Archive for August 2013

More Charters For CPS

More Charters For CPS
MORE CHARTERS Just months after closing 50 schools, Chicago issues RFP for more charter schools  WBEZ;  The district wants what it’s calling “next generation” charter schools, which could combine online and traditional teaching. It also wants proposals for arts integration charter schools and dual language charters. Around 13 percent of district students—and more than 20 percent... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
August 14, 2013 at 10:14 am • 

Class Action Denied

Class Action Denied
The class action lawsuit was denied on Monday, cuts could affect community schools most of all, Safe Passages remains a question mark, and more.... ...
By Alexander Russo,
August 13, 2013 at 9:50 am • 

Safe Billiken Passages

Safe Billiken Passages
Today's education news:  Safe Passages rollout, CPS employees complain about being told to attend Bud Billiken parade, the "real Karen Lewis, reactions to the testing rollback last week, shared schools/libraries, and more...
By Alexander Russo,
August 12, 2013 at 10:06 am • 
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Social Friday Open Comments

Social Friday Open Comments
I’m on the road Friday and over the weekend, but not to worry.  There’s tons to talk about — budgets, layoffs, pensions, etc.  Feel free to post comments, link to news and commentary, and all of the usual stuff in the comments below.  [Or you can find me on twitter here.] I’ll be back on... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
August 9, 2013 at 8:17 am • 

Where All The (Good) Principals At?

Where All The (Good) Principals At?
There are currently 16 principal positions that are officially open, according to CPS, currently being led by APs and other leaders (presumably network staff) in the meantime while the search continues. Is that a lot, or not many, compared to previous years?  I know that the job is a tough one, increasingly so given the... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
August 8, 2013 at 1:42 pm • 

Can CPS/CTU Win Extra Funding?

Can CPS/CTU Win Extra Funding?
The big question right now is why CPS and CTU can't get it together to fight for more funding for Chicago schools - which they both want -- and what it says that they can't agree on a set of funding increase proposals and present a unified front downstate that is needed to have any chance of making things better funding-wise...
By Alexander Russo,
August 8, 2013 at 8:59 am • 
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Inspiring CPS Women

Inspiring CPS Women
Here’s a pair of WBEZ posting about inspiring women — two of whom happen to be CPS employees.  One, Leonetta Sanders, is the principal of Harper High School. The other, Maxine Gladney, a CPS custodial worker. Like a lot of other people, I’m sure, I’m wondering how things are going to go at Harper now that... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
August 7, 2013 at 11:01 am • 

CPS Eliminates 15 Tests

CPS Eliminates 15 Tests
CPS cuts back on mandated assessment tests Tribune: Responding to concerns from parents and teachers about over-testing, Chicago Public Schools officials say they will sharply reduce the number of district-required assessment tests students will take this year. Chicago scales back on standardized testing WBEZ: The district overtests students, Barbara Byrd-Bennett told reporters Tuesday as she announced that Chicago Public... Read more »
By Alexander Russo,
August 7, 2013 at 10:08 am • 

Here Comes Full-Day Kindergarten

Here Comes Full-Day Kindergarten
Full day kindergarten expansion, CPS budget cuts and layoffs (see interesting WTTW segment), plus which UNO schools did better or worse than the city average for Hispanic kids...
By Alexander Russo,
August 6, 2013 at 8:20 am • 
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Credibility, Contracts, & Safety

Credibility, Contracts, & Safety
As you can see below, Friday's web-only WTTW Chicago Tonight Week In Review segment focused almost entirely on CPS -- the SUPES contract, the layoffs, the issue of credibility, and safe passage...
By Alexander Russo,
August 5, 2013 at 10:24 am •