''The Philadelphia Public School Notebook'' is an independent,
nonprofit
A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
, free news service that serves the parents, students, teachers, school leaders, and other community members involved in
Philadelphia public schools. It was created to provide a critical, progressive, and accurate source of information about the
Philadelphia public school system so that community members could use that information to empower themselves as advocates for public schools.
The ''Notebook'' has two components: its print newspaper, which is published six times a year, and its new
website where it posts daily stories as well as electronic versions of its print editions.
The ''Notebook'' has been praised by ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', who described its articles as "notably well written" and its former editor director, Paul Socolar, as the "journalist of the future." ''
Philadelphia City Paper'' has also recognized The ''Notebook'' as "the go-to source for major education news" in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
.
Herbert Kohl, a nationally acclaimed author and educator, called the ''Notebook'' "one of the leading progressive education journals in the country."
In 2020, ''The Notebook'' joined
Chalkbeat to create Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
History
The newspaper was founded in 1994 by a small group of parents and teachers, including former editor director, Paul Socolar, parent advocate and education activist Myrtle L. Naylor, Notebook cartoonist Eric Joselyn, parent advocate and organizer
Helen Gym, and others. With grant money from the Bread and Roses Community Fund, the Notebook was able to publish its first issue in May 1994.
Paper distribution
The Notebook is distributed in every district-run and
charter school in the
school district of Philadelphia, at all branches of the
Free Library of Philadelphia, and at about 750 community sites around the city. The newspaper's expenses are covered through advertising revenue, grants, and its individual membership program.
Website
The ''Notebook'
websiteposts daily new stories from its investigative journalists. It also publishes stories and blog posts from its team of community bloggers and from other leaders in the Philadelphia education community.
Awards and recognitions
* The Education Writers Association awarded a special citation in 2012 to Benjamin Herold, Dale Mezzacappa, Paul Socolar, and Chris Satullo (of WHYY/Newsworks) for their coverage of cheating in Pennsylvania public schools.
*
Philadelphia City Paper named the ''Notebook'' one of the paper's "Big Vision" winners for 2011.
* The Education Writers Association awarded the ''Notebook'' second prize for Education Reporting in 2010.
* The Urban Education Fund awarded Paul Socolar for his leadership at the ''Notebook'' in 2005.
* The Bread and Roses Community Fund awarded the ''Notebook'' the Community Empowerment Award in 2002.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Newspapers published in Philadelphia
Education in Philadelphia
Newspapers established in 1994
1994 establishments in Pennsylvania