Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.
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Gaga For Google Teachers Academy
From my friend Lucy Gray, who's a big fan of the Google Teachers Academy:
"I've been working with Google on various education initiatives for the
past few years, and I know that a Google Teachers Academy will likely
becoming to Chicago this fall as well, but nothing beats seeing their
extraordinary headquarters up close and personal, or so I am told!
"The GTA provides training several times a year for teacher leaders
on using Google Apps in classrooms. The next GTA will take place in
Mountain View, Califorinia, in June at the company's headquarters,
known to some as the Googleplex.The application process to participate
in the Google Teachers Academy and to become a Google Certified Teacher
is fairly straightforward, but competitive. For additional details and
an application, visit http://www.google.com/educators/index.html.
Also, note that Google has also announced today a new site for teachers called Geo Education http://www.google.com/educators/geo.html.
Geo Education provides all sorts of materials for incorporating Google
Earth, Google Maps, Google Sky, and Google SketchUp into classroom
instruction."
Please let us know if there's anything else going on that you'd recommend.

The idea that CPS has dilapidated and asbestos filled buildings is such an interesting observation. I never thought of it that way. However, now that it's been pointed out it fits quite nicely in...