catalyst-chicago.org

A study released today that looks at the affect of the 13 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programs in Chicago found that when compared to a matched comparison group, IBDP students are 40 percent more likely to attend a four-year college and 50 percent more likely to attend a more selective college.

The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research conducted the study, "Working to My Potential: The Postsecondary Experiences of CPS Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme." The study also found that IBDP students in four-year colleges are significantly more likely to persist in four-year colleges for two years. Study authors say the findings have important implications for other urban districts that are interested in implementing IB programs. (Catalyst)

An International Baccalaureate program created in Switzerland for the children of diplomats has produced “dramatic’’ results in Chicago’s gritty neighborhood high schools by sizably boosting the chances its graduates will make it into selective colleges — and stay there, a new study from the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research concludes. (Sun-Times)

Golden Apple has announced the 32 finalists for the 2012 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. The finalists, selected from a pool of 265 applicants and 560 nominations, represent K-3rd grade teachers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. (press release)

CPS has an online map that shows the latest filings for Local School Councils. Friday is the last day for parents and community members to file to run for LSC posts.

The decision to drop school holidays is not about ethnicity, it's about time, writes the Tribune's Eric Zorn.

IN THE STATE
Evanston voters on Tuesday voted down a referendum that called for $20.6 million in bonds for a neighborhood elementary school for students who live in the city's 5th Ward, an area dominated by African-American and Hispanic families. It also called for another $27.6 million for improvements at other Evanston schools. (Tribune)

The Illinois State Board of Education released its annual financial profile of the state’s public schools using revised Fiscal Year 2011 data that takes into account the state remains behind in payments for the third consecutive year to school districts. The 2012 financial profile scores show that the number of districts in Financial Recognition increased from last year’s 604 to this year’s 670 or 77.3 percent of 867 districts. While more districts have improved their financial standing, ISBE’s data also shows that school administrators continue to reduce their expenditures and increase borrowing to balance budgets. (Press release)

IN THE NATION
During the 2009-2010 academic year, 270,604 American students studied abroad for credit. This number is almost double the number of students studying abroad from 2000-2001, according to the website BestCollegesOnline.com. For more facts about students studying abroad, click here.

Parents of Boston Public Schools students marched from City Hall to the school department building on Wednesday to demand that the city “fully fund” its public schools. (Boston Globe)

A measure that would hide final teacher evaluation scores from parents and the public has cleared the Tennessee House State and Local Government Committee. (The Tennessean)