Teachers union lobbyists push to end scholarships for low-income students

By Dylan Sharkey

03/17/2023

Illinois Families for Public Schools released a statement denouncing tax-credit scholarships in Illinois. Invest in Kids grants low-income students a scholarship to attend a private school of their choice.

TAGS: Chicago public schools, Governor Pritzker, The Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program

SAT scores in decline across Illinois, Chicago since 2017

By Hannah Max

03/08/2023

SAT scores are dropping for high school students in Illinois and Chicago. Here’s how Illinois’ 20 largest school districts compared to the state average in reading and math.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union’s funding of the Brandon Johnson campaign for Chicago mayor has fueled backlash from members. As one of its own employees, Johnson has banked more than $390,000 as CTU’s “legislative coordinator” in the past 5 years.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Mayor race pits school choice against more power for Chicago Teachers Union

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2023

Former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will advance to the April 4 runoff election. Both have very different views on public safety and education.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Paul Vallas

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

By Mailee Smith

03/01/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union’s funding of the Brandon Johnson campaign for Chicago mayor has fueled backlash from members. As one of its own employees, Johnson has banked more than $390,000 as CTU’s “legislative coordinator” in the past 5 years.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Poll: Just 1 in 3 Chicago voters happy with Chicago Public Schools

By Patrick Andriesen

02/23/2023

A new survey shows most Chicago voters polled were not satisfied with Chicago Public Schools. A majority supported school choice.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Next Chicago mayor needs to put students ahead of politics

By Mailee Smith

02/13/2023

The incoming mayor will inherit a troubled Chicago Public Schools system, a strike-happy Chicago Teachers Union with an expiring contract, and a transition to a fully elected school board. Whoever is elected must put kids first.

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

Chicago Public Schools hit record graduation rate as math, reading scores drop

By Hannah Max

02/09/2023

Academic proficiency is down, chronic absenteeism is up and Chicago Public Schools celebrates its rates of students graduating and freshmen “on-track.”

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

Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022

By Hannah Max

01/30/2023

Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 49% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school. That rate has nearly doubled since the pandemic.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act

By Patrick Andriesen

01/26/2023

Thousands of parents, educators and organizations across the country renewed calls this week to expand school choice and give more options for students’ educations. But in Illinois, the state’s only school choice program is nearing its end.

TAGS: Illinois, School Choice Week