Where Chicago school board candidates stand on school choice

By Dylan Sharkey

10/04/2024

Chicago Public Schools Board of Education candidates have varying positions on school choice, according to a Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago questionnaire.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

4 things to know about Chicago Public Schools’ new strategic plan

By Hannah Schmid

10/01/2024

The Chicago Board of Education’s five-year plan includes redefining student success and ending school ranking based on performance. It also includes expanding sustainable community schools, which record among the lowest student outcomes.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?

09/26/2024

More than a dozen candidates filled out an Illinois Policy questionnaire to give voters a better idea of who is running for office. Read their answers below.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates

By Patrick Andriesen

09/10/2024

Chicago voters will pick from 31 candidates for 10 school board seats. The Chicago Teachers Union is trying to expand its political power by pushing a candidate in each of the 10 districts.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate

By Hannah Schmid

08/27/2024

Black and Hispanic students are around six times more likely to be proficient in reading at selective enrollment high schools compared to traditional public schools in Chicago. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate these schools that are a lifeline to the city’s minority students.

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

Will back to school in Chicago Public Schools be back to same-old, same-old?

By Hannah Schmid

08/22/2024

Chicago Public Schools students return to class Aug. 26. Here’s what parents should know about academics, building use, enrollment, absenteeism and finances.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Democratic National Convention to tout education policy near Chicago school where no kids read at grade level

By Dylan Sharkey

08/16/2024

Education will be a major platform piece during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Too bad the party will meet near a Chicago school where spending $27K per student yields none who can read at grade level.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education

3-in-10 Chicago public school teachers send their children to private school

By Hannah Schmid, Jon Josko

08/14/2024

Nearly 31% of public school teachers in Chicago send at least one of their kids to private school. What does that say about the quality of a public-school education in Chicago?

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: What to know about Chicago Public Schools budget

By Paul Vallas

08/01/2024

Chicago Public Schools just passed a $9.9 billion budget that spends nearly $30,000 per student. Despite receiving most city property taxes, boosted state funding and about 40% of federal aid, the new teachers contract will put the budget in the red.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools faces $500M deficit despite $10B budget

By Bryce Hill

07/25/2024

Chicago Public Schools’ reliance on temporary federal pandemic funds has left the district grappling with deficits even before factoring in a new Chicago Teachers Union contract. $505M deficit + $10B in demands = taxpayer trouble

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest. The state fell 113,000...

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Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

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Sam Goldman

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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