4 things to know about Chicago Public Schools’ new strategic plan
4 things to know about Chicago Public Schools’ new strategic plan
The Chicago Board of Education’s five-year plan includes redefining student success and ending school ranking based on performance. It also includes expanding sustainable community schools, which record among the lowest student outcomes.
By Hannah Schmid
Enrollment barely rises at Chicago Public Schools amidst 12% increase in English Learners
Enrollment barely rises at Chicago Public Schools amidst 12% increase in English Learners
Preliminary enrollment data for the 2024-2025 school year show a less than 1% uptick in enrollment. The biggest increase is in English Learners.
By Hannah Schmid
How Mississippi ended its worst-in-the-nation early literacy epidemic
How Mississippi ended its worst-in-the-nation early literacy epidemic
Mississippi state lawmakers enacted science-based literacy legislation in 2013, laying the groundwork for improved reading proficiency among early grades, and additional legislation in 2016 to solidify improvement in literacy trends.
By Hannah Schmid
Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?
Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?
More than a dozen candidates filled out an Illinois Policy questionnaire to give voters a better idea of who is running for office. Read their answers below.
First nationwide school choice bill passes U.S. House committee
First nationwide school choice bill passes U.S. House committee
The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2024 becomes the first nationwide school choice bill to pass out of committee in U.S. history. Now it goes to the U.S. House floor, giving hope to Illinois families denied the option by state lawmakers.
By Hannah Schmid
Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate
Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate
Black and Hispanic students are around six times more likely to be proficient in reading at selective enrollment high schools compared to traditional public schools in Chicago. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate these schools that are a lifeline to the city’s minority students.
By Hannah Schmid
Will back to school in Chicago Public Schools be back to same-old, same-old?
Will back to school in Chicago Public Schools be back to same-old, same-old?
Chicago Public Schools students return to class Aug. 26. Here’s what parents should know about academics, building use, enrollment, absenteeism and finances.
By Hannah Schmid
What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school
What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school
Students in Illinois are steadily returning to class across Illinois’ 852 school districts, where improvement is needed on the 35% of elementary students who can read at grade level. What to know about how well the state’s public schools are preparing students for life.
By Hannah Schmid
Democratic National Convention to tout education policy near Chicago school where no kids read at grade level
Democratic National Convention to tout education policy near Chicago school where no kids read at grade level
Education will be a major platform piece during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Too bad the party will meet near a Chicago school where spending $27K per student yields none who can read at grade level.
By Dylan Sharkey
Johnson’s loyalty to Chicago Teachers Union clear as he pushes out schools chief
Johnson’s loyalty to Chicago Teachers Union clear as he pushes out schools chief
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly working to get rid of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. Martinez has been fighting financial ploys by Johnson and the mayor’s former employer, the Chicago Teachers Union.
By Patrick Andriesen
3-in-10 Chicago public school teachers send their children to private school
3-in-10 Chicago public school teachers send their children to private school
Nearly 31% of public school teachers in Chicago send at least one of their kids to private school. What does that say about the quality of a public-school education in Chicago?
By Hannah Schmid, Jon Josko