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.
Steps and lanes: Understanding how Chicago public school teachers get multiple pay raises each year
Steps and lanes: Understanding how Chicago public school teachers get multiple pay raises each year
Chicago teachers’ salaries are based on a complex and convoluted system that has provided teachers with annual pay increases well in excess of the 2.75 to 3 percent raises proposed by the district.
New proposal would hold schools accountable for ensuring students can read
New proposal would hold schools accountable for ensuring students can read
Across the state, only 36 percent of third-grade black children read at grade level in 2014, while only 39 percent of Hispanic children met the standards. Yet state education rules force 4th grade children to advance to the next grade – whether they’re reading-ready or not.
Power outage: Inside Illinois’ Hispanic opportunity gap
Power outage: Inside Illinois’ Hispanic opportunity gap
“I was born poor and I will die poor. The best inheritance I can give to my children is an education.”
Apagón educativo: La brecha de oportunidades para hispanos en Illinois
Apagón educativo: La brecha de oportunidades para hispanos en Illinois
"Nací pobre y me moriré pobre. La mejor herencia que le puedo dejar a mis hijos es una educación".
Oportunidad: Student success, Hispanic achievement gaps and the future of Illinois
Oportunidad: Student success, Hispanic achievement gaps and the future of Illinois
The achievement gaps between white and Hispanic students in Illinois’ public schools, and the need to fundamentally reform the education system.
New Illinois law could make snow days a thing of the past
New Illinois law could make snow days a thing of the past
Online courses could keep students engaged in their current material even when schools are closed for inclement weather.
Reform education spending: Eliminate loopholes in General State Aid formula
Reform education spending: Eliminate loopholes in General State Aid formula
The state should simplify and amend the General State Aid formula to end loopholes, and require each school district to fully report its true property wealth when requesting means-based state aid.
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL
High levels of spending and a one-size-fits-all educational system have not been able to boost student achievement in Illinois.