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Thursday, July 5, 2012

It's Time for an Elected School Board in Chicago


Teachers for Social Justice (TSJ-Chicago)—a member of CODE (Communities Organized for Democracy in Education)—put together this radio commercial in response to misinformation being spread by some big money astroturf groups. CODE is a coalition of over a dozen parent, teacher and community groups that seeks to bring an ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE School Board to Chicago. Chicago is the only school in the state of IL which by law cannot elect its own school board. The board is currently made up of appointed elite millionaire bankers and financiers who have not been responsive to the needs of the students, parents and communities of Chicago. We need democracy in education.



CODE - Communities Organized for Democracy in Education


Rally for an Elected School Board

Join us in Little Village for a rally + canvasing to show support for an Elected Representative School Board
Where? : Amor de Dios Church 2356 S. Sawyer St. 
When? : Sat. July 7th 10:00 – 1:00
Who: YOU!
CODE Rally July 7th


The CPS Board—appointed by the mayor— 
is not accountable to the people it serves. The Board is failing our children.       

Help Win an Elected Representative School Board 
  • CPS’s privatization policies—school closings, turnarounds and charters—do NOT improve education. They have been devastating to all children, especially those in African American and Latino communities. 
  • Class size has increased. Art, music, recess, PE & after school activities have been cut, while high-stakes testing eats up more classroom and learning time. 
  • CPS has expanded an unequal system: A top tier of selective schools for a few students and a bottom tier of resource-starved neighborhood schools for everyone else. 
  • CPS makes decisions, like an unfunded longer school day, without public input. 
  • CPS blames teachers, parents, and students for the problems THEY have created.    
  • Teacher morale is at an all-time low. 
An Elected Board is a Necessary FIRST STEP to Improve Our Schools. 
  • An elected board would be accountable to the public and could be more diverse, reflecting the people it serves.  
  • Chicago is the only city in Illinois with an appointed school board. 
  • Election requirements could mandate specific qualifications and cap campaign expenditures, thus reducing the influence of money and politics on education. 
Help Win an Elected Representative School Board for Chicago. 
  • The Illinois Legislature must pass a law to enact an elected school board. 
  • Sign a petition to get an advisory referendum for an elected board on the November ballot. 
  • Contact your elected officials. Ask them to support a Representative Elected School Board. 
  • Help Win an Elected Representative School Board