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Catalyst In Focus

Foundation cash boosts education advocacy

May 17, 2012

The confluence of foundation funding to these education advocacy groups has raised concerns among critics, who ask whether such donations amount to working in lockstep to influence policy. The groups have similar positions on some key policy issues, such as the expansion of charter schools and the development of teacher evaluations based in part on student test scores.

Tags: education reform

From security guard to teacher

May 09, 2012

By: Rebecca Harris

Michael Vargas held down three jobs while he studied to become a teacher through the Grow Your Own program, an initiative that aims to create a more diverse teaching force. In CPS, newer teachers are now more likely to be white, with Latinos like Vargas the most under-represented.

Tags: equity, teacher training, teachers

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Opinions

Cloud computing raises student privacy concerns

May 14, 2012

By: Jon Bernstein

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently made a critical decision that many schools systems are making around the country: to move massive amounts of student data to a more cost-effective storage system of computer servers often referred to by technology experts as the “cloud.” On its surface, the decision seems rather benign. Cost savings…check. Ease of use…check. Streamlined services…check.

Tags: technology

Community Calendar

May 20 - 3:00 - 5:00

Book Worm Angels Annual Awards Reception

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May 23 (All day)

Student Progress Reports Sent Home, School Board Meeting

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May 23 (All day) - May 25 (All day)

Redmoon Youth Spectacle 2012: The Commitment Project

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May 28 (All day)

School Closed, Memorial Day

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Catalyst Notebook

Friday, May. 18, 2012 5:45 PM

Parents organize to protect area schools

By: Sarah Karp

Logan Square parents and community activists held a rally Friday morning in front of Ames Middle School. After rumors circulated about plans to re-purpose the middle school, the group decided to form the Logan Square Schools Facilities Committee.

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Friday, May. 18, 2012 6:55 AM

In the News: State to oversee N. Chicago's finances

By: Cassandra West

The Illinois Board of Education voted Thursday to put a five-member panel in charge of the troubled North Chicago school finances after the state schools chief described the school district's budgetary condition as a "train wreck."

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Thursday, May. 17, 2012 8:36 AM

In the News: CPS plans to add 60 more charters

By: Cassandra West

Chicago Public Schools plans to add 60 more charter schools over five years, part of a larger proposal for 100 new schools over the same five years that is laid out in an application seeking $20 million for charter schools from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Tribune reports.

In the News: Voters side with CTU on school reform

By: Cassandra West

Chicago voters overwhelmingly back Mayor Rahm Emanuel's push to extend the school day, but far more of them side with the teachers union than the mayor on overall efforts to improve education, a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows.