Education

Shaka Rawls

“The power of these scholarships can’t be summarized in rhetoric or legislation. The power and potential reside with the young people.”

Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes

The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Education Association have leaders sending their children to private schools for brighter futures. So why are they working to end the hopes of two performing arts students and their 9,600 low-income peers?

By Dylan Sharkey

Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline

Chicago Public Schools reported its first uptick in enrollment after 11 years of decline. Thousands of new English learners contributed to the rise. Low-income and Black student enrollment declined.

By Hannah Schmid

Heide Renteria

“We have to look beyond ourselves and recognize that a program like this helps to give the younger generation an opportunity to be successful in their careers and their education so they can come back and be leaders in the community.”

The Policy Shop: How bad public education keeps people poor

This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. Third grade is a critical point in a child’s education. Their futures are often locked in by their ability to read at the end of that year. The chances of graduating high school can be predicted at that point. Their future earnings as adults may...

1 in 6 Chicago third graders can read at level, signaling dismal futures

Few Chicago third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Chicago students’ academic success and subsequent earning potential.

By Hannah Schmid

Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential

Few Illinois third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low-income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Illinois students’ academic success and adult earning potential.

By Hannah Schmid

Symara Moses

“We struggled with public schools; the curriculums and most schools not having the resources that the arts can bring to children. Her being able to attend the academy has been life changing and I see her growth every single week. Something new that she’s learning, something that she’s picking up from faculty, staff, other students and just her confidence.”

Traci Crosby

"There’s a public school, but it wasn’t the same as CAA. There, she was connected instantly. If this scholarship program ends, that’s just something we have to be prepared for.”

Mary Curtis

“I want people to look past the numbers, look at the advocacy of parents and the benefits of a child being in Catholic schooling."

Ian Holmes-White

“Mom says the cost is normally $700 a month and we’re paying about $100. If the scholarship goes away, I’m afraid that my future could be in jeopardy. My friends and my support system could disappear overnight.”

Fact check: 7 things school choice opponents got wrong about Invest in Kids

Illinois Families for Public Schools released a pamphlet with misleading information about the Invest in Kids Tax-Credit Scholarship program and its effects on the public school system in Illinois. Here are corrections to seven things they got wrong.

By Hannah Schmid

Krystal Roberts

“Think about your kid struggling throughout high school or struggling in middle school, trying to find a place to fit in and finding purpose. Think about all the kids who could be able to find their purpose and be able to move into something positive because of this scholarship.”

How you can help save school choice in Illinois

Some Illinois lawmakers and the Chicago Teachers Union want to cut off 9,600 students across the state from attending a school of their choice. Here’s how you can save their scholarships before they expire at the end of 2023.

By Dylan Sharkey