Home › Previous Issues › Summer Web Edition

Summer Web Edition

Download This Issue (PDF)
August 1, 2006

ISAT testing, Comings and Goings and more.

Table of Contents

WebExtra: High test scores spark CPS, state to dig deeper

Elizabeth Duffrin

Chicago Public School officials and Mayor Richard Daley incited a barrage of media ridicule when they touted the district's dramatic state test score gains as "historic" without acknowledging that revisions in the test might have contributed to the increase.

Publicly, CPS is defending the validity of its gains, which are in the double-digits in almost every grade and subject. In mid-July, an indignant Arne Duncan appeared on WTWW-Channel 11's "Chicago Tonight" public affairs show after a newspaper editorial mocked the district's "fuzzy math." Duncan insisted that statewide results,...

testing and accountability
> Read More
Q and A

WebExtra: Q&A with Martin Koldyke

By: Elizabeth Duffrin

This fall, students who arrive at Sherman Elementary in New City will be greeted by a brand-new staff charged with transforming the failing school, where less than 20 percent of children were reading at or above national norms in 2005. Rather than shut down the school, CPS chose to re-staff Sherman and turn it over to the Academy for Urban School Leadership, which already operates three schools (Chicago Academy, Dodge Renaissance Academy and Chicago Academy High School).

This fall, students who arrive at Sherman Elementary in New City will be greeted by a brand-new staff charged with transforming the failing school, where less than 20 percent of children were reading...
Read More
Notebook

WebExtra: Notebook

Timeline |

Ask Catalyst | Math Class


TIMELINE

July 13: Virtual school

Timeline | Ask Catalyst | Math Class TIMELINE July 13:...
Read More
Comings and Goings

WebExtra: Comings and Goings

CENTRAL OFFICE REORGANIZATION Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins will no longer oversee high schools but will continue to oversee elementary schools. Donald Pittman, the chief officer of high school programs, will now report directly to CEO Arne Duncan. ... Peter Cunningham, former communications director, is now director of external affairs. Reporting to him are the departments of communications, community relations, external resources, intergovernmental affairs and internal investigations.

CENTRAL OFFICE REORGANIZATION Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins will no longer oversee high schools but will continue to oversee elementary schools. Donald...
Read More

Become a Catalyst member