Teachers have clashed with proponents of district reforms. And city officials say the system will go broke in a year without more state aid. Some 300 miles to the west, Pittsburgh is a demilitarized zone by comparison. With 40,000 students, the district ranks 106th in size nationally. Teachers have not gone on strike in more than two decades.
Salaries are among the state's highest.
And student test scores exceed those of Philadelphians. But officials in both cities grouse equally about state policy. Arguing that city schools already are sufficiently funded, legislators instead have implemented a new charter school law, voluntary academic standards, and tighter teacher tenure laws. Read an update of education policies in Pennsylvania. It's not just this governor.