Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT President Steinberg Statement on District Facilities Proposal

PFT President Arthur Steinberg speaks at a press conference

PHILADELPHIA (January 22, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg on the School District of Philadelphia’s proposal to close 20 schools and merge six schools:

“After months of false starts and poorly advertised and attended ‘community meetings,’ the School District of Philadelphia has released its long-delayed school closure and consolidation plan. The concerns of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers members, as well as families and neighbors, should by now be clearly understood by every decision-maker involved.

“We demand

Join the PFT Health & Welfare Fund for a professional development series designed to support educators preparing for the Praxis 5511, 5154, 5155: Fundamental Subjects exam and similar tests! This workshop series focuses on building foundational understanding and confidence in science and social studies, with practical strategies, guided practice, and peer collaboration. This is not a full content test prep, but a targeted support series to help you think strategically, clarify key concepts, and move one step closer to certification success.

February 21 & 28

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

On her very first day of student teaching at Linden Avenue Middle School in Red Hook, N.Y., Martha Strever pushed, pulled and pounded on the school’s door, which was locked. No one came. Where was everybody? It was, after all, the first day of school.

It turned out everybody was exactly where they were supposed to be: inside, having entered through the school’s front entrance. Strever had been knocking on a side door. Flustered but undeterred, she not only found her way inside, she also found her life’s calling.

Photo credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images

Paraprofessionals and school-related personnel are often overlooked because of their support roles. They are the last ones hired and often the first ones fired when budgets get tight. This certainly seems true right now as the Trump administration withholds nearly $7 billion in education funds, effective July 1, which has hamstrung summer school programs, hindered English language support, halted professional development this summer, and left before- and after-school programs in limbo for the coming school year.

PFT President Arthur Steinberg speaks at a rally for fair education funding in Harrisburg.

PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2025) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg on passage of Pennsylvania’s FY2026 budget:

“After an embarrassing and painful four-plus months of gridlock in Harrisburg that forced school districts including Philadelphia’s to take on massive debt just to keep the lights on, I’m relieved that Governor Shapiro and legislative leaders in Harrisburg finally reached an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

“On behalf of the 14,000 educators represented by PFT Local 3, I’m incredibly grateful to the Democratic

Follow these instructions to calculate the retroactive pay you are owed by The School District of Philadelphia under our new CBA:

PFT President Steinberg Statement on District Facilities Proposal

2/21 & 2/28: Building Science & Social Studies Confidence for the Praxis Exam

From Chalkboards to AI: A Teacher’s 65-Year Journey

Kids and PSRPs take the brunt of Trump’s halt to school funding

PFT President Steinberg Statement on Passage of State Budget

Calculating Your Retroactive Pay