Catalyst Notebook

In the coming weeks, CPS will tally the results of its new kindergarten
readiness assessment of preschool students, which aims to give
kindergarten teachers an idea of the skills of their new students this
coming fall.

Some preschool teachers received their assessment kits late, so CPS is giving a few teachers the chance to finish the assessment after the June 1 deadline, says Eilene Edejer, a senior research analyst with the district’s Office of Early Childhood Education....

CPS' extended-day proposal met with skepticism and support. (Sun-Times)

"I have no problem with it, because you can never have too much education," said Antoinette Johnson, a parent of two kids at Penn Elementary in North Lawndale. "It would benefit most of these kids."

Related: Proctors, not teachers, may supervise students during longer school day. (WBEZ)

In the News: Extended school day; performance-pay model

By: Cassandra West

CPS officials considering a plan to bring an eight-hour school day to up to 100 struggling schools. (Sun-Times)

Performance-pay model for teachers shows no evidence of student achievement boost. (Education Week)

"Preliminary results from a Chicago program containing performance-based compensation for teachers show no evidence that it has boosted student achievement on math and reading tests, compared with a group of similar, nonparticipating schools, an analysis released today concludes."

CORE pressing CPS for e-mails between school execs about budget process. (Medill News)

North Lawndale College Prep celebrates 153 days of peace. (WBEZ)

Quinn signs bill raising standards for principal prep

By: Rebecca Harris

Tags: government and policy

In a ceremony today at Bell Elementary School in North Center, Governor
Pat Quinn signed a bill that will make it tougher to become a principal
in Illinois.

In the News: 'Summer slide' prevention; behavior improvements

By: Cassandra West

Huberman cites 'culture of calm' in improvement in student
behavior problems at six schools.

CPS to hand out 8,600 books to help prevent 'summer slide' among low-income students. (USA Today)

Can a $50 stack of paperback books do as much for a child's academic fortunes as a $3,000 stint in summer school?

An experimental program in seven states may help answer that question this summer as districts from Nevada to South Carolina give thousands of low-income students an armful of free books.

11 seeking to fill one District 300 board vacancy (Daily Herald)

Perspectives Calumet marks first graduation

By: Sarah Karp

Tags: new schools

The ceremony at Perspective Calumet Charter School on Thursday was more like a victory celebration than a graduation. Amid cheers and applause, the outgoing seniors were reminded several times that they are special as the first graduating class.

“It is a great day for you, a great day for Auburn Gresham and a great day for Chicago,” boomed Rev. Michael Pfleger, the priest at St. Sabina Church, who kicked off the ceremony.
St. Sabina is located in Auburn Gresham.

Q&A with Diane Ravitch, author, New York University professor

By: Catalyst Staff

Tags: Q&A

A Catalyst Conversation with Diane Ravitch from Catalyst Chicago on Vimeo.

Earlier this spring, Catalyst hosted a conversation for its members with Diane Ravitch, a prominent education scholar who made big waves when she reversed ground and came out against such controversial measures as charters and high-stakes testing and accountability. The title of her new book is “The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education.” This is an edited transcript of remarks during the Catalyst Conversation.

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