Catalyst Notebook

Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration has cut off funding to the state’s largest charter-school operator, the politically influential United Neighborhood Organization, over insider deals it says violated terms of a $98 million state grant, according to a letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Testing headed for scrutiny amid protest, boycott

By: Rebecca Harris

Tags: early childhood education, testing and accountability

Amid an escalating battle over standardized testing that included a “play-in” protest at CPS headquarters last week and a student boycott of the Prairie State Achievement Exam on Wednesday, CPS officials are undertaking a broad review of testing in the

In the News: Clout opened door to spot at Payton Prep

By: Cassandra West

Tags: Arne Duncan, Bruce Rauner

Greg Hinz at Crain's reports on how potential GOP gubernatorial candidate and wealthy venture capitalist Bruce Rauner used his clout to get his daughter into Walter Payton College Prep High School by placing a call to former CPS chief Arne Duncan, according to sources with first-hand knowledge of the matter. Rauner owned a suburban home and his daughter could have attended wealthy New Trier High.

Charters, closings questioned by board members

By: Sarah Karp

Tags: charter schools, CPS administration, school closings

CPS board members approved Wednesday the expansion of several charter networks but, in an unusual occurrence for an appointed board that usually accepts all of the administration’s recommendations, the proposals did not all earn unanimous votes.

In the News: Sun-Times lectures on test boycott

By: Cassandra West

Tags: standardized testing

The Sun-Times, in an editorial, tells public high school juniors not to boycott "a state-mandated test called the PSAE" on Wednesday, as some students have threatened to do to send a message about how their results are being used.

In the News: Charter supporters mounting a fight

By: Cassandra West

Tags: charter schools

Under the newly formed group Charter Parents United, privately run charter schools and their allies are expected to announce at this week's Board of Education meeting a May 8 downtown rally and present the board with a petition demanding equity in funding for charters, according to the Tribune.

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