Jobs Jobs Jobs

Want a job? Here’s a job. Just not in a classroom.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund is dedicated to ensuring that, beginning at birth, children in low-income families can overcome the challenges of poverty and enter kindergarten fully prepared to achieve. The VP of Public Affairs is responsible for marketing the issue of early childhood [...]

The New Prieto Academy — What Do You Think?

What do you think about the new Prieto school that just opened? It’s certainly pretty.
But what about the staff? Who’d they end up picking for principal? What about the programs?
It’s in the 37th Ward — Belmont Cragin. Is it affecting nearby schools positively or negatively? For example, the Tribune said [...]

In the News: Wednesday, Sept. 23

WBEZ’s Linda Lutton takes note of a decision before the Board of Education today: should the district invest $5 million in an out-of-state social service provider to help stem the tide on Chicago youth violence?
Tio Hardiman, director of the anti-violence group Cease Fire Illinois, says the pick is a slap in the face to groups [...]

One more problem with Chicago schools’ first-day attendance claim

CPS issued a press release last week touting once again an all-time high for first- day attendance of 94.1 percent. But the release didn’t explain that the calculation included all students in attendance on Sept. 8, even if they were in one of the 132 Track E schools whose first day was Aug. 10. If [...]

What Should Catalyst (Not) Do Next?

As you may have noticed with the popup online survey, Catalyst is asking you what you like and don’t like about this blog and any possible replacement they come up with. Fill it out and you might win a $50 gift card. But more importantly you’ll help them figure out what to do.
What [...]

PURE’s Day In Court

From PURE:
Judge Sophia Hall will hear oral arguments in PURE’s small/ alternative schools LSC case. Judge Hall may rule on second motion by Chicago Public Schools to dismiss case brought by LSC members, parents and community members challenging the dismantling of elected LScs in Renaissance 2010schools.
Tomorrow, Wednesday Sept. 23, 10:30 am. Room 2301, Daley [...]

Tuesday Morning News, Part 1

District rushes to put anti-violence plan in place Tribune
The district is still hammering out the details with a group
providing the community-based advocates who will act as part counselor,
part role model and part truant officer. Another sticking point is
negotiating with police over the sharing of
such information as arrest records and criminal histories, sources
said. None of the [...]

CTU Likely To Face Sun Times Guild Dilemma

Kudos the folks who lead the union of Sun Times workers for rejecting a proposed 15 percent pay cutlast week — or criticism to them for having rejected a plan that might
avoid further layoffs and the eventual closing of the paper?
It’s not
just an academic question. It’s a preview of the dilemma that may soon
be [...]

In the News: Tuesday, Sept. 22

Three weeks into the school year and some schools still need teachers. But the district is taking a more aggressive approach to mitigate the problem this year, says North Side principal.
Catalyst investigated the budget process in 2008, including a look at the district’s often faulty enrollment projections, where budgeting begins. When projections miss the mark, [...]

Award Winning Teacher Inspires Kids And Other Teachers

Mondays are always hard. Treat yourself to this interview from last week with Rafe Esquith on
WNYC. He’s just put out a followup to his bestseller, Teach Like Your
Hair’s On Fire. It’s worth a listen, whatever side of the education
debate you’re on:
WNYC Lighting Their Fires
I’m sure Chicago has a Rafe Esquith — any nominations?

Source: [...]