Study: CPS has some success turning around grammar schools, not high schools

Only weeks before Chicago School Board members vote on whether to turn around a record number of schools, a new study indicates Chicago’s “turnaround” elementary schools produced better academic gains than other “worst of the worst’’ schools that did not undergo similar reforms.

Chicago’s public …

Not so fast. Hold off on Crane H.S. phase-out, hearing officer urges

No decision on the phase-out of Crane High School should be made until school district officials analyze a “well-thought-out’’ Crane-proposed plan for the school’s rejuvenation, an independent hearing officer has recommended.

The recommendation, a vindication for Crane faculty, came after a battery of elected officials …

CPS spends millions on workers for unused sick and vacation days

The cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools system spends tens of millions of dollars annually on a perk that few other employers offer: cash to departing employees for unused time off. Since 2006, the district paid a total $265 million to employees for unused sick and vacation days.

Some CPS parents worry longer day will hurt special college prep courses

More than 2,000 parents and supporters of Northside College Prep have signed an online petition asking that the state’s highest-scoring public high school be exempted from a longer school day this fall.

They say the change would undermine the school’s trademark shortened “colloquium’’ day of …

Emanuel names Paula Wolff to head City Colleges board

For the third time in two years, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is bringing new leadership to the board that oversees Chicago City Colleges. Board member Paula Wolff, who spent eight years as president of Governors State University, will replace Martin Cabrera Jr. as board chairman in a City Hall shuffle in which Cabrera is to become chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission, replacing Linda Searl.

Students find Brizard’s teaching style out of this world

His introduction was simple, unassuming and inspiring: “My name is Mr. Brizard. I love astronomy. I love teaching about the solar system.’’ So began a unique digital lesson taught Wednesday by Chicago Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, a former teacher, in celebration of the nation’s first digital learning day. Brizard taught iPad-equipped students at Chicago’s Spencer Technology and 10 other CPS schools. “My principal said it was historic,” one girl said of the lesson from the schools chief.

Gov. Quinn: Boost low-income college grants by tens of millions

Spending on state grants for low-income college students would jump by “tens of millions of dollars” under a push Gov. Pat Quinn will make in his State of the State address Wednesday.

University endowments beginning to regain recession losses

College and university endowments made gains in the fiscal year that ended in June, but many are still struggling to make up ground they lost in 2008 and 2009, according to a report released Tuesday. Data gathered from 823 U.S. colleges and universities show that …

Occupy U.: Roosevelt offers class on social movement

The Occupy movement is moving to academia. Thirty-two undergrads are enrolled this semester in “Occupy Everywhere,” a three-credit political science course offered at Roosevelt University that takes a look at the movement and the issue of social inequality in the United States. “I study social …

The Rev. Roosevelt Watkins III’s Full Statement

Statement of Roosevelt Watkins, III in response to recent media reports regarding the involvement of other faith leaders, parents, and community residents fighting to ensure every Chicago child has a quality education

“Recent news coverage regarding my involvement and the involvement of other faith leaders, …

Minister in ‘rent-a-protester’ flap offers to open his books

A minister in the eye of the “rent-a-protester” storm has offered to open the books of his non-profit agency to prove it spent taxpayer money appropriately — and not on packing school closing hearings with paid protesters.

“Small stipends” offered to school protesters did not …

Parents cite growing opposition to longer school day

Parents charged Wednesday that the opposition to a 7-1/2 hour school day touted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel is strong and growing, with more than 900 parents signing a new online petition against it.

“Why is 7-1/2 hours a done deal?” parent Tracy Baldwin asked school …

New CPS health chief goes to work — before she even got the job

Before she was even hired, Chicago Schools’ new chief health officer addressed a health problem Wednesday — by rushing to the side of a woman who collapsed during a school board meeting.

School watchdog probes reports of paid protesters

The Chicago Public Schools inspector general said Wednesday he is investigating reports that bused protesters were paid to carry signs or read scripts at school closing hearings.

News of the probe came as Mayor Rahm Emanuel sloughed off questions about whether the practice was appropriate. …

New law requires more details on school report cards

Parents may have a better way to assess a school’s environment, demographics and graduation rates under a new measure signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Pat Quinn. The law mandates that the state keep track of certain information about every school in Illinois — including …