SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE "Aaliyah is learning so much at her summer program. She has fun, she learns a lot and gets to do things like museums and field trips that I can’t do," said Aaliyah's grandmother, Michelle, who is raising the 10-year-old. Aaliyah is...
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Philadelphia
STATEMENT: Philly Child Welfare System is Failing Children
Philadelphia’s Child Welfare System Is Failing Children — It Must Be Reformed Now (April 11, 2025) Children First is heartbroken for the children and families failed by Philadelphia’s child welfare system, as revealed in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer series on the...
Children First Releases the 2025 County Reports
Children First is releasing five reports on the children in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, titled, “A Decade of Stalled Progress." Click the images below to download a copy of the report. Bucks County Chester County Delaware County...
TESTIMONY: “Soda Tax” – Philadelphia City Council
Testimony to the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission, Subcommittee on “Other Taxes” Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First September 28, 2024 By way of this testimony, I want to present new information regarding the effectiveness of the...
Testimony: School District of Philadelphia – CTE in Philly Schools
A rigorous study of Philadelphia CTE high school students, 70% of whom are economically disadvantaged and 85% BIPOC, found that these students were 30% more likely to graduate on-time than students attending comprehensive/neighborhood high schools that shared nearly...
Testimony to Philadelphia City Council: School Board Confirmations
Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia City Council School Board Confirmations By Symbol Lai, Philadelphia Mobilization and Policy Director, Children First PA April 25, 2024 Hello! My name is Symbol Lai. I’m here for Children First. I’m here to testify in support...
Testimony to Philadelphia City Council: FY2025 Budget Bills
Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia City Council Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Bills By Symbol Lai, Philadelphia Mobilization and Policy Director, Children First PA March 27, 2024 Good afternoon. My name is Symbol Lai. I’m here representing Children First. I live in West...
Vital Statistics for Children in Philadelphia
Vital Statistics for Children in Philadelphia Philadelphia children need the tools and resources to achieve and be healthy. Only 34% of students are passing the English and Language Arts PSSA. A shockingly low 19% of students are passing the Math PSSA. Less than...
Vital Statistics for Children in Philadelphia
Vital Statistics for Children in Philadelphia Our children need the tools and resources to achieve and be healthy. In the FY 2025 Philadelphia must: Increase city funding for the School District by $100M. Expand the number of children PHLpreK serves by 250. Give...
REPORT: Philadelphia Charter School Students Not Immune to Consequences of State Underfunding
Philadelphia Charter School Students Not Immune to Consequences of State Underfunding All of Philadelphia’s students are being denied the best K-12 education because of Pennsylvania’s inadequate and unconstitutional school funding system. Students’ low academic...