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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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charter schools

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
In the News: Report finds high charter spending May 07, 2012 By: Cassandra West A new report by the National Education Policy Center that focuses on charter schools' financial performance concludes that many well-known charter school networks spend more money than comparable, regular public schools. Read More \| (1) Comments	U of C charter students honor Trayvon Martin April 11, 2012 High school students from the University of Chicago Charter School in Woodlawn marched from their campus to 63rd Street and University Avenue Wednesday morning for an assembly in remembrance of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen who was shot and killed by a self-described neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. (Photo story) Read More \| (12) Comments
Namaste learning lab April 04, 2012 Read More \| (0) Comments	Unequal share April 04, 2012 Read More \| (0) Comments
The right choice? April 04, 2012 By: Sarah Karp At 6, Maria Martinez’ son barely spoke a sentence, and when he did, it came out garbled. His reading and writing skills also were below grade level. He was enrolled in a small Catholic school, and his teacher knew he needed specialized help. But she doubted the school could offer it and gently explained to Martinez that she would need to transfer him to her neighborhood public school. “I noticed it too,” says Martinez, whose name was changed to protect the privacy of her son. “I noticed that he was disconnected. I noticed him lost.” Read More \| (14) Comments	Namaste April 04, 2012 Read More \| (0) Comments
Charters seek more cash for special needs students April 04, 2012 By: Sarah Karp Charter school operators have long complained that the district undercuts them when it comes to funding for special education students and are pushing CPS for more equitable funding. Illinois Network for Charter Schools President Andrew Broy says that the issue is one of the last remaining negotiation points for a charter-district compact now in the works. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pushing these compacts nationally, to encourage cooperation and collaboration between charter and traditional schools. Read More \| (0) Comments

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