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Summer Schedule
In Advance returns to its summer bi-weekly schedule this week. Until late August, this news update will now appear every other Thursday. Of course, the Education News section of our website will be updated more frequently.
Here's to a great summer! |
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IEA Backs Quinn for Governor
Chicago Tribune - July 5
The politically powerful Illinois Education Association endorsed Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, citing concerns over Republican nominee Bill Brady's efforts to cut taxes instead of raising them, union officials said. Read more... |
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Turf War Threatens Student Achievement
Southtown Star Editorial - July 6
In an editorial, the Southtown Star says the Rich Townships High School District is puttinga turf war ahead of stuednt achievement. Read more... |
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U of I Forum to Host P-20 Leadership Institute
The University of Illinois' Forum on the Future of Public Education and the Ubiquitous Learning Institute are teaming up to launch a P-20 Leadership Institute on July 13-14. The Institute will bring together local, state, and national education leaders and government officials to explore innovations that are expected to shape the future of P-20 education in Illinois, including innovations specified in Illinois' Race to the Top (RTTT) application.
Learn more... |
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Schools at the Movies
The USA Today notes that four new documentaries focused on schools are releasing this summer and fall, all essentially focused on the challenges of urban school districts.
Read more...
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Greetings!
Here is the latest in education news from Advance Illinois for this week.
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The Economic Benefits of Reducing Dropout Rate
A new study by the Alliance for Excellent Education shows the economic benefit of reducing dropout rates, and focuses on the impact on several metropolitan areas, including Chicago. Read the whole report here. Chicago's page is here.
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Districts Struggle Amid State's Budget Woes
Several stories from the week on how districts are coping with late payments from the state, as it struggles with a historic budget deficit. A special thanks to Catalyst-Chicago for their "In the News" digest.
Gov. Quinn signed a new budget into law, leaving many questions still unanswered. The state is slowly paying some bills, but some say it's too little, too late. Others say the budget could have been worse.
Chicago layoffs hit some teachers who were troubled by the message it sent to teachers who become mentors.
Metro East early childhood programs are facing big cuts.
Decatur officials wonder how they'll fulfill student transportation needs.
Evanston, having already cut for this year, sees more cuts ahead.
A Cass County businessman is offering $500,000 to encourage a consolidation between Virginia and A-C Central districts.
U of I's new president is looking beyond the state for long-term revenue stability.
Not specifically budget-related, but Dupage officials are worried the construction strike could impact fall classes
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Race to the Top Cuts Head to Senate
*Advance Illinois in the News*
EdWeek and The Hill report on a bill that would cut Race to the Top funds, which has passed the U.S. House and is headed to the Senate. WBEZ spoke with Advance Illinois Executive Director Robin Steans about the proposed cuts, who called them a 'real shame.' The New York Times editorial page joined in opposition to the cuts.
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Evanston Breaks Down the Data
Evanston Roundtable - July 7
In the last installment of a 3-part series, the Evanston Roundtable reports on a study the paper commissioned to look at normative data on their student achievement. The results are encouraging for Evanston leadership, but also reinforce the misalignment of the ISAT and PSAE. Read more... |
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Profile of a Turnaround in Progress
Chicago Tribune - July 5
The Tribune focuses on the turnaround effort this summer at John Marshall High School in Chicago. The school faces some challenges in terms of changing the culture and engaging the community. Read more...
The Tribune notes turnarounds are now a national trend.
NPR examined the Department of Education's turnaround strategy. |
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Grouping Students by Skill, Not Grade Level
USA Today - July 6
Forget about students spending one year in each
grade, with the entire class learning the same skills at the same time.
Districts from Alaska to Maine are taking a different
route.
Instead of simply moving kids from one grade to
the next as they get older, schools are grouping students by ability. Read more... |
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Pros and Cons of Class Rank
Daily Herald - July 9
Superintendent David Schuler said a student with a B
average in District 214 can easily rank in the bottom half of his or her
class.Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is talking
about cutting class rank, starting with the class of 2014. The board
could vote on the issue in August. Read more... |
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IB Program Catches On in U.S. Schools
New York Times - July
2
The alphabet soup of college admissions is getting more
complicated as
the International Baccalaureate,
or I.B., grows in popularity as an alternative to the better-known
Advanced Placement program. Read
more...
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New Teach for America Study
Washington Post - July 8 A new review of research on Teach for America concludes that proponents who see the prgram as providing urban and
rural schools with "outstanding recent college graduates," and opponents
who see it as only a short-term remedy that "may not even be better
than what it aims to fix" are both correct. Read more...
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Graduation is the Goal, Staying Alive the Prize
New York Times - July 1 The bonding moment between Veronica Tinajero and the student she calls Big Sunshine came during one of their first meetings. "Have you ever been shot?" the student, a high school senior, asked. When Ms. Tinajero replied no, he looked genuinely amazed and said, "Wow, almost everybody I know's been shot." Read more...
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