catalyst-chicago.org

Mayor Richard Daley on Friday announced a month-long summer partnership between churches and Chicago Public Schools to provide activities for kids who need something constructive to do while school is out. CPS contributed $250,000 to the program but many church workers will volunteer their time, and Catholic Charities will provide free breakfast and lunch each day. "Safe Haven, Safe Summer" runs July 6 to Aug. 6 at churches around the city. (Tribune blog)

Mayor Richard Daley on Friday announced a month-long summer partnership between churches and Chicago Public Schools to provide activities for kids who need something constructive to do while school is out. CPS contributed $250,000 to the program but many church workers will volunteer their time, and Catholic Charities will provide free breakfast and lunch each day. "Safe Haven, Safe Summer" runs July 6 to Aug. 6 at churches around the city. (Tribune blog)

Equip for Equality, the state's federally mandated watchdog for people with disabilities, has filed a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Education, claiming that CPS routinely fails to properly evaluate young children for special educate services, Rex W. Huppke of the Tribune reports.

Officials at West Humboldt Park's Piccolo Specialty School hope shooting death won't taint progress they have achieved in the past two years, the Tribune also reports.

In the state:

The Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education sits on a backlog of 2,500 teacher certifications that are supposed to be completed by July 1. Meanwhile, former Regional Supt. Charles Flowers awaits trial on felony charges of theft and official misconduct. (Sun-Times/SouthTown Star)

Elgin Area School District U-46 superintendent talks about the 10 Boys Initiative, a program designed to mentor underperforming elementary, middle and high schools boys in groups of 10. (Daily Herald)

The central Illinois Rochester School District ended its first year of operating its own special education program with 329 students. (State Journal-Register)

In the nation:

Preliminary analysis shows improvement in state reading and math test scores of Detroit schools that were involved in mergers. (Education Week)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa sided publicly with local charter schools bidding to take over new and low-performing campuses. (LA Times)

The valedictorian is rapidly losing its singular meaning as administrators in top suburban schools across the country dispense the title to every straight-A student rather than try to choose the best among them.

Also in the NY Times: An moving story of a New York City public school principal whose unorthodox approach— and flair for decorating— has changed the culture of the school.