Campaigns and electionsPolitics & PolicyChicago Mayoral Election 2023

Comparing Chicago’s 2023 mayoral candidates on 5 key education issues

By 
Mauricio Peña
and
Becky Vevea
 | March 21, 2023, 5:10pm UTC
Graphics by Thomas Wilburn
Two men running for Chicago mayor shake hands after a recent forum.
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and former teacher and union organizer Brandon Johnson differ vastly in how they would approach public schools. They will face each other in the April 4 runoff.  (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Chicago voters are facing a choice between two mayoral candidates with vastly different backgrounds and views on education. 

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas has a long record managing urban school districts as an appointed bureaucrat. His opponent, Brandon Johnson, is a former middle school teacher and Chicago Teachers Union organizer.

The next mayor will be the last to have control of the school district before it transitions to being governed by an elected school board. The city’s runoff election will be held on April 4.

Here is a side-by-side breakdown on where Vallas and Johnson stand on five key education issues:

Mila Koumpilova contributed to this report.

Mauricio Peña is a reporter for Chalkbeat Chicago covering K-12 schools. Contact Mauricio at mpena@chalkbeat.org. Becky Vevea is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Chicago. Contact Becky at bvevea@chalkbeat.org.  

The Latest
Polis’ budget places more into K-12 schools, universal preschool

After proposing changes to the state’s K-12 funding formula last year, Gov. Jared Polis’ budget proposal plans to fulfill changes made during this year’s session.

By 
Jason Gonzales
 | October 31
Election: Detroit’s next mayor could influence education in the city

Detroit residents told Chalkbeat they want to see the city’s next mayor to improve transportation so students can more easily get to and from school.

By 
Lori Higgins
 | October 31
Chicago schools in Latino and immigrant communities see attendance drop amid increased ICE enforcement

A Chalkbeat analysis of school attendance data found steeper attendance declines this year compared to previous years at schools in communities targeted by Operation Midway Blitz.

By 
Reema Amin
and
Cherry Salazar
 | October 31
Newark school board’s murky procedures raise ethical questions amid superintendent contract extension

Experts say Newark school board’s move to a flip vote that made way for Superintendent Roger Leon’s contract to be extended was improper.

By 
Jessie Gómez
and
Carly Sitrin
 | October 31
‘Detroit Horse Power has given me a family’: Students learn empathy, confidence through horsemanship

The nonprofit runs free after-school programs and summer camps for disadvantaged youth in Detroit with a focus on social and emotional skills.

By 
Hannah Dellinger
 | October 31
Six Denver schools could be closed if they don’t improve or maintain their test scores

DPS has a new policy that calls for closing schools with persistently low ratings as a way to avoid state intervention.

By 
Melanie Asmar
 | October 31