Illinois spends more on education, but outcomes lag
Illinois spends more on education, but outcomes lag
Misplaced priorities in Illinois' education system may be the reason students are less prepared for college than peers in other states.
In need of a comeback story, Illinoisans give thanks to their champions
In need of a comeback story, Illinoisans give thanks to their champions
In a state that can seem devoid of hope, Joe Ocol’s empathy and generosity are something we all should cherish.
Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate
Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate
Despite the potential for imposing new costs on school districts, Illinois lawmakers overrode Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto on a bill mandating cursive writing instruction.
Report: City Colleges of Chicago watered down standards, issued thousands more degrees
Report: City Colleges of Chicago watered down standards, issued thousands more degrees
Illinois’ largest community college system saw a decrease in enrollment, but a doubling of degrees.
Rauner signs school funding plan, tax credit scholarships into law
Rauner signs school funding plan, tax credit scholarships into law
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a school funding reform bill containing Illinois’ first-ever tax credit scholarship program.
Rahm’s celebration of test results ignores how CPS is still failing students
Rahm’s celebration of test results ignores how CPS is still failing students
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is touting a specific set of test scores showing improving student performance, while sweeping larger achievement problems under the rug.
Is your family eligible for Illinois’ tax credit scholarships?
Is your family eligible for Illinois’ tax credit scholarships?
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.
Illinois General Assembly passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships
Illinois General Assembly passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships
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.
How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
Joe Ocol is taking his South Side chess team to one of the nation’s premier tournaments. But he needs help paying their way
What Illinois college students should know before meeting with Rauner, lawmakers
What Illinois college students should know before meeting with Rauner, lawmakers
What’s making college unaffordable for Illinois students isn’t budget gridlock, it’s soaring administrative costs in higher education.
Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens
Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens
Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.
CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?
CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?
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.
Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates
Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates
Unfunded-mandate relief could mean a savings of $200 million annually for Illinois school districts.
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
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.