Watch CBS News
It's been ten years since the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania took control of the Philadelphia school system, but even those who initially supported the state takeover acknowledge a seemingly neverending torrent of problems.
Public hearings are set on the school district's plan to close nine schools and reconfigure others, under a wide-ranging facilities plan.
Officials at the Philadelphia School District today unveiled the first step in a plan to downsize the district substantially by closing schools across the city.
"We're not giving to the district, we are really giving to the children of Philadelphia because we do care about what happens in schools and what happens to the kids," Federation president Jerry Jordan says.
Cary's novel, "The Price of a Child," was the first "One Book, One Philadelphia" pick in 2003, and she founded Art Sanctuary 13 years ago.
One of the missions this year, according to the mayor, is making further inroads into cutting Philadelphia's high school dropout rate.
"We commit as a commission to work in a transparent and efficient manner. That's going to be extremely important. We have to get the public's respect and trust in this process," Pritchett said.
The help comes in two forms: The mayor's Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr and former district Chief Academic Officer Ed Williams will each serve as executive advisers to acting superintendent Lee Nunery during the search for a permanent superintendent.
The head of Philadelphia's embattled School Reform Commission -- attorney Robert Archie -- has resigned, along with member Johnny Irizarry, and now it is up to Mayor Nutter to fill those seats.
After a tumultuous summer that saw the buyout of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, a new school year begins today for Philadelphia public school students.
"The last six months have been a debacle of planning, financial mismanagement, a leadership vacuum and a human resource crisis," state senator Mike Stack says.
Now that she's officially unemployed, former Philadelphia schools superintendent Arlene Ackerman is on the offensive. In interviews, she's blaming her departure on politicians and some school district officials. The comments may be jeopardizing her generous buy-out.
The School Reform Commission issued a statement that Ackerman will be paid $905,000, the amount due on the remainder of her contract.
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter is backing the decision to remove Arlene Ackerman as schools superintendent, and he is glad the taxpayers' portion of the buyout was limited to half a million dollars.
Meanwhile, a political watchdog group in Philadelphia says that private donations for a public sector bailout would be wrong.
It's a win for the teachers' union, who said all along that their contract called for layoffs by seniority and that no group of teachers should be bypassed.
The Pennsylvania Education Department is receiving responses from dozens of school districts across the Commonwealth, including the School District of Philadelphia, that were ordered to look into scoring irregularities on 2009 state standardized test scores.
Where was Superintendent Arlene Ackerman? She was not at Wednesday's School Reform Commission meeting, amid reports that the SRC wants her out.
Amid rumors swirling about the future of Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman, her administration has announced deep cuts in one of her signature programs.
A School District of Philadelphia educator offers some advice for parents who are already eyeing the "back to school" supply displays at local store.
Summer schools run by the Philadelphia School District are dismissing early on Thursday and closing altogether on Friday because of the heat.
The School District of Philadelphia says a draft document listing perks that were not approved for schools superintendent Arlene Ackerman should have remained under wraps.
The city has released a pile of internal documents the school district provided as part of their so-called "Education Accountability Agreement."
Word of a cheating scandal in Atlanta schools got Pennsylvania state rep Michael McGeehan thinking: what ever happened to a similar case in Philadelphia?
One step removed from the incredible shrinking School District state aid package, the mayor says the penny-wise approach to education funding is foolish.
Dozens of people displaced by a recent fire in Norristown spent Thanksgiving at a temporary shelter.
A police pursuit of a stolen car ended with a crash in Morrisville Thursday night, police said.
Lanes in both directions reopened Thursday after two separate car crashes on the Commodore Barry Bridge on Thanksgiving.
Black Friday shopping will be chilly but dry across the Philadelphia area.
Neighbors stepped up to help after Lynn and John Petroski's car was stolen in South Philadelphia with John's walker inside.
Before the Thanksgiving turkey, long-time players come together for a friendly game of football in Delaware County.
Dozens of people displaced by a recent fire in Norristown spent Thanksgiving at a temporary shelter.
Black Friday shopping will be chilly but dry across the Philadelphia area.
A police pursuit of a stolen car ended with a crash in Morrisville Thursday night, police said.
Lanes in both directions reopened Thursday after two separate car crashes on the Commodore Barry Bridge on Thanksgiving.
Dozens of people displaced by a recent fire in Norristown spent Thanksgiving at a temporary shelter.
A police pursuit of a stolen car ended with a crash in Morrisville Thursday night, police said.
Neighbors stepped up to help after Lynn and John Petroski's car was stolen in South Philadelphia with John's walker inside.
Before the Thanksgiving turkey, long-time players come together for a friendly game of football in Delaware County.
Cacia's Bakery cooked 118 Thanksgiving turkeys for families this year, beating last year's total by
A man was taken to the hospital after he was shot while trying to flee police in Deptford Township, New Jersey.
Several fall sports teams at Shawnee High School celebrated winning the state championship at the annual Turkey Trot.
A decadelong conflict over North Wildwood's beaches involving tens of millions of dollars in litigation and fines could end soon.
The holiday season can be triggering for people in recovery. Experts share tips to ease the pressure.
Camden County Police Department is helping some seniors have a stress-free holiday with Thanksgiving only two days away.
Multiple backups were seen on traffic cameras on I-95 as crews responded to multiple crashes Wednesday morning.
Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. has been charged with defrauding COVID-19 relief programs, court documents show.
Sahori Arteaga and her family spent 10 months at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware after flying 3,000 miles from Honduras to Wilmington for a kidney transplant.
It was a full circle moment when a Chester County mother brought her son to visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware for the first time.
For the Schiro family from Nevada, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware — "Donald's House" — is a second home.
The holiday season can be triggering for people in recovery. Experts share tips to ease the pressure.
Michael Profeto received the 1,000th kidney transplant at Temple University Hospital during Thanksgiving week.
Whole Foods Market stores in five states sold recalled carrots and celery sticks that could contain E. coli.
As runners count down to Sunday's big race at the Philadelphia Marathon, the cause is driving some people to run 26.2 miles.
A high school in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has a reported whooping cough case.
The Thanksgiving food shopping rush is well underway at Philadelphia staples like Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market.
Triple Bottom Brewing's apprenticeships provide opportunities for people involved with the justice system.
Ocean City residents were able to hear from the developer about his plans to transform Gillian's Wonderland Pier into a hotel.
Winemaker Larry Sharrott said the drought will help produce robust wines at his South Jersey winery.
The bar made the announcement on social media in a collaborative post with all other Bark Social locations.
If you're flying today for Thanksgiving, you can track TSA screening wait times on Philadelphia International Airport's website.
Philadelphia residents should expect road closures for the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here's what you need to know.
Multiple backups were seen on traffic cameras on I-95 as crews responded to multiple crashes Wednesday morning.
The holiday travel blitz in the Philadelphia region is underway, and travelers are expected to take to the skies and the roads for Thanksgiving.
Thorndale line train service was suspended in both directions between Center City and Thorndale Station Monday afternoon, according to SEPTA.
Saquon Barkley is on pace to have the best running back season in Eagles franchise history in his first year in Philadelphia.
Sean Couturier scored at 2:31 of overtime to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators.
The Houston Rockets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 122-115 in overtime on Wednesday night.
Several fall sports teams at Shawnee High School celebrated winning the state championship at the annual Turkey Trot.
A new report indicates that, yes, the Philadelphia Phillies have spoken with Scott Boras about prized free agent Juan Soto.
The Thanksgiving food shopping rush is well underway at Philadelphia staples like Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market.
For the 10th year running, Collegeville Italian Bakery is providing hot meals to police officers, firefighters and EMTs who have to work on Thanksgiving.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, AMC and fans react to the debate over in-theater singing during "Wicked."
Runners, set? The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend is finally here! Here's a list of events going on throughout the area this weekend.
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is getting his own late-night television show on ESPN early next year.
Ukee Washington reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Ukee Washington reports.
Middle school students in Philadelphia got the opportunity to do hands-on learning during the school district's five-day career and technical camp.
With her Girl Talk mentoring program, one Philadelphia teen turned her camp days into a safe space to discuss social issues young girls face every day.
Recent high school graduate Sylvain Farrell says his temporary position at a local clinic is the pathway to a full-time career.
A Philadelphia student won an award from NFL Films for his documentary on bringing back sports teams at his Kensington school.
A group of East Norriton eighth graders took what started as an Earth Day project and made a whole initiative.
Black Friday deals are heating up online, but some scammers are out to get your money and your personal information. Reporter Josh Sidorowicz shares tips for keeping your money safe.
A fire in Norristown displaced 39 people and damaged 10 homes this week. Neighbors and the American Red Cross have stepped up to help.
Host Ashley Harder gets into the holiday spirit with an all-access pass to Walnut Street Theater's production of everyone's favorite elf!
St. Joseph's earned a chance to repeat as Big 5 champions after defeating Villanova and Penn. For a second straight year, Temple and La Salle will battle for a spot in the title game.
The rain couldn't damper the enthusiasm this morning at Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There were marching bands, giant balloons, and floats on the route from Center City up the Ben Franklin Parkway. This is the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country. Today marks the 105th of a tradition that began in 1920.