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: Preschool pays long-term benefits, study says; Brizard tackling 'Frankenstein's monster' June 10, 2011 By: Cassandra West A study conducted inside Chicago Public Schools and published online by the journal Science shows that children who attended an established preschool program in Chicago completed high school at higher rates, stayed out of jail, were less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, and improved their living standards as adults. Read More \| (2) Comments	In the News: CTU wants Brizard's contract details; Gates-funded report offers roadmap for LA schools June 09, 2011 By: Cassandra West The Chicago Teachers Union on Wednesday called on Chicago Public Schools chief Jean-Claude Brizard to release the full terms of his contract, which is under negotiation. Read More \| (0) Comments
In the News: Gery Chico named ISBE chairman; principals want better teacher eval system June 08, 2011 By: Cassandra West Gov. Pat Quinn has chosen Gery Chico as the new chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. Chico served stints as president of the Chicago school board and head of the city colleges under former Mayor Richard Daley. Chico will replace Jesse Ruiz, who left the post to become vice chairman of the Chicago School Board. (WBEZ) Read More \| (8) Comments	In the News: CPS CEO sends a letter to parents; Breakfast in Classroom still rolling out June 07, 2011 By: Cassandra West Chicago Public Schools parents will receive a letter from CEO Jean-Claude Brizard that outlines his administration's plans to address the district's fiscal crisis without harming classroom instruction, according to district sources. In the letter obtained by the Tribune, Brizard tells parents of his intention to keep certain classroom programs in place, even though CPS faces a $720 million deficit and $77 million in budget cuts for the coming fiscal year. Read More \| (0) Comments
City Colleges to offer summer courses to help incoming CPS graduates June 06, 2011 By: Cassandra West This summer, City Colleges is launching a new summer program aimed at preparing incoming Chicago Public Schools graduates for college-level work. Level Up will offer five weeks of classes and tutoring in reading, writing and math for up to 200 CPS grads whose placement test scores for City Colleges show they need remedial coursework. Nearly 90 percent of incoming students—a majority of whom are from CPS—need remedial work in one or more subjects, according to City Colleges. Read More \| (0) Comments	In the News: S. Side special needs preschool may close; changes made to Breakfast in Classroom program June 06, 2011 By: Cassandra West Barbara Vick Early Childhood Center, a South Side preschool that serves a high number of children with special needs, may have to close because of budget cuts. (Chicago News Cooperative) Read More \| (1) Comments
In the News: Brizard finalizing contract that will tie compensation to student achievement June 03, 2011 By: Cassandra West Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard disclosed Thursday that he is finalizing a “performance contract” that will tie his compensation to “student achievement.” Read More \| (2) Comments	In the News: Brizard begins work on parent contracts; IL budget would slash $171 million in public school funding June 02, 2011 By: Cassandra West Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard met with parents Wednesday to launch the first in a series of discussions about developing parent-teacher agreements that will be adopted by schools in the 2011-2012 school year. Highlighted as a key priority in Mayor Emanuel’s education transition recommendations, the agreements are intended to empower parents and help them engage more fully with teachers and schools by outlining clear expectations on how they will help their child succeed outside the classroom. (CPS press release) Read More \| (3) Comments
In the News: Cheap broadband offered to low-income CPS students; U.S. ed reforms lag high-performing nations, report says June 01, 2011 By: Cassandra West Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Comcast on Tuesday announced “Internet Essentials,” a first-in-the-nation program designed to provide high-speed Internet services for the families of Chicago Public School students who qualify for free school lunches. (Sun-Times) Read More \| (3) Comments

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