catalyst-chicago.org

Local School Council elections in Chicago Public Schools start this Wednesday, with 6,500 candidates running for the school-based seats. Meanwhile, CPS has created an app called, "Who is Running for my Local School Council?" so parents can see a list of candidates running for positions.

Contract talks between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers union have moved to the first of several steps that could lead to a strike, officials said Monday. Both sides have agreed to the appointment of a fact-finding panel that has 75 days to issue a report recommending terms for settlement of the labor contract. (Tribune)

Still “far apart’’ in negotiations over a new teachers contract, Chicago Public School and Chicago Teachers Union officials have agreed to call in a “fact-finding” panel, union leaders said Monday. The establishment of the panel kicks off a series of deadlines that slowly move the parties closer to a potential strike date. (Sun-Times)

CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union, which had previously been in mediation since early February, have appointed members of a three-person fact-finding panel – one of the final steps of a lengthy, legally required pre-strike process set out in Illinois law. (Catalyst)

Public charter school advocates to rally in support of HB 5225, also called the "Equal Funding Bill." (PR Newswire)

At an appropriations committee meeting last week, state lawmakers interrogated CPS officials about how the district is using state money. The answer is not what elected officials wanted to hear. CPS is using state funds to pay off its debt: $160 million last year alone. (WBEZ)

IN THE STATE
The Elgin Area School District U-46 school board on Monday said it was “extremely disappointed” in the recent decision of the teachers union to reject a tentative contract agreement that board members said demonstrates the district’s commitment to both teachers and students. (Daily Herald)

IN THE NATION
In a show of protest against high-stakes testing that they say warps the curriculum, takes precious weeks away from substantive learning, and doesn’t measure a child’s true ability, some parents are opting to keep their children out of the tests this year. In New York and across the nation, they have been sharing information, discussing concerns about potential ramifications, and asking other parents and educators to join their cause. (NYT)

Increasingly, community college students are making the jump to more selective institutions to obtain full degrees. (NYT)