Chicago school spending nearly doubles as scores drop
Chicago school spending nearly doubles as scores drop
As Chicago Public Schools spending per student continues to rise, test scores and proficiency levels among students continue to drop.
3-in-10 seats are empty at Chicago Public Schools
3-in-10 seats are empty at Chicago Public Schools
Hundreds of Chicago Public Schools buildings have a space-use problem – they’re too empty. Nearly 60% of schools are underutilized while 5% are overcrowded. Only 37% are at ideal capacity. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to add staff to the empty schools.
Schools need to be open about curriculum to fight Illinois student declines
Schools need to be open about curriculum to fight Illinois student declines
Illinois students’ reading and math proficiency have yet to rebound from pandemic losses. Illinois parents have a right to know what their children are being taught so they can be part of the solution.
Literacy legislation aims to fix Illinois’ low reading proficiency
Literacy legislation aims to fix Illinois’ low reading proficiency
Lawmakers in 2023 required the Illinois State Board of Education to create a public school literacy plan using evidence-based reading instructional practices. A follow-up bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require school vendors to follow that plan.
Chicago Public Schools employs 5,500 more staff members for 32,000 fewer students during past four years
Chicago Public Schools employs 5,500 more staff members for 32,000 fewer students during past four years
Enrollment at Chicago Public Schools has dropped by 31,905 students since 2019. The district’s staff has increased by 5,472 full-time equivalent staff members over that same period. CPS now has 323,251 students and 43,255 staff members, including teachers.
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois’ average in-state tuition to public universities is among the highest in the nation. Getting an education is crucial to escaping poverty, putting Illinoisans at a great disadvantage.
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
A study found charter students in poverty had stronger growth in reading and math compared to their peers in traditional public schools, especially minority students in poverty. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to limit families’ options to enroll their students in charter schools.
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
The union’s federal reports show the union has suffered membership loss during the past two decades. It could be because the union’s spending priorities are completely misplaced.
Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families
Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families
The Chicago Teachers Union’s current contract limits the growth of charter schools in Chicago. The union’s new contract demands seek to further deny access and limit parents’ options for their children’s educations.
Vallas: Neighboring schools show why Chicago Teachers Union is so wrong
Vallas: Neighboring schools show why Chicago Teachers Union is so wrong
Students at a private school and a Chicago public school in the same neighborhood experience very different outcomes in their educations. Which one produces struggling students? The one dominated by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Chicago Teachers Union fails to turn $68K per student into even 1 academic win
Chicago Teachers Union fails to turn $68K per student into even 1 academic win
Douglass Academy High School had 35 students with nearly 900 seats unfilled. None were proficient on the SAT. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to add at least eight staffers there and at every other school in the district at a cost of $1.7 billion.
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ 3rd graders are struggling
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ 3rd graders are struggling
This episode of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. If you are spending part of your day reading this, it’s more than a little likely you had solid teachers in first through third grades. They taught you to read, which was essential to learning all that was to come during the rest...
Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss
Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sees unlimited migration as a solution to population loss. What he should be doing is recognizing crime and a lack of quality school choice is driving out families.
Chicago Public Schools’ academic struggles top Chicagoans’ concerns
Chicago Public Schools’ academic struggles top Chicagoans’ concerns
Half of Chicagoans said their biggest concern was “students not learning enough academically.” They expect Chicago Public Schools to “prepare students to go to college.” But the Chicago Teachers Union is demanding more schools that fail those expectations.