As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.
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In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of school reform
By: Cassandra West / September 08, 2010
CPS appears poised to settle a lawsuit filed in March by Debbie Lynch, who at the time was a Chicago Teachers Union presidential candidate. The suit was filed over a CPS policy – later reversed by a judge – that prohibited teachers from distributing union campaign literature or holding meetings on school grounds.
CPS appears poised to settle a lawsuit filed in March by Debbie Lynch, who at the time was a Chicago Teachers Union presidential candidate. The suit was filed over a CPS policy – later reversed by a judge – that prohibited teachers from distributing union campaign literature or holding meetings on school grounds. At their August meeting, school board members approved a payment of $54,070 to Lynch for attorney fees and court costs, part of a "settlement agreement tentatively reached" in the case, according to board documents. — Rebecca Harris, Catalyst
The Sun-Times' Rosalind Rossi looks back on Mayor Daley's efforts on school reform over the last 15 years, saying his impact has been felt "across the nation and right into the country's capital." Cities nationwide have "followed Chicago’s lead in picking non-educators to run their school systems, ending the 'social promotion’' of students and converting public schools to private-like charters," Rossi writes.
Some 250 previous vocational and career programs citywide have been disbanded or retooled, to be replaced over the next seven years with 80 more "College and Career Academies" in 35 high schools. (Sun-Times)
With homework, testing and full-day classes, today's kindergarten bears a striking resemblance to first grade, the Tribune reports. Some experts see progress in that, but others believe that 5-year-olds are being pushed too hard, too soon.
In the state
With the state unable to meet its funding obligations and the economy in a bad spot, Woodland School District 50 may have trouble balancing its 2011 budget, officials said. (Trib Local)
Wilmette District 39 schools are providing more local produce for lunch. (Trib Local)
New Trier High School reclaims use of 'Building B,' which underwent a major renovation this summer. (Winnetka Talk)
In the nation
School board leaders in Kansas are studying how the state doles out education money amid growing talk of changing the existing finance formula. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Michigan's newest nontraditional school, Little Lake Free School, in Ann Arbor seeks to make interests of the student the driving educational force, rather than a preset curriculum. Interest in these types of schools is increasing alongside interest in schools of choice and charter schools. (Detroit Free Press)
The Washington Post looks at how Washington, D.C., schools might be affected if controversial Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee moves on.
A Marist-Daily News poll shows 49 percent of people think Mayor Bloomberg has failed in improving New York City's schools. (Daily News)
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
Danny,
You may not be able to read figurative language, so I will explain the statements. The Holocaust of the school system means the killing of the Public School System or the elimination of the traditional school system, and making charters and private schools more widespread. Yes, this is what is happening even if you can't read the comments correctly. Don't try to make the comments something they are not just because you like destroying the traditional schools and wish to continue charter buildings. I think you are someone that should not be taken seriously because you can't stand anyone who does not agree with you.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
Daley was not reforming the schools in Chicago, he was implementing a Holocaust of the Chicago Public Schools. Using nonteachers to teach children is not a good example of a leader. Instead, this demonstrates lack of intelligence. This is just like saying let's use nondoctors to have surgery on people. Come on the general public is that stupid to believe it's good because we got the mass media on our sides and look at all the big, rich businessmen that are backing us. Let's make all schools private and charters like the third world countries and lower are expectations for all our children that is the various moot ideas of many politicians and big businessmen. However, the general workers, factory workers, teachers, college students, firemen, police officers, doctors, lawyers etc. seem to be too wise to accept such lower standards for our children and for ourselves. I believe our general public will win the fight to restore the good of all our public schools and end private and charter development and restore good wages and fair working conditions for all American workers.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
How is one to take Cora Pina seriously when sh writes: "Daley ...was implementing a Holocaust of the Chicago Public Schools."
Nothing of the sort has happened. And it's not just a patently false and ridiculous statement: it also cheapens the horrific nature of the Holocaust, in which upwards of six million people were exterminated.
How insulting to their memory.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
Cora is an idiot.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
"This is just like saying let's use nondoctors to have surgery on people."
Except doctors perform SURGERY. Teachers communicate information while managing the well being of the students. This is not the same thing.
It does not take 4 years of intensive training and several more years as a resident to teach children effectively. Is it hard? Oh heck yeah. But it is far more intuitive and natural to communicate to others than it is to cut someone open and remove an appendix. Teaching 6th grade doesn't run the risk of accidentally killing someone because your marker slid off the overhead transparency. So yes, doctors should certainly have a lot more training and licensing. We aren't doctors. Saints, yes. But not doctors.
Nuns ran schools effectively for years. During several wars, teachers were men who didn't want or couldn't go fight, not licensed professionals. The one room school house teacher didn't go to college for a degree, neither did the thousands of moms who taught their children at home. Priests and the church used to teach children, not certified teachers. Give credit where credit is due: a good teacher is a good teacher, regardless of how he or she came to become a good teacher.
Please stop throwing every non-certified teacher under the bus. If you want to take up an issue with schools hiring uncertified teachers PURELY because it is cheaper, then by all means, fight that battle.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
Jesse,
I see you can't take the truth and don't respect the teaching profession as other comments that are really not important. I won't lower myself by name calling because I was taught manners. Plus I learn one must have manners and be open to others opinions. Now I won't waste any more time because I need to finish my college work.
In the News: CPS approves settlement; Mayor Daley's 15 years of
Cora
Danny pointed out that your statement was (a) not true and (b) insulting. You respond by calling names.
You don't get it, do ya'?
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