Jim Broadway | catalyst-chicago.org

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Special Education

Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.

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Jim Broadway

Charter funding bill not yet a done deal May 10, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD -- The Chicago Teachers Union and other charter critics spoke out strongly in opposition to a proposal that would increase the funding that school districts must provide for charter schools, squaring off against supporters who want equal funding with traditional public schools. Read More \| (14) Comments	Bill to give more cash to charters moves forward May 09, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House Executive Committee voted 10-1 Wednesday afternoon to approve a bill that would significantly increase the amount of funding that school districts have to provide for charter schools. The vote came despite a furious campaign against the bill by the Chicago Teachers Union and others who fear the bill will divert millions of dollars away from neighborhood public schools. Read More \| (3) Comments
Legislators grill Brizard on school closings, turnarounds April 02, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD -- Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and members of his staff were grilled for more than two hours by legislators who sharply questioned the district’s decision-making on school closings and turnarounds and called for a summit of the CPS facilities task force. Read More \| (33) Comments	Anger with CPS over closings and turnarounds spreads in the Legislature March 26, 2012 By: Jim Broadway High level employees of Chicago Public Schools took an unprecedented scolding Monday on the subject of school closings and turnarounds in the city – and even more heat for CPS’ perceived “disrespect” for the Illinois Legislature by the absence of its leader, CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, at a hearing at the Capitol. Read More \| (27) Comments
Lawmakers praise Noble Street, but vote against charter's fines March 22, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD--Noble Street Network of Charter Schools Superintendent Michael Milkie brought a busload of parents and alumni with him to a Senate Education Committee hearing at the Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday. The affection the group had for Milkie was obvious. They sat through three hours as the committee debated multiple issues, listening attentively and looking proud as Milkie parried with senators who challenged him at every turn. They gathered around at the end of the day, posing for group photos with Milkie in the center. Read More \| (18) Comments	Chicago schools: 'tough year' in Springfield? February 23, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD--Halfway through his presentation of a bill to force the Chicago Public Schools to testify as to how it plans to spend block grant money it receives from the state, Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) was asked to take the bill “out of the record.” Read More \| (3) Comments
Chicago lawmakers file bills to rein in school closings, class sizes February 06, 2012 By: Jim Broadway SPRINGFIELD - When Chicago catches a cold, the Illinois General Assembly coughs. The state legislature has been hacking like a two-pack-a-day smoker over school actions in the Chicago Public Schools—closings, phase-outs, changes in attendance boundaries and other moves that critics say are disruptive for students and the surrounding neighborhoods. (Find the district’s facilities plan online.) Read More \| (12) Comments	New school report card in the works October 24, 2011 By: Jim Broadway When the House and Senate reconvene this week, one item on their agenda will be a proposal from the Illinois P-20 Council for a more informative and understandable School Report Card. Read More \| (1) Comments

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