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

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

A Chalkbeat analysis found the percentages of DPSCD students at or above proficiency in math surpassed the combined average scores of suburban and city charter schools in nearly every grade on the M-STEP.

At 17, Bed-Stuy native Aaliyah Duah realized the key to closing the wealth gap was closing the information gap. Now 23, the David Prize winner is bringing relatable financial education to students across NYC.

With a median home price of roughly $550,000 in the state, a new program aims to help public school employees buy their first homes and stay in the communities where they teach.

Philadelphia schools’ safety chief says conflict mediation, trusted adults, and safe corridors will remain core to the district’s violence prevention plan.

Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors won’t have to pass Regents exams to graduate. But students still don’t know exactly what will replace them.

Higher-level algebra may be a trouble spot, data suggest, while most third and fourth graders miss the reading mark.