Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/02/2023

Spring test data shows low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools continue to record low proficiency rates. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to kill a school choice program that could help those students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s new attack on charter schools

By Paul Vallas

10/26/2023

Chicago Public Schools’ decision to significantly shorten the number of years charter schools are allowed to operate before their charters are up for renewal is the latest Chicago Teachers Union effort to destroy public school choice.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Archdiocese of Chicago students thrive. Chicago Public Schools students struggle.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

10/11/2023

But nearly 3,000 low-income students enrolled in Chicago’s parochial schools will lose their scholarships if the Invest in Kids Act is not extended by state lawmakers this fall.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline

By Hannah Schmid

10/05/2023

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.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

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

By Hannah Schmid

10/04/2023

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.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

How Illinois public school measures fail to add up

By Hannah Schmid

09/15/2023

Contradictory metrics statewide point to poor accountability and grade promotion standards in Illinois. Low-income parents seeking alternatives are hamstrung as lawmakers weigh ending Illinois’ only school choice program.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools get over $1.9B more since school choice program began

By Hannah Schmid

09/12/2023

Chicago Public Schools has received about $1.93 billion in additional state and local funding since the 2018-19 school year, when the Invest in Kids scholarship tax-credit program awarded its first scholarships to low-income students to attend the schools of their choice.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: ‘Social promotion,’ grade inflation destroying achievement, accountability in schools

By Paul Vallas

09/12/2023

Higher grades are being awarded for less achievement in our schools, which helps hide our students’ struggles since the pandemic. Combine that with teachers unions pushing for fewer accountability measures, and the needed push for academic excellence withers.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois public schools funding up almost $2B since school choice program began

By Hannah Schmid

09/08/2023

Public education has received about $1.98 billion in additional funding since the 2018-19 school year when the Invest in Kids scholarship tax-credit program awarded its first scholarships to low-income students to attend the schools of their choice.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Back to school in Chicago Public Schools

By Hannah Schmid

08/21/2023

Chicago Public Schools students return to class Aug. 21. Take a look at the state of district proficiency, building utilization, enrollment, student-teacher ratios, absenteeism and finances.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare programs. In doing so,...

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Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

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Valentina Marieyah Pacheco-Cornejo

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students