As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.
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In the News: CPS recess poses logistical problems
By: Cassandra West / April 20, 2012
For reasons including a lack of space, changing priorities and tight budgets, 98 Chicago public elementary and middle schools don't have outdoor playgrounds, which poses a logistical problem when Mayor Rahm Emanuel's longer day is introduced citywide and recess will be part of the schedule at all elementary and middle schools.
With this week’s developments in the CPS-CTU contract negotiations, check out Catalyst Chicago’s recently updated timeline of the contract talks.
Charlotte Danielson, an international expert in teacher effectiveness who visited the Chicago area recently, talked with Catalyst Chicago about using test scores to evaluate teachers and whether evaluations teachers can actually improve their practice. Listen to the interview here.
Illinois started training people to become certified teacher evaluators this week. Roughly 9,000 people will undergo the online training before next school year. New state laws require districts to change their evaluation systems and tie them to student achievement in some way. But using student test scores or other achievement measures is controversial and hasn't been well received by teachers or their unions. (WBEZ)
Working with the Chicago Teachers Union and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, CPS officials say they'll be collecting food between April 23-27. CPS will also have an online "Virtual Food Bank" that can be accessed here.
A Berwyn parents group on Thursday blasted the racist posts that appeared on the Facebook page of a local high school board member, as calls for him to resign mounted, the Sun-Times reports.
IN THE STATE
Illinois’ largest public employee pension fund, the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois, paid more than $1 billion in fees to hundreds of financial managers over the past decade but reaped only a paltry annual return on its investments over that same period, according to a Better Government Association investigation. (Sun-Times)
IN THE NATION
Gene Wilhoit, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, calls on states to revolutize teacher and principal preparation. (Education Week)
President Obama is pushing to retain a low interest rate for student loans, but Republicans counter that such a move is a fiscally irresponsible attempt to buy the youth vote. (NYT)
Video: Teacher Town Hall In Denver
Why would Rahm know?
This is just one of the many problems you created for yourself when you elected as your mayor a man who 1) has barely spent any time in your city; 2) has sort of made it clear he wants to get out as soon as he can; and 3) has absolutely no clue what he's doing.
It doesn't help that Emanuel hired out-of-towners who may know even less than he does about the school system they're running.
CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, who comes from New York. And chief education officer Noemi Donoso, who comes from Denver. And chief operating officer Tim Cawley, who lives in Winnetka. Even Greg Goldner—the political operative who helped rally black support for closing schools in black communities—is from Highland Park. Cheatum is from CA.
hhaha
I dare them to name five schools other than the Ogdens and Walter Paytons...name 5 nieghborhood schools...name ten students and 10 teachers!!
recess at the parking lot at Beaubien for special ed
My special needs son will have a recess at the crammed parking lot.
They do not want to have special ed with regular children because there will be no enough staff to watch them. They do not have playground, they cannot use park across the school. The IDEA and the least restrictive environment is becoming a dream in CPS.
CICS Wrightwood reviewed by a parent
I enrolled my child at this school because I liked the way the school felt. I liked the fact that there were more seasoned teachers at this school. My child was here for the early primary years, a time when there is optimal growth and deveolpment of a young sponge-like mind. The cirriculum I felt was lacking, the school days too long, not enought time for lunch (15 mins.), and too much homework. The school will call you for the smallest infarction, I feel that's too rigid for smaller children. I'm not a teacher, but I do know children, and smaller children need breaks, or ways to burn off energy, I honestly do not believe that you can house children in a building for 7 1/2 hrs. and expect them to be quiet, sit still and remain focused on their schoolwork ~ REALLY!!?? I didn't like the fact that you have to make an appointment to see the principal, too many days off, like two half-days back to back, and not enough extra-cirricular activities. I opted to pull my child from this school and place him in private schooling, for smaller classes, a more challenging cirriculum, and a full 45 mins. for lunch and a break before returning to studies. I'll pray for the rest of you remaining.
CICS Wrightwood (8130 S. California)
Charlotte Danielson interview
Thanks for the hyperlink to the audio interview with Charlotte Danielson. At just over 8 minutes, it was short enough to take the time to listen. And, just as I feared, CPS is going to take a good idea (the CD framework) and muck it up in the implementation.
High Teacher Standards
Why does CPS choose to pick over it's teachers with a fine tooth comb (ie new evaluations). When cps is entering it's most chaotic year next year?
1)Longer Day
2)First year of a new standard (common core)
3)ISAT being replaced by Nwea?
4) Potential strike year
5) TONS of new principals!!
6)the list goes onnnnnnn
They want their teachers to look bad!!
and all the other Chaos!!
makes no senseeeeeeee
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