Daley Defends Corruption In Chicago Schools (Again)
Daley defends principals' role in school admissions Sun Times
After dedicating the new, $41.6 million Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School -- long-viewed as the elementary school equivalent of Whitney Young -- Daley once again found the silver lining in the clout admissions investigation at CPS.
Judge Announces Timeline PURE
After hearing oral arguments from both sides in the LSC lawsuit, Judge Sophia Hall announced that she will render her verdict in court on October 6th at 11 am.
Test gains not enough for federal mandates Pioneer Press
Overall, of Chicago's 101 high schools, of all types, 80 did not meet AYP standards for the 2007-08 school year. Many, like Taft, are multiyear members of that club.
Difficult to compare Taft's progress to N.W. Side peers Pioneer Press
Taft has three seventh- through 12th-grade hybrid peers: Harlan Community Academy High School and Kenwood Academy High School, both on the South Side, and Morgan Park High School, on the West Side. They all had similar ISAT results from the 2007-08 school year.
Dogfighting Ring Busted At Suburban Day Care Huffington Post
Cook County sheriffs raided a suburban day care Tuesday after learning it was being used as a front for what officers described as one of the most gruesome dogfighting operations they had ever seen.
Palatine H.S. student charged with bringing gun to school Tribune
A Palatine High School student was arrested this morning after police said a loaded, semi-automatic handgun fell out of his pocket as he was exiting the school bus.
12 Comments
Alexander Russo said:
By: Retired Principal Thursday Morning News Alexander, you only have two comments on your new blog! What day will the big switch occur on?
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:29 AMBy: I could not find it Thursday Morning News the new blog--where is it and when is the last day for this one??
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:38 AMBy: hey Danny, TAFT missed it again Thursday Morning News Taft missed the AYP target mandated by NCLB, which was 70 percent for reading and math. So far Taft has not achieved AYP since NCLB was implemented in 2003.
SINCE 2003 Danny. I really do not mean to rub your nose it it, but your better than thou attitude I guess does not pay off with your teaching at Taft as proved by AYP. Or will you admit it and join the club of ALL of us who struggle with these rediculous rules that have no heart or mind or input from teachers?
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:42 AMBy: more on TAFT Thursday Morning News It must be noted that the percentages used to determine Taft's AYP status are artificially high. The results from the Prairie State Achievement Examination, are combined with those of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, which is taken by the seventh- and eighth-graders at Taft's selective-enrollment academic center. Taft is one of four Chicago attendance-area high schools that have this type of arrangement.
How many of those 8th graders go to TAFT for grade 9? Now Taft willhave MORE students leaving and less students with higher schores coming in. You see TAFT--we are all in this together, it is all unfair and we are all cannabalizing ourselves--which makes Daley very happy.
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 8:21 AMBy: new blog Thursday Morning News the new blog is at district299.com and will, when transfer process is done, include all of the posts and comments from this blog.
another way to get to the new blog is here:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/district-299/
i'll make my last posts here tomorrow -- friday -- and then start up at the new place over the weekend.
they're still working on getting the comments unlocked but it should be done by the time the switch is done.
ar
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 1:55 PMBy: 3rd graders to Daley Thursday Morning News http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1788171,CST-NWS-letters24.article#
Kids give Daley advice
DEAR MR. MAYOR | Get rid of parking meters, fill the potholes
Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 2:21 PMBy: definately lice Thursday Morning News Matt Farmer
Matt Farmer
Posted: September 24, 2009 11:30 AM
Head Lice or Handguns: Which Concerns You More?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-farmer/head-lice-or-handguns-whi_b_296415.html
Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 9:13 PMBy: CSU Accreditation Concerns Thursday Morning News Commission cites concerns with Chicago State accreditation
Graduation rates, finances, leadership concerns for agency
By Angie Leventis Lourgos and Jodi S. Cohen
Chicago Tribune
September 25, 2009
Chicago State University is at risk of losing its accreditation due to "remarkably poor" graduation and retention rates, as well as tumultuous leadership and finances, according to the region's accrediting agency.
In a letter obtained by the Tribune, the Higher Learning Commission cites several "grave" concerns regarding the future of the South Side school that serves roughly 6,800 students. The most pressing problems derive from managing enrollment, but other issues include a reduction in student financial assistance that led to dropouts and delayed approval of budgets.
"There are serious questions about whether Chicago State University continues or will continue to meet the Commission's criteria for accreditation," said Karen Solomon, a vice president with the commission, in the July letter.
Loss of accreditation is rare: Only one university in the region has been stripped of this authorization in the last three years, said Karen Solinski, the commission's director of legal and governmental affairs. Losing accreditation can cost federal funding and credits students earn might not be accepted by other institutions.
Solinski said she would not comment specifically on Chicago State, but said the commission is usually able to help struggling schools resolve their problems. "Withdrawal is the last resort," she said.
The commission plans to visit the campus early next year to focus on improving recruitment, retention and graduation rates. The university had 6,820 students last fall, down from prior years. Retention of students from the first to second year of college is "very poor," the letter said. Of the 372 students who started college in fall 2007, for example, only 55 percent returned the next year.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-state-accreditation-sep25,0,380998.story
Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 2:50 PMBy: Sam Thursday Morning News Seems like some of you are happy that Taft did not make the grade. Attitudes on here are not a reflection of how one teaches (talking to you "hey Danny, Taft missed it again). You must be happy that students are not doing well because now you can rub it in people's faces. How dare you talk about Taft and its teachers when you can't spell "ridiculous"!
Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 12:19 AMBy: Dear Sam Thursday Morning News I spelled it wrong on purpose. I do NOT want Taft to do poorly. Some of my former students go there.
You would have to know about Danny's posts to understand the comment.
Best wishes.
District299Reader said:
Heather: What a HORRIBLE site! This is frustrating, messy, the font is small, and it is very unfriendly to use. I have tried to post here 4 times now, and if this doesn't work, I will give up and won't post any more. This site is hardly better. It sucks! You may have creative controll, Alexander, but if you don't get your problems worked out, no one will read you blog anyway!
District299Reader said:
From Russo: yep, new server, new software, new comment system... it'll take a few days
thanks for checking it out. i think it's gonna be good.
District299Reader said:
From Kugler: ound the old stuff.
seems like this site is a little jumpy still?
District299Reader said:
From Russo: the comments and posts from the last four years are all here, minus the last three months which they're still moving over. that includes both the pre-catalyst posts and comments (on typepad) and the catalyst posts and comments, too.
i'm not sure about images and video -- will have to check.
District299Reader said:
From Kugler: i mean all the old ones over the years? just got on. http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/
will all the old posts and threads be archived?
i see http://district299.typepad.com is still working
District299Reader said:
From Russo: right above you, john --
one big ugly lump of comments copied and pasted about 14 hours ago --
can you see it?
District299Reader said:
From Kugler: what happened to all those posts on the old site?
District299Reader said:
From Sam: I know Danny's posts on here. Again, why rub it in when a school fails?
District299Reader said:
From Various Readers:
Previous comments on this blog post:
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:29 AM
By: I could not find it
the new blog--where is it and when is the last day for this one??
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:38 AM
By: hey Danny, TAFT missed it again
Taft missed the AYP target mandated by NCLB, which was 70 percent for reading and math. So far Taft has not achieved AYP since NCLB was implemented in 2003.
SINCE 2003 Danny. I really do not mean to rub your nose it it, but your better than thou attitude I guess does not pay off with your teaching at Taft as proved by AYP. Or will you admit it and join the club of ALL of us who struggle with these rediculous rules that have no heart or mind or input from teachers?
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 7:42 AM
By: more on TAFT
It must be noted that the percentages used to determine Taft's AYP status are artificially high. The results from the Prairie State Achievement Examination, are combined with those of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, which is taken by the seventh- and eighth-graders at Taft's selective-enrollment academic center. Taft is one of four Chicago attendance-area high schools that have this type of arrangement.
How many of those 8th graders go to TAFT for grade 9? Now Taft willhave MORE students leaving and less students with higher schores coming in. You see TAFT--we are all in this together, it is all unfair and we are all cannabalizing ourselves--which makes Daley very happy.
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM
By: new blog
the new blog is at district299.com and will, when transfer process is done, include all of the posts and comments from this blog.
another way to get to the new blog is here:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/district-299/
i'll make my last posts here tomorrow -- friday -- and then start up at the new place over the weekend.
they're still working on getting the comments unlocked but it should be done by the time the switch is done.
ar
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 1:55 PM
By: 3rd graders to Daley
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1788171,...
Kids give Daley advice
DEAR MR. MAYOR | Get rid of parking meters, fill the potholes
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 2:21 PM
By: definately lice
Matt Farmer
Posted: September 24, 2009 11:30 AM
Head Lice or Handguns: Which Concerns You More?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-farmer/head-...
Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 9:13 PM
By: CSU Accreditation Concerns
Commission cites concerns with Chicago State accreditation
Graduation rates, finances, leadership concerns for agency
By Angie Leventis Lourgos and Jodi S. Cohen
Chicago Tribune
September 25, 2009
Chicago State University is at risk of losing its accreditation due to "remarkably poor" graduation and retention rates, as well as tumultuous leadership and finances, according to the region's accrediting agency.
In a letter obtained by the Tribune, the Higher Learning Commission cites several "grave" concerns regarding the future of the South Side school that serves roughly 6,800 students. The most pressing problems derive from managing enrollment, but other issues include a reduction in student financial assistance that led to dropouts and delayed approval of budgets.
"There are serious questions about whether Chicago State University continues or will continue to meet the Commission's criteria for accreditation," said Karen Solomon, a vice president with the commission, in the July letter.
Loss of accreditation is rare: Only one university in the region has been stripped of this authorization in the last three years, said Karen Solinski, the commission's director of legal and governmental affairs. Losing accreditation can cost federal funding and credits students earn might not be accepted by other institutions.
Solinski said she would not comment specifically on Chicago State, but said the commission is usually able to help struggling schools resolve their problems. "Withdrawal is the last resort," she said.
The commission plans to visit the campus early next year to focus on improving recruitment, retention and graduation rates. The university had 6,820 students last fall, down from prior years. Retention of students from the first to second year of college is "very poor," the letter said. Of the 372 students who started college in fall 2007, for example, only 55 percent returned the next year.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-...
Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 2:50 PM
By: Sam
Thursday Morning News
Seems like some of you are happy that Taft did not make the grade. Attitudes on here are not a reflection of how one teaches (talking to you "hey Danny, Taft missed it again). You must be happy that students are not doing well because now you can rub it in people's faces. How dare you talk about Taft and its teachers when you can't spell "ridiculous"!
Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
By: Dear Sam
I spelled it wrong on purpose. I do NOT want Taft to do poorly. Some of my former students go there.
You would have to know about Danny's posts to understand the comment.
Best wishes.
District299Reader said:
Tenured teachers is a big issue, it's true. So is discrimination. Whatever happened to that discrimination lawsuit that was being filed? About the 2000 black teachers who'd been laid off.
District299Reader said:
Jean Schwab: It is time to pay attention to the tentured teachers that are being pushed out of teaching because their salaries are too high. When are you going to start pointing this out? Keeping our older teachers is the only hope for students today.
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