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: New IB schools may stress tech ed
By: Cassandra West / June 25, 2012
The mayor and schools CEO are being mum on the fact that a good percentage of students in Chicago’s new wall-to-wall IB schools could actually end up in a new and untested International Baccalaureate technical education track—not in the IB Diploma Programme researchers have lauded for its success at getting low-income minority kids into selective colleges, according to WBEZ.
Most Chicago property taxpayers pay $164 a year more than their suburban and downstate counterparts under the state’s uneven teacher pension funding system, according to numbers the Chicago Public Schools provided to the Sun-Times.
Organizations that run community schools—the programs that keep school doors open into the evening with classes for adults and activities for children—reportedly have been told by CPS that they will not receive district funding next year. (Catalyst)
IN THE STATE
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has asked the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation to expand its role by providing funding for programs traditionally undertaken by the district, including an anti-bullying program and interventions for at-risk students. (Daily Herald)
IN THE NATION
New York lawmakers voted last week to make kindergarten mandatory for all 5-year-olds in New York City, lowering the required age for schooling by one year. (The New York Times)
Twelve Atlanta teachers accused of helping students cheat on standardized tests have been reinstated after being cleared in a review of their cases by the school district. (The Augusta Chronicle)
After six months of searching for a new superintendent, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission revealed Friday the names of two finalists for the school district's top job. One is Pedro Martinez, a 2009 Broad Academy graduate who also served as chief financial officer of Chicago Public Schools under Arne Duncan. (Newsworks)
Bullying of teachers and staff has become more damaging students get access to advanced technology at earlier ages. (AP/Boston Globe)
Sixteen struggling Los Angeles Unified schools will lose nearly $60 million from a state program designed to boost student achievement after they fell short in raising scores on standardized tests, according to officials. (Los Angeles Daily News)
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