In today’s Leading New, a few takes on Governor Pritzker’s plan to streamline early childhood services. Community Unit School District 300’s Hampshire High School reconsiders a school musical. Rantoul City SD 137 agrees to a pay increase for teaching assistants. Also in the news, across the nation, public school districts discuss how, and whether, to discuss Israel-Hamas war.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposes new agency for early childhood services
Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, October 24

Pritzker proposes creation of new standalone early childhood agency
Peter Hancock, CNI/Shaw Media, October 24

Will the show go on? D300 Superintendent reconsiders decision to postpone 'The Prom' musical
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 25

Rantoul City Schools board raises pay for teaching assistants
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, October 24

Public Schools Struggle to Say the Right Thing About the Israel-Hamas War
Troy Closson, New York Times, October 25
 

In today’s Leading News, school facilities that were operating without state approval can stay open. In the state legislature, a proposal would lift the ban on paying board members from Chicago’s elected school board and continuing conversation on the private school tax credit. Also in the news, the Daily Herald looks at radon testing.  

Judge grants temporary restraining order, allows Springfield school to remain open
Patrick M. Keck, Springfield State Journal- Register, October 23

La Salle school to stay open, restraining order granted on state’s closure
Derek Barichello, Shaw Media/Illinois Valley News, October 21

Illinois lawmakers propose allowing Chicago’s school board members to be paid
Samantha Smylie and  Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, October 24

Private school tax credit top issue for Illinois fall legislative session
Jeremy Gorner and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, October 24

Few suburban schools follow state's radon testing recommendation
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 21
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of academic improvements in stories in Lebanon CUSD 9, Riverside-Brookfield THSD 208, and Springfield SD 186. Also in the news, read reporting on education issues on the forefront in Tennessee and Oklahoma.

This St. Clair County school closed an achievement gap by over 14%. Here’s how
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, October 6

RBHS college-readiness and learning-growth scores tick upward
Bob Skolnik, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, October 16

Inside a caring school: At Harvard Park Elementary, a "commendable" rating is huge
David Blanchette, Illinois Times, Springfield, October 19

Tennessee might reject all federal education funds. What would that look like?
Lexi Lonas, The Hill, October 15

Okla. board moves forward with nation’s first religious charter school
Moriah Balingit, Washington Post, October 9
 

In today’s Leading News, conversation on Invest in Kids moves to the General Assembly. Yorkville CUSD 115 responds to OMA complaint. St. Anne voters will consider consolidation. Also in the news, safety, security, and technology.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’ll agree to extend a tax credit program for private school scholarships if legislators send him a proposal
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, October 19

Gun laws, scholarship tax credits, nuclear energy – but not new spending – on table for veto session
Jerry Nowicki, Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel, and Andrew Adams, CNI, October 20

Yorkville School District Y115 to file documents with state in open meetings complaint
Mark Foster, Kendall County Now, October 18

St. Anne school districts looking to consolidate
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, October 21

Schools use new safety training and technology to prepare for mass shootings
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, October 16

 

In today’s Leading News, the AP reports on ACT scores. Speaking of testing, the high school admissions tests for CPS students have been rescheduled. McLean Co Unit District 5 works on its strategic plan. THSD 214 (Arlington Heights) discusses funding for projects. Also in the news, Ginger the goldendoodle attends a Dixon Unit SD 170 school board meeting.

ACT test scores for US students drop to new 30-year low
Cheyanne Mumphry, AP/Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 11

CPS reschedules high school admissions test
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, October 18

McLean County Unit 5 provides survey results for strategic plan
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, October 18

Will District 214 seek tax hike for $852 million to-do list?
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 19

Dixon School Board Welcomes Two Special Guests
George Howe, WIXN, Dixon, October 18
 

In today’s Leading News, read some articles on wellness and school-age kids.

Harvard Health: Navigating middle school is tough: How parents can help
Claire McCarthy, MD, Chicago Tribune, October 11

District 186 excludes 135 students over lack of physicals, immunizations
Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register, October 17

Lake Forest D115 reviewing high school mental health recommendations…
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Lake Forester, October 3

QHS Flex Academy offers 'better working environment' for some students
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, October 14

All aboard! Edwardsville middle school students take the bike bus this fall
Will Bauer, St. Louis Public Radio/Belleville News-Democrat, October 17
 

In today’s Leading News, funding equity progresses in CPS. School districts north and south work on supports for English learners. Students get civic lessons in Buffalo Grove.  Also in the news, another take on the Advance Illinois educator pipeline report.

Maligned CPS budgeting model has boosted funding equity in Chicago, research finds
Sarah Karp, WBEZ, Chicago, October 11

ETHS unveils new multilingual services department
Duncan Agnew, Evanston Roundtable, October 10

Centralia City Grade School Board accepts audit and learns of increase
in students who need to learn English
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, October 11

Buffalo Grove Civics Forum schools students in how local government works
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 6

What was the impact of COVID on the Illinois teacher workforce?
A new report examines what really happened
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, October 17

In today’s Leading News, ISBE orders the shutdown of three therapeutic day schools for students with significant social-emotional disabilities, citing lack of state approval. Also in the news, school districts discuss teacher contracts.

ISBE orders transition of students out of three facilities owned by Menta
WAND, Decatur, October 15

La Salle school says it will fight state’s ordered closure
Derek Barichello, Shaw Media/Illinois Valley News, October 17

Kewanee teachers speak out about wages & benefits
Brian Weckerly, WHBF, Rock Island, October 16

Teutopolis Unit 50 amends contract with education association
Effingham Daily News, October 15

Wilmette District 39 teachers sign new 5 year contract
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Wilmette Life, October 13
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts discuss facilities purchases and projects. Also in the news, who benefits the most from pandemic response spending?

Keep it or cut it? Galesburg School Board torn on facility rental policy.
Nick Ischer, WGIL, Galesburg, October 10

DeKalb school district seeks renovations to former nursing building
Rachel Cormier, Northern Star, NIU/DeKalb, October 9

Taylorville School Board Gains Ground On Building Project
Tim Zalabak, Taylorville Daily News, October 11

Jacksonville school district moves onto next project as Washington wraps up
Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, October 13

Schools’ pandemic spending boosted tech companies. Did it help US students?
Collin Binkley, Associated Press, October 8
 

In today’s Leading News, Advance Illinois releases a new report on the educator shortage. Huntley Community SD 158 discusses grants tied to Illinois’ “book ban ban.” The Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307 board decides to allow homeschool students to participate in IHSA extracurriculars. A report looks at media literacy in the classroom. Also in the news, students in Lake County schools can design the next “I voted” sticker.

Report: Illinois’ educator workforce weathered pandemic, but persistent issues remain
Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams, CNI/NPR Illinois, October 12

A library grant tied to Illinois’ anti-book-ban law raises red flags for Huntley District 158 school board
Claire O'Brien, Shaw Media/Northwest Herald, October 13

BBCHS will allow home-school students to play sports
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, October 12

Just 3 States Require Teaching Media Literacy. Growth of AI Makes It Essential
Pat Condo, The 74, October 10

Lake County students invited to design new ‘I Voted’ sticker; ‘We figure there’s potential to have something a little cooler’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, October 11
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts discuss performance-based pay. Arlington Heights SD 25 anticipates new teacher salaries. Yorkville CUSD 115 faces OMA complaint. Lake Forest THSD 115 looks at mental health supports. Also in the news, world events are close to home for some students.

Metro-east school district gets grant to create performance-based pay system for teachers
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, October 10

District 25 to pay at least $1.3 million to hire new kindergarten and gym teachers
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 12

Yorkville school board investigated by Illinois attorney general over closed meeting complaint
Shaw Media/Kendall County Now, October 2

Lake Forest D115 reviewing high school mental health recommendations…
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Lake Forester, October 3

Homewood teen studying in Israel recalls bombing at start of Hamas-Israel war: ‘My reality was changed in seconds’
Alexandra Kukulka, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, October 10
 

In today’s Leading News, preparing students for careers, and preparing teacher to teach them.

Decatur eighth graders explore health careers
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, October 11

U-46 8th-graders 'Explore' their futures at career expo
Tara Burghart for the Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs October 10

Tour schools guidance counselors on manufacturing's importance
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, October 7

States Are Calling for More Computer Science Classes. Now They Need the Teachers
Sarah D. Sparks, Education Week, October 5

United Airlines-SIU Aviation Career Day on Oct. 14 helps aviation dreams soar
Pete Rosenbery, SIU News, Carbondale, October 11
 

In today’s Leading News, read about school districts involved in a settlement in a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers. The conversation continues on a map for CPS’s elected school board. Also in the news, Urbana High School’s choir will sing with rock’s Foreigner on October 22.

South suburban school districts to see financial gain from vaping lawsuit
Hank Sanders, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, October 9

West Aurora School District expects to get at least $350,000 as part of settlement of national lawsuit against e-cigarette company
Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, October 8

Why Maine Township District 207 is getting a $44,904 payout from Big Tobacco firm
Russell Lissau, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 3

When will Chicago's new map for the elected school board be ready? Still no answer.
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago/Crain’s Chicago Business, October 4

Urbana High choir chosen to perform with Foreigner
Luke Taylor, Champaign News-Gazette, October 10
 

In today’s Leading News, Chalkbeat looks at restorative justice programs in CPS. Urbana SD 116 considers the merits of a single-grade building for sixth-graders.. Glenbard THSD 87 purchases prime property. Question of gun safety education come before the school board at Oak Park-River Forest HSD 200. Also in the news, a report draws attention to hate crime and response in Illinois.

Is Chicago’s shift to restorative justice and fewer school police working? Some say yes.
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, September 28

Urbana's plan for state's lone sixth-grade school: 'Create something fantastic and meaningful'
Debra Presey, Champaign News-Gazette, October 5

Gun control group urges OPRF to share safe storage information with parents
Bob Skolnik, Wednesday Journal, Oak Park and River Forest, October 3

Glenbard Township High School District buys Glen Ellyn home for $735,000
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, October 4

Report shows rise in hate in Illinois, but efforts to combat it are also on the upswing
Maureen Foertsch McKinney, NPR Illinois, October 4
 

In today’s Leading News, read all about a long-running Rockford SD 205 reading collaboration. Springfield SD 186 approves a bus routing program. North Chicago CUSD 187 seeks resolution for loss of federal impact aid. Payroll problems plague Lyons Elem SD 103 officials. Also in the news, a Michigan judge ruled the perpetrator of the Oxford school shooting is eligible for life in prison with no chance for parole.

Reading program launches its 22nd year in the Rockford School District
Kelsey Emery, WREX, Rockford, October 2

Springfield District 186 school board approves cost-saving software to route buses
Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register, October 3

Officials scrambling to maintain federal funding levels for North Chicago schools in the face of potential cutbacks
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, October 3

D103 teachers push district to fix their pay problems
Bob Skolnik, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, October 3

Michigan school shooter eligible for life sentence for killing 4 students
Ed White, AP/Chicago Tribune, September 29
 

In today’s Leading News, making plans for school district property.

Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School groundbreaking celebrated
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, September 29

Mendota High School lists building and grounds priorities
Charles Van Horn, Shaw Media/Illinois Valley, September 26

Morton School District selling farmland it purchased for $4.4 million in 2013
Steve Stein, WCBU, Peoria, October 3

D103 plans to buy apartments near George Washington Middle School
Bob Skolnik, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, October 3

Dixon schools readying Nachusa property
Charlene Bielema, Shaw Local/Sauk Valley News, September 21
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts plan renovations and relocations.

Phase 1 of Rantoul Township High renovation finishes ahead of schedule
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, October 1

DeKalb School District 428 could relocate special ed transition program
Megann Horstead, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, October 2

U-46 approves plans to move to full middle schools by 2026-27 school year
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, September 29

QPS monitoring timeline for transportation department move
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, September 26

'Safety issue' dictated Danville school board's decision to renovate football complex
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, October 1
 

In today’s Leading News, salary negotiations conclude in Fenton CHSD 100 (Bensenville) and begin anew in CPS. State Superintendent Tony Sanders takes steps at Barrington CUSD 220. Also in the news continuing conversation on the closure of Dennis Lab School in Decatur SD 61.

Teachers will have ‘strong demands’ in contract talks — even with one of their own on other side of bargaining table
Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, September 28

Fenton High School teachers will get 4.9% pay raises under new contract
Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, September 28

State Superintendent Sanders tours Barrington schools, sees facilities and offerings District 220 reaped from latest $147M referendum
Pioneer Press/Barrington Courier-Review, September 29

Bill seeks temporary class time extension for Dennis Lab School students
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, September 22

Decatur school closure exposes gaps in state-required inspections
Emily Hays, Illinois Public Media, September 25