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Turning Around Marshall

Marshall High and other turnaround high schools, in Chicago and nationally, face a thorny dilemma. Higher-performing students are being siphoned off through competition, driving down enrollment and raising tough policy questions about the future of these schools.

Catalyst Notebook

Monday, February 6, 2012 - 1:56pm

Chicago lawmakers file bills to rein in school closings, class sizes

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SPRINGFIELD -  When Chicago catches a cold, the Illinois General Assembly coughs.

The state legislature has been hacking like a two-pack-a-day smoker over school actions in the Chicago Public Schools—closings, phase-outs, changes in attendance boundaries and other moves that critics say are disruptive for students and the surrounding neighborhoods.

(Find the district’s facilities plan online.)

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Monday, February 6, 2012 - 9:08am

In the News: AUSL's turnarounds questioned

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While the Academy for Urban School Leadership has 'turned around' several failing Chicago Public Schools, some critics say improved test scores don't tell the whole story, the Tribune is reporting.

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Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 6:35am

In the News: CPS lifts YouTube ban

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As part of its efforts to expand digital learning in the classroom, Chicago Public Schools is lifting a ban on YouTube.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 9:36am

In the News: Emanuel interview on "choice" irks CTU

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel is featured in a new online video produced by the Michigan-based Education Action Group Foundation and Fox News political analyst Juan Williams that promotes charter schools and rips the Chicago Teachers Union. (Chicago News Cooperative)

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 9:22am

A longer day at Fiske

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Tags: extended day

Fiske Elementary in Woodlawn is one of 13 schools that opted to introduce a longer school day beginning in September 2011. As a "pioneer," Fiske Principal Cynthia Miller and her staff were able to design their own schedule without any constraints.

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