Leading News

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of Advance Illinois’ latest report. “High-achieving” districts take note of growth component in Illinois Report Card results. P.E. or not P.E? That is the question in Dunlap CUSD 323. After a late-night tentative agreement, Teachers in Springfield SD 186 will vote on a new contract next week. Also in the news, the race is on for CPS cross country runners impacted by the Chicago teachers strike.

Report: Illinois public education improving, but much more work lies ahead
Peter Hancock, CNI/Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, November 7

High-achieving suburban school districts say state report card’s emphasis on growth led to ‘misleading’ ratings
Karen Ann Cullotta, Pioneer Press/Winnetka Talk, November 4

Dunlap School Board discussing P.E. exemption; draws concern from some parents
Matt Sheehan, WMBD, Peoria, November 6

Teachers union, District 186 reach tentative agreement
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, November 8

Appellate court will allow CPS cross-country runners to compete at Saturday’s state championship
John Keilman and Elvia Malagón, Chicago Tribune, November 7

In today’s Leading News, teachers and staff in Grayslake Comm Cons SD 46 are on strike. A federal investigation is underway regarding funds of Meridian CUSD 15 in Macon. Edwardsville SD 7 officials work with the community through a racially-charged incident. An author of a book about “Kid Activists” questions the cancellation of an appearance at a Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 elementary school. Also in the news, Alton High School students go bald for charity.
 
Grayslake teachers on strike Thursday
Will Jones, WLS, Chicago, November 7
 
FBI investigating allegations that Meridian superintendent embezzled $250,000
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, November 5
 
Edwardsville High School reacts to racist social media posts circulating among students
Hana Muslic, Belleville News-Democrat, November 6
 
Author believes Dist. 200 canceled Wheaton school visit due to LGBTQ content; officials cite procedural issue
Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 6
 
‘My head feels weird’: 20 Alton High students go bald for St. Baldrick’s
Jeanie Stephens, The Telegraph, Alton, November 1

In today’s Leading News, teachers and staff at Grayslake Comm Cons SD 46 will reportedly strike tomorrow, November 7. School districts are prompted to consider addressing gender identity. Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 aims to overcome timing tensions and establish student performance and academic improvement goals. Lake Villa SD 41 discusses a referendum try. Also in the news, with talks about its policy regarding teacher strikes scheduled for December, the IHSA appeals the participation of cross country runners at Saturday’s state meet.
 
Grayslake District 46 officials announce teachers and support staff will go on strike Thursday
Lake County News-Sun, November 6
 
A transgender teacher in Evanston says their school district has been slow to address gender identity concerns
Karen Ann Cullotta, Pioneer Press/Evanston Review, October 24
 
Argument over absences stalls board meeting
Aaron Eades, WCIA, Champaign, October 29
 
Lake Villa District 41 considers trying another referendum
Tom Ackerman, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 1
 
IHSA files legal appeal that could force CPS cross-country runners to miss this weekend’s state finals
John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, November 5

In today’s Leading News, teachers voted Monday evening against the contract offer from Springfield SD 186. Decatur SD 61 and its teaching assistants dispute life insurance issue after last week’s strike. Grayslake Comm Cons SD 46 teachers and staff could strike Thursday. Galesburg CUSD 205 will update its kitchens as part of planned major renovations. Also in the news, McLean County Unit 5 offers an “introduction to teaching” dual-credit class with Heartland Community College.

SEA votes down latest District offer at Monday meeting
Steven Spearie, The State Journal-Regster, November 5

Decatur teaching assistants say district removed life insurance; district says coverage reinstated
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, November 2
 
As strike date nears, pay still the big issue in Grayslake District 46
Russell Lissau, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 31
 
Galesburg School D205 cooking up kitchen updates
Matt Koester, Galesburg Register-Mail, October 27
 
New Normal class offers pipeline solution to teacher shortage
Kelsey Watznauer, Bloomington Pantagraph, October 26

In today’s Leading News, The Southern looks at poor rural districts and school funding. A bill that would allow students to leave school to vote comes before the governor this veto session. Peoria Public Schools considers a charter school renewal. Sidebars to the Chicago teacher’s strike, which ended last week, include student journalists’ coverage. Also in the news, Black Hawk College Black Hawk College and National Louis University in Chicago team up to offer online teacher preparation.

In poor, rural Illinois school districts, teacher raises and evidence-based funding are 'a balancing act'
Gabriel Neely-Streit, The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, November 4

Bills letting students leave school to vote, lifting driver’s license suspensions will head to governor
Jerry Nowicki, CNI/State Journal-Register, Springfield, October 31

PPS board holds hearing on Quest charter renewal
Scott Hilyard, Journal Star, Peoria, October 31

How one Chicago high school journalist covered his own teachers’ strike
Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, November 4

Meeting the Illinois teacher shortage with new online bachelor’s degree program
WQAD, Quad Cities, October 29

In today’s Leading News, students are back in class in Chicago Public Schools after an 11-day strike in the state’s largest school district; the deal reportedly includes additional social workers, school nurses, and counselors. Decatur SD 61 teaching assistants have ended a strike. Community Unit School District 300 will get $2 million in a decision in the ongoing bankruptcy process of Sears Corporation and the village of Hoffman Estates. Also in the news, a McHenry County committee considers and reject a referendum proposal to eliminate the county-based Regional Office of Education.

CPS strike over, classes to resume Friday as Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Teachers Union reach deal on makeup days
Hannah Leone, Gregory Pratt, Elvia Malagón, and Marie Fazio, Chicago Tribune, October 31

It's over: CPS, CTU reach deal
A.D. Quig, Crain’s Chicago Business, October 31

Decatur teaching assistants return to work, but health insurance battle remains
Analisa Trofimuk, Decatur Herald and Review, November 1

District 300 collects $2 million from Sears bankruptcy
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, October 29

McHenry County committee votes down regional office of education elimination referendum
Drew Zimmerman, Northwest Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 1