Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2023

Chicago state Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar filed a bill that would extend Invest in Kids scholarships through 2028 but would cut total tax credits by one-third and therefore the number of scholarships. Another bill would make the program permanent.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2023

Low-income students from across Illinois receive Invest in Kids scholarships, with the majority going to Black and Hispanic students.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Chicago Teachers Union funds lawmakers; record shows it gets what it wants

By Mailee Smith

10/20/2023

With the Illinois General Assembly’s veto session approaching, here’s what the Chicago Teachers Union has pushed in Springfield so far in 2023.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Another poll finds Illinoisans strongly back school choice scholarships

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2023

Democrats’ pollster found Illinois voters strongly support Invest in Kids scholarships for low-income students. The results were similar to other polls, and again tell state lawmakers voters want them to save school choice.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

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

Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential

By Hannah Schmid

10/02/2023

Few Illinois 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 Illinois students’ academic success and adult earning potential.

TAGS: public

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

By Bryce Hill

09/26/2023

Published Sept. 26, 2023 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...

Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

By Perry Zhao

09/13/2023

After Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates admitted to sending her son to a private school while trying to kill school choice for others, she defended her decision to her union’s members. To be kind, it was misleading. Here’s a fact check of it.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

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

Hispanic

Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

Chicago Teachers Union funds lawmakers; record shows it gets what it wants

Another poll finds Illinoisans strongly back school choice scholarships

Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline

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

Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential

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

Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

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

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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