20% fewer Illinois public school students proficient in reading, math

By Hannah Max

11/18/2022

Illinois students’ academic proficiency remains below pre-pandemic levels. Demographic achievement gaps persist. School choice is part of the solution.

TAGS: Illinois, public schools

Parents push to expand Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program

By Dylan Sharkey

11/18/2022

Illinois state lawmakers are hearing from parents who want to see the Invest in Kids program expanded. Giving families a choice about their schools can boost student achievement.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

How to run for local school board in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

11/11/2022

School boards impact two-thirds of property tax bills on average in Illinois. Running for the school board ensures kids in the community get a quality education and winning candidates get a chance to control costs.

TAGS: IASB: Illinois Association of School Boards

Pritzker flips on school choice scholarships he tried to cut

By Dylan Sharkey

10/19/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker now supports the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program, according to a candidate survey. Pritzker in the past called for eliminating the program.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker

Chicago school enrollment declines for 11th year

By Dylan Sharkey

09/22/2022

A total of 82,000 fewer students attend Chicago Public Schools than a decade ago. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates blames the city for more than a decade of declining enrollment.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois has more teachers, fewer students than 10 years ago

By Hannah Max

09/07/2022

There are fewer students and more teachers in Illinois today than a decade ago, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Teachers unions push the shortage myth to gain power.

TAGS: teacher shortage

One-third of Chicago Public Schools are half full

By Hannah Max

08/19/2022

Smaller student population and worsening test scores continue despite more funding.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, enrollment

Chicago parents spend $886 per child on school supplies

By Dylan Sharkey

08/09/2022

Chicago parents spend one-third more than the national average on school supplies. A 5% state sales tax holiday does little to help those struggling with back-to-school costs.

TAGS: Chicago, education spending, parenting, public schools, school, teachers

Amendment 1 would give teachers unions more power over students’ health

08/01/2022

The number of students enrolling in Chicago Public Schools continues to fall as teachers’ unions impose COVID-19 policies and infringe on parents’ choices about their childrens’ health and safety. A ballot proposal would make that worse.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Chicago, COVID-19, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, mask mandate, parenting, public schools, teachers union

Chicago Teachers Union oversaw academic, enrollment drops as costs rose

By Hannah Max

06/17/2022

Nearly 80,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have declined nearly 80% in math and 70% in reading since the current leaders took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.

TAGS: Amendment 1, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union