A raft of past programs have failed to substantially improve the reading skills of middle grade and high school students. CPS is trying once again, as part of a federal project that aims to help teens learn how to analyze complex non-fiction.
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In the News: Lawmakers target CPS truancy 'epidemic'
By: Cassandra West / November 28, 2012
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia on Tuesday introduced legislation to create a task force to "address the truancy and excessive absences epidemic" in Chicago's public elementary schools, the Tribune reports.
The resolution creating the panel would have to be approved by the state House and Senate, either during the remaining days of the veto session or in January. Both Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett have said they would support the task force.
Some Illinois lawmakers are criticizing Chicago Public Schools' timetable for closing an unknown number of schools. But despite that criticism, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett got committee support to delay announcement of which schools the district would close this year. The delay still needs approval from the full House and Senate. (WBEZ)
State Rep. Cynthia Soto, D-Chicago, who co-sponsored 2010 legislation that requires CPS to announce school closings by Dec. 1, said Tuesday that she remains undecided on whether to allow Chicago Public Schools four more months to produce a list of school closings, even as legislation on the extension moved to the House and Senate floors. (Tribune)
Here's a video of Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett addressing the City Club of Chicago on Monday.
IN THE STATE
Naperville School District 203 authorities recently ruled out a proposal to adjust the barometers for determination of academic success on standardized tests on the basis of students’ race, but the school system is taking other measures to ensure the playing field is as level as they can make it. The district is updating its diversity plan, and a survey slated for early 2013 will assess students’ and staff’s views of how its minority populations are treated. (Naperville Sun)
IN THE NATION
Schools across the country are divided over how to handle pregnant students, and many schools say they can't afford costly support programs. (Education Week)
To improve the student-teaching experience, teacher education programs are taking more care in picking and guiding "cooperating" teachers. (Education Week)
http://www.newstips.org/2012/
http://www.newstips.org/2012/11/on-school-closings-a-political-ploy/
Reporter Curtis Black looks at the deeply flawed method CPS uses to determine school utilization rates -- it is a window into the key issue behind the correct number of schools that should be closed.
CPS needs to fix its methodology first.
Truancy?
Yippee.
Another state task force...
that after two years of work and resulting legislation...
will be taken over by a CPS commission designed to do exactly the same work...
and then...
we will start all over again.
Again--where are the FACE employees at every CPS network?
Task force-garbage! get these CPS employees out to truants homes & get them to school! How much do FACE employes make?
Is FACE just working for the mayor to cozy up to community groups & politicians so Rahm can get his way? get these FACE people out to students' homes. Rep. Lavia does not know a simple solution right in her FACE. Do some legwork before you create another wasteful task force.
Truancy Task Force
I couldn't agree more with above comments. Forget the task force....talk to CPS teachers, counselors, social workers and staff in the trenches. Bring back the truant officers, let them hit the bricks school by school. This is not rocket science. Everything that's been done since the board eliminated truant officers has been more money down the tubes.
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