In the News: More opposition to Duncan's reform policies; defending Obama's education agenda Catalyst Notebook

Catalyst Notebook

Catalyst writers and editors share their perspectives, analyses and the news behind the news on improving Chicago area public schools. Our on-the-ground reports will tell you what’s happening in schools and education circles here and elsewhere. Our views will tell you what to make of it.

In the News: More opposition to Duncan's reform policies; defending Obama's education agendaThe growing ranks of opposition to Arne Duncan’s education policies can count a new member: Communities for Excellent Public Schools, a nationwide coalition that launched this week.


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Posted By: Cassandra West On Thu Jul 29, 2010 In In the News
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Union pickets meeting, releases negotiation details; district passes new probation policy

About 70 Chicago Teachers Union members and others who oppose the district’s teacher layoffs picketed outside today’s School Board meeting. Jesse Sharkey, the union’s new vice president, rallied them with a megaphone.

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Posted By: Rebecca Harris On Wed Jul 28, 2010 In Teachers
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In the News: State's largest pre-K program closes; CPS high schools test scores improveThe largest pre-kindergarten program in Illinois – Through a Child’s Eyes, in Cicero – closed last week because of delayed state payments. Before the closure, it had served about 400 3- to 5-year-olds. Of those, more than 90 percent are at or below the poverty level, and 75 percent speak Spanish as their first language.

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Posted By: Cassandra West On Wed Jul 28, 2010 In In the News
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Illinois among finalists for second round of Race to the Top

The starter pistol has just gone off for the second heat of the $4 billion Race to the Top grant competition, and Illinois is in the race.

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Posted By: Chase Castle and Rebecca Harris On Tue Jul 27, 2010 In Government and Policy
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In the News: Civil rights groups call for new education agenda; debating school reform

Seven leading civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the National Urban League, called on U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to dismantle core pieces of his education agenda, arguing that his emphases on expanding charter schools, closing low-performing schools, and using competitive rather than formula funding are detrimental to low-income and minority children. The groups released their own education policy framework and launched the National Opportunity to Learn campaign to advance their ideas. They also want Duncan to make big changes to his draft proposal for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.