catalyst-chicago.org

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday he’s “very sensitive” to those who considered the Columbus Day and Pulaski Day school holidays a source of ethnic pride, but argued that lengthening the school year is more important. “I’m very sensitive to [the ethnic pride]. But there’s pride in having your kids have enough school days,” Emanuel said.

CPS officials are expected to announce the district's new teacher evaluation system Friday, including a plan for incorporating test scores as part of evaluations, Chicago Teachers Union negotiators said Thursday night. (Catalyst)

For the third year in a row, every senior at Urban Prep Academy, the only all-African-American, all-male charter high school in Chicago, has been accepted to college, the school's leaders said. The academy also said that 83 percent of its first graduating class in 2010 has re-enrolled in a second year of college, a rebuttal to critics of the school who have charged that students aren't always ready for college. (Tribune)

A new coalition of parents says it’ll be pushing for an elected school board in Chicago, which is the only school district in the state without an elected school board. (WBEZ)

IN THE NATION
Supporters of tying teacher evaluations to student performance differ over whether individuals' results should be made public. (Education Week)

The federal school turnaround program is mostly failing in Washington state, even though teachers and administrators are trying their best to make a difference for kids, according to a report issued Thursday by education researchers at the University of Washington. (The Seattle Times)

Louisiana State Rep. Joe Harrison introduced a bill that provides for a program to grade parents on their required participation in the educational progress of their children. The bill is awaiting a hearing.  (Education Week)