Rauner signs school funding plan, tax credit scholarships into law

By Austin Berg

08/31/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a school funding reform bill containing Illinois’ first-ever tax credit scholarship program.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, property taxes

Rahm’s celebration of test results ignores how CPS is still failing students

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/31/2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is touting a specific set of test scores showing improving student performance, while sweeping larger achievement problems under the rug.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Rahm Emanuel

Is your family eligible for Illinois’ tax credit scholarships?

By Mindy Ruckman

08/30/2017

The tax credit scholarship program included in the school funding proposal passed by the General Assembly would be the first of its kind in Illinois, and one of the largest of such programs in the nation.

TAGS: education, school choice, tax credits

Illinois General Assembly passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships

By Austin Berg

08/29/2017

The Illinois Senate passed a school funding reform bill containing the state’s first-ever tax credit scholarship program. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Illinois General Assembly, school choice, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

What Illinois college students should know before meeting with Rauner, lawmakers

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/13/2017

What’s making college unaffordable for Illinois students isn’t budget gridlock, it’s soaring administrative costs in higher education.

TAGS: higher education

CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?

By John Klingner, Amy Korte

03/01/2016

Unaffordable salaries and pension benefits on top of a structurally unstable retirement system have pushed CPS to the brink of insolvency despite record tax revenues.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, pensions

Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates

By Mark Fitton

02/20/2016

Unfunded-mandate relief could mean a savings of $200 million annually for Illinois school districts.

TAGS: education

Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts

By Amy Korte

02/05/2016

Among the U.S.’ 50 largest school districts, CPS teachers’ pay ranks No. 1 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, No. 2 for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and No. 3 for first-year teachers with a master’s degree.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Steps and lanes: Understanding how Chicago public school teachers get multiple pay raises each year

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2016

Chicago teachers’ salaries are based on a complex and convoluted system that has provided teachers with annual pay increases well in excess of the 2.75 to 3 percent raises proposed by the district.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

New proposal would hold schools accountable for ensuring students can read

By Ted Dabrowski

01/31/2016

Across the state, only 36 percent of third-grade black children read at grade level in 2014, while only 39 percent of Hispanic children met the standards. Yet state education rules force 4th grade children to advance to the next grade – whether they’re reading-ready or not.

TAGS: college readiness, education