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On the Tribune's editorial page, CTU President Karen GJ Lewis lays out the union's case as it navigates "a very difficult series of negotiations for the next teachers contract."

Lewis' editorial is also a response to the Tribune's editorial Sunday. "Teachers, parents and students are extremely vulnerable to the poor and haphazard policymaking of an unelected school board and Jean Claude Brizard, the CEO of CPS," Lewis writes. "The district spends millions on unnecessary testing, politically connected charter schools and turnaround schools."

Lewis also was on WLS 890-AM with Don Wade and Roma to discuss the latest on the teacher's union contract negotiations with the CPS.

How many 'press secretaries' does one CPS need, Substance News asks.

The Oak Park River Forest School Board brings back 16 of 21 dismissed teachers in response to student and parent opposition. (OakPark.com)

IN THE NATION
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and public schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson outlined an ambitious five-year plan Wednesday to improve student performance, increase graduation rates and fund pilot programs that could lengthen the school day or academic year at specified schools in the District. (Washington Times)

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told students and community members at East High School in Madison, Wis., on Wednesday that the state should be committing more money to higher education and paying teachers double their starting salary. (Channel3000)

A new Brookings report illuminates some stark test-score differences between public schools in low-income neighborhoods and those in pricier, more-exclusive enclaves. Using test scores from schools in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country, senior research analyst Jonathan Rothwell found that housing costs an average of 2.4 times more—close to $11,000 more per year—near a high-scoring public school than near a low-scoring one.  (Education Week)