Become a Chalkbeat sponsor
Chicago Public Schools
A report from the advocacy group Kids First Chicago found that the district’s “market share” has slipped from 75% to 71% since 2018.
2026 will bring fresh budget issues and school board elections in Chicago, while Illinois leaders may have to grapple with a significant loss in federal child care funding.
District officials are asking the board to increase the amount of cash flow borrowing to $1.65 billion, adding another $6 million in short-term borrowing costs.
A University of Chicago report out Tuesday shows that missing school took an even bigger toll on students’ grades and test scores post-COVID than it did before the pandemic.
The school board will review proposed calendars for 2026-27 and 2027-28 this week — both in line with the current year’s calendar — and is slated to approve them later this month.
The Chicago Public Schools Office of the Inspector General found eight teachers and staff at the Little Village Lawndale High School campus targeted students. One, Brian Crowder, was sentenced to 22 years in prison late last year.
One manager was found to have inflated student numbers in a federally funded program for years. The district now must repay almost $1.2 million.
The extra money comes from special taxing districts for development.
A Chalkbeat analysis suggests that the district’s joint initiative with its teachers union hasn’t yet given its 20 pilot schools an edge over other high-poverty campuses when it comes to academics and school climate.
A Chalkbeat analysis found that staff turnover, unspent dollars, and community partner tensions have been key challenges for the 7-year-old program.
The investigation, which has spanned multiple years, alleges that Instituto has failed to provide more than 100 students with disabilities with services they are legally entitled to.
A survey of 1,361 Chicago adults, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found lower awareness of the elected school board among younger people and those who identify as Black and Latino.
As ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ spreads fear, some school safety workers — and students — are staying home.
The Board of Education will vote later this month on whether to sell the former Bontemps, Henson, and Shedd elementary schools.
The Chicago Board of Education narrowed its search for CEO to two finalists. But after the names were leaked earlier this month, board members now say they are “reconsidering” and “recalibrating.”
As the federal government ratched up immigration enforcement in Chicago, local organizations and legal groups have pushed families to create documents that give temporary custody of their children to someone they trust.
A group of seven mothers who serve as parent mentors in Chicago Public Schools are trying to help families in their communities amid the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement in Chicago.
Student privacy and mental health advocates are concerned about a no-cost contract between the school district and for-profit Hazel Health, which is set to renew in December.
The district’s inspector general issued a special report flagging lax travel spending oversight and excessive professional development trips.
Meisha Ross Porter is one of two finalists for the Chicago job. Porter led New York City public schools during the COVID pandemic.