catalyst-chicago.org

Starting in January, elementary schools in Baltimore will use the STEP™ literacy tool to assess their students, joining national charter networks, top Chicago schools, and other public schools across the country. STEP™ (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress), developed by the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, is an assessment and instructional improvement tool that provides teachers and leaders with evidence about what students in pre-kindergarten through third grade know and need to learn as they develop their literacy skills. (press release)

Starting in January, elementary schools in Baltimore will use the STEP™ literacy tool to assess their students, joining national charter networks, top Chicago schools, and other public schools across the country. STEP™ (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress), developed by the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, is an assessment and instructional improvement tool that provides teachers and leaders with evidence about what students in pre-kindergarten through third grade know and need to learn as they develop their literacy skills. (press release)

In the state

Cary Elementary District 26 board president says district cost savings should start with teachers contract. (Daily Herald)

In the nation

Despite a push to encourage schools to serve more nutritional beverages, about half of all elementary schoolchildren across the nation could still buy high-fat milk, pop, sports drinks and fruit drinks in school cafeterias, snack bars, vending machines and stores during 2008-2009, a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago shows. (Sun-Times/Gannett News Service)

As New Jersey’s public education system continues to deal with large budget cuts and political turmoil in Trenton, an additional 209 schools and 18 school districts landed on the federal "needs improvement" list. (nj.com)

Hussein Samatar became the first Somali-American to hold public office in Minnesota, winning a seat Tuesday on the Minneapolis school board. (Minnesota Public Radio)