
Stephen Williams is a WHYY News education reporter. He has been a local news reporter for more than two decades and has helped audiences understand complex stories about education, transportation, labor and small business, to name some beats. He has formerly worked at The Philadelphia Tribune, The New Observer, The Hartford Courant and The Lexington Herald-Leader.
More from the Contributor
New poll shows parents hold improved perception of Philly school district
Parents are split on whether city schools are improving, but that’s better than 2022, when their take was decidedly negative.
3 days ago
Funding to address educational disparities in Pennsylvania has worked, advocates say
Many schools were underfunded for years, the Commonwealth Court ruled in 2023. The response has been promising, say those who have measured impacts.
6 days ago
Listen 1:18The group’s advocacy comes at a time when the federal government is threatening cuts in public education.
1 week ago
Listen 1:15The Academy at Penn program aims to provide career and college support for students from two Philadelphia high schools over the next four years.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:08The organization A Better Chance Lower Merion has helped young students of color with mentors and access to strong schools.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:17Low pay, difficult working conditions and high attrition rates fuel the need for teachers in Pennsylvania, education experts say.
1 month ago
Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots spoke at the Community College of Philadelphia about overcoming and growing from childhood trauma.
1 month ago
Listen 1:21Hill-Freedman Records gives students a chance to be heard — and to collaborate with big names like John Legend, Jordan Mailata and HBO.
1 month ago
Listen 0:59At Andrew Hamilton School, Brunson was awarded a key to the city, and a new mural was dedicated.
1 month ago
Listen 1:15According to Christy Brady, city controller, the discrepancies in the district’s Automated Clearing House system were found during an annual audit of the 2024 fiscal year.
1 month ago
Listen 1:02Gwynedd Mercy University-led partnership seeks to address shortage of special education teachers
More than 20% of Pennsylvania students require special education services.
2 months ago
Listen 1:16Most Philadelphia Mastery high schools improved graduation rates in the last 5 years
Five of six city charter high schools operated by Mastery Schools showed improvement in their four-year graduation rates in the last five years.
2 months ago
Listen 1:20