Illinois mandated annual reports on Invest in Kids: 4 years, no reports

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2023

The Illinois State Board of Education failed to publish diagnostic reports required by the Invest in Kids Act to track scholarship recipients’ progress starting in 2019. State lawmakers are letting the program expire without seeing a single report.

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

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

By Hannah Schmid

11/01/2023

Chicago students made gains in proficiency in reading and math on 2023 state assessments compared to 2022, but most students continue to perform below grade level. Overall student proficiency rates remain worse than before the pandemic.

Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2023

Illinois state education administrators celebrated academic progress in 2023, but student achievement is still behind where it was before COVID-19 hit. Chronic absenteeism remained high. Enrollment dropped again.

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

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

Report claims union support is increasing, but not for Illinois government unions

By Mailee Smith

09/15/2023

A recent report by a pro-union Illinois organization claims nationwide support for unions is increasing, including in Illinois. The Illinois part is wrong, at least for government unions. Here are three things you need to know about Illinois unions.

TAGS: unions

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

Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/18/2023

The city of Chicago faces a pension crisis, heightened crime and a failing public school system. New Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken no concrete steps to deal with any of it.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Illinois State Board of Education

Illinois mandated annual reports on Invest in Kids: 4 years, no reports

Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level

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

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

How Illinois public school measures fail to add up

Report claims union support is increasing, but not for Illinois government unions

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

Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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