catalyst-chicago.org

Chicago’s new magnet admissions policy could reverse modest gains in diversifying schools. (Chicago News Cooperative)

The data obtained by the Chicago News Cooperative shows that where race was not used as a factor in admissions, 85 percent of either black or white students would have to change schools to achieve an even distribution between the two groups across the entire school system. But in schools where race is allowed to be a factor in admissions, only 62 percent of either black or white students would have to change schools.

* Parents of disabled students turn to music therapy. (Tribune)

* Mother of Joplin 2^nd-grader seeks better special education services. (Tribune)

* 90 new surveillance cameras planned for 40 public high schools. (Sun-Times/Tribune)

* Mayor encourages families to utilize Safe Haven programs over holiday break. (Sun-Times)

* South Loop Elementary will hold a special LSC meeting today to consider the relocation of its middle grades.

Chicago’s new magnet admissions policy could reverse modest gains in diversifying schools. (Chicago News Cooperative)

The data obtained by the Chicago News Cooperative shows that where race was not used as a factor in admissions, 85 percent of either black or white students would have to change schools to achieve an even distribution between the two groups across the entire school system. But in schools where race is allowed to be a factor in admissions, only 62 percent of either black or white students would have to change schools.

* Parents of disabled students turn to music therapy. (Tribune)

Increasingly, parents are signing up children for music lessons who, years ago, might not have gotten the chance because of a disability. In Hinsdale, for instance, Autumn Voakes, executive director of the American Music Institute said that more parents are seeking lessons for children with autism. She hired two teachers with special-education experience as a result and hopes to expand her programs to specialize in the area, she said...[P]laying an instrument challenges the brain even more, engaging the visual, motor and auditory systems as the musician reads notes and moves his or her hands and body to perform while listening to the sounds.

* Mother of Joplin 2^nd-grader seeks better special education services. (Tribune)

* 90 new surveillance cameras planned for 40 public high schools. (Sun-Times/Tribune)

* Mayor encourages families to utilize Safe Haven programs over holiday break. (Sun-Times)

* South Loop Elementary will hold a special LSC meeting today to consider the relocation of its middle grades.

* Did Chicago Public Schools waste thousands on bogus first-aid training classes? The late education critic Gerald Bracey thought so. (Daily Kos)

* Robeson High ninth grader fatally shot; ruled homicide. (Sun-Times/Tribune)

Across Illinois

* Springfield school a perfect match for recovery funds, but payments could be delayed for months. (SJR)

* More on Warren Township High’s NCLB violations. (News-Sun)

* The Education Funding Advisory Board meets Tuesday—the third gathering since Gov. Pat Quinn reassembled the body in May. (Press release)

* Schools in need of improvement take some solace in the potential for additional resources via Race to the Top. (Northwest Herald)

Across the country

* Child development research hitting its stride. (NY Times)

For much of the last century, educators and many scientists believed that children could not learn math at all before the age of five, that their brains simply were not ready.

But recent research has turned that assumption on its head — that, and a host of other conventional wisdom about geometry, reading, language and self-control in class. The findings, mostly from a branch of research called cognitive neuroscience, are helping to clarify when young brains are best able to grasp fundamental concepts.

* Michigan lawmakers approve landmark education reforms in Race to the Top. But some labor leaders may not sign off on the agenda, costing the state application points down the road. (Detroit Free Press/GR Press)

* Indiana officials roll out summary version of RttT proposal. (Journal and Courier)

* Maryland governor wants to apply for RttT in January, bucking an earlier announcement by the state’s top educator. (Baltimore Sun)

* Rhode Island education commissioner pitches aggressive agenda and calls on charter outfits like KIPP and Achievement First to takeover struggling schools. (Providence Journal)