As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.
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SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
The Illinois House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 7 – a bill
to reform teacher tenure and rights to strike – by a 116-1 vote. The
bill is a result of negotiations that began in December. It passed the
Senate in mid-April and now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn to be
signed into law. The Illinois House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 7 – a bill to reform teacher tenure and rights to strike – by a 116-1 vote. The bill is a result of negotiations that began in December. It passed the Senate in mid-April and now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn to be signed into law.
Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel wasted no time in sending out a celebratory
statement, calling it a "historic victory" and planning a public
appearance to comment at Kenwood High School in Hyde Park. The passage
of this bill will make some of his agenda easier to implement, most
notably lengthening the school day.
The bill elevates teachers’ classroom performance and relevant experience as the factors on which school districts would make decisions about filling classroom vacancies and reductions in force. Seniority would be used as a “tie-breaker” only when otherwise equally qualified teachers compete for jobs.
SB 7 also establishes streamlined and more transparent process – involving mediation, fact-finding and the release of information to the public – for resolving contract disputes in ways that are expected to dramatically reduce the potential for impasses leading to strikes.
Meanwhile negotiations continue on issues raised by the Chicago Teachers Union, which rescinded its support for SB 7 after realizing that language in the bill would create a requirement that could be impossible for its members to meet in voting to authorize a strike.
The bill requires 75 percent of CTU members to approve a strike authorization, but many of its members are inactive and have no vote on contract issues.
The CTU also objected strongly to language that would prevent impasse resolutions on the issues that the union is allowed to “bargain” over with the Chicago Board of Education.
House Majority Leader Rep. Barbara Currie (D-Chicago) noted the CTU concerns and said discussions to resolve them have begun and involve all the stakeholders. “If those discussions are fruitful, I will be very happy to sponsor a trailer bill” to address them “by the end of May.”
Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) insisted that the CTU issues should be resolved before the bill passed, and that SB 7 will not result in improved education in any case.
She listed other factors – for example, funding curriculum alignment, that would improve education. “The intentions are good but the results will not change a thing. I am not going to be a union-buster,” she declared even as she conceded, “I may be the only ‘no’ vote in this chamber.”
As she predicted, Davis alone voted “no” on SB 7.
Other legislators who spoke to the bill had nothing but praise for its potential benefits and for Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester), who led a five-month negotiation involving the teacher unions, school management associations, business leaders and education reform advocacy groups.
Rep. Linda Chapa Lavia (D-Aurora) called SB 7 a “giant step forward” in policy efforts to improve the quality of classroom instruction in Illinois schools. Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) praised the bill and encouraged his colleagues to support it.
Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) supported the bill but reminded representatives that it does nothing about the problem of resource inequity among Illinois school districts. “We need to come to grips with how to provide each child in a public school the resources they need to be all that they can be,” Lang said. “Let no one go home and send out dramatic press releases - [because] we have much more work to do.”
Jim Broadway is the founder and publisher of State School News Service.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
WOW! Is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end for the CTU?
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
STATEMENT FROM U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN ON ILLINOIS EDUCATION BILL
“Illinois has done something truly remarkable, and every state committed to education reform should take notice. Business, unions, educators, advocates and elected officials all came together around a plan that puts children ahead of adults and paves the way for meaningful education reform. For some time now I have been saying that tough-minded collaboration is more productive than confrontation, and this is the proof. I respectfully urge Governor Quinn to sign this quickly so that Illinois can put these landmark reforms to work in the classroom.â€
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
The job wasnt easy with union protection...I cant imagine it without????? I am truly scared!!! Serioulsy ...I am depressed
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
I thoguht Obama was pro union?????Why did we endorse Obama again?? I was fooled like the rest....I voted...now I feel really sad!!!
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
I wonder how many older, experienced teachers will share their wealth of knowledge with the new ones? Hmmm, SB7 seems to encourage every older teacher who knows anything about successful teaching to keep a tight lid on it. SB7 also encourages the survival of the fittest. I am really glad that the colleges and university are sending out really prepared new teachers. It is also great that TFA and other programs are really producing teachers who don't really need to learn anything from the more experienced. Each man for himself and God for us all.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
majority retired princials rule and $1000 to pay for your own lawyer and furlogh days. And all that time and $ for clarice to sit on the 620 bill for NOTHING> Get out now if you can. The end is near...
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
So now outsiders who have messed up other school systems have come here to mess up the public school system. Thanks to Mr. Duncan. All of this has a connection to the mayor. Attacking teachers who have done so much for the children. but what goes around SHALL come around.
The attack has been on chicago schools for a long time. It's not the teachers. It is society. The children are not trying to produce. They are out of hand. Changing and closing schools and firing teachers; and changing evaluations; is still not going to change the children. You haven't seen nothing yet. When you put those young teachers in; after they pay off their loans; they are going to leave. They WILL NOT be dedicated to those children. Society is using this as a ploy to make up for mismanaged funds on their parts. But don't worry teachers; all of this is going to backfire on them. And to think the CTU endorsed Mr. Quinn. They are just using Mr. Quinn and still is not going to support him. He stood a better chance standing with public schools for his votes. They don't care about him. People need unions; and abilities to strike. Rahm Emanuel is just selling wolf tickets and just glad he was chosen; because he too; was tied up in some crooked to do. Arne Duncan is messing the U>S. schools just like he did Chicago. Try, try, with all your might Mr. Emanuel; you are going to fail too. Get off the schools and tell us what you are going to do about all the crime that hits Chicago. Mayor Daley was tough; and he couldn't control the city.
control the city. You have your hands REALLy full. The state is lining the schools up to take them away from Chicago. Hurt the Chicago teachers; and you Will fail. You never came to town to try and know yoour Chicago teachers. You don't have money to run the city. You took on a crumpy job. Mr. Huberman left running. The guy from New York is on the run. He messed up and here he comes to mess up. But again. He is NOT going to change these children. And he is placing these children in areas where they don't live. And the gang activity is REAL. You are forcing them to just take the problems to another school. They are still the SAME kids. And you HAVE to see them in action. Sorry for the teachers. Please do not vote for Mr. Quinn or Mr. Emanual the next time. He is out to take a way the jobs; and increase unemployment. But when they dig one ditch; they had better dig 2. Mr. Emanuel won't want but 1 term when Chicago finished battering him too. And people are going to hate the mess he makes. And thanks CTU for siding with the other side in the first place. You were supposed to fight for your teachers. Marilyn Stewart put up a fight. Karen Lewis you just handed Chicago Public Schools over to the piranahs. Crime is about to rise. Crime is about to rise. These children are going to be running it.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
Better phone the governor on this historic bad piece of legislation that is more about the employment teachers instead of the hard work that real school reform is about. The problem in Chicago has been Mayor Daley and now Rahm appointing unskilled and incompetent CEO`s. It is that plain and simple. The CEO writes the educational policies, not the teachers and the union. They should be held accountable for systemically ruining the school districts.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
I'm hoping Arne Duncan will be out of a job come January 2013. That should be a step forward for education reform.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
This is disappointing news, to say the least.
Let's hope Karen Lewis and the CTU can hold together a coalition with the IFT and IEA that puts pressure on legislators to undo Section 12B.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
The Stand Up for Privatization group, who have no clue on what real school reform is ( they have no real experience in teacher leadership) wrote the law. How can a group that has NO credibility have that much power. A straight political bum rush. Incredible. Seems they have the political juice for now to move their lies. Nothing this group is supported by quality educational research. Follow the money folks!
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
Because Stand Up For Children has money and that's why they have power!
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
Read Diane Ravitch's book to learn about the billionaires -- Bill Gates, Walton family, Eli Broad -- who fund the many PACs like Stand For Children who are "reforming" education but really busting unions.
Of course, our local billionaires -- Crown, Pritzker, Griffin, and Sam Zell, owner of the Chicago Tribune, known for biased coverage of education -- contribute locally. The PAC came in at Duncan/Rahm's request, but Madigan made them welcome.
Did you know that charter school principals don't have to be certified, and most are not? What a surprise that many are not performing as well as neighborhood schools, even after they counsel-out kids.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
District 299 blog has just been wiped clean of all posts on this topic -- most of which were negative. Now a long self-congratulatory press release from the PAC, Stand for Children, is the only thing anyone can read.
Sam Zell's Trib owns the Chicago Now blogs.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
students will go to school, and parents will send them off. CPS will either declare a fiscal emergency in June and void the contract in order to not pay next year's salary increases or they won't do so. CPS will increase the school day for the next school year and probably provide minimal compensation for the longer work day.
Students in traditional CPS schools will on average hopefully show some minimal improvement on standardized test scores but most likely for the average student not enough to allow them easily to escape poverty by entering a top shelf college. I doubt there will be much improvement in the data for students with disabilities based just on more general instructional time, hopefully I am wrong about that and there is some improvement. This small improvement in testing results will none the less be declared a great victory for children by most of the media. We will also eventually get a study that declares there are more teachers in CPS with higher ACT scores than before SB7, but that study will not look at teacher turn over rates or any racial change in the teaching force. That's what happens post SB7 or at least that is my best guess. If I sound cynical that is because I have been involved in education policy for over 20 years and have seen many a great reforms add up to not much.
Rod Estvan
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
The SB7 Bill should be made null and void. This is nothing more than an attack on teachers. Teachers need to start making noise on the t.v.s and to the newspapers. This is going to make a big mess. The on.y thing it is doing is giving young teacher's the jobs. that is the REAL purpose. Teachers need to strike out really 1 big eye opener. If this is going to happen to teachers; then it should happen on ALL jobs. Policemen; Firemen: Doctors: Pastors; Nurses; Principals: Aldermen: Store Managers: Truckers; Pilots. To name a few. This should be happening to everybody else then. Not just teachers. Just fire everybody; because you have done a good job. this BIG mess began in Chicago with Arne Duncan. We gave him those 100 schools; with children being killed; (swithching to other schools.) Which is senseless. Now he is making sates beg on their knees for money he should just use to help neighborhood school. Just support the schools in the communities. Stop this nonesense of unemploying people who went to school and worked HARD for their degrees. Believe you me. A car made out of metal is better than a fiberglass any day. And it's like . Old friends are Gold. And new friends are Silver. Comparing new teachers to old. After the new teachers pay off their loans. They will be leaving teaching. Also; the stress is going to be over their heads that teaching in Illinois WILL NOT BE A JOB THEY CAN RETIRE FROM. When they get older; they are are going to dump them to. Also this is a disservice to Senior teachers; because as you age; you need your health insurance. You have worked for this. And now you have got to go in the umemployment line or go on welfare. Why have a degree anyway? If it's worthless. Mr. Quinn you are being tricked by Rahm Emanuel. Arne Duncan came to town and told him to get that guy from New York. He told him what to do. He told him to turn those schools over and change them to Charter Schools; and I will send you money from the White House through Race to the Top. But the teachers are a big group. And they are going to very hurt and sad. Because they know this is dirty pool. Mr. Emanuel and Mr. Duncan will not be applauded for this mean act. Seniority SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN FROM ANY JOB!!!!!! Older teachers are people of wisdom. Yes new teachers are turning out with with new techniques; but children these days don't even respect the old teachers. What do you think they are going to do for the new ones. When it's all messed up and done. And believe you me. It IS going to be. They will be begging for ANY old teachers. This does not make any sense. Just leave teachers alone; and let them teach. And poor parents. These leaders just sugar coat as to what they are doing to the school systems. Now those leaders are the ones that are confusing things; because every year there is a NEW bright idea. And that goes on; and on. As for perfomance. Are you kidding. Most schools have children that just won't do. and then you have inclusion. Where the disruptive and Special Students stay in a regular classroom. Well how CAN you teach if you are breaking up fights wll day? Performance. This is not a job like working at a retail store. You are leading and pushing about 29 students everyday all day. So this SB1 Bill needs to be dissolved. It does not need to address any of those things. They are really going to be sorry about this bill. It IS a BIG MISTAKE. This another NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND BILL. A big mess. Another bright idea. Because Mr. Emanuel is going to do all of that. He will be begging to leave; when he gets the REAL Chicago problems dumpled in his lap. The school system should be the least of his worries. So now, sit back and watch the BISS MESS UP!! And yes. If you didn't notice it. Michael Madkins is running it all. He always did. So Mr. Quinn. Please the helm. Don't let them do you . They never supported them. So please help the teachers in Illinois. And We will be there to support you. We did endorse you. Please support your unions and schools the right way. They don't need you. We do.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
We need a new President. In the eduation matters of USA; his friend Arne Duncan needs to replaced. To much of a buddy system he brought for Hyde Park. All of his friends. Including Rahm Emanual. So Arne Duncan is still running Chicago Public Schools as if he is here. And Mayor Daley's brother returned to the White House. And rahm Emanual hired Mayor Daley's daughter. Now Rahm is happy because Arne Duncan is going to deceive other cities and give him some education money. This is the same as talking behind curtains. This is dirty pool. He wasn't giving Mayor Daley money. He wanted to make it look good. So now he has placed his chess pieces in place. We don't want the dirty money. It is plain to see as the nose on your face.
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
I heard that the city is planning on declaring a fiscal emergency, breaking the contract and giving out no raises, as well as extending the school day and year and cutting more than 1000 positions. True or rumor?
SB 7 goes to the governor to become law
I heard the same.I think it is a rumor.butttttt
.nothing would surprise me.....I have heard principals telling their staff to make plan B at some schools??? It is CPS after all ...they will do just about anything....layoff 1000 then rehire all new teachers! That would be my guess!
READ the last two comments
read the previous two comments on this thread! scary how well we predicted on this board????
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