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School closings

As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 8:42am

In the News: Wednesday, Feb. 3

By: John Myers

Gov. Pat Quinn holds a narrow lead over Comptroller Dan Hynes in the Democratic gubernatorial race. (Sun-Times) Bill Brady has an even slimmer lead over Kirk Dillard in the GOP race. David Miller, a clear proponent for school funding reform, has a narrow lead over Raja Krishnamoorthi in the Democratic race for comptroller. Voter turnout was low. (Tribune)

Advance Illinois has put together this set of links to the candidates’ positions on education issues.

* UNO charter students had Election Day off, part of the organization’s unabashed political ambitions. (WBEZ)

* Ald. Ginger Rugai tells parents that CPS will move Keller Magnet over her dead body. (Southwest Observer)

* More protests planned over school closings. (Substance)

* A Chicago Lawndale Academy science teacher, well known in the 1980s, has died. (Tribune)

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 9:17pm

Illinois lands major grant for school turnarounds

By: John Myers
Tags: government and policy

Illinois and five other states today secured nearly $75 million in funding for school turnarounds, a controversial approach to school improvement that calls for wholesale staffing changes at chronically failing schools.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 8:20am

In the News: Tuesday, Feb. 2

By: John Myers

The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund is suing North Trust Co. over risky investments strategy. (Sun-Times)

* Alexander Russo points out that Chicago is not one of Illinois’ 12 super LEAs—districts that secured union support for, among other Race to the Top proposals, a speedy overhaul of teacher evaluations. (D299)

* 15-year-old Brennemann student shot in the arm. (Tribune)

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Monday, February 1, 2010 - 8:04pm

State moving ahead with plan for special ed cuts in Chicago

By: Sarah Karp
Tags: special education, special education

Members of a task force on special education said Monday they were not ready to move forward with a proposal that would change the way CPS' state special education is funding, but a state board committee is pressing ahead with the plan, including a proposal to slash the budget next year.

The task force spent three hours discussing a report that concludes the
state’s special education funding system is inequitable because Chicago
receives more than its share of money. 

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Monday, February 1, 2010 - 8:44am

In the News: Monday, Feb. 1

By: John Myers

The Sun-Times takes stock of the challenges ahead for Schools Chief Ron Huberman.

"Every week, it looks like he has another big problem to solve," said Barbara Radner of DePaul University's Center for Urban Education. "Ron Huberman really is facing unprecedented challenges."

* Police report shows Michael Scott discussed questionable spending with the Mayor’s office just before his suicide. (Sun-Times)

* Mini Wrigley Field may go up near Lane Tech. (Sun-Times)

* Ald. Ginger Rugai and others offer support to parents over Keller Magnet flap. (Southtown Star)

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Friday, January 29, 2010 - 5:20pm

Proposed cuts to special education would hit hard in Chicago

By: Sarah Karp
Tags: special education

Advocates and CPS officials are stunned by a proposal to cut CPS’ state funds for special education by 25 percent next year and to drastically change the way the district’s services are funded. The proposal will be presented to the Special Education Task Force on Monday in Springfield. CPS CEO Ron Huberman is sending a representative to the meeting, which a leading activist, Rod Estvan of Access Living, will also attend.

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