This week is #TeacherAppreciationWeek and if anyone tells you this week isn’t necessary, they’re clearly out of their mind. Teachers play a huge role obviously in the development of our children and help shape our children’s character. There are plenty of teachers who go above the call of duty in the name of education. They rise early to prepare for…
Category: Hall Pass
Turns Out Karen Lewis and Bruce Rauner Have a Lot in Common
Yesterday at a City Club of Chicago luncheon, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis equated Governor Bruce Rauner with Islamic State terrorists. She suggested that his behavior is equivalent to “acts of terror on poor and working-class people.” That’s a very harsh comment. Even if it is being directed at a governor who seems content to watch the lives of…
Great Schools, Not “Neighborhood” Schools Make the Difference for At-Risk Youth
Generation All, a newly formed education advocacy group released a report last week to bring attention to what they believe is a need in the city of Chicago to reinvest in “neighborhood high schools” (attendance boundary schools with no admittance requirements or enrollment forms). The underlying concept is that the proliferation of schools of choice (selective enrollment, magnets, charters etc.)…
Video: Because They Can; Kim Wilborn’s Story
If teachers raise the bar for their students, they’ll discover that the students will rise to the occasion or even surpass it. That is what happened to Perspective’s Charter student, Kim Wilborn. Watch the video below to learn more about Kim’s story. This story was originally shared on Education Post.
Teachers Unions Need to Stop Playing the ‘Class Card’
I’ve heard it too many times. As I’ve worked to create greater access to high quality schools for the children in the most underserved communities in Chicago, it’s one of key arguments they use: “The big corporations are trying to make a profit off of our children…” “The big dollar school reformers don’t really understand what’s going on in poor…
Is There A Double Standard in CTU Contract Negotiations?
Yesterday the Chicago Teachers Union roundly rejected a contract offer from the Chicago Public Schools. The offer was described by CPS CEO Forrest Claypool as containing “a short-term sacrifice” in return for overall pay increases and other concessions. The CTU said that Claypool’s “short-term sacrifice” would amount to “long-term pain” for the teachers they represent. I’m not sure the district…
Why Aren’t Education Reform Leaders in Chicago Stepping Up?
Here’s a fact: education reform (school choice, teacher accountability, high expectations and school autonomy) is the not the cause of the impending teacher strike in Chicago. Here’s another fact: it is becoming increasingly difficult for the public to perceive that the first fact is true. That’s because there is a sad juxtaposition playing out in Chicago today. On one hand,…
Did Something Strange Occur With the Chicago Teacher’s Union Practice Vote?
There are two things that I have been around a lot in my professional career: schools and elections. I guess it’s that slightly odd mix of experiences that has me asking questions as the Chicago Teachers Union prepares to hold a strike authorization vote this week. Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe in the right of workers to organize.…