Penn GSE launches Algebra 1 fellowship to strengthen math teaching in Philadelphia schools

Philadelphia, PA — May 27, 2025— The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) is proud to announce the launch of the Algebra 1 Fellowship for School District of Philadelphia educators. This pioneering initiative is aimed at enhancing Algebra 1 instruction, with a particular focus on research-driven teaching strategies that align with the School District of Philadelphia’s (SDP) Illustrative Math curriculum. The program is generously funded by the Neubauer Family Foundation, a longstanding supporter of educational excellence and innovation.​

The Fellowship is open to all SDP 8th- and 9th-grade Algebra 1 teachers. Selected educators will earn a $3,000 stipend, professional learning credits, and a Penn GSE certificate of participation. There will be a four-day kick-off Summer Institute this August, followed by monthly peer collaborations, individualized coaching, and three follow-up professional development days during the year. The program is designed to strengthen instructional practices, deepen content knowledge, and build a collaborative city-wide network of Algebra educators. The three-year grant will serve up to 100 teachers per year (300 total), which is enough capacity for all SDP algebra teachers to participate. The total program value, not including GSE in-kind contributions, is almost $5 million in support for Philadelphia’s Algebra 1 teachers.

"We are honored to partner with the Neubauer Family Foundation in advancing innovative approaches to Algebra 1 instruction. This fellowship was created in direct response to a need identified by the School District of Philadelphia, and we are proud to help meet that need with evidence-based support for teachers," said Dr. Katharine O. Strunk, Dean of Penn GSE. “The Foundation’s generous investment will empower educators with the tools and strategies they need to support student success in this foundational subject.”

"Penn GSE and the Neubauer Family Foundation have stepped up in a powerful way to address a critical academic need in our schools,” said Dr. Tony Watlington, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. “Algebra 1 is a gateway to future achievement, and this fellowship represents the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that can make a real difference in the lives of our students and the effectiveness of our educators."

Algebra 1 is widely considered a critical course that significantly influences students' academic trajectories. By providing comprehensive professional development, collaborative learning opportunities, and access to cutting-edge resources, the fellowship seeks to empower teachers to improve student outcomes in mathematics, particularly among historically underserved populations.​ The project will be managed by Lara Paparo of Penn GSE’s Penn Learning Network (PLN), with Penn GSE’s math experts Janine Remillard and Caroline Ebby developing and facilitating the content along with Erica Litke from the University of Delaware and Bill Feeley from PLN. Additionally, Penn GSE’s Sade Bonilla, an expert in education policy and program evaluation, will lead a rigorous external evaluation to inform continuous improvement and assess the project’s potential for broader scale and impact.

The Algebra 1 Fellowship builds on Penn GSE’s expanding partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, which includes the recently launched PASS (Promoting Achievement and Support for STEM) program, which provides professional development in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for K-12 leaders and educators. Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to equipping teachers with the tools, knowledge, and support to meet the evolving needs of students in critical subject areas. By aligning with district priorities and directly addressing classroom challenges, Penn GSE continues to serve as a responsive and innovative partner in advancing excellence in Philadelphia’s public schools.

For more information about the Algebra 1 Fellowship, please visit https://pln.gse.upenn.edu/algebra-1-fellowship>

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) is one of the world’s leading schools in education research and practitioner preparation. Penn GSE partners with schools, universities, and communities to expand educational access — especially for those underserved by society — and, through rigorous research and innovative programs, develops new knowledge and transformational teachers and leaders in pursuit of educational opportunity. Follow Penn GSE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The Neubauer Family Foundation invests in people and data-driven, evidence-based initiatives intended to achieve transformational impact and empower communities. Philanthropic initiatives include strategic investments in Philadelphia’s school system, community safety, innovative leadership of arts & cultural organizations, institutions of higher learning.