Education

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Returning to school: What Illinois parents, teachers, school boards need to know

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2021

Illinois students are returning to school, but some unions are scaring teachers about their safety in the classroom. The science doesn’t support those fears, and the law may put teachers at odds with union demands.

TAGS: COVID-19, government unions, public schools, teachers

Illinois school standards proposal pushes ‘progressive values’ over diverse views, critics say

By Ben Szalinski

12/07/2020

Illinois educators may face controversial rules encouraging teachers to review their biases and privilege, accept multiple views as correct and encourage student activism.

TAGS: education

Illinois students should return to classrooms this fall

By Amy Korte

07/13/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker should set the expectation that Illinois schools will welcome students back to campus full-time for the 2020-2021 school year.

TAGS: emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker, K-12, public schools, stay at home order

Pritzker budget spends more on everything, but education is left behind

By Ben Szalinski

06/17/2020

Illinois’ fiscal year 2021 budget is larger than 2020’s, yet spending on education lost ground without an adjustment for inflation.

Free resources to keep learning going while COVID-19 keeps students at home

By Ben Szalinski

03/30/2020

COVID-19 has forced classes to close, but children’s educations can continue with some creativity and a wealth of free resources for online learning at home.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, school choice

Illinois wastes taxes supporting too many school district bureaucracies

By Adam Schuster

02/25/2020

Illinois could put $708 million more toward classrooms or property tax relief if it reduced school district bureaucracy to national average.

TAGS: administrative bloat, consolidation, education bureaucracy, education spending, Rita Mayfield, school district efficiency

Illinois Senate passes bill requiring kindergarten for all 5-year-olds

By Brad Weisenstein

04/17/2019

Lowering the compulsory age to attend school from 6 to 5 would tie Illinois for the lowest compulsory attendance age in the nation.

TAGS: compulsory school attendance, education, Kimberly Lightford

5 things you should know about putting students ahead of administration

By Mailee Smith

04/10/2019

The Illinois House of Representatives passed the Classrooms First Act by a unanimous vote March 28. If it becomes law, students, teachers and taxpayers will benefit.

TAGS: consolidation, education, local government consolidation, property taxes, school district consolidation, taxes

Pritzker budget slashes school choice scholarships for low-income students

02/21/2019

The Pritzker administration’s first budget proposes phasing out a school choice program for disadvantaged families. Low-income families loved the program. Public teachers’ unions decried it.

TAGS: budget, education, Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker, school choice

Teachers’ unions spend millions on hotels, airlines and catering – but don’t tell members why

By Mailee Smith

02/01/2019

NEA and AFT racked up millions of dollars in travel and catering expenses. Their reporting documents don’t always explain the intent, including why a cruise line received union money.

Bureaucrats over classrooms: Illinois wastes millions of education dollars on unnecessary layers of administration

Illinoisans pay large sums for public education, yet a large portion of the money goes to Illinois’ bloated school district bureaucracy that diverts resources away from the classroom. Through smart, strategic reforms, Illinoisans can better prepare their youth for the future as well as provide property tax relief.

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Education

Bureaucrats over classrooms: Illinois wastes millions of education dollars on unnecessary layers of administration

Timothy Carroll

A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students