catalyst-chicago.org

Recent research strongly suggests that until policymakers and educators confront deepening economic and social disparities, poor children will increasingly miss out on finding a path to upward social mobility.

The achievement gap between poor children and rich children has grown significantly over the past three decades and is now nearly twice as large as the black-white gap, according to Sean F. Reardon, a Stanford University sociologist. (Education Week)

The Walton Family Foundation dropped more than $1 million into the coffers of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, as part of the roughly $3 million it gave out in Chicago toward school reform last year. (District 299 blog)

The Washington Post's Valerie Strauss notes: "The foundation’s strategy is clear from the grants: It is funding organizations that it thinks can help scale charter schools quickly and rapidly increase the pool of voucher students."

New Web app makes it easier for CPS students to get into the schools they want. (Chicagoist)

IN THE STATE
Illinois will be part of a six-state pilot program next school year aimed at reducing instances of fraud in the nation's free and reduced school lunch program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. (Tribune)

Under fire from the faculty at the University of Illinois’ flagship campus, university president Michael Hogan on Thursday expressed confidence that they could work out their differences and blamed himself for a series of communication blunders. (Sun-Times)

IN THE NATION
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Wednesday announced the award of nearly $24.6 million for three grants to improve student achievement by increasing the effectiveness of teachers and principals. Teach for America is getting $8.3 million to recruit, select and train up to 5,800 new teachers for the 2012-13 school year. (ed.gov)

$10,000 bachelor’s degrees now available in Texas. (The New York Times)