Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
As enrollment declines CPS may lose its spot as the third-largest school district nationally, yet spending increases continue.
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
With rising costs and sinking test scores, school district efficiency and pension reform provide ways to put more money into Waukegan classrooms and improve student achievement.
Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition
Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition
Gov. J.B Pritzker has warned district administrators since early August that ISBE would strip state recognition from Illinois schools defying his statewide mask mandate. House Bill 4135 aims to give the state board of education that power.
Pritzker mask mandate leads to threats against 58 schools, districts
Pritzker mask mandate leads to threats against 58 schools, districts
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Aug. 4 mask mandate drew criticism from the communities he just weeks earlier promised would keep local control over student COVID-19 safety. School districts that fail to kowtow face severe state sanctions.
Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money
Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money
Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.
Ashley Cullen-Williams
Ashley Cullen-Williams
“A lot of funding gets diverted or allocated to other things before students immediate needs are considered. Students need to be well in order to excel at life. Students need access to supportive environments, quality connections and college and career opportunities.”
Chicago Public Schools hiring 2,000 staffers, but might be missing 100,000 students
Chicago Public Schools hiring 2,000 staffers, but might be missing 100,000 students
The Chicago Board of Education approved a $9.3 billion budget that hires 2,000 new, permanent staff using temporary COVID-19 federal aid. There are also concerns about whether 100,000 students will return.
Even private schools must mask up after Pritzker flip-flop
Even private schools must mask up after Pritzker flip-flop
Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to respect local school boards and private school autonomy, until too few were doing what he wanted. So he reversed himself, mandating masks for both private and public Illinois schools.
CJay Harmer
CJay Harmer
"The need for social-emotional learning has gone through the roof, and that’s what makes what out superintendent did so extraordinary."
Before fall in-person school, Chicago Teachers Union wants over 4,000 new workers
Before fall in-person school, Chicago Teachers Union wants over 4,000 new workers
The Chicago Teachers Union issued a long list of demands it wants before allowing in-person learning this fall. Union leaders seek over 4,000 new employees, including a “restorative justice coordinator” in each of Chicago’s 638 schools.
Kim Breust Neilson
Kim Breust Neilson
“One mom with a child with autism spoke up at the board meeting and said, ‘Instead of my child getting adequate speech services that he desperately needs, he has been taught how to put on a mask, how to wear a mask, how to keep his mask on his face.’"
Masks can be optional in Illinois school districts
Masks can be optional in Illinois school districts
Illinois schools can resume in-person learning without masks next month now that the state has clarified its guidance to acknowledge local school boards should decide which COVID-19 policies best fit their students.
7 things to know about new COVID-19 school guidance from CDC, Illinois
7 things to know about new COVID-19 school guidance from CDC, Illinois
New federal and state health guidance adjusts policies on masks, distancing and quarantines in Illinois’ K-12 schools. Many students will again be masked in the coming year.