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Unions keep schools open-- at very high cost: $93K per pupil at Chicago school
Teachers' unions and community groups make it very, very hard to close high-cost, low-enrollment schools.

Joanne Jacobs
5 days ago3 min read
6 comments


Google Translate is the teacher: Migrants get 'busy work' in Chicago schools
Chicago schools are supposed to provide bilingual education for newcomer students, but don't have the teachers to teach in other languages -- or English as a second language specialists.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 102 min read
9 comments


No-zero grading lets no-show students graduate: 'Just crazy'
Passing students who don't show up regularly or do the work is "just crazy," says an "A" students -- and many of her teachers in Chicago.

Joanne Jacobs
May 283 min read
3 comments


Chicago to teachers: Give migrant students a 70% and pass them along
Chicago teachers say they were told to pass all migrant students, regardless of their academic skills.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 20, 20242 min read
3 comments


Black parents want choices, but Chicago plans to limit options
Black parents are the most likely to choose charter, selective enrollment or magnet schools in Chicago, reports Sarah Karp for WBEZ. She...

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 22, 20242 min read
1 comment


Choice, selective schools perpetuate 'inequity,' says Chicago mayor, school board
"Equality in misery" is the new plan for Chicago Public Schools, writes Paul Vallas, who lost the race for mayor to Brandon Johnson, a...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 18, 20232 min read
32 comments


Chicago invests in small-group tutors, while LA shifts to classroom teachers
Chicago Public Schools are relying on "academic interventionists" to help students catch up in reading and math, reports Mila Koumpilova...

Joanne Jacobs
May 30, 20232 min read
0 comments


If strike closes LA schools, it could be 'nail in the coffin'
A threatened strike by Los Angeles Unified's service workers -- custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and special-education aides --...

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 26, 20231 min read
2 comments
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