Cassandra West | catalyst-chicago.org

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Adolescent Literacy

A raft of past programs have failed to substantially improve the reading skills of middle grade and high school students. CPS is trying once again, as part of a federal project that aims to help teens learn how to analyze complex non-fiction.

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Cassandra West

In the News: Many superintendents leave with hefty severence packages July 18, 2011 By: Cassandra West An investigation by the Tribune finds school districts usually pay hefty parting gifts to leaders who leave early, even if they leave under a cloud. Read More \| (1) Comments	In the News: No raises, furlough days for CPS principals, staff; new details in Michael Scott death July 15, 2011 By: Cassandra West During the new budget year that recently started, CPS principals, assistant principals and central office staff will not receive pay raises, but they also won’t be required to take furlough days, according to a letter schools CEO Jean Claude Brizard sent to them on Thursday. Read More \| (10) Comments
For the Record: High school graduation rates July 14, 2011 By: Cassandra West When the 2011 Illinois school report cards come out in October, a major change kicks in on how the state calculates and reports high school graduation rates. New federal guidelines set up a single, uniform standard that all states must follow when calculating graduation rates. Read More \| (1) Comments	In the News: CPS' new chief education officer; global reach of Teach for America July 14, 2011 By: Cassandra West Chicago News Cooperative profiles Noemi Donoso, Chicago Public Schools' new chief education officer, whose biggest undertaking will be managing reforms included in the sweeping state education bill passed in May by the General Assembly. Read More \| (0) Comments
In the News: Edelman comments rile unions; legislative sessions bring 'sea change' for teaching July 13, 2011 By: Cassandra West The Chicago News Cooperative reports that money that would have helped implement Senate Bill 7—the tenure, layoff and strike reform bill — was not included in the education budget signed by Gov. Pat Quinn. But the connection between the stripped funding and SB 7 is indirect, at best. Read More \| (0) Comments	In the News: AFT chief calls out reformers from "on high"; cheating scandals unfold across country July 12, 2011 By: Cassandra West The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, on Monday called for education reform that emanates from teachers and their communities, rather than from “those who blame teachers for everything.” Read More \| (0) Comments
In the News: Outside experts to probe CPS, look for ways to improve teaching, learning July 11, 2011 By: Cassandra West A panel of education experts from across the country will delve deep into Chicago's public school system over the next two months, looking for weak links and hoping to offer the district's new leadership team advice on how to improve teaching and learning, according to a story in Monday's Tribune. Read More \| (3) Comments	In the News: Quinn wants writing test reinstated; budget cuts amid calls for more instruction July 08, 2011 By: Cassandra West Gov. Pat Quinn is urging lawmakers to find money for standardized writing tests for high school juniors. (WBEZ) Read More \| (1) Comments
In the News: Illinois drops writing exam for juniors; Atlanta cheating scandal details emerge July 07, 2011 By: Cassandra West Illinois high school juniors no longer will be tested on writing skills during the state's standardized tests every spring, eliminating the last Illinois writing exam and shaving about $2.4 million amid budgetary shortfalls, the Tribune reports. Read More \| (4) Comments