A Real Shot in the Arm

$40 million will be provided to give Hyde Park Academy High School a much needed face lift. No doubt that is welcome news to the school personnel and neighborhood. Nothing wrong with assisting this south side school. Many of the schools in this part of the city having been starving for years.

I wonder why it took this long to make this happen and I'm puzzled as to how CPS could come up with this kind of money given all the recent news about the school system being starved for cash.

This expenditure is part of the nearly $1 billion of capital spending announced this past summer. My, how things have changed in just a few short months. This is not to say that the investment isn't needed. What moved heaven and earth to make all of this possible?

Dick

Downturn in Teacher Wages

The Economic Policy Institute, in my view, does its homework. They do great research and are most thorough. Just last week the EPI came out with an 18 page report that should be a real eye opener for all of us.

Among other things the EPI has studied what has happened to the pay of public school teachers between 1994 to 2017. That's a pretty extensive period of time. The study reveals that teacher pay during that period of time has gone down while adjusting for inflation.

Between 1996 to 2017 average weekly wages of public school teachers, nationwide, decreased $27 per week. At the same time weekly wages of other college graduates grew by $137 per week.

I bring this one point up for numerous reasons; first, it stands in stark contrast to the added responsibilities facing teachers; second, it can be another reason why fewer people join the teacher ranks and those in the classroom decide to leave; third, it is a real slap in the face given the fact that many state legislatures have more money during the past few years but are making cuts to public education.

In fact, the EPI report is none to reassuring.

Dick

More than Graduation Rates

The good news from CPS high schools is that graduation rates continue to climb. This is one but one measure of what is taking within the district. But I'd like to suggest that quantitative measures alone, which are too often used, miss the mark in terms of how schools are performing.

There has to be serious consideration of the qualitative...the means by which we find out if students are satisfied with their education, if they are better prepared to continue to march into adulthood.    Are the students curious?    Are they sincerely engaged in learning and exploring?   Are they getting the most out of classroom instruction?

And lest we forget, how are the students who come from difficult circumstances outside the classroom being assisted in school so that they get the most out of the classroom experiences??

Is much more than test scores and graduation rates.

Dick

Ponder This

The economy is strong, companies are looking for employees and many people have money to spend. Then what is the problem with respect to funding public education in many parts of America?

If the money is there then why are suburban voters screaming about spending for referendums? Why are inner city and rural schools finding it hard to fund various school programs and other initiatives? And lest people think this is all talk or a farce then go check out these talks and talk to the constituents.

Where is the REAL money? That's the point...much of the money in this economy gets in the hands of the very wealthy. That's just a fact. Just look at the new tax law. Look at the REAL wages of many inner city and rural areas. Make no mistake about it, I'm not complaining that people have wealth. What I am saying is that many areas where education funding is needed, people don't have the cash to make improvements.

Dick

More on the Mayor and Education

In the wake of Mayor Emanuel opting not to seek a third term I mentioned that at least two issues with regard to education will be critical for candidates to address for those seeking to succeed Emanuel. For one the next mayor will need to thaw what has been a frosty relationship between City Hall and the Chicago Teacher's Union. A second issue revolves around whether the new mayor will keep an appointed school board or move to have the members chosen directly by the constituents.

There is a third major issue that must be addressed. Will the new mayor fully support neighborhood public schools? I have written extensively in the past few years about how selective schools and charters have essentially undermined the viability and vitality of neighborhood schools.

Anyone who doubts that these issues will play a critical role in the minds of the voters doesn't grasp the concerns of the public with regard to the issues that the new mayor will have to address.

Dick

Mayor Steps Down

To many the Emanuel announcement that he won't run for a third term as Mayor of Chicago came as a blockbuster. With nearly a dozen in the race and facing mounting resistance the Mayor's departure from the race certainly means that the landscape has changed substantially.

From my standpoint with Emanuel stepping down there may be an impact on the public schools in couple of major areas. It will be interesting to see if any of the candidates will propose that the CPS Board of Education be an elected body or continue to be appointed by the Mayor.

It has been no secret that the Mayor has had a frosty relationship the CTU. Perhaps a fresh voice at City Hall and at the Chicago Teacher's Union will prove fruitful.

The issue of education will certainly be towards the front burner in what promises to be a hotly contested race in 2019.

CPS Graduation Rates Tick Up

Of course its great news that the graduation rates are trending in a positive direction at CPS schools. Roughly 78% of the high school students graduated in 2018, within five years, starting in the ninth grade. Positive news is always welcome.

One of the continuing alarming trends is the fact that the district's overall five year graduation rates for African American and Latino students saw scant change from 2017. Just as alarming is the fact that the five year span for graduation for black males sits at slightly less than 65% for 2018.

With a district the size of CPS and the various outside-of-school factors affecting African-Americans and Latino students in their respective communities not only raising graduation rates but, even more importantly, attending to other student needs will take herculean efforts in the coming years.

At any rate, let's hope that positive results continue to take place for ALL CPS students.

Dick