Child-parent centers that enroll children from preschool through third grade and require parental participation have been proven to have long-term academic benefits for children. To expand them, Chicago plans to borrow millions of dollars through a so-called “social impact bond” that pays back investors if children reach certain achievement benchmarks.
During a panel discussion with a group of teachers from a broad range of Chicago schools, the overuse of standardized testing during class time and the detrimental impact on student learning emerged as a major topic.
As New York City rolls out an ambitious plan to offer free full-day prekindergarten for tens of thousands of 4-year-olds this fall, community activists and union members in Chicago say it’s time for universal early childhood education and child care in the Windy City.
In an op-ed, a National Board Certified teacher writes that he doesn’t get adequate time in the school day and year to share ideas with other teachers and offers ideas for creating more learning opportunities so that educators can perfect their craft.
A new promotion policy has led to a 29-percent decline in summer school enrollment in Chicago, but officials say students who would have gone to summer school under the old policy will still get targeted academic help next year.
Two years ago, when Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveiled an arts plan for schools, it was unclear how much arts instruction was already being offered to students – either by certified teachers or through partnerships with community organizations. Now, schools and arts leaders know the answer: There are more teachers than many would have guessed, but they are inequitably distributed across the city and the total is far below the goals.
Some community organizations that depend on state money to provide after-school and summer programs for thousands of low-income children in Chicago say they’re upset with how long it’s taken the Illinois State Board of Education to prioritize their needs.
Some Chicago elementary schools are having a tough time as they prepare to meet a new requirement that students receive 30 minutes of physical education each day. The city is letting them phase in the time.
Bit by bit, CPS has chipped away at efforts to create a non-traditional school calendar that aimed to make better use of time to improve academics. The last nail in the coffin came earlier this year, when the Board of Education quietly approved a new calendar that will have students once again return to school after Labor Day.
Chicago Public Schools data shows many schools administer more tests than they are required to, cutting into instructional time.