Supply without demand: public school hires increase while enrollment drops
Supply without demand: public school hires increase while enrollment drops
There are too many people working in America’s schools. From 1950 to 2009, the amount of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees grew 386 percent while the amount of public school students only grew by 96 percent, according to a recently released report from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Excellence. Looking even closer at the data reveals...
Despite Evergreen Park union resistance, evaluations included in ratified contract
Despite Evergreen Park union resistance, evaluations included in ratified contract
A couple of weeks ago I noted that a performance incentive program for teachers and staff was one of the bones of contention in the Evergreen Park teacher strike. These proposed incentives were based on district-wide performance on the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) exam, which measures students’ academic growth. The bonuses were tied to...
By Paul Kersey
Dispelling the class size myth
Dispelling the class size myth
As teachers’ strikes continue to spread across Illinois, union officials are pushing back against criticisms that they are not doing enough to raise student achievement. One of the most common excuses they use to explain the lack of results – apart from claiming that low-income populations have too many issues to overcome, something the Institute showed is...
CPS asks charter networks to save failing schools
CPS asks charter networks to save failing schools
According to a report in today’s Chicago Tribune, CPS officials have asked several charter operators if they would be willing to take over some of the 80 to 120 under-enrolled or poorly performing schools that the district is planning on closing next year. Among the names mentioned are the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) and the Noble Network of Charter Schools....
Top ten charters outperform top ten open enrollment, non-selective, traditional high schools in Chicago
Top ten charters outperform top ten open enrollment, non-selective, traditional high schools in Chicago
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. In Chicago that is. In Chicago’s traditional public schools, the teachers’ union was on strike. Parents were scrambling to find a safe place for their child to stay during what would otherwise be a school day. Some were taking time off, even at...
A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores
A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores
The problem Too many of Chicago’s children don’t reach their full potential because traditional public schools are failing them. Our solution Chicago’s charter schools are proving, once again, that low-income children can succeed if given a chance. Why this works In 2012, charter schools held the top nine spots for open-enrollment, non-selective public high schools...
By Ted Dabrowski
Four state lawmakers to file legislation to increase charters, opportunity scholarships
Four state lawmakers to file legislation to increase charters, opportunity scholarships
As Chicago Teachers Union members strike, hundreds of thousands of Chicago kids are on the street.
Charter secrets the CTU hopes you won’t find out
Charter secrets the CTU hopes you won’t find out
There’s a big reason why the Chicago Teachers Union fears charter schools. Charters will expose truths the CTU hoped would never be revealed. Charter schools in Chicago are already showing strong results in learning. Looking at the average ACT score, for example, you will see that last year, nine of the top 10 open-enrollment, non-selective high schools...
By Ted Dabrowski
On a Quest: An education reform success story in Peoria
On a Quest: An education reform success story in Peoria
Peoria Quest Charter Academy offers students a better choice.
Playing favorites: Education pension spending favors wealthy, suburban schools
Playing favorites: Education pension spending favors wealthy, suburban schools
The problem State education funding is designed to ensure a base amount of money is available to every student in Illinois. To that end, the state strives to send more money to poor districts and less money to districts with a healthy property tax base. But a bird’s eye view of Illinois education spending reveals...