catalyst-chicago.org

Hispanic eighth-graders in Illinois have higher reading scores than the rest of the nation’s big states, but the state’s African-American children still struggle mightily with reading, math and science, according to a new report — “Mega-states: An Analysis of Student Performance in the Five Most Heavily Populated States” — published Thursday that examines test scores in the country’s five largest states, the Sun-Times reports.

Using state prison data, the Tribune calculated figures that it says serve as a grim reminder that absence from school in the early grades is often the first warning of criminal misconduct that can destroy young lives as well as burden society with the costs of street violence, welfare and prison.

A group of aldermen is calling for a moratorium on new charter schools starting in 2014 in Chicago, arguing it doesn't make sense to add new charter seats at a time the city is considering closing public schools that don't have enough students, the Tribune reports.