Schooled

WHYY

Schooled gives the insider’s story of America’s public schools, through the eyes of the students, parents, and educators.

  1. 23 JAN

    The cascading impact of ‘Abbott Elementary’ pt. 1

    This two-part Schooled podcast by WHYY News highlights aspects of the Philadelphia School District that serve as an inspiration for a hit television show. The reporting took place in 2024 and 2025. Philadelphia native Quinta Brunson created the hit TV series, “Abbott Elementary,” as modeled upon real-life experiences students face learning in the Philly school system. The sitcom shines a light on the challenges that the school district faces — teacher shortages, limited resources, furniture and supplies – among the real-life issues incorporated into the show’s storylines. This episode focuses on the making of “Abbott Elementary,” its impact, Quinta’s ties to Philadelphia, and educators’ reactions to seeing their world enacted on the small screen.

    15 min

  2. 27/06/2023

    No excuses

    In this episode, a look at how New Jersey responded to its own school funding lawsuit decades ago — and what Pennsylvania could learn. Then, a visit to the state capitol to see how legislators are responding to the recent court ruling that says Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional. And, how underfunded schools are taking matters into their own hands while they wait for help.

    36 min
  3. Ring the bell

    20/06/2023

    Ring the bell

    Pennsylvania’s constitution says the legislature has to provide for a “thorough and efficient” system of schools. But what does that really mean?

    33 min

  4. 13/06/2023

    A tale of two schools

    Two neighboring public high schools show the inequity of Pennsylvania’s school funding system. We learn about the forces at play and how a lack of resources affects everyday life for students and teachers. Then, we meet the people who have dedicated their lives to solving the state’s school funding problem.

    27 min

  5. SEASON 6 TRAILER

    Season 6 Trailer: ‘Is this our moment?’

    Public education in America is still divided between the haves and have-nots, and the problem doesn’t get much worse than in Pennsylvania. But change could be coming.

    2 min

  6. 07/07/2022

    From COVID to censorship: How a right-wing book ban took hold in Bucks County

    In exactly one year, a relatively large and diverse school district went from debating masks to targeting LGBTQ books. Here’s how it happened.

    38 min

  7. 30/06/2022

    After the spotlight: How a book ban fight changed one Pa. community

    A book ban put the Central York School in the national spotlight. Meet the people who defeated it — and discover how it changed them.

    24 min

  8. 16/06/2022

    Red tape: The untold stories of Philadelphia’s 1950s teacher purge

    New tapes shed light on an old story: the suspension of 32 Philly teachers during the 1950s. We explore what happened, and what it tells us about ourselves.

    50 min
See All (27)

Trailers

About

Schooled gives the insider’s story of America’s public schools, through the eyes of the students, parents, and educators.

Information

  • Creator
    WHYY
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean

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