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Bilingual Education

Research shows that Latinos who remain in bilingual programs long term risk falling behind in the middle grades and failing once they reach high school. CPS is taking long-awaited steps to launch dual-language programs, a strategy that is gaining steam nationally to help students become proficient in their native language and in English.

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school closings

Last-ditch efforts aim to stop school closings, turnarounds February 21, 2012 By: Sarah Karp On the eve of the Board of Education vote on school closings and turnarounds, CPS leaders said they will reopen a neighborhood option in the Crane High School building, city council members questioned CPS leaders and activists and parents made final arguments that their schools have made gains and don’t need dramatic change. Also, an advocacy organization once again raised questions about whether turnaround schools produce results. Read More \| (3) Comments	In the News: CPS' parent engagement not connecting February 21, 2012 By: Cassandra West Despite a well-publicized commitment to involve parents in the city’s public education system, some of them are not happy with how Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his school team are following through. And some say they are still not familiar with the new Office of Community and Family Engagement, according to the Chicago News Cooperative. Read More \| (1) Comments
Councils file lawsuit to stop school closings, turnarounds February 09, 2012 By: Lindsay Abbassian A coalition of local school council members filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop CPS from moving forward with its proposed school closings, phase-outs and turnarounds. Read More \| (64) Comments	Chicago lawmakers file bills to rein in school closings, class sizes February 06, 2012 By: Jim Broadway 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.) Read More \| (12) Comments
In the News: Longer day may be too much, parents say January 24, 2012 By: Cassandra West Some parents are speaking out, forming groups, drafting petitions and setting up Facebook pages to call on CPS to rethink the 7.5 hour extended day, which they say is making their children physically and mentally exhausted, the Tribune reports. Read More \| (2) Comments	In the News: Bronzeville group meets with mayor's staff January 24, 2012 By: Cassandra West After staging a sit in on the fifth floor of Chicago City Hall over several days, a group of Bronzeville students, parents and community activists met with members of the mayor's staff Monday in an attempt to get Rahm Emanuel's school leadership to back down from its plans for three near South Side Schools. Read More \| (0) Comments
Tensions rife at school closing hearings January 21, 2012 By: Catalyst Chicago staff Despite a snowstorm, hundreds turned out to Friday's round of school closing hearings, and tensions were high as supporters brought on yellow school buses clashed with parents, students and community activists. A fight between Crane students and some of the bused-in school closing supporters broke out at the hearing on the proposed phase-out of the West Side high school, according to WBEZ/Chicago Public Media. At the hearing on the planned closing of Price Elementary School, one mother left crying and screaming, “I’m done." Read More \| (18) Comments	In the News: Teachers mark MLK Day with protests January 17, 2012 By: Cassandra West The Chicago Teachers Union and community groups fighting Chicago Public Schools' efforts to close down or turn around failing schools marked the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with protests on the West and Southwest Sides. (Tribune) Read More \| (0) Comments
In the News: Using protests, lessons to honor King January 16, 2012 By: Cassandra West On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, you'll find teachers in the Chicago area remembering the civil rights leaders in numerous way—from protest marches against school closings to using a variety of techniques to recognize the civil rights leader's contributions to society and show how his dedication to equality has touched lives. (Substance News/Daily Herald) Read More \| (0) Comments

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