catalyst-chicago.org

The Illinois State Board of Education is backing off its proposal to
cut Chicago’s special education allocation by $53 million this year,
but the district still faces the threat of a fundamental change to the
way it receives state funding.

CPS officials will change the process for closing failing schools. The district plans to warn struggling schools early, giving parents and educators time to devise their own improvement strategies. (WBEZ)

[Chief administrative officer Bob] Runcie says CPS wants to educate parents on what a high quality education looks like...“And raise their level of expectations in terms of what they should be demanding in the quality of education in their schools.”

Related: A handful of schools will likely be pulled from this year’s list of proposed closings. (WBEZ)

* Two out of three Chicago students exercise less than the government recommends—well behind national and state averages, according to research at Children’s Memorial Hospital. (WBEZ)

* Eric Zorn and Dennis Bryne debate state Sen. James Meeks’ school voucher plan. (Tribune)

* Mayor Daley protests war in pro-education speech at Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards ceremony.