Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Last year, 43% of Chicago Public Schools teachers missed 10 or more school days. Statewide, it was 34%.
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.
Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards
Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards
Chicago Public Schools students struggle in reading and math as just 2-in-5 read at grade level and about 1-in-4 do math proficiently. And that’s after Illinois lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.
Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards
Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards
Newly released data from state assessments show just half of Illinois public school students could read at grade level and 2-in-5 could do math proficiently in 2025. That’s after the state lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.
Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers
Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers
The Chicago Teachers Union’ own federal reporting shows its members are not priority No.1.
Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles
Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles
Low student proficiency is being hidden in Illinois. Virginia raised its expectations for students.
Public, private, homeschool all used in family’s education quest
Public, private, homeschool all used in family’s education quest
A search for the right education took a South Holland family through public school, private school and homeschool. Federal scholarships can ease the journey for others, if Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
The Chicago Teachers Union is over five years behind in releasing its 'annual' audits, yet its own reporting shows it’s been paying accountants for those audits.
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
If Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets Illinois join the federal scholarship tax credit program, public school students could receive grants for tutoring, books and other academic services.
See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024
See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024
Illinois school district superintendent pay topped out at $537,197 in 2024. See your local superintendent's salary here.
Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help
Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help
Superintendent salaries often do not reflect the district’s size, wealth or student performance. School district consolidation could help fix that.
Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students
Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students
There are 9,081 fewer students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools, driven by declines in Black and Hispanic students. The big drop ends a blip in annual enrollment declines.
Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools
Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools
The Chicago Teachers Union is shutting down school choice by attacking charter schools, hurting Black and Latino families who rely on them. Their actions put power over student success.
4 myths about federal scholarship tax credit program
4 myths about federal scholarship tax credit program
Illinois students could be denied donor-funded scholarships for tutoring and other academic services because opponents are spreading misinformation about how the program works. Here are the facts about four of their fictions.