http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/ The highly unofficial inside scoop on Chicago schools -- all day, every day. Copyright 2009 Catalyst-Chicago - District 299: The Chicago Schools Blog en-us http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1974/What_Others_Have_To_Say http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1974/What_Others_Have_To_Say Covering the back-stabbing Mike Klonsky Neither the Sun-Times and Trib even covered the story. Is it an embarrassment for the mayor? Not an importnat enough story? What? High school senior speaks out against violence Community Beat Jorge Pule, who will be a senior this fall at Little Village-Lawndale Multicultural Arts High School, made the following remarks June 13 during the ecumenical prayer service that kicked off the "Healing the Hood" event in Little Village. Could you survive in a public housing high-rise? Part II One Story Up We're used to talking about CHA tenants as the needy ones. Interested in a... Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:42:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1973/Five_Things_On_My_Mind http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1973/Five_Things_On_My_Mind 1. Things may not really have been as good as they said they were in recent years, but that doesn't mean that they've been getting demonstrably worse (or that things were all that good before 1995). Very few Chicagoans really want to go back there. 2. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are being lost nationwide, and teachers - especially in declining cities like Chicago -- will likely be among them. Let's not act like teachers should get preferential treatment over nurses, small business owners, or anyone else. ... Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:55:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1972/Thursday_Morning_News http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1972/Thursday_Morning_News Study Blasts Chicago Public SchoolsWBEZ A new study says perceived improvements in Chicago Public Schools are just that: perception. Report: Chicago's public schools making little progress in student achievementCTDN The report says gains on a state achievement test have little to do with improvements in student performance, and it praises charter schools as a way to educational reform. Layoffs in central office will reach nearly 1,000 by end of summer Catalyst From what we are hearing now from sources, secretaries and support services personnel, such as professional development staffers, are getting the ax first. No Budget? Here is a... Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:54:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1971/Revamped_Trib_Education_Team_Taking_Shape http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1971/Revamped_Trib_Education_Team_Taking_Shape From the editors of the Tribune: "Stephanie Banchero has returned from her fellowship and will begin doing watchdog reporting on the education team... Azam Ahmed has been attacking [the CPS beat] as if he owns it. So now he does." Five years as a working reporter, Azam (pronounced "aah-zum") went to UVA and has worked at the Tribune since October 2006. He says he's a proud product of the Virginia public schools and a regular reader of this site. (Not that any of that will protect him from site... Wed, 1 Jul 2009 17:49:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1970/What_Other_Folks_Have_To_Say http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1970/What_Other_Folks_Have_To_Say There are a few other blogs and sites that track education issues -- some new, some old, some regular, some occasional. Here's a roundup of some of them that seem interesting or timely: Civic Committee stabs Duncan in the back Mike Klonsky He toiled faithfully on their plantation for 10 years before going to D.C. to serve as Obama's education chief. Chicago Teachers - Can you say "burnout?" Gerrard McLendon There were times within a school year when I felt overwhelmed, insecure, overworked, and frustrated, but thank God for fall break, report card break, in-service meetings, winter, spring,... Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:45:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1969/Wednesday_Morning_News http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1969/Wednesday_Morning_News Chicago schools cutting 550 workers Breaking News The cuts will come from a pool of about 5,300 non-classroom positions and are expected to result in savings of up to $100 million, sources said. Another round of layoffs is expected later in the summer. Ill. begins new budget year without new budget Defender Illinois is once again beginning a new budget year without a budget. Daley presents at Chicago Gay Pride Month reception ChicagoPride.com Joining Daley and the Commission on the podium were prominent LGBT supporters Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), Chicago Public School Chief Ron Huberman, ... CPS needs solutions to... Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:20:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1968/Another_Report_Questions_Chicago_Improvements http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1968/Another_Report_Questions_Chicago_Improvements Chicago Public School reform largely has failed, reports Crain's political reporter Greg Hinzbased on a just-release report from the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club -- a longtime ally of the city in its reform efforts. "The report directly challenges widespread claims by current and former CPS officials that local students have shown substantial progress over the last decade on standardized tests." In response, spokespeople for Arne Duncan cited improvements in 8th graders' performance, even after adjusting for the changes in the tests, and increases in ACT scores. Really? That's all they have. ... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:19:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1961/Outsiders_At_125_S._Clark_Street. http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1961/Outsiders_At_125_S._Clark_Street. You may disagree, but I think that the Broad Residents program is a pretty interesting model. Not that most Broadies should be put in charge of everything, as may sometimes feel like it's the case at CPS, but that central offices shouldn't just be full of people who were trained as teachers and school leaders. The program gives fancypants outsiders a chance to put their money where there mouths are, and hopefully learn some things on the inside. I recently joked that there should be a Broad... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:30:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1966/Jobs_For_Everyone_%28At_CNTC%29%21 http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1966/Jobs_For_Everyone_%28At_CNTC%29%21 Hidden in yesterday's hullabaloo about teacher retention was the news that, starting this year, new teachers won't go through GOLDEN MINT or whatever CPS used to provide. Instead, the Chicago New Teacher Center is taking over. CNTC's model is based on fulltime "induction coaches" who are supposed to meet with new teachers weekly, rather than part-time, school-based mentors. [Disclosure: I did some consulting for CNTC in 06-07.] Check it all out here -- a knowledgeable friend of the site sent this along the other day. Will... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:21:00 CST http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1967/Tuesday_Morning_%26quot%3BNews%26quot%3B http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/1967/Tuesday_Morning_%26quot%3BNews%26quot%3B Ex-coach testifies he bought sex toys and underwear for 15-year-old student Tribune An ex-basketball coach at Walter Payton College Prep High School on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting two 15-year-old students acknowledged buying sex toys and underwear for one of the girls and engaged in sexual conversations. Six Men Shot Dead In 24 Hours In Chicago Chicago News Shootings claimed the lives of six men in the city over the weekend. The first shooting happened around 8:20 p.m. Friday, when Tijuan Edwards, 18, was talking to a 25-year-old man in the street at 1916 S. Trumbull Ave. Beatriz Rendon: bringing... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:06:00 CST