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: More scrutiny for TFA—by alums
By: Cassandra West / August 17, 2012
This fall, Teach For America will send a record 10,000 teachers into classrooms across the country—a third to privately run charter schools—prompting critics to charge that the organization threatens to damage the very schools it once said it set out to save, MSNBC reports.
At a time of steep cuts to education budgets, the nonprofit boasts $300 million in assets and collects tens of millions a year in public funds.
Chicago Public Schools has created an online school locator that allows a detailed search for schools by ZIP code or school name.
IN THE STATE
The Rockford Public School district is trying to bring more diversity to its teaching staff to better reflect the student population. School leaders are trying to figure out why just five percent of their teachers are black but 30 percent of students are. (WIFR.com)
The opening of schools in Downstate Cahokia will be delayed for two weeks while teacher contract talks continue. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
An internal investigation by East St. Louis administrators describes a complex and coordinated effort to cheat on state standardized exams at Officer Elementary, apparently led by the school's principal. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
IN THE NATION
80 percent of public schools have contracts with Coke or Pepsi. (Mother Jones)
One of the most vexing questions about charter schools—when low-performing ones should be shut down—is receiving new attention, amid concerns that lax and inconsistent standards for closing them will undermine the public’s confidence in the sector. (Education Week)
rockford
Maybe also ask why only 8 percent of elementary teachers are males when 50 percent of students are males.
Replacing Teachers
Teaching in Chicago is be privatized. It's not a funny joke that tenured teachers have lost their much needed jobs. There has been a sweep of veteran teachers in this city. Not because they could not teach. Because of their experience and salaries. Young teachers; you will not teach in Chicago long enough to make it there. A few years; and out you go. Will never be able to reach retirement age in this city. If allowed by educated and Principals who have the best interest of their staff at heart. If not; you will never conquer it. There are Principals out there that also need replacing. They are blaming the poor performance of their school on the staff. Some of the reasons are because some Principals need reevaluating; of replacing. Hopefully Cps Will find and incorporate better Principals at some of the low performing schools. Low performing schools have low performing principals. It should not go from years to years with principals bringing a school down. A lot of Local School Councils should be reevaluated to see if they are doing their jobs correctly. A lot of Councils are letting Principals run and get away with crime at their schools. Does not check up on if procedures are done correctly at their schools. Never get a chance to look at the budgets at their schools. Net get a chance to see or have input into the SIPPA at their school. So guess what. The Principals at some schools control the LSC. And getting away with it. Therefore; no fault is found with an inept principal at that school. It is a shame.If LSCs can't oversee their principals; then they need new; and the correct number of LSC members.
The Principals are apart of
The Principals are apart of the plan to destroy the Public school system and don't even know it. They are expendable and many have been out of the classroom so long they are removed from the daily realities of being a teacher in overcrowded classrooms with minimal support. When the republicons take over they will issue vouchers and the Public school system will be a thing of the past. The beginning of the Have/ Have nots. This is all planned to try and break the Unions. Furthermore, many principals are just as lost as their staff b/c they have minimal guidance from CPS. Their superiors have less education and experience than there underlings. For sure RAMBO is an undercover Republican, his values and train of thought is like Gov.Scott of Wisconsin. WAKE UP CHICAGO and especially CITY employees you are UNDER Attack WAKE UP.
Please--our LSC wants teachers to do more test prep! Yes, more!
Why are LSC not required to go to training?--No they are not! Nothing happens if an LSC member ever gets any training--nothing!
Not once has an LSC member been removed for not taking/completing the 'required' training. How many 100s or 1000 are there?
Don't blame the LSCs
The LSCs have been disempowered by the board. Due to the unscientific, overly broad probation policy, central office has sapped LSC power and then torn down the effective programs in many buildings.
The board should not be allowed to destroy programs that are working for students.
xian--they do not need training--are you being resonable here?
LSC still carry much responsibility and can be active if they want to on behalf of their schools. If they are smart and organized, they do get CPS/Board (some) reaction to their wishes-if they express any.
They cannot and should not if members refuse to take the training.
Not one LSC member has been removed for not being trained. Heck--parent members are never removed--even when they get their relatives hired at the school they are a member of.
Are they not responsible to be trained? Are they not responsible to be finger-printed?
Rebublicans
Hmmmm....I think it isn't a "rebublicon" problem its both parties. obama is part of the problem for teachers. has race to the top made our lives better hahaha...have you seen the new teacher evaluation? common core standards? its all a joke...i actually think , as a teacher, my life was better under bush! (btw i voted for obaba and probably will)....but he is no fried of teachers!!
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