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Letter From the Editor

Lopsided discipline takes toll on black male students June 26, 2009 By: Veronica Anderson African-American boys face a peculiar dilemma in Chicago’s public schools: how to get a solid education when, more than any other group of students, they are singled out for harsh punishments and sent packing for days, weeks, sometimes months at a time. Some are expelled—even in elementary school—for a year or longer. Many folks assume that these punishments are deserved. Isn’t it true, they ask, that black male students are more likely to behave in ways that warrant such sanctions? Read More \| (1) Comments	Knocking down barriers to free preschool April 23, 2009 By: Veronica Anderson It took years, some would say decades, to get universal preschool off the ground in Illinois. So when Preschool for All got a green light three years ago, it was cause for celebration, especially among early childhood education advocates who had worked assiduously behind the scenes and on the frontlines to make it happen. But then, a curious thing happened. In some places, shiny new preschool classrooms set up shop, and nobody came. Read More \| (0) Comments
Preparing students for success without college February 04, 2009 By: Lorraine Forte A well-known author was startled to receive a repair bill from his plumber for several hundred dollars, after about an hour’s worth of work. “What?! That’s more than my doctor charges,” the author said. “You’re right,” the plumber replied, nodding his head. “It is more than I charged as a doctor. That’s why I’m now a plumber.” Read More \| (2) Comments	School choice no guarantee of equal education for kids November 07, 2008 By: Lorraine Forte Dorian Sylvan wasn’t looking for anything extraordinary in a school. What parent wouldn’t want the qualities she ticks off—strong academics, art and music programs, diversity and involved parents? Read More \| (1) Comments
Making connections: Sounds easy until you try it September 10, 2008 By: Veronica Anderson It boggles the mind that a solution—maybe the solution—to the intransigent problem of fixing the worst public schools could sound so simple: making connections. Yet these deceptively simple two words are monumentally difficult to achieve and sustain. Read More \| (0) Comments	Catalyst Chicago is changing June 02, 2008 By: Linda Lenz & Veronica Anderson We at Catalyst have spent much of the past year exploring ways to serve you and, therefore, our city’s children better. Our new vision is an expansive one that is based on what more than 200 people told us in interviews, focus groups and surveys: Read More \| (1) Comments
Getting in touch with the heart April 22, 2008 By: Veronica Anderson Teachers who are best at getting their students to perform better know there’s more to it than delivering content. Just ask Nikki Williams and Barry McRaith of North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School. Read More \| (0) Comments	Enrollment X factor undermines efforts to improve high schools March 19, 2008 By: Veronica Anderson Letter From The Editor Frankly, we were stunned when Associate Editor Sarah Karp first reported in the Catalyst Chicago newsroom that there were so many incoming 9th-graders registering late at Marshall High School that the freshman class nearly quadrupled within the first month. Only 85 were pre-registered when Marshall opened its doors on the first day of school Sept. 4. A month later, on the critical 20th day, when budgets are locked for Chicago public schools, the freshman class had mushroomed to some 322 students. Read More \| (0) Comments
Is it possible that LSCs can—and do—work? March 12, 2008 By: Veronica Anderson The death knell is ringing for Chicago's local school councils, and it has been for years. But as it turns out, LSCs just won't die. It's not for lack of trying on the part of those who have the power and means to kill them. Mayor Richard M. Daley took his best shot a year ago, when Curie High School's local school council handed him a smoking gun in the form of a questionable decision not to renew the contract of a popular and competent principal. Read More \| (0) Comments