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School closings

As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.

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Catalyst Notebook

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 7:43am

In the News: Rating Evanston teachers, Madigan and U of I

By: John Myers

Evanston schools forge ahead with rating teachers based on student performance. (WBEZ)

Orrington Elementary in Evanston seems a long way from the national fray. But District 65, with schools in Evanston and Skokie, is the only Illinois district to try evaluating teachers based on student outcomes. Up close, it looks less controversial—and more complicated.

* A Tribune editorial that embraced school vouchers for Chicago drew a sharp rebuke from Ken Swanson, president of the Illinois Education Association.

Yesterday, lawmakers successfully added a technical amendment to state Sen. James Meeks’ voucher bill. But intense lobbying apparently slowed the bill’s advance to a floor vote. That’s expected to change today.

* Mayor Daley to address school leaders trained by the New Leaders for New Schools program. (Press release)

* A Tribune investigation finds House Speaker Michael Madigan helped clout students into the University of Illinois.

* The General Assembly approved plans to shutter the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education. (Clout Street)

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 10:45am

Four year olds in Illinois increasingly less likely to attend preschool

By: Rebecca Harris
Tags: early childhood education

Illinois has long been seen as a leader in early-childhood education,
but a national organization says the state has started to slip.

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 7:11am

In the News: charter cuts, cigarette tax

By: John Myers

Lawmakers may vote on state Sen. James Meeks’ school vouchers bill today. The Tribune takes stock of some parents’ emerging options.

* Stock Elementary preschool granted full funding for next year. (Pioneer)

* After two years, the courts have made little progress with PURE’s local school council lawsuit. (Columbia Chronicle)

* Elizabeth Purvis, the executive director for Chicago International Charter Schools, explains how impending state budget cuts would impact her charter schools. (State of Your State)

For background on charter funding, read Catalyst’s In Brief report on charters.

* $1-a-pack cigarette tax could help state finance schools. (Statehouse News)

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Monday, May 3, 2010 - 7:55am

In the News: CFO spotlight, charter replication

By: John Myers

Chicago schools’ new chief financial officer, Diana Ferguson, makes Crain’s Women to Watch 2010 list.

* Walt Disney’s daughter visits Disney Magnet. (Sun-Times)

* Aldermanic opposition to school closings has warmed up to a new community engagement plan. (WBEZ)

* Grant will bring mapping technology to four middle schools. (Fox 59)

* The Hyde Park Herald profiles Hyde Parker Karen Lewis, CORE’s candidate for Chicago Teachers Union president.

* Julie Woestehoff spotlights the Consortium’s essential supports for school improvement. (Examiner)

* The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund now requires fund managers to disclose charter school relationships. (Substance)

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Friday, April 30, 2010 - 11:51am

A ray of hope for preschools: cash for construction

By: Rebecca Harris
Tags: early childhood education

Last year, $45 million in state funds were set aside for construction of
preschool classrooms. However, advocates say that a required
dollar-for-dollar match from each preschool will prevent many from
accessing the money.

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Friday, April 30, 2010 - 7:12am

In the News: voucher vote, alt certification

By: John Myers

The Illinois House could vote as early as today on state Sen. James Meeks’ school voucher plan, which now includes provisions for children in over-crowded schools. (Tribune)

* Looking to involve communities earlier in corrective action for schools, CPS announced a five-step early warning process yesterday.

* Reauthorization is looming for the national Child Nutrition Act and Building a Healthier Chicago says schools should meet standards set by the Institute of Medicine. (Medill)

* WBEZ has posted unfiltered audio from Wednesday’s board meeting.

* A signature from Gov. Pat Quinn would send another $22 million to Elgin U46. (Courier News)

* A national panel has found no measurable difference in teacher quality for those who enter the profession through alternative pathways. (Ed Week)

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