Teachers say moving professional development days to June could give them time to learn more about how to teach reading.
Author: Maureen Kelleher
What’s in the CTU Deal for the Kids?
This article has been updated to add more information on staffing to support English learners. Late yesterday, the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates approved a tentative agreement in a tight vote. The CTU deal includes good pay and holds the line on health insurance premiums, but what’s in it for the kids? What will the new provisions on class…
When It Comes to the Chicago Strike, Here’s Why I’m Sticking with the Union
As the Chicago Teachers Union strike moves through Day 8, district and union leadership are haggling over the dollars needed to reach an agreement. This won’t be easy and it may take a while. Some parents are getting frustrated. While I get that this is hard and puts undue burdens on students, I’m not one of the frustrated parents. Personally…
CPS Parent Andre Henry Could Really Use a Raise. That’s Why He’s on Strike, Too
In the midst of the furor over the Chicago Teachers Union strike, the media has only just begun to focus on the other union involved: SEIU 73. This union represents special education classroom assistants (SECAs), bus aides and other non-teaching staff. Yesterday, Chalkbeat Chicago told the stories of bus aides and custodial workers who earn less than $20,000 a year. They’re…
Where CPS Students Can Get College Essay Support
While the Chicago Teachers Union walks the picket line and contract negotiations continue, one of the biggest challenges for Chicago Public Schools seniors is lack of support to write and polish college application essays. But help is on the way. Community groups are stepping up to help seniors with that piece of the college application process. Most of the time,…
A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Strike
Fellow Chicago parents, the strike is now on, and no one knows for how long. I know some of you prepared for this moment. Last week, some of you were organizing child care collectives and scheduling play dates and deciding whose basement would be trashed first while everyone else put in something like a regular workday. You are not just…
CPS Parents, If Teachers Strike, Here Are Resources for Your Plan B
Just like hundreds of thousands of other parents in Chicago, I’m on pins and needles waiting to see if city government and the Chicago Teachers Union can reach a deal. If not, we can expect a teachers strike on Thursday, with no clear idea how long their strike will last. Plus, SEIU Local 73, which represents 7,000 workers in CPS…
CPS Wants You to Think They’ve Solved Their Sexual Abuse in Schools Problem. The Feds Don’t Think So.
One person in each school building trained to prevent and address sexual assault does not equal a culture change.