Rahm Emanuel Plans Big Changes For Chicago Schools
Change is in the air in schools across Chicago. As Rahm Emanuel prepares to officially take over as mayor, sweeping reforms are already occurring. In the past week, the Mayor-elect has appointed a new board of education and top Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials, and stood by his promise to lengthen school days.
According to the New York Times, the State Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a public school reform bill that may fulfill one of Emanuel's long-time goals: a longer school day. While campaigning, Emanuel lobbied for longer school days and curtailing teachers' right to strike, both of which are addressed in the bill. How teachers will be compensated for the extra time -- and where the money to compensate them will come from in a district that says it's facing an $820 million deficit remains to be seen.
The current teacher contract runs through June 2012, but the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the mayor-elect hopes to get the school day lengthened for this coming school year. At five hours and 45 minutes for elementary schools and six hours for high schools, the Chicago school day is one of the shortest in the country. According
According to the New York Times, the State Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a public school reform bill that may fulfill one of Emanuel's long-time goals: a longer school day. While campaigning, Emanuel lobbied for longer school days and curtailing teachers' right to strike, both of which are addressed in the bill. How teachers will be compensated for the extra time -- and where the money to compensate them will come from in a district that says it's facing an $820 million deficit remains to be seen.
The current teacher contract runs through June 2012, but the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the mayor-elect hopes to get the school day lengthened for this coming school year. At five hours and 45 minutes for elementary schools and six hours for high schools, the Chicago school day is one of the shortest in the country. According
