Charter Schools in the UK?
Charter Schools in the UK?
by Collin Hitt The UK is considering a new policy modeled after charter schools in America. Called “free schools,” the proposal has been endorsed by Arne Duncan in advance of his visit to the country this week. A story in today’s London Telegraph framed the issue well, and quoted yours truly: For Mr Gove, the...
It’s Report Card Day for Illinois Schools!
It’s Report Card Day for Illinois Schools!
by Collin Hitt The Illinois State Board of Education has announced that it will release school report cards today, showing whether schools are doing better or worse at meeting state and federal academic standards. The decision to release information on a Friday afternoon heading into a weekend when everyone is going to be focused on...
Illinois Teachers, the Most Comfortable in America
Illinois Teachers, the Most Comfortable in America
by Collin Hitt Teacherportal.com, an online resource for teachers and would-be teachers, has created a Salary Comfort Score Index that ranks each state. Illinois public school teachers always rank among the country’s highest-paid, but what standard of living does that provide once other factors are accounted for. A word from Teacherportal on its methods: The...
D+ Math Standards Good Enough for Illinois Schools?
D+ Math Standards Good Enough for Illinois Schools?
by Collin Hitt Federal education law compels states to create performance standards for their schools. Some state choose high standards – creating a common expectation that students are learning at or above grade level. Other states have low standards – benchmarks that are so easy for schools to meet that no meaningful information is provided...
The Freshman Four Hundred Million
The Freshman Four Hundred Million
by Collin Hitt You’ve heard of losing the Freshman Fifteen. But can Illinois colleges trim fat, too, by lowering their freshman dropout rates? The American Institutes of Research has published a new report estimating the Illinois taxpayers spent almost $400 million on college costs for students who never made it to sophomore year ($300 of that was...
Rhee Gone
Rhee Gone
by Collin Hitt Michelle Rhee has stepped down as head of Washington D.C. Public Schools. Her departure was widely expected after her boss, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty, was defeated in the city’s mayoral primary election. The new documentary “Waiting for Superman” is making Rhee a household name. But her bold vision for D.C. schools made...
Trib on Superman and Illinois Schools
Trib on Superman and Illinois Schools
by Collin Hitt The Chicago Tribune wrote an editorial review of “Waiting for Superman.” I’m probably quoting at too great a length below, but the editors outlined a reform platform in a remarkably efficient five paragraphs. “Waiting for Superman” has drawn a lot of blowback. Critics say the film unfairly casts teachers unions as the...
Rhee or Vallas to Chicago?
Rhee or Vallas to Chicago?
by Collin Hitt Chicago mayoral hopeful Gery Chico says that he’d be interested in bringing Paul Vallas back to run the city’s public school system. Chico mentioned the possibility to Chicago Magazine columnist Carol Thelsenthal, who had floated the idea of bringing Michelle Rhee from Washington, D.C. to Chicago. I asked announced mayoral candidate Gery Chico, a...
Chicago Public Schools new CEO?
Chicago Public Schools new CEO?
by Collin Hitt The unsurprising word has leaked that Chicago schools chief Ron Huberman – a Daley appointee – will leave his post before the beginning of a new administration. Greg Hinz… With Chicago Public Schools officials confirming a Chicago Sun-Times story that schools chief Ron Huberman will leave along with Mayor Richard M. Daley, who else...
Once Superman Leaves
Once Superman Leaves
by Collin Hitt Trib columnist Clarence Page got some $@%^ with his recent book purchase: “Oh, that (expletive) movie is so full of (expletive),” the young woman [who worked at the bookstore] muttered. “Waiting for Superman,” said the book’s title. Page was purchasing the companion book to the movie of the same super title. “Waiting for Superman”...
Bill Ayers, Professor No More
Bill Ayers, Professor No More
by Collin Hitt Bill Ayers – state employee and university professor in Illinois for 25 years – is retiring. He’ll get the normal pension perks due to state university professors, but he won’t get the ornamental emeritus title. When the decision was considered by the board of trustees last month, University of Illinois chairman Chris...
Gov. to Schools: Spend Now! Say Thank You.
Gov. to Schools: Spend Now! Say Thank You.
by Collin Hitt It looks like Gov. Quinn is taking full campaign advantage of the federal education bailout funds that I discussed yesterday. I’d expressed some concern that the governor’s office issued some questionable advice to school districts, asking them to spend their federal allocations between now and November – advice that was offered without the...