Kristen A. Graham

Education Reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer education reporter, Pulitzer Prize winner covering Philadelphia public schools. Phillies superfan. Always learning. DMs/open.

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Articles

In a rare show of unity, Philly School District and PFT jointly pressure Harrisburg to pass billions for public schools and limit cyber charter funding

2 days ago | inquirer.com | Aliya Schneider |Kristen A. Graham

The Philadelphia School District and its biggest union made an unprecedented show of alliance at the state Capitol on Wednesday to advocate for increased school funding and cyber charter school reform. “It’s the first time we ever have come up here jointly, so we hope this is the harbinger of things to come,” said Arthur G. Steinberg, the president of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT). Steinberg rallied in Harrisburg with Tony B.
The Philly school board is poised to settle a federal investigation over asbestos management

2 days ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

The Philadelphia School District, which recently revealed it has been under investigation by the United States Department of Justice over its management of asbestos in school buildings, appears poised to move forward with a settlement.
Parents say some Philly students wear diapers because they don’t get bathroom breaks. They’re pushing for change.

4 days ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

The ask is so basic it seems almost ridiculous: Philadelphia kids should have guaranteed access to bathrooms and drinking water during the school day. But despite months of talks, a City Council hearing, and a year-plus of public advocacy from a group of parents, there’s still no codified promise from the Philadelphia School District. The clock is ticking: The school board is scheduled to vote on a wellness policy Thursday night.
Philly will pay $500,000 to credential public school career and technical education teachers

4 days ago | centredaily.com | Kristen A. Graham

Jessica Lawyer left a career as a chef to teach Philly kids culinary arts. She loves the work teaching at Edison High, but it requires sacrifices: She's had to pay out-of-pocket to earn the college credits she needs to get her permanent teaching credentials.
Philly will pay $500,000 to credential public school career and technical education teachers

4 days ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

Jessica Lawyer left a career as a chef to teach Philly kids culinary arts. She loves the work teaching at Edison High, but it requires sacrifices: she’s had to pay out-of-pocket to earn the college credits she needs to get her permanent teaching credentials.
Universal Vare Charter won't seek charter renewal, appears poised for closure

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

Universal Vare Charter School projects enrolling just 100 studentsfor the next academic year — simply not enough to operate an educational program going forward. Officials have opted not to seek a new charter when the current one expires, Universal Schools Superintendent Penny Nixon said Thursday — a step that means closure for the South Philadelphia schoolat the end of the next school year. Universal Vare, on S.
Universal Vare plans to surrender its charter. What’s next?

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

A Philadelphia charter school appears to be on a path to closure: officials at Universal Vare, in South Philadelphia, have said they won’t attempt to operate the school past its current charter term, which expires next year. The school, on South 24th Street, serves a shrinking student body: in the school year that just concluded, it served only about 125 fifth through eighth graders.
Temple plans to cut positions, faces $60 million deficit next year

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

Temple University — facing a $19 million budget deficit and projecting more tough financial times ahead — is eliminating some jobs. President John A. Fry, in an email to the Temple community sent Wednesday, did not specify whether the reductions will mean layoffs. Temple had no immediate comment. Fry had announced this spring that Temple was facing an $85 million projected deficit for the 2025 fiscal year; he directed belt-tightening, including hiring and travel review and other measures.
Philly teachers vote to authorize a strike

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

Members of the Philadelphia School District’s largest union on Tuesday night authorized its executive board to call a strike if and when they see fit. That doesn’t mean the 14,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is on strike; the union, which represents teachers, school nurses, counselors, secretaries, paraprofessionals and other workers, merely gave negotiators a tool as talks continue. The vote was 94% in favor of strike authorization, 6% against, a union official said.
Penn takes out $500M credit line amid federal funding cuts

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Kristen A. Graham

Amid federal funding cuts and other changes ordered by the Trump administration, the University of Pennsylvania has taken out three lines of credit worth $500 million.

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Isabel Hughes

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Kristen Graham @newskag

4 Jun 25

RT @PennEnvironment: Great story by @newskag in @PhillyInquirer about tackling lead in school drinking water! https://t.co/OeMubijSkz

Kristen Graham @newskag

4 Jun 25

beloved heroes!!!

Kristen Graham @newskag

29 May 25

I have a high standard for what constitutes a newsy #PHLed day. Today was a newsy #PHLed day, friends. https://t.co/IvggQUGnEG

Kristen A. Graham

Articles

In a rare show of unity, Philly School District and PFT jointly pressure Harrisburg to pass billions for public schools and limit cyber charter funding

The Philly school board is poised to settle a federal investigation over asbestos management

Parents say some Philly students wear diapers because they don’t get bathroom breaks. They’re pushing for change.

Philly will pay $500,000 to credential public school career and technical education teachers

Philly will pay $500,000 to credential public school career and technical education teachers

Universal Vare Charter won't seek charter renewal, appears poised for closure

Universal Vare plans to surrender its charter. What’s next?

Temple plans to cut positions, faces $60 million deficit next year

Philly teachers vote to authorize a strike

Penn takes out $500M credit line amid federal funding cuts

Journalists covering the same region

Saquan Stimpson

Damian Giletto

Becky Sullivan

Andy Walter

Isabel Hughes

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)