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Paid Protesters Not A New Thing

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Here’s an interesting bit of contextual information on the rent-a-protester scandal:  Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller notes that this isn’t the first time that anyone’s paid random people to fill a room — the big ComEd debate in Springfield is one example — and that Rev. Watkins was involved way back then, too [here.] See also... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Friday at 8:07 am
• 2 comments

Parents Push Back Against 7.5 Hours

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Pushback against the 7.5 hour school day seems to be building, at least in terms of media coverage, along with other followup from Wednesday’s Board meeting and previews of this weekend’s New Schools Expo, now in its 5th year. Parents cite growing opposition to longer school day Sun Times:  Parents charged Wednesday that the opposition to... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Friday at 8:00 am
• 4 comments

Too Many Arrests, Not Enough Transparency

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Police arrests are too frequent on CPS school grounds, disproportionately affect young black men, and aren’t tracked and reported publicly by CPS as they are in other cities, notes a new report calling for the city council to require such reporting. Are principals too quick to involve police, and is CPS being too slow to... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Thursday at 7:44 am
• 6 comments
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Uh, Oh! Some Parents Oppose Long Day

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Coverage of yesterday’s Board meeting includes reporting on community protest against closing and turnaround plans, parents who don’t want such a long day as CPS is proposing, and a fainting incident. The paid protesters are being investigated, too. Anger Over Closures at School Board Meeting CNC: Community members and parents from seven of the schools affected—Crane... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Thursday at 7:38 am
• 2 comments

The Paid Protester Problem

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Paid protesters, today’s Board meeting, and school lunches top today’s education news: Ministers call paying protesters unusual Sun Times:  Reacting to allegations that “rent-a-protesters” packed recent school closing hearings, two ministers said Tuesday it is not common practice for Chicago clergy to pay people to attend hearings or “training.” Paid protesters a new force in school... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Wednesday at 7:30 am
• 10 comments

Education In The State Of The Union

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What to make of the education elements of the President’s speech last night?  Not that much, to be honest.  For all the media attention the event generates it’s just a speech — one given during an election year; a week, a month, a year from now, the real-world impact of Obama’s remarks will be minimal... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Wednesday at 7:00 am
• 4 comments
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EpiPens For Everybody?

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Today’s education news includes coverage of a meeting between Bronzeville protesters and City Hall staff, more about the paid protesters, and a preview of a new EpiPen policy to be considered at tomorrow’s Board meeting, which I know many of you have been pushing for a long time now. Bronzeville group meets with mayor’s staff Catalyst... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Tuesday at 7:52 am
• 16 comments

Rating Emanuel's Performance

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How did Emanuel do at last night’s education town hall?  Here’s a bit of early coverage to get you started: Monday’s Town Hall Show Ray Salazar (The White Rhino): This town hall was designed to make us “feel” the mayor is conversing with us but, in reality, he was protecting and promoting himself. ALSO: Emanuel’s town hall streamed on Facebook WLS... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Tuesday at 7:44 am
• 4 comments

Hearings Generate Conflicts

Contract negotiations, school closing protests, and recess top today’s education news.  The week ahead includes more school closing hearings, a Board meeting on Wednesday, and a staff only day on Friday (no kids). Chicago teachers deliver their union demands Tribune:  The Chicago Teachers Union submitted a list of demands to the Chicago Public Schools on Friday... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Monday at 9:34 am
• 14 comments
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IL Improves On EdWeek Report

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You might be surprised to find that IL moved from 40th to 29th on EdWeek’s annual report card for states (Quality Counts 2012).  But it’s true.  That’s a C (76.3 points), just below the US average for states.    ... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
Monday at 9:00 am
• 1 comment