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Legislation that could result in more charter schools in Chicago’s suburbs is on its way to Gov. Quinn' desk. Under the bill, a new state commission will have the power to authorize charter schools if individual school districts don’t.

Legislation that could result in more charter schools in Chicago’s suburbs is on its way to Gov. Quinn' desk. Under the bill, a new state commission will have the power to authorize charter schools if individual school districts don’t. Suburban school districts have been reluctant to authorize charters. They’ve argued that the schools siphon away students and resources from existing district schools.  State law allows for 45 charter schools outside Chicago; 13 exist. Most are in the state’s other urban centers—Rockford, Springfield, East St. Louis, and Peoria. (WBEZ)

The death of a Chicago seventh-grader who suffered an allergic food reaction during a classroom party last year has led to a bill now awaiting the governor's signature that would allow school nurses to administer life-saving epinephrine injections regardless of whether a student has been diagnosed with an allergy. (Tribune)

With a Sept. 1 cut-off date for starting kindergarten at Chicago area schools, whether or not you should delay your child's entry into kindergarten-commonly called academic redshirting is an issue that troubles both parents and experts alike. (Chicago Parent)

A recent “Catalyst Conversation” featured Jo Anderson, senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Duncan’s point person on teacher unions. Anderson, former executive director of the Illinois Education Association, talks about disrupting the status quo, prioritizing education and the profession of teaching. Invitations to “Catalyst Conversations” are a benefit of membership in Catalyst. Click here for membership levels and benefits and to sign up. Here are highlights of the conversation, with Catalyst Chicago Publisher Linda Lenz moderating:

A Catalyst Conversation with Jo Anderson from Catalyst Chicago on Vimeo.

In the state

Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students at Sauk Elementary School in Richton Park recorded 1.6 million minutes of independent reading in a national challenge that began in September 2010 and ended last month. “Sauk Elementary School students placed first among more than 20,000 pupils in 344 schools across the U.S. who participated in this year’s READ 100,000 Challenge,” said Frank Loose of Scholastic Book Fairs, Lake Mary, Fla., sponsor of the national program. (press release)

The Republican state representative who initiated a resolution leading to a state investigation of the College Illinois prepaid tuition plan now is calling on Gov. Pat Quinn to overhaul the agency’s board and shift its management to state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. (ChicagoBusiness.com)

In the nation

The United Federation of Teachers announced on Wednesday that it would file a lawsuit to challenge two key elements of the New York City Department of Education’s effort to overhaul the city’s school system: closing schools for poor performance and giving charter schools space in buildings occupied by traditional public schools. The lawsuit, to be filed in State Supreme Court, opposes the city’s plans to shutter 22 schools, including 15 that were part of similar litigation filed in February 2010 by the union and the N.A.A.C.P., also a plaintiff in the current litigation. (New York Times)

Since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker unveiled provisions that would largely eliminate collective bargaining as it stands now, many northern Wisconsin school officials are seeing higher incidences of retirements in surrounding public schools  — the majority of which are teachers. (The County Journal/Washburn, Wisconsin)

After years of discussion and argument, it appears Cincinnati Public School teachers have agreed to a new system to tie pay closely to student achievement and growth. CPS administrators said Wednesday that an agreement had been reached with the district's 2,400 teachers for a new pay system.  It will be the first in Ohio and one of the few in the nation to directly link teacher pay to how well their students do in class and on tests.  CPS says positive teacher evaluations will be needed to receive incremental pay increases. (KYPost.com)

Hartford Magnet Middle School received the prestigious Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award as the best magnet school in the United States. The award, given annually by Magnet Schools of America, is presented to the one magnet school in the country that most exemplifies a commitment to diversity, high academic standards and curriculum innovation. There are nearly 6,000 magnet schools in the United States, serving more than 1 million students. (Hartford Courant)