A majority of the Philadelphia students receiving diplomas cannot read or do math at grade level. In 2025, barely one-quarter of 11th graders were proficient in math and only about a third in reading. Yet, thousands of students are told they are ready for life beyond high school.
How is this possible?
As a recent Chalkbeat investigation reveals, it’s not because academic achievement has improved — it’s because the system has changed what it means to graduate…