After CPS lawyer provides BGA with internal records about drowning death of teen with autism, a Cook County judge issues order temporarily prohibiting publication. School district lawyers say they released the documents by mistake.
Education
17 Months After Teen With Autism Drowned at CPS Pool, Board of Ed to Strengthen Water Safety
Following BGA/Sun-Times investigation into special ed care at pools, Chicago’s school board is set to take up policy changes that would limit pool activities and focus lifeguard staffing.
How City Colleges Won A National Minority Achievement Prize With Manipulated Data
An Emanuel administration drive to project an image of rapid improvement at City Colleges led to a national award for Kennedy-King College in Englewood. But the BGA found the improvement that led to the award was measured using data from an international pastry program located in the Loop.
Internal Report: City Colleges Awarding Invalid Diplomas In Apprentice Program
The college system also improperly sought state taxpayer tuition reimbursements for courses offered for free.
City Colleges Union Chief Slaps Administration Over BGA Probe
A top teacher union official at the City Colleges of Chicago chastised Chancellor Juan Salgado for his “dismissive” response to a BGA investigation that found lowered standards and manipulated data created a misleading record of success.
New School Choice Plan Could Cost State More Than $12,000 A Student
Early estimates show the new tax scholarship program, while limited, could cost the state two to five times more a student than what it now spends on general aid for the state’s public schools students.
Autistic Teen’s Death In CPS Pool Heightens Questions Of Special Ed Care
Fourteen-year-old Rosario Gomez didn’t know how to swim, wasn’t wearing a lifejacket and had significant problems communicating. His drowning in a high school pool last winter fuels doubts about Chicago Public Schools’ ability to care for its special needs students.
Understanding The Most Poorly Funded School System in America: Illinois
By design, Illinois places an outsized reliance on revenue from local property taxes to fund schools. That has led to dramatic increases in property taxes across the state while also creating a worst in the nation gap in funding between rich and poor districts.
Critics: CPS Special Ed Policy Is ‘Delay And Deny’
Parents, teachers and disability rights advocates say new oversight protocols keep kids from getting services they need, while BGA analysis raises questions about Chicago Public Schools’ claims that minority students are over-identified for special ed.
Pension Late Fees Hit Chicago Charters
More than $10 million owed to the city teachers’ retirement fund is paid late, triggering at least $1.8 million in fines.