catalyst-chicago.org

The inspector general for Chicago Public Schools is investigating allegations that Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality, the district's largest food vendor, gave thousands of dollars in gifts to a high-ranking CPS employee, a possible violation of the district's ethics policy. The investigation was triggered by an anonymous email sent to the Tribune last year.

A Cook County judge Friday tossed out a lawsuit that sought to block the Chicago Public Schools from closing 17 schools but welcomed the activists behind it to try again. (Sun-Times)

A group of 19th Ward parents asked Chicago Public Schools to survey all parents at the next report card pickup about how long the school day at their school should be. (Sun-Times)

A Sun-Times editorial calls CPS "the poster child" for the failed strategy of using suspensions to deter behavior by students, particularly black students.

IN THE STATE
Payroll costs to boost Springfield school spending.  (State Journal Register)

IN THE NATION
Children in New York City who learned to read using an experimental curriculum that emphasized nonfiction texts outperformed those at other schools that used methods that have been encouraged since the Bloomberg administration’s early days, according to a new study to being released today.  (The New York Times)

The principal of a Bronx middle and high school was removed from the school on Friday after the New York City Education Department found that for years, the staff had falsified student transcripts and given credit for courses not taken. The practice led to an artificially high graduation rate and students’ receiving diplomas they had not earned. (The New York Times)

Slowly but surely, schools are taking down some of the barriers to YouTube. CPS began allowing teachers to use YouTube for Schools last month. (Denver Post)