kirk's assassination, what teachers say faces a new kind of scrutiny
Charlie Kirk’s death has led to investigations of teachers for their social media posts and calls for a crackdown on inappropriate speech. But his assassination has also highlighted uncertainty about how teachers can foster debates and inquiry in a climate where political strife and anxiety are pervasive.
https://bit.ly/467J2YU
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www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
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Students shot at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County: What we know so far
Three people, all teens, are in critical condition, according to officials.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/09/10/students-shot-evergreen-high-school-jefferson-county
5 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Andrew Ujifusa
5 months ago
The Trump administration won’t be handing out any blue ribbons to schools this year.
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/09/04/b...
#edusky
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Ribbon-cutting: Trump administration abruptly ends National Blue Ribbon Schools program
Many schools took enormous pride in receiving federal Blue Ribbon recognition, which began under President Ronald Reagan. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education said ending the program wo...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/09/04/blue-ribbon-schools-program-ended-by-trump-administration/
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Philadelphia Inquirer
5 months ago
#SEPTA
must reverse all cuts to services immediately, a
#Philadelphia
judge ruled Thursday. 🔗
inquirer.com/transportati...
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SEPTA service cuts must be reversed immediately, judge says
The order does not include a prohibition on fare increases.
https://inquirer.com/transportation/septa-cuts-reversal-judge-lawsuit-20250904.html?utm_campaign=edit_bsky_traffic&int_promo=newsroom
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Carly Sitrin
Andrew Ujifusa
5 months ago
"Withholding federal funds to punish states for teaching about gender identity is yet another way the Trump administration has sought to control what young people learn."
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/26/t...
#edusky
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40 states could lose federal funds for sex ed if they keep gender identity in curriculum
The Health and Human Services Department told 40 states to remove references to gender identity from their federally funded sex education programs. When California refused to comply, the agency termin...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/26/trump-administration-threatens-states-over-gender-identity-in-sex-education/
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Carly Sitrin
Bradford Pearson
5 months ago
It's funny! It's heartwarming! It made me cry a few times!
@phillymag.com
's preeminent teen-chronicler Emily Goulet spent months behind-the-scenes with the town that throws America's biggest prom. A must read:
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Inside Pennsbury High’s Legendary Prom: The Most Epic School Dance in America
A six-figure budget. Hundreds of helpers. Giant art installations. A tentacled kraken. This prom is like no other.
https://www.phillymag.com/news/2025/08/22/pennsbury-high-school-prom/
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The stellar
@rebeccaredelmeier.bsky.social
got up at the crack of dawn to ride SEPTA to school with two Philly students. The whole trip took over an hour and they missed a bus and had to walk the last mile to Palumbo. These cuts are already having a real impact on Philly's young people:
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Follow 2 students as SEPTA cuts complicate their commute on the first day of school
Students across Philadelphia are waking up earlier and waiting longer for SEPTA to get them to school. But many say they’re bound to be late anyway, with less reliable service and more crowded routes....
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/08/25/septa-cuts-on-first-day-of-school-hit-students/
5 months ago
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Hey Philly! We're trying to connect with students, teachers, and parents who rely on SEPTA for school transit. Help us spread the word and lmk if your route is getting cut:
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Are you worried about SEPTA cuts derailing your commute? We want to know.
Chalkbeat is reporting on how planned major SEPTA cuts will affect students and educators across Philadelphia. Let us know how your commute is changing.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/08/15/tell-us-how-septa-cuts-will-hurt-your-school-commute/
5 months ago
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Carly Sitrin
Mike Elsen-Rooney
5 months ago
For 6 months, I’ve followed ELLIS, a Bronx HS for newcomers, to understand what it means to educate immigrant students in Trump’s second term. Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive.
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
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‘They’ve given her a lot of hope’: A NYC school fights to educate an undocumented teen under Trump
For Bridget and Marta, ELLIS Prep often felt like the only public institution with its arms open in a city and country that seemed not to want them.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/08/13/ellis-prep-helps-immigrant-students-hope-amid-trump-ice-enforcement/
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This Votebeat story is A WILD RIDE and features the timeless quote: "None of the witnesses we deposed disclosed her cookie staycation.”
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
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As ballots sat uncounted, Madison clerk prepped for ‘cookie extravaganza’
Records obtained by Votebeat help explain what Maribeth Witzel-Behl was up to when the crisis erupted in her office: a baking staycation.
https://www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/2025/07/18/madison-clerk-hosted-cookie-extravaganza-after-ballot-snafu/
6 months ago
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Philly's school district wants the community to participate in its closure/modernization process. But members of their advisory groups say their time has felt wasted by bureaucratic presentations. They worry the district is using them to add credibility to a flawed process.
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Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process
School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/06/10/community-leaders-concerned-about-school-closure-process/
8 months ago
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Can’t wait for my commute on the Comcast-Aramark-Pond Lehocky 32 bus
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8 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
8 months ago
Philadelphia Board of Education approves city’s first new charter school since 2018
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/05/29/board-of-education-approves-first-new-charter-school-in-nearly-a-decade/
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Here’s what led to the approval of Philly’s first new charter school in 7 years
Since 2018, when the city regained local control of schools, the Philadelphia Board of Education had rejected all attempts to start new charter schools. But when the backers of Early College Charter School of Philadelphia’s application sought approval, the ground began to shift.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/05/29/board-of-education-approves-first-new-charter-school-in-nearly-a-decade/
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Carly Sitrin
Carrie Brown
8 months ago
Cool resource for journalists - SciLine helps connect journalists with scientists who can provide expertise for stories.
www.sciline.org
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Home - SciLine
SciLine is an editorially independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit service for journalists and scientists. Our goal is to help get more science into news stories. We connect reporters quickly to scientific...
https://www.sciline.org/
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Philly's early childhood education workers want raises. They're getting a city council task force to look into it.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Philly’s City Council president tells early childhood workers: You deserve a raise
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said early childhood education workers “deserve a high-quality raise.” But will his proposed task force be enough?
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/05/12/early-childhood-education-workers-demand-raises-council-president-responds/
9 months ago
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Here at City Hall where early childhood ed workers, parents, caregivers, and elected officials are rallying for the “Day w/out Childcare”
9 months ago
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Joyful Readers tutors were helping Philly kids learn to read. DOGE said their work isn’t a priority.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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How DOGE’s AmeriCorps cuts are gutting Philly schools’ tutoring programs
More than 7,500 kids in the Philly area have AmeriCorps tutors and teachers through programs like Joyful Readers, City Year, ArtistYear, and Teach for America. Those programs have been threatened by t...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/05/06/trump-doge-cuts-tutoring-programs-like-joyful-readers-teach-for-america/
9 months ago
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In Pennsylvania, at least one public institution provides in-state tuition to undocumented students (Penn State)
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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Why national charter leaders are very worried about Oklahoma’s religious charter school
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/28/r...
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Religious charter school case raises a key question: Are charter schools actually public schools?
National charter leaders are worried that if the U.S. Supreme Court finds that charter schools are more like private schools — opening the door for religious charters — it could affect their funding, ...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/28/religious-charter-school-supreme-court-asks-are-charters-public-schools/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Philadelphia Inquirer
9 months ago
In 2023, Historic Germantown received word that it had won a two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to pilot a new hands-on science program for middle schoolers called Science Sleuths. (1/4)
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A science program was poised to reach kids across Philly. Then DOGE killed the funding.
Historic Germantown is one of hundreds of organizations whose IMLS grant have been cancelled. The consequences go beyond fundraising and infrastructure issues.
https://inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/doge-cuts-grant-historic-germantown-philadelphia-20250427.html?utm_campaign=edit_bsky_traffic&int_promo=newsroom
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Students from Philly's Academy at Palumbo are planning to testify at tonight's school board meeting about the "grimy" conditions at their school that they say make it harder for them to learn:
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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These Philly high schoolers are fed up with their ‘grimy’ building conditions
A group of seniors at the Academy at Palumbo says district leaders must address bathroom issues, heating and cooling concerns, and more. The current ‘dirty’ and ‘grimy’ conditions in many Philly schoo...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/04/24/palumbo-students-expose-poor-school-building-conditions-seek-more-funding/
9 months ago
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So interesting knowing this is also Parker's approach to her big "year-round school" campaign promise: Expand access to programs that already exist. To be sure, people really appreciate those programs! Just feels like a common theme:
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
9 months ago
Pennsylvania GOP to hold hearing on ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ in Philly schools
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/04/18/pennsylvania-republicans-call-for-waste-fraud-abuse-hearing-philly-schools/
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Is DOGE the inspiration for this Philadelphia House GOP hearing on Philly public schools?
Pennsylvania House Republicans will hold a hearing May 19 to investigate alleged mismanagement and waste in Philly schools. Superintendent Tony Watlington has emphasized that the district is a “good steward” of taxpayer funding.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/04/18/pennsylvania-republicans-call-for-waste-fraud-abuse-hearing-philly-schools/
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Here at City Hall where immigrant advocacy groups, parents, and students are calling on City Council and the school district to do more to support immigrant students amid Trump admin policies. Some background from last yr here:
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
9 months ago
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Carly Sitrin
Andrew Ujifusa
10 months ago
A group of 16 Democratic attorneys general along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Trump administration for halting access to hundreds of millions of dollars of federal pandemic relief money:
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
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These state attorneys general want to overturn Linda McMahon’s move to halt COVID relief
The 16 Democratic state attorneys, along with Gov. Josh Shapiro, say the move to terminate states’ access to federal COVID relief is an unfair move that contradicts the will of Congress and will hurt ...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/04/11/attorneys-general-josh-shapiro-sue-trump-administration-over-covid-aid/
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Carly Sitrin
Bradford Pearson
10 months ago
This is a catastrophe not only for the commuters and economy of Philadelphia, but for the hundreds of thousands of tourists that are expected to visit in 2026 for the World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Impossible to underestimate what a disaster this would be.
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SEPTA's New Budget: 5 Regional Rail Lines Gone, 56 Bus Routes Slashed, and the Highest Fares in the Country
All this can be avoided, the agency says, if Harrisburg can agree on a budget that funds mass transit statewide.
https://www.phillymag.com/news/2025/04/10/septa-budget-regional-rail-bus-fare-hike/
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The U.S. DOE’s order has drawn a line in the sand for local education agencies: Bow to the Trump administration’s efforts to strike all programs concerning racism and inequity in schools, or risk losing a massive chunk of federal funding.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
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Pennsylvania signals it is not ordering schools to adhere to Trump’s anti-DEI order
Pennsylvania says the state is already in compliance with civil rights laws and is not ordering schools to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/04/09/pennsylvania-not-ordering-schools-to-eiliminate-dei-per-trump-order/
10 months ago
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As Philly school board member Joan Stern said today, “Anything that appears to be final is usually not final.”
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/03/t...
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Promise your schools don’t use DEI or lose federal funding, Education Department says
The Trump administration said states have 10 days to certify that their schools don’t use practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. An Education Department official underscored the thre...
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/03/trump-education-department-threatens-federal-funding-anti-dei-push/
10 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
10 months ago
Trump education department threatens federal school funding nationwide over DEI
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/03/trump-education-department-threatens-federal-funding-anti-dei-push/
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Trump education department to states: Certify your schools don't practice DEI or lose federal funding
The Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights law is being challenged in court.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/03/trump-education-department-threatens-federal-funding-anti-dei-push/
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Carly Sitrin
Adam Rhodes
10 months ago
Exciting news: TJA and MuckRock have partnered to help journalists document and report on the Trump administration’s actions targeting trans communities. This open-source project will track the implementation and practical effects of executive orders, legislation and other federal action.
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What to FOIA: The impact of anti-trans federal action
The Trans Journalists Association and MuckRock have partnered to help journalists document and report on the Trump administration’s actions targeting trans communities. We’re going beyond the initial ...
https://www.muckrock.com/project/what-to-foia-the-impact-of-anti-trans-federal-action-1179/?ref=transjournalists.org
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Philly students walked out of class today to protest the Trump administration’s education and immigration policies and to demand more funding for city schools
10 months ago
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Vibes are 🔥 at the Philly school board meeting. Thank you to the students from the Mustangs modern band!
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10 months ago
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Speaking of Signal…
add a skeleton here at some point
10 months ago
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
10 months ago
Trump Education Department decimates office serving 5 million English learners in public schools
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/21/trump-education-department-dismantles-office-for-students-learning-english/
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Upheaval at Education Department office sparks concern about services for English learners
The Trump Education Department says changes to the Office for English Language Acquisition will not affect funding or federal programs for students. But experts and others worry that the quality of their education and training for their teachers could suffer.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/21/trump-education-department-dismantles-office-for-students-learning-english/
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reposted by
Carly Sitrin
Chalkbeat
10 months ago
Trump signs executive order that aims to close U.S. Department of Education
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/20/trump-signs-executive-order-to-end-education-department/
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Trump signs executive order aiming to close Education Department, citing low test scores
President Donald Trump said closing the Education Department would help students and save money. Legally, only Congress can close the department. But the Trump administration recently cut the Education Department's staff nearly in half.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/20/trump-signs-executive-order-to-end-education-department/
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