catalyst-chicago.org

District officials slow plans for a split South Loop Elementary. (Tribune)

John Jacoby, who has a daughter in South Loop School's seventh-grade gifted program, said it's time to think about expanding the South Loop brand to include a high school. As vice president of the local school council, he was involved in the National Teachers Academy conversations, which, he said, also included talks about adding a ninth grade and starting a high school, but that wasn't part of the CPS proposal in December.

* CPS will release another $10 million for mentoring services in 12 neighborhoods, and officials want local community and faith-based groups in on the deal. (Tribune/WBEZ)

As Catalyst’s Sarah Karp notes, “CPS CEO Ron Huberman made good on a promise he made last month to include community organizations.”

* Proposed bylaw changes could force student athletes to sit out for a year. (Sun-Times)

* Gillespie principal, alderman defend school’s academic record at turnaround hearing. (Substance)

District officials slow plans for a split South Loop Elementary. (Tribune)

John Jacoby, who has a daughter in South Loop School's seventh-grade gifted program, said it's time to think about expanding the South Loop brand to include a high school. As vice president of the local school council, he was involved in the National Teachers Academy conversations, which, he said, also included talks about adding a ninth grade and starting a high school, but that wasn't part of the CPS proposal in December.

"I think the gifted program at South Loop has served its purpose," [Jacoby added]. "It has turned the school around. ... The school would not take a step back if you took the gifted out."

* CPS will release another $10 million for mentoring services in 12 neighborhoods, and officials want local community and faith-based groups in on the deal. (Tribune/WBEZ)

As Catalyst’s Sarah Karp notes, “CPS CEO Ron Huberman made good on a promise he made last month to include community organizations.”

* Proposed bylaw changes could force student athletes to sit out for a year. (Sun-Times)

A significant portion of the Public League is up in arms about [three basketball transfers from Curie to Foreman]. Thursday afternoon, Whitney Young principal Dr. Joyce Kenner released a statement addressing the issue..."We believe these transfers are sending the wrong message to our young people making them believe they can transfer without any penalty being imposed."

* Gillespie principal, alderman defend school’s academic record at turnaround hearing. (Substance)

Across Illinois

* Stimulus slowdown: More from Illinois Times on the lag in federal payouts to schools.

* Red ink roundup: Lemont-Bromberek CSD113A proposes 70 cuts (Berkeley Life); Leyden HSD212 awaiting $1 million from state (J&T).

Across the country

* Mixed evidence behind President Obama’s school reform push. (Philly Notebook)

* Ed. Sec. Arne Duncan praises Louisiana on teacher rules, but says the state is no shoo-in for Race to the Top cash. (NOLA.com)

* A coalition of Latino groups is urging the holdup of Massachusetts’ R2T funds, should the state secure any, until Boston fully addresses shortages in its English language learner programs. (Globe)

* Two studies suggest charters have increased school segregation. (LA Times)