Chicago Public Schools hit record graduation rate as math, reading scores drop

By Hannah Schmid

02/09/2023

Academic proficiency is down, chronic absenteeism is up and Chicago Public Schools celebrates its rates of students graduating and freshmen “on-track.”

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

Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2023

Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 49% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school. That rate has nearly doubled since the pandemic.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

By Hannah Schmid

01/10/2023

Over 87,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have dropped since the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Invest in Kids

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

By Mailee Smith

01/10/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has already created havoc for kids and parents in Chicago Public Schools, with 5 work stoppages in the past 11 years. Now lawmakers are giving principals and other employees union powers, creating more potential instability for students and parents.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

12/30/2022

Spring test data shows demographic achievement gaps persist in Chicago Public Schools, yet the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate a scholarship program giving low-income students a way out of the underperforming public school system.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, tax credit scholarships

Chicago Public Schools students test scores worse than pre-pandemic

By Hannah Schmid

12/12/2022

CPS student proficiency rates remain below pre-pandemic levels and demographic achievement gaps persist in newest release of statewide test data.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Invest in Kids

20% fewer Illinois public school students proficient in reading, math

By Hannah Schmid

11/18/2022

Illinois students’ academic proficiency remains below pre-pandemic levels. Demographic achievement gaps persist. School choice is part of the solution.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, public schools

Illinois has more teachers, fewer students than 10 years ago

By Hannah Schmid

09/07/2022

There are fewer students and more teachers in Illinois today than a decade ago, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Teachers unions push the shortage myth to gain power.

TAGS: teacher shortage

Fact check: Pritzker claims fiscal responsibility but report shows ‘fiscal cliff’

By Justin Carlson

07/13/2022

A new report shows Illinois is likely to face financial challenges when the federal stimulus money propping up its current budget runs out. That reality is very different than the Pritzker campaign claims about fiscal responsibility.

TAGS: deficit, government spending, JB Pritzker

Chicago Teachers Union oversaw academic, enrollment drops as costs rose

By Hannah Schmid

06/17/2022

Nearly 80,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have declined since the current leaders took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.

TAGS: Amendment 1, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois State Board of Education

Chicago Public Schools hit record graduation rate as math, reading scores drop

Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

Chicago Public Schools students test scores worse than pre-pandemic

20% fewer Illinois public school students proficient in reading, math

Illinois has more teachers, fewer students than 10 years ago

Fact check: Pritzker claims fiscal responsibility but report shows ‘fiscal cliff’

Chicago Teachers Union oversaw academic, enrollment drops as costs rose

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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