What will it take to get equitable funding in Illinois? That seems to be the mystery question as the state waits for Gov. Bruce Rauner to approve a budget. Join us on May 17, 2016 at 8 p.m. as we discuss the matter at hand. Our panel includes: Chris Butler (Chicago Unheard), Peter Cunningham (Education Post) and Marilyn Rhames (Teachers Who…
Tag: Chris Butler
I Chose Home-Schooling to Reinforce Black Culture in My Children’s Life
When I saw the NPR article about this growing movement of African American home-schoolers, I was not surprised. I am a home-schooler. My wife and I are apart of that movement. We also know several other African American families who have made the decision to educate their children at home.
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…
Don’t Make Excuses For Jobless Youth
Nearly half of Black men ages 20-24 are out of school and out of work. That is according to a report released this week by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Great Cities Institute. This unemployment rate is higher than the unemployment rates of Black men in other major cities in America. Some have suggested that these numbers have a…
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…
In Spite of Change CPS is Still Failing Special Education Students in Englewood
Last week Chicago Public Schools announced that they were reversing their decision to cut Special Education positions at about 120 schools. The Board of Education realized that somebody on staff made a mistake. They made a recommendation based on errant and incomplete information that ultimately would have hurt untold numbers of students with special needs. While some folks will take…
A Letter to Ed. Reformers: Don’t Ignore Black Lives Matter
It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving, time to get back into the classroom. School leaders everywhere will work hard to get students and staff refocused on the labor of love that is education. But, there will be something significant competing for attention in Chicago schools this Monday. A lot has happened since the last time teachers and students in the city…
Is There Anywhere a Black Youth Can Be Counted as a Real Person?
Last night I did something I promised myself I would not do. I watched the tragic dashcam video in which a Chicago Police Officer fires 16 bullets into a 17-year-old kid with a switchblade in his hand. It was a hard experience. Much more difficult than I thought it would be. But, when it was over I was certain of…