Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. is gearing up for the new academic year in the School District of Philadelphia with a sense of momentum and optimism. As students return to class, he highlights significant improvements in attendance and dropout rates as indicators of progress. One of the key initiatives this year is the rollout of a new English Language Arts curriculum, designed to provide a consistent learning experience across schools. Watlington urges parents to be patient with teachers as they adapt to this new curriculum, emphasizing the quality of learning materials being implemented.

In addition, a year-round, extended-day program will launch in 20 public schools, offering free and voluntary enrichment opportunities for students. The superintendent is also focused on enhancing communication with families through a new tracking system, allowing for better response times from the district. To foster community engagement, assistant superintendents will be deployed to regional offices, facilitating stronger partnerships with parents. Watlington is committed to supporting families through initiatives like Parent University, which aims to provide educational resources and sessions to enhance the learning experience for students and their families.